We scheduled some work on the RV in Coburg, Oregon later this month, so we need to stay in this area a few more days. But that’s no hardship – we are enjoying relaxing and being tourists. We had lunch at Old Town Pizza in Portland, which is supposed to be a very haunted place because it’s situated over the old Shanghai Tunnels. We didn’t see any ghosts but we did get some good pizza. We also enjoyed a trip to the Grotto; the area is well cared for and it’s very relaxing to walk through the beautiful grounds. And Portland has a Leonidas store – in my opinion, that is some of the best Belgium chocolate in the world. I was very, very good, and only got one candy bar. The Outdoor Store and Oregon Leather Store were cool – they are a nice change from the cookie-cutter stores we find in supercenters and malls.

When we drive into the north side of Portland, we go through an area that has a lot of vagrants. There are so many young people on the streets with cardboard signs that I did some research. Apparently a lot of them are out there by choice, having decided to join the culture of street-life. One lady wrote that her 19 year old son had a car, room and college fund waiting for him at home, but he took off to join the homeless cult in Portland. I am old enough to remember the 1960s when something similar happened in the hippie movement, sending lots of young people to live in the streets of Haight-Ashbury. Apparently history really does repeat itself.

We were excited to meet up with Andy and Jodie, compatriots from Skagway. We had a great dinner at BJs and caught up with life after Skagway. Hopefully we can continue to keep in touch!

For lunch today we went to the Screen Door restaurant. It is now on our list of “don’t miss in Portland”. Their specialties include fried chicken on a sweet potato waffle, and praline bacon. No matter if you think that sounds good or not, I assure you that it is very, very good! The portions are big and the taste is great - thanks to Andy for suggesting this one.

Another “don’t miss” the Portland Saturday Market (thanks again, Andy!). It’s actually a couple of markets – Portland Saturday Market and Skidmore Market. They have a ton of handmade items, and it's a very enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

Voodoo Doughnuts was a bit of a disappointment. The doughnuts are really pretty good, but the place is so famous that the line to get in goes around the block – and they’re just doughnuts! Fortunately there is a second Voodoo Doughnuts that isn’t as packed, so we went there for our doughnuts.

The longer we stay here, the longer is our list of things to do here!