my first trip to Portland...in Jan!

[Xrayted]

I just asked a couple of people that have lived here for a while and they said down the street from Powells is Saturday Market. Also, if you like music, hit the Doug Fir Lounge on Burnside. Try the Hawthorne District as well, all easily accessed from TriMet buses/Max Light Rail/streetcar. I haven't been to the Kennedy School one yet, but they have good bands there all the time. Look up www.wweek.com... The Willamette Weekly is a local free paper that has all of the groovy, eclectic happenings in Portland. You will find restaurants, music, gatherings, etc in there. If it's happening here, it's in there.

[Kitsune06]

The Doug Fir is very nice with a really cozy downstairs area where the music is played.

[GLC1968]

Thanks, X and Kit!

I'm keeping a running list of places to check out.

And if any PNW TE gals are free that weekend and want to hang out on Saturday or Saturday evening, let me know. I'd love the company!!

[teigyr]

SadieKate, he is adorable!

As of now, I am free. Portland is close enough and the transit system is excellent so if I fly, I can get anywhere pretty easily.

The Doug Fir is wonderful! I saw a show there this past year. I was amazed at how small it was. The band I was seeing was fairly obscure but in the audience (sitting at the bar) was Moby. I didn't talk to him...I'm not so sure I even like his music. He was just hanging out by himself.

[blueskies]

Do you want to check out apartments or residential areas at all?

If you're going to work in Hillsboro & like to ride, I'd check out the areas around Orenco Station (where you'll be staying, conveniently...), and near the Streets of Tanasbourne.

Orenco Station is the area off of Cornell, west of Cornelius Pass Rd. There's a light rail station there, and a hub of development off of it.

Streets of Tanasbourne is an outdoor mall, which is between Cornell & Evergreen, just west of 185th Ave.

Both areas are close to lots of shopping & restaurants (lots of chains, though), and both would be good bases for riding on the rural road of Washington County.

It's more suburban out there, than Portland proper, and doesn't have as much cool/unique/funky stuff going on. But lots of good riding, and close to a lot of high tech work places.