What (Else) to Do in Portland

By Sallyanne


Have you ever been in a strange city when traveling and not known what to do or where to go when you have some free time? I certainly have. But, if you are there for SRS, with its very special apprehensions, why not take advantage of some of a lovely city's ambiance. Surgery is no fun, even if it marks the end of a long preparatory journey. Perhaps, this will add some sense of peace to the process.

Whether you are visiting Dr Toby for the first time to discuss your SRS, are there for it or back for touch up, you or your companions may want to explore out-of-the-way places you may not find easily and some fairly close to the UofO Med Centers.

This is Sallyanne's list of Portland's West Side Little Known Restaurants and SRS Tourist Guide to Portland. The recommendations are personal from a person who came to adulthood in Portland's Southwest Hills.

Places to eat:

Rose's Vienna Deli -- I think that this place has the best Rubens in the US--including Manhattan. Great multi-,multi- layer cakes and a plethora of other goodies. Last time I was there it had become a meeting place for love trysts for some of Portland's tycoons as it includes a darkened restaurant serving area. Prices are reasonable. Location: 23rd or higher in NW Portland. Go West on Burnside until you get to Vista (Visa goes South--left, Burnside straight and there are two streets coming in at a "Y "). Bear right and you should find it. The telephone I was given by information is 228-4881 but that seems to ring in the Lloyd Center store which is currently undergoing remodeling. New location at 12329 NE Gilsan may make it out-of-the-way. tel 254-6545. Reservations not required nor encouraged and Rose's accepts most credit cards.

Dan & Louis Oyster Bar Raw Oysters and other seafood delicacies. Clam chowder is reminiscent of Cape Cod.. Prices are very reasonable. Located about a block south of Burnside at 208 SW Ankeny--Tel 277-5906 Area should be safe at night but, as it is near skid row, you may find panhandlers. Telephone: 227-5906, no reservations, most credit cards.

Chart House on Twilliger and very near the hospital complexes. Like most restaurants, it is fairly good, but not gourmet. Get a table overlooking the city in the evening. Have a glass of of your favorite wine and take in the view. Dittos during the day, but you may get a glimpse of the mountains, if it's not raining or cloudy.

Jake's Crawfish House--not good if you don't like bare hardwood floors, bentwood tables and chairs and seafood. This place has been there for more than 100 years. Plain, good food and service. But we did hear the yuppies took it over. Located at about 401 SW 12th, tel 220-1850. All credit cards.

Sam's -- NW 23rd--I have not been there, but it comes highly recommended.

McCormick and Schmicks Seafood downtown at 235 SW 1st, tel 224-7522.

Der Rheinlander out at 5035 NE Sandy tel.= 288-5503-Reasonably good German fare

Newport Bay, the only restaurant on the Willamette (pronounced: will LAM it) downtown - its a floating restaurant as well. - at "Riverplace" at 425 SW Montgomery, tel. 227-3474

Also, there are a number of micro-breweries that are pretty neat, including Widmers at 955 N. Russell near the Lloyd Center, tel. 281-3333.

There is an old fashioned sternwheeler cruise on the Willamette (you can get dinner on these too) info down at "Riverplace". Portland was, and is a river-seaport, crowded with ships in its earlier history.

Places for Mediation and Getting Your Mind in Order:

Washington Park, International Rose Test Gardens--the Shakespeare Garden located in the South part of the gardens. Nice bench looking out at the snow capped peaks and the city below you and surrounded with roses and English garden flowers. My favorite place in the city.

Council Crest Park--great views East and West and a nice place to watch a sunset and review the past and think of the future.

Forest Park--between Washington Park and the Portland Zoo and Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. It is a hilly, deep forest drive through 100 foot fir trees and Northwestern undergrowth of hazelnuts, ferns and mosses with several places to stop, walk and sit. Some very good views of the city through the trees.

Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother--NE 90th and Sandy. Park and walk around. Take the elevator up to the gardens above the Grotto. If you are religious, attend a service outside or just pray and meditate in the grotto grounds.

Touring:

Washington Park--Drive there, entering from Vista Ave. Pass through the park beyond the tennis courts (with climbing roses as a green backdrop). Park below the courts and explore the International Rose Test Gardens. You will likely feel that you have been here before, as the view is one of the more published ones of Portland's scenery. One of my favorite places in this garden area, is the Shakespeare Garden. It's at the South end and has a nice quiet bench surrounded by flowers from which you may con template the universe (and your next steps). In the late Summer months the Portland Opera Co usually performs a light opera, operetta or musical at the north end of the rose gardens. It's free, the acoustics aren't too bad and the view is stupendous.

Council Crest--highest point in Multnomah County and Portland and was used by the Chinook Native Americans for their councils. Great view. Be sure to see the statue of Sakajueea, Lewis and Clark's guide across the Rockies to the mouth of the Columbia. Go there either from the med center or up Vista.

If you are into history, John McLaughlin's house from the Hudson's Bay Company days, is an interesting stop in Oregon City, on the east side of the Willamette.

Saturday Art fair between Burnside and Morrison Street bridges on West side of river next to the harbor. Plan to nibble as you browse since there are some coffee and food stalls as well.

The Zoo and Oregon Museum of Science & Industry are both worth some time and can be reached while taking in Washington Park. Portland's zoo was the first to breed elephants in the US and has quite a herd there. It's clean and makes for a nice outing. OMSI is adjacent to the zoo.

Outside trips:

Columbia River Gorge--drive 12 miles up the gorge to Multnomah Falls. Fastest way to go is I84. Best is old US 30 which takes you up to Vista Point and down again into the gorge. Numerous waterfalls and parks. Take a picnic lunch and stop at one of the falls--Horsetail is nice.

Mt Hood and Timberline Lodge--This is about 45 minutes from Portland. If its clear, from Timberline you can see all the snow capped peaks from Mt Rainier in the North to Mt Shasta in the South, more than ten in all. Timberline Lodge is a concession hotel built by the CCC in the depression. It has a nice restaurant. The fireplaces and art works, alone, are worth the trip. If you ski, you may wish to rent some, even in high Summer, and take the magic mile up to the glacier which has year-round skiing.

Mt St Helens--about an hour's drive if you are big on active volcanos that is, otherwise, if you insist, you can see an extinct one in Mt Tabor Park which is in SE Portland off of Powell Blvd in Portland.

The Oregon Coast--Astoria, one of the very first English-speaking settlements on the West Coat and an old seaport at the mouth of the Columbia River--about a 1.5 hour drive from Portland. The beach towns are all about 1.5-2.5 hours from Portland, if that interests you. Cannon Beach, about 2 hours from Portland is quite pretty and not too commercial.


Sallyanne is a preop transexual and management consultant who currently resides in Texas, lived much of her youth in Portland, Oregon. She continues to maintain social and business contacts in that city as well as Neenah, Wisconsin, and Montreal."

Back to Transgender Forum's home page