Portland, Oregon
Washington Park at Sunset
As the sun started to set on Day 9, I was faced with a familiar dilemma:
how to spend the final hours of a vacation. My flight left
Portland just after midnight, so with time ticking by, I headed back to
Washington Park, to re-visit the very first stop of this trip.
I was determined to find a good view of downtown Portland before I left.
So I headed to one of the highest points in the park, just above the
Children's Museum near US Hwy. 26. A gravel trail takes you to the
top of the hill, where on a clear day, you can see Mount St. Helens,
Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood. Because of the clouds,
Mount St. Helens was the only one easily visible, and even it was
partially hidden, near the top.
I'm pretty sure it was easier to see Portland from the
park a few decades ago. Trees have grown up and partially block
the view.
So I headed down to the International Rose Test Garden, for one more
fragrant whiff, and a final attempt at photographing the roses and the
city. Once again, trees were in the way, but I was getting closer.
From there, I went to the entrance of the park, at the
Lewis & Clark memorial column. There's a reasonably good view
here, but there are still some houses in the way.
Thinking that I had seen all that I could, I packed
away my equipment in the car, and began to head for the airport.
But on the way out of the park, I noticed a "scenic route" sign,
suggesting I turn right on Vista Avenue. That road led me...
... here: an overpass above SW Jefferson Street, which
leads directly into downtown.
Even if I had tried, I probably couldn't have found a
better place to take the final picture of the trip.
T H E E N D
|
|
 |
|
| |
Also In This Area:
Washington Park Resevoir, Lewis & Clark Memorial, Sacagawea
Statue
Portland's Washington Park - International Rose Test Garden
Portland at Sunset, from
Washington Park
Cannon Beach, Oregon &
Haystack Rock
Columbia River Gorge
Scenic Byway - Crown Point
Mount Hood Scenic Loop, US 26
and Route 35, Oregon
Timberline Ski Resort and
Miracle Mile Lift, Government Camp, Oregon
Windy Ridge Viewpoint, Mount
St. Helens, Washington
|
|
View this website's best
photos in the Gallery
Recommended Road Trip
Reading
Leave your mark on
the map! Sign the Guest Book. |
