portlandia

Since Cara (my sis) and Dustin moved and the amazing Noah Grace has arrived, I've been spending a lot of time in Portland. It's quite an interesting city...

75% of the Portland population is white. And you sure do feel it. Since growing up in a predominately Hispanic population in Visalia, everytime I'm there I'm like "where the heck is everyone??" It's the whitest metropolitan city west of the Mississippi. Portland also has the 7th largest LGBT population in the US. This equates to a pretty big hippy & hipster population.

Portland is filled with art, compost trash cans, greenery, beautiful hikes, good food (trucks), lots of beer, and fun street markets.

My favorite attractions:

McMenamins - Kennedy School
McMenamins were brothers who have taken over (mostly) historical buildings in the portland area and turned them into pubs, restaurants, movie theaters, hotels, etc. Kennedy School (previously an elementary school) is by far my favorite with multiple cool bars, restaurants, a movie theatre with couches that you can eat pizza and beer, a hotel, etc. Kennedy School is definitely my #1 recommendation for a Portland visit. 

 Ruby Jewel Ice Cream
I think it's better than Salt & Straw, don't tell anyone though. Also, this neighborhood is super cute!

Powell Book Store
A HUGE bookstore located downtown for book enthusiasts everywhere. 

 Grilled Cheese Grill
Who doesn't love grilled cheese? Portland is known for their amazing food trucks and this is one of my favorites. You can sit inside the decorated school or outside if it's a nice day. YUM! 

 Saturday Morning Market
Fun for the whole family... walk around, eat a Voodoo Donut, see some art, etc.

NEW:


mt. hood
typical portland home
drummer at the mississippi street fair
the noah
at the grilled cheese grill with my home girl noah grace
JB tattoos at the mississippi street fair

movies at the kennedy school 
my amazing cousins (at the kennedy school)
the grimm house (aka cara and dustin's)
family in the grilled cheese bus
i miss jess in portland, but i'll take her in oakland instead!
thanksgiving hike
one of my favorite portland signs.

For now that's all I've got... now go visit Portland! 

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