Portland in Early September

[Chad Fabry]

We'll be in Portland, Oregon for four days in early September. Anyone have some *must do* suggestions? 

[Jim Katen]

Let me know when you'll be around if you'd like to meet up. 

Since it's you, you absolutely must not miss Hippo Hardware. https://www.hippohardware.com/ 

You can't do Portland without checking out Powell's City of Books; four stories covering an entire city block: http://www.powells.com/

Definitely visit some food cart pods. One of the best is the Belizean Chicken place: http://www.foodcartsportland.com/2013/07/29/love-belizean/

Of course, Voodoo Donut & Wedding Chapel is a must see. Just don't try to go first thing in the morning unless you want to wait in a line that stretches around the block. https://www.voodoodoughnut.com/

Walk along the riverfront on the east side, hike in Forest Park, hang out in "Portland's Living Room," Pioneer Courthouse Square. And if you're in Pioneer Courthouse Square near noon, don't miss the Portland Weather Machine's daily weather prediction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather_Machine 

For a very short day hike, check out the Witch's Castle, a cool ruin with a fascinating history and a connection to Danforth Balch, the first man to be hanged for murder in Oregon. 

It's fun to tour the Shanghai Tunnels at night: http://www.shanghaitunnels.info/ 

Oh, yeah, you'd probably enjoy a tour of Pittock Mansion. The building is fabulous but the tours only let you go so far and they actually lock the doors to the parts where they don't want you to go (I know this from first-hand experience), which is a very un-Portland-like thing to do: http://pittockmansion.org/

If you're interested in gardens, we have an excellent Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, and the International Rose Test Garden. 

If you'll be around on a Saturday or Sunday, don't miss the Portland Saturday Market: http://www.portlandsaturdaymarket.com/

If you drive about an hour west, check out the Evergreen Air Museum, which features The Spruce Goose, among other fascinating aviation artifacts: https://www.evergreenmuseum.org/the-spruce-goose 

Of course, per capita, Portland has more of two things than any other city in the country: bookstores and strip clubs. (Yes, we have more strip clubs per capita than Las Vegas.) Now many of these are seedy affairs, but one shines out: The Casa Diablo Vegan Strip Club, http://www.casadiablo.com/, which prides itself on exploiting women, not animals. I have never been, but a list of Portland must-sees would not be complete without it. And, to put your mind at ease, none of the performers wears fur or feathers.

I'd normally say to head out to the Gorge for some quick day hikes and fabulous views, but there are no views right now because of the intense haze from all of the forest fires in Washington & Oregon. 

And pot is legal here. You can't go more than a few blocks, it seems, without running into a dispensary. I recommend the gummy bears. . . 

 

[Les]

a bunch of suspected inspectors will also be in portland sept 7-10th.  we are staying downtown somewhere by the river.  are there any strip clubs for older americans? 

 

[Jim Katen]

8 hours ago, Les said:

a bunch of suspected inspectors will also be in portland sept 7-10th.  we are staying downtown somewhere by the river.  are there any strip clubs for older americans? 

 

2

I think they're *all* for older Americans. 

[Chad Fabry]

Thanks, Jim. I appreciate the help!

It'd be great to meet you. Maybe we (including Les) can get together for dinner on Friday the 8th? 

[Jim Katen]

Sure, but Friday is the 7th . . . 

[Chad Fabry]

The seventh then.

 

[Chad Fabry]

We got back from Portland on Sunday night. We spent the first two days in Oregon in a little cottage on Netarts' Bay then we saw Oregon's biggest Sitka spruce with a trunk diameter of 15 feet. It was pretty darn fantastic. The next day we drove 6 hours one way to Jedediah Smith State Park in California to see the redwoods which were humbling, primordial and awe-inspiring. But between the two tree days, we had a wonderful dinner with Jim Katen and Les Van Alstine at Mother's Bistro.  Jim was smart and funny. He also has an idea or two about how to get rich inspecting houses. Les was philosophic and spoke directly to my wife. (see the second photo) I couldn't always hear him but I think he was saying that he's already rich from inspecting houses. 

It was like a bonus that I got to see Don Norman and Charlie Sessums. And after 15 years, I was lucky to meet Mike O'Handley as well. 

        

[Marc]

Great photos!

[Jim Baird]

...thanks for sharing these.  I swear I've seen those faces on the post office walls before.

[John Kogel]

Yeah that was fun. Some of us were there in spirit. Just a ripe, I mean rich, bunch of guys.  😎

[Jim Katen]

Hey, I had a great time and I'm glad that you enjoyed the PacificNorthwest. 

Those redwoods really are awe-inspiring. . . 

[Les]

I always get really nervous when meeting inspectors that know more than I do. (that would be most inspectors)  Enjoyed the company, the dinner and the trip.

I am sooooooo  poor that Katen had to pick up my check!  Thanks Jim.

I was really a rose between two thorns.

Meeting other inspectors is my favorite thing about this job.  I am blessed.