There is no better way to get to know a city than to explore it. I plan to drive or bicycle around Portland and intentionally let myself get lost for this very purpose. Or seek out a destination and explore the surrounding neighborhoods. I have gotten a lot of great ideas of very unique destinations to seek from the book I have been reading Fugitive and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon by Chuck Palahniuk including the self-cleaning house and a radical sounding mausoleum. Another way to explore places I may not have gone on my own is to take walking tours.

Today I saw there is a new pamphlet highlighting the many gorgeous fountains in Portland in a leisurely 2 hour self-guided tour. Download it here (link is in the green box at the bottom). I can’t wait to enjoy this on a hot sunny day. Maybe let myself get cooled off in one of the fountains and then find a grassyspot to bask in the sun and air dry. Sounds glorious. Then again any warm weather fantasies sound great as we are all exhausting of this winter.

Ira Keller Forecourt Fountain © Alicia J. Rose

Salmon Street Springs Fountain © t3rmin4t0r