I’m sure you can tell that I truly enjoyed my trip to Portland and I would very much like to go back. Walking Portland offered me the opportunity to slow down and really see what the city had to offer. One of the neighborhoods I visited was the Alberta Arts District. It was a wonderful place to walk around; there were a lot of shops, restaurants and more.
Alberta Arts District Fun
The walk to the Alberta Arts District was really lovely as so many of the yards along the way had beautiful flowers planted. There were roses, daisies and many more that I could not identify.
It made the walk such a delight for the eyes. There were so many different colors. It made the time of the walk just fly. When I arrived in the neighborhood I decided I wanted a bit of breakfast so I headed to Tonalli’s Donuts and Cream for a delicious chocolate iced donut with sprinkles and a cup of coffee.
It was a delight to sit, read and just enjoy my treat. It was a delicious donut – light and airy – and the icing was not overly sweet. After I was finished I was ready to explore.
The Arts in the Alberta Arts District
I had read about the district before I even left home so I knew I was in for a lot of different shops, art galleries and the like. The site I visited mentioned murals but I only gave the mention a passing thought. But WOW – the murals in this district are awesome!
They are pretty much everywhere and they are a joy to behold. As you can see from just these three they are full of bright and happy colors. It’s like an open air art gallery.
I walked around for a while enjoying the murals, visiting shops and taking note of places to eat on a return visit an soon it was time for lunch. I was really in the mood for pizza and what do you know, there was Bella Pizza right in front of me.
They claim to serve East Coast pizza in Portland. Being an east coast girl I can attest that the pizza was very, very good. In fact I took two pieces home for dinner that night.
A Walk for Dessert
I took a walk in another direction for pastries the next day on the recommendation of my friend. You can see the rugelach in the photo above. It came from Miss Zumstein Bakery and Coffee Shop. It was a deliriously delicious rugelach; the pastry was light and flaky and the prune filling was perfect. I also bought coconut macaroons. They were delightful as well.
Last Tourist Stop
The last place visited on our trip was the venerable Powell’s Books. I’ve been told it’s not a trip to Portland for a reader if you don’t visit this shop. I will admit that it is like nothing I’d ever seen. A FULL CITY BLOCK people.
I was a bit exhausted by the time we got there so I barely investigated 10% of it. Most of my time was spent in the cookbook aisle – where else would I be? Despite finding many books I lusted after I was very good, I only bought two books. I think I could spend a week in that store and still not see it all. It is HUGE.
Thank You Portland
I was thrilled to have the opportunity to spend a week in this wonderful city. I was cat sitting for my friends and the hubby was on a retreat so it worked out really well. The two kitties I cared for were angels.
Larry and Pishka kept me company and I was happy to take care of them. It made it a little easier to be away from my furballs. Although their catsitter spoiled them rotten.
A Giveaway
I’d like to share a little bit of Portland with all of you so I brought back some treats from our visits to the Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden and Powell’s. The prize is a rose scented candle, a canister of rose hip tea, a hand painted koi card and a wooden bookmark.
One US reader will win this Portland Prize Package. Just enter as many ways as you would like on the Gleam widget below. Full rules are on the widget. Good luck everyone!
