Month: September 2016

Posted on in Photos, Travel

My Trip to Portland, Part 2 …

The conclusion of my 2-part photo essay on my September long weekend in Portland, OR.

Here are some more photos from Portland. I lucked out and had some beautiful, sunny days and some nice nights where you could just tell Fall was looming in the air. Portland is a very pretty town to roam around and take photos in, but I was always drawn back to Powell’s Books, so yes … you’ll find a few more shots of that awesome bookstore. The above shot is just one of many bridges in this “City of Bridges,” which also boasts a great waterfront, especially down where this shot was taken. Click on the thumbnails to see them larger on your screen!

If you like my photos, please follow me on Instagram, and search #garytrips2016

Posted on in Photos, Travel, Writings

My Trip to Portland, Part 1 …

Okay … let’s be totally honest. I go to Portland once a year to go to Powell’s Books. There is simply no other bookstore like it in the country. The Strand in New York City is the closest you can come, I guess (and I love that store, too), but pound for pound, book for book, Powell’s is in a league of it’s own. It takes up an entire city block and is (in some parts of the building) 4 stories (HA! A book pun!) tall. It has an amazing combination of new and used books. I purchased 2 new books 4 vintage paperbacks, a vintage (circa 1972) London “Red Guide” travel book (a hardcover in like-new condition, for the princely sum of $3.95), plus numerous Powell’s souvenirs (tote bags, magnets, postcards). The store has it’s own freakin’ map, for Christ’s sake!

So that’s why I go to Portland, but I do enjoy the city surrounding the bookstore (yes, there is one outside of the Vatican City-like “City of Books” that is Powell’s). Here’s the first of 2 photo galleries from my long September weekend, including bridges, buildings, and just general stuff that caught my eye as I was roaming around, primarily through both downtown and the Pearl District. Look for Part 2 very soon … click on the images to see them larger on your screen!

If you like my photos, please follow me on Instagram, or search #garytrips2016