On To Portland (Day 4) 7/16

Got a reasonable start on the day after canning the morning run idea. Didn't really feel like another jaunt along a lonesome US Highway in the middle of nowhere. Kate and I had the usual breakfast of granola, coffee, and banana bread, then hit the road, Portland Bound.
     Pit Stopped in Hood River and picked up more cherries than we know what to do with for $10. Maybe around 4-5 pounds. They are amazing.

A view from the rose gardens!

     We got to Portland around lunch and immediately found some food trucks. Kate had some kind of a hummus salad and I went for a falafel wrap. Delicious. We didn't have plans for hotel yet, so we took to a coffee shop to research. The barista suggested the youth hostel in NW Portland, and we got a great private room for 180 over two nights. Solid deal for the middle of a major city.
     Checked out the Japanese and Rose gardens over looked the city before checking in, then ran from the hotel up to what we thought was forest park. The trail was great, but up a crazy ravine and mediocre footing. I had planned to do speed today, but after the ravine, found myself on a single track weaving around another ravine. A cool run, but not very fast.
     We looked up a great burger place for dinner. Tilt? There are limitless possibilities out here for food, but I'd recommend it as well. They also had a large pie selection which look delicious.
     After dinner, we did a walk around downtown and across the Willamette to a brewery which happened to be closed, so we settled on the Deschutes brewery on the way back. Decent, but not earth shattering.
All in all a wonderful first day in Portland

Vitals:
Miles: 266
Birds: N/A
License: N/A