MAX - Streetcar - Screen Door for Brunch - Powell's Books ...........PERFECT

It's Thursday in Portland.  I ran out of reading material so - only one thing that I can do.......

Go to Powell's Books Store and, while there, walk over to SCREEN DOOR for Brunch.

To get there, I started out on MAX, transferred to the Streetcar and disembarked on Couch where all of the Pearl District action is.

I probably overdid my book purchasing - - are six new books too much?  ah, no..........

As I walked home I couldn't resist stopping at one my favorite Downtown Portland fountains - this is the LoveJoy Fountain in the urban downtown Halprin Sequence (look it up in Google - a fascinating piece of Portland history)

TODAY IS GREAT GRANDFATHER'S DAY AT THE HATEFIS.................

Father's Day is always a special occasion but, today for Roger it was even more special because he is celebrating three generations as being a father and patriarch.

We celebrated it at a brunch at Portland's Chart House in the beautiful tree lined hills right outside Downtown Portland.  Traveling up to the restaurant feels like we're at a high elevation with the lush trees and greenery, reminiscent of our drives on the way to the Oregon Coast.

We enjoyed a beautiful view, delicious food and conversation about his memories of when his children were born and stories about their childhood.  Truly a lovely day's tribute to a great dad.

 

It's PIZZA TIME at Portland's Old Town Brewery

 It's 84 sunny degrees in Portland today so people are outside soaking up sunshine and celebrating life.  What's the first thing that comes to my mind?  

Well........... pizza, of course.  

Allison is my pizza buddy so she eagerly accepted my invitation to take a drive to Old Town Brewery on MLK.  It's a much longer drive than when we go to Old Town Pizza (same owners) on Davis St in the Pearl but that location still remains closed because of the homeless situation and ongoing downtown protests that seem to crop up on most weekends.

Our favorite order is spinach salad and a small house special.  We each order our own so we are guaranteed at least three more lunches.

Portland Restaurants Are ALIVE, Again

 Portland's Pearl District has a new restaurant and it's jumping!  "SCREEN DOOR" is now at the second location and it's an old fashioned Southern style cuisine.  The location is kitty-corner from Powell's Books and also Whole Foods Market so, for me, it's a perfect "one-stop-shop" opportunity.  The restaurant is so busy I got there early (9:30 a.m.) and I was one of the last to get a table.  By the time that I left at 10:30 there had to be at least 30 people waiting.

Seating is both indoors and outdoors.  The kitchen is a semi-open concept and it's easy to see that meals are being made from scratch.

I started with a fresh fruit plate that had pitted cherries, grapes, grapefruit, apple, pineapple and oranges - a unique and beautiful combination.

I've never been in a restaurant that serves chicken and waffles so I had to try it.  The portion was huge and I just knew that I couldn't eat it all...................... but .............., I couldn't stop.  The waffles are made with sweet potatoes and the chicken simply can't be described, other than lots of pepper and salt and a super crunchy crust that is addictive.

Eating here is worth a trip to Portland!

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT PORTLAND'S CHART HOUSE

On Sunday, it just seems required that we should seek out a restaurant to enjoy a leisurely Brunch experience and Portland has the perfect place.........

The Chart House is located on a hillside on a tree filled curvy road near downtown.  When you get there, you feel like you're in the middle of a primitive Northwest forest, filled with vibrant greenery every place you look, and miles from civilization, but -- in reality, we're just a few miles from downtown.

Inside, we're greeted with happy faces, led to linen covered tables, and presented with a view that encompasses all the way from Mt Hood to Mt St Helens.  It's a panorama of beauty.

Today, my friend, Rae and I enjoyed an early breakfast and we've decided to make this a bi-monthly occasion.

Another reason to live in Portland...........

CHEERS, FRIENDS...............

 

THE GIRLS VISIT AFTER 18 MONTHS - IT'S PARTY TIME............

Last weekend "The Girls" (my daughter Lori and her wife Pam) finally were able to visit Portland.  Three days of laughter, hugs, kisses, good food and drink and some "down time", just listening to music and reading on the balcony.  They brought California weather with them so it was warmer than usual here in Portland - mostly in the high 80 degrees.

We're already planning for Thanksgiving time this year as we have lots of catch-up to do.

Life is good....................

 

OUT OF HIBERNATION................

 

It's time to talk about Portland.  I'm writing this on a semi-sunny day after taking a walk through my favorite city.  

Downtown has been badly scared by the many protests and riots throughout the past year or more.  Just about the time we think things have calmed down, someone comes up with a new protest.

This blog website has changed since I last used it so now I have some new skills that I need to develop. (I'm not sure why my words are "centered") - - oh, well............ 

The "Station Closed" exemplifies the condition of transportation in downtown.  MAX and the streetcars operate with longer wait times with very few riders.  Businesses are still boarded up but artists have tried to add some color to a bleak palette.  Probably the most sad building is the Apple Store that now has two chain link fences with concrete barriers.  The reasons are obvious ---- the entire building is GLASS.  I'm hoping to live long enough to return for the classes that energized me and provided an opportunity to stay at least a little in tune with new technology.

People are still wearing masks outdoors, even though it isn't required, and it's surprising to see the fearful looks on their faces when they see people maskless.  

Roger and I have been vaccinated for several months so we're grateful for avoiding the virus and we're gleeful to be out enjoying life.

I'll soon be writing about my favorite lunch restaurant, "Q" (no, not the Republican one), Mucca, my favorite dinner restaurant, and my new "find", Screen Door.  We old ladies are getting out-and-about (four of us in the 80+ club) and greatly enjoying our activities.

More later..............................