Tourists in our hometown, Portland, OR 22 June 2013

 Yesterday was our 33rd wedding anniversary.  We decided that we would celebrate today by being tourists in Portland.  We had lunch at Pine State Biscuits, 2204 NE Alberta St.  When we arrived, there was a line to the corner.  We met a young man from San Diego, who is medical school in Chicago.  He and his brother were enjoying the weekend here.  The medical student had been to this restaurant on a previous visit and couldn't wait to return. 

There are about five tables and a counter inside with more tables outside.  Orders are placed before sitting and seating is first come, first serve.  

The biscuits are made before your eyes.  The sandwich has fried chicken, cheese, bacon, egg, and gravy!!  It was terrific.  We should have ordered one and split it.  We did bring part of it home.  Our new friend told us to have the Aardvark Sauce.  It is a delicious Habanero sauce made in Portland.  

The hushpuppies were terrific.  

Alberta Street is lined with many cool eateries and shops.  It is funky and fun - very Portland.

After lunch we drove to Lloyd Center and left the car in the parking garage.  We walked about a block and caught The Max to the Skidmore Fountain stop.  

These dreadlocked musicians greeted us as we exited the train - so Portland, too. They played a sort of  zydeco fusion.

Saturday Market is held every Saturday and Sunday from mid-March to mid-October.  Most of the vendors share high-quality art and goods.  

Most vendors have tent structures, but this vendor has a real building that is moveable.  The feet of the bad witch from The Wizard of Oz sticking out from underneath the building made us smile.

People watching is rich at the market.

We have lived here for 23 years and never been to Voodoo Doughnut!  When we got there, this is what we found.  The line is about this much longer behind us in this photo.  We decided that we would have to return on a week day some other time.  Voodoo makes donuts in many different shapes, including ones that could be rated X.

Saturday Market and Voodoo Doughnut are located in Old Town.  This is one of the beautiful buildings in that area.

 Native American performers were singing and drumming next to The Max stop.  See the pink box on the right.  That is from Voodoo Doughnut.  Smile! 

The Max crossed the Willamette River on the Steel Bridge.  There are 10 bridges in Portland.  The brown one is The Broadway Bridge and the one in the background is The Fremont or I-405 Bridge.  If you have ever watched "Grimm" you may recognize the Fremont.  It is the bridge in the background when you see Nick's aunt's trailer.  Portland is a port city even though it is 70 miles from the Pacific Ocean.  In the 19th century, many sailors were Shanghaied from waterfront bars here.

Union Station is a historical landmark.  Penny's dad was stationed in Albany, OR for a short time during WW II.  He met her mother at this station when she joined him for the duration of his training.  The homes on the hills have fabulous views.  The high rises to the right of the train station are in The Pearl; a very upscale part of town.   Only a few years ago it was a warehouse district.

As we walked back to our car, we saw this bike path along a major street.  Eight percent of commuters in Portland, bike to work. Note the large flower pots separating the car and bike lanes.