It’s time to wrap up my Portland coverage with a selection of images from Portlandia. I don’t think Portlandia is actually a real nickname for Portland, Oregon, but I like it a lot more than “Stumptown,” one of the actual monikers for the place. It’s also called “Rose City,” which is the best of all.
Welcome to Chinatown!
Portland has a decent light rail system, which has a stop in Old Town-Chinatown.
Look out Austin, Portland would like to challenge your weirdness! From my perspective, the PDX has the edge. There’s no show called Austinia, after all. In many ways, Austin is a traditional city with only a slightly quirky side. But Portland is just flat-out strange. In a good way.
Pedi-cab drivers in bizarre outfits transporting passengers across town. Weird!
I spotted this cruiser on the street. I don’t know much about cars, so I can’t tell you what make or model it is. I just know it’s a sweet ride!
Oh no… they forgot to build the rest of this building! It’s a hollow building front downtown.
It’s the World Naked Bike Ride! Portland’s WNBR is one of the biggest around. Not quite as big as the Chicago World Naked Bike Ride, but not far off. This pic is sufficiently blurry to give you the overall vibe of the event without scarring you too much. You’re welcome.
Here’s one of my favorite street signs ever! The rail tracks downtown create ridges that can be dangerous to the city’s many bicyclists. The image of bikers tumbling head over heels on an official street sign makes me laugh.
This statue/sculpture/heap of bikes sums up the city’s bike culture.
I love this pic from a city bus. That mother with the stroller looks like she’s in The Ring movie. She’s going to die next!
These guys kick off the PDX pride parade, which is really huge for a mid-sized city.
A sizzlin’ storefront.
Being from Pittsburgh, where all the bridges are yellow, I find it amusing when bridges are different colors, like a rusty maroon.
Looking back down on the highways along the river.
Another view of the main street in the Hawthorne District which, you may have heard, is a neighborhood I love.
These dog walkers seem straight out of a Portlandia episode!
Thanks for the fun pics. You managed to snap Kent and I’s old barbershop (where we went before we realized that we could cut our own hair).
BTW – Portlandia is the name of the statue above the entrance to the Michael Graves designed Portland Building – the first major postmodern building in the world (and one of the least attractive !). 🙂
Hooray for barbershop memories! I’ve heard about that statue, I never ended up seeking it out though for some reason.
It’s a bit hidden, especially in the spring and summer when the trees are full. You could walk right under and not see it. Too bad, too. It’s beautiful.
What is up with those pedi cab drivers?? They’re definitely helping to keep Portland weird. 🙂
They sure are doing their part.
Seriously quirky! I am planning my first trip to Portland in August and will be on the look out for those pedi-cabs drivers.
I hope you see a few 🙂
Hilarious photos! I love the sign “Keep Portland Weird”!
That was one of my favorite sights.