Category Archives: Portland

Spring break destinations

I’m beginning to feel like a bit of a freak choosing Portland and Oregon for a spring break destination – everyone else I know in Iowa, if they’re getting out of here in March, is heading to Mexico or Florida or Arizona. Somewhere that warm weather is practically guaranteed – although not always as we’ve learned from our frequent trips to Tucson in March to see my dad.

Last I looked, Portland is usually in 50s, maybe 60s, in March – which isn’t exactly balmy but a heck of lot better than the sub-zero temps we’ve had here. There doesn’t seem to be any cost advantage to flying to Portland vs. Arizona during spring break from Des Moines. Both are expensive. But our  Portland ticket is about $$150 more  than our son’s ticket to Tucson. (And we both fly out on the same flight to Denver before parting ways for different destinations.)

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Filed under Arizona, Oregon, Portland

Dreaming of: Portland

With yet another weather event upon us (today it’s a blizzard, last week an ice storm), I am yet again dreaming of escape.  So an email from my sister’s in-laws in Portland, Oregon with travel suggestions for our trip there in March was very welcome.

She recommends:

In Portland:

Hotel deLuxe (more than Lucia or Ace);

Restaurants in North east Portland: – Tabla Bistro (serves “natural wines”); Spints Alehouse (full disclosure – new place opened by my sister’s relatives.)

other Portland restaurants: Clyde Common, Giorgios,

Neighborhoods to explore: Hawthorne Street – more restaurants there – Castagna (gourmet) and Cafe Castagna; Fleur-de-Sel;

To see: rose gardens

In Newport (on the coast): Saffron Salmon restaurant! Stroll along main street to see everything from art galleries to fish being gutted. Aquarium – must visit, and for a great view of coast north of Newport: stop off the road is Cape Foul Weather. Love it!

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Filed under Oregon, Portland