Portlandia, Oregon, USA

 We are almost at the end of our sojourn with Josette in Portland. We 
left Yosemite last week and made the 400 miles in good time. Josette has had us 
on the move every day since our arrival and she tends to underestimate the 
physical activity. An advertised 3 mile walk on the flat turned into an 8 mile 
hike with 1500 feet of elevation and a little bike ride became 18 miles of up 
hill and down dale.
The exertion was worth it as the hike took us through forest and waterfalls and 
was very enjoyable. As was the bike ride in the Columbia Gorge wound through 
spectacular scenery. We have been blessed with great weather, not typical of 
Portland but welcome much the same. 
The city of Portland is an interesting place, to say the least. If any of you 
have seen the US cable  TV show Portlandia, the portrayal is pretty accurate. 
There are some fairly different people here but everyone seems pleasant and easy 
going. There are hundreds of eateries coffee shops and bakeries and some very 
peculiar stores for doggies' clothing and some just dedicated to hats and junk 
shops by the dozen.
We have met many of Josette's friends and have enjoyed numerous dinners out. I 
went on an excellent guided tour of the last US diesel submarine moored outside the 
Oregon science museum with new friend John, at retired US Navy Captain.
An afternoon was spent at the Nike campus in Beaverton. Another very impressive 
place, especially the company store with its fifty per cent discount.

Tomorrow, it's off to Boise, ID for some more adventures.

view of Mount Shasta on the way up to Portland

the Columbia River Gorge

The  International Test Rose Garden 

bike ride along the Columbia Gorge

Hiking the Multnomah Falls

The ultra feminist bookshop and community centre featured in the show Portlandia(it really does exist)

Bills posted on telephone poles. Seems to be a Portland tradition. The bills can be inches thick

Following the tour of SS Blueback. The last of the US Navy diesel attack subs.