PORTLAND: This would be a great town for kids. On my walk today, I passed through over a dozen parks–all teeming with kids. One had a church youth group out approaching people and selling cold drinks as part of a program to help them gain confidence.

   
PORTLAND: Once this area was populated by herrons and other wildlife. Then, the railroad moved in. More recently, the empty nester 30-somethings took over. The only cranes you’re likely to see here are grasshopper construction ones. That said, they sure have done a nice job with the area.

   
PORTLAND: I like a good gimmic, but I love this one: Hi-def newspaper. exactly what does this mean? Is the paper a diffrent aspect ratio? Do I need new glasses to take in the resolution? Do I have to get rid of my analog reading chair? So confusing.

   
PORTLAND: City blocks are shorter than other cities here for a reason. Back when land speculators planned out the city, they did so knowing corners are more valuable real estate. Given the limited space they were working with, it only made perfect sense: getting more corners means shorter blocks. So, blocks in Portland are only 200′ x 200′.

According to the walking-tour guide, the Oregon Trail is the most famous of all the trails west. Another is The California Trail which forks off The Oregon Trail and heads south toward the bay area. The fork was marked with a pile of stones painted gold. So, as you made your way across the untamed west and came to the pile of gold stones, you would point your wagon off to the left and head south to California. Just past the stones there stood a sign pointing west reading "Oregon." So, it is told, those seeking gold went to California while those who could read went to Oregon.