When I went to Portland a couple of years ago, before I was a letterboxer,
my family spent a lovely day driving the old road that runs up above the
Columbia River. We started at the restored visitor center (can't remember
the name) and then stopped and hiked to the waterfalls. There are about 10
different falls (Multnomah being the best known) and all them were just
lovely. We drove back to Portland along the highway to make better time.

I've also heard really great things about the botanical gardens and Portland
Zoo.

Have fun!
SJ Honey Bunny

On 9/11/08, Pam Zawada wrote:
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: Pam Zawada [mailto:pazawada@gmail.com ]
> Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:12 AM
> To: 'letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com <%27letterbox-usa%40yahoogroups.com>'
> Subject: Portland Help
>
> Hi all -
>
> I'm a lurking letter boxer and I need help. I will be in Portland, OR next
> weekend - not this one unfortunately! I have literally from noon on Weds
> until noon on Thursday to do what want. I have never been before and who
> knows when I'll be back.
>
> I love the outdoors and nature so I do not want to spend it in the city. So
> if you had only one day - and a rental car - what would you do? I'm hoping
> that all you who are there this weekend will have wonderful ideas.
>
> Thank you!
>
> Pam
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

The visitor's center you probably mean is called "Vista House." It is
really a nice drive along the historic highway through the Columbia
River Gorge, and great hiking. There are a lot of things to do in
Portland that don't feel "in the city" - There's Forest Park, which is
home to the arboretum, the city zoo, the test rose garden
(beautiful!), the Japanese garden (quiet and beautiful), and 70 miles
of trails, plus a nice Veitnam Memorial and Foresty Center Museum.
You could spend a week exploring Forest Park alone.
There's also Mt. Tabor, an extinct volcano within Portland city
limits, and Powell Butte, which both have really nice hiking and great
views. We're also big fans of the Audobon Society's trails. Having
moved to Portland from Chicago, I would say that the greatest thing
about Portland is the ability to be "surrounded by nature" without
ever leaving the city limits. As a Portlander, I'd recommend one of
the many natural places in Portland, rather than a trip out of
Portland for your visit.

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Christie Gurney"
wrote:
>
> When I went to Portland a couple of years ago, before I was a
letterboxer,
> my family spent a lovely day driving the old road that runs up above the
> Columbia River. We started at the restored visitor center (can't
remember
> the name) and then stopped and hiked to the waterfalls. There are
about 10
> different falls (Multnomah being the best known) and all them were just
> lovely. We drove back to Portland along the highway to make better
time.
>
> I've also heard really great things about the botanical gardens and
Portland
> Zoo.
>
> Have fun!
> SJ Honey Bunny
>
> On 9/11/08, Pam Zawada wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > _____
> >
> > From: Pam Zawada [mailto:pazawada@... ]
> > Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:12 AM
> > To: 'letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
<%27letterbox-usa%40yahoogroups.com>'
> > Subject: Portland Help
> >
> > Hi all -
> >
> > I'm a lurking letter boxer and I need help. I will be in Portland,
OR next
> > weekend - not this one unfortunately! I have literally from noon
on Weds
> > until noon on Thursday to do what want. I have never been before
and who
> > knows when I'll be back.
> >
> > I love the outdoors and nature so I do not want to spend it in the
city. So
> > if you had only one day - and a rental car - what would you do?
I'm hoping
> > that all you who are there this weekend will have wonderful ideas.
> >
> > Thank you!
> >
> > Pam
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>