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Portland is a unique city with the Columbia
River and the Washington / Oregon state line as its Northern border. The Willamette River cuts Southward right
through the heart of the City. Portland is also the
Western end of Interstate 84 a main East / West Interstate highway and
Interstate-5 intersects I-84 on its north / south track through the city.
Portland was founded in 1851, has a population of around
440,000 and is 77 feet above sea level.
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Portland is located just south of the
confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. It is also at the north end of the Willamette Valley, one of the most fertile
agricultural areas in the world.
Today wine grapes are one of the major crops grown in the region.
Portland is surrounded with tourist activities
and scenery. Vineyards and wineries
to the south, Mt. Hood with its
skiing and hiking to the east, Mt.
St. Helens with its volcanic activity to the northeast, the Pacific Ocean
Beaches to the west and Crater Lake
and the national forests to the southeast to mention only a few.
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Interstate-5 in downtown Portland with the
convention center towers in the background
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The Portland skyline from a bridge
over the Willamette River
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Portland is a college town with four universities; Portland
State University,
the University of Portland, Lewis &
Clark College,
and Reed College.
Portland is also a city proud of its parks. The city abandoned a four lane highway on
the west bank of the Willamette
River and constructed
the Governor Tom
McCall Waterfront
Park. This park runs through the entire
downtown along the river bank. There
are concerts, picnickers, sightseers, and festivals in the summer months
and runners and walkers through out the year. Visit the park’s web site:
Portland
Parks - Gov. Tom McCall Park
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The Portland Chinese Garden is a joint project of the Cities of Portland and Suzhou. It is the largest Chinese-style garden
outside of China. It is bounded by 2nd and 3rd
Avenues and Everett and Flanders
streets.
Set aside about four hours to view this garden, it
is extraordinary. Visit their web
site: Visit their web site.
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The Portland Chinese
Garden
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One of the Bridges over the Willamette River
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Children’s Museum –
a facility designed for children from 6 months to 10 years old with
displays in which the children can participate.
Take I-405 Exit 2A onto The Sunset Highway
westbound (US-26) go to US-26 Exit 72 and exit, then turn right onto Canyon Road and
into Washington
Park via the south
entrance. The Children’s Museum is
at 4015 Canyon Road.
Visit their web site: http://www.portlandcm2.org/
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Oregon Zoo – This world
class facility has exhibits that replicate the natural habitat of the
animals in the zoo. Allow a minimum
of 4 hours to absorb this wonderful place.
Visitors can also board a train for a 4 mi. ride
through the hills of Washington Park and view the Japanese
Garden and the International Rose
Test Gardens. The Zoo is located in Washington Park.
Take I-405 Exit 2A onto The Sunset Highway (US-26)
go to US-26 Exit 72 and exit then turn right onto Canyon Road and into Washington Park. The Children’s Museum is at 4015 Canyon Road.
Visit their web site: http://www.oregonzoo.org/
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Oregon Historical Society – has permanent and changing exhibits
about the history of Oregon. Besides the exhibits the society maintains
a large research library on the history of the state. Eight story tall western theme murals
decorate the exterior of the building.
It is located at 1200
SW Park Avenue. Visit their web site: http://www.ohs.org/
Portland Art Museum – is Oregon’s oldest visual arts museum. Founded in 1892 it has developed an art
collection consisting of 32,000 pieces.
Its collections include northwest, American Indian, Asian, contemporary
and European art works. It is located
at 1219 SW Park Avenue. Visit their web site: http://www.portlandartmuseum.org/
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The Grotto
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The Grotto – this 62
acre sanctuary and shrine were erected in 1924. It is the National Sanctuary of our
sorrowful Mother.
The Grotto is a peaceful spot to stop and reflect
on your journey. The Grotto is an
outdoor cathedral located at the bottom of a 10-story cliff and there is an
elevator to take you to the gardens located above the Grotto.
Located at the intersection of NE 85th
and Sandy Boulevard
(US-30) in northeast Portland. If you take I-205 Exit 23 onto US-30 and
head west it is only 0.7 mi. Visit
their web site: http://www.thegrotto.org/
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Hoyt Arboretum – is located in Washington
Park (above). This 183 acre area of the park contains
more than 1100 varieties of shrubs, flowering trees, and coniferous It has more than 12 mi. of trails. Visit their web site:
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