Anniversary Day of Adventures -- A Love Letter to Portland
Yesterday was our 33rd anniversary, so my husband and I dedicated the day to beautiful downtown Portland. I'd already scored a pair of free Portland Art Museum Discovery Pass tickets from the library's website, although it turned out to be a free day for everyone! Founded in 1892, The Portland Art Museum is the oldest museum on the west coast.
Sadly the David Hockney exhibit closed a few weeks ago, but there's always plenty of artwork to enjoy.
l'm always drawn to Mary Dill Henry's art, especially her early work. I feel like I discover something new in this lithograph with every visit.
The museum had one of the the Wildwood crows that were placed around the city a few days ago. They're publicity for Laika Studio's Wildwood movie that comes out in late October. I'm very excited to actually see it in a theater, as it's being called a "Love letter to Portland."
We then walked across the street to the Oregon Historical Society museum, which is always free for Multnomah County residents. I mostly wanted to show my husband the 10,000 year old sandals in their collection.
The design and skill in these sandals just blows me away!
Our next stop was Huber's Café, which is "Portland's oldest bar and restaurant." They have a reasonably priced happy hour that runs from 4-6 P.M., even on the weekend.
What I like most about Huber's is their stained glass ceiling, designed by Portland's Povey Brothers, who were known as the "Tiffany of the Northwest."
It's hard to get a good photo as it's obviously backlit, but here's what you get to sit under while dining. I love going to businesses that let me feel like I'm a time traveler.
My husband got an old fashioned, which I held for a photo op!
I grew up with a Povey Brothers stained glass window in my home, which is why their designs are near and dear to my heart.
My parents paid $20,000 for this house!
Our last stop in downtown Portland was to the Clyde Hotel, as I'd read they had an old school black and white photo booth. Sure, it was $12 for two strips instead of 75¢ for one, but well worth the money!
I grew up hitting countless photo booths with family, friends and even a certain boyfriend.
Here we are in 1989 or so.
Our last stop was to Lloyd Center Mall, who marked their last day of operation with a free for all extravaganza after 66 years in business. (I kid you not about the "free for all," as people were helping themselves to all the potted plants!) Lloyd Center is walking distance from my childhood home and I briefly worked there in 1984 selling jewelry and piercing ears.
It's where my mother would take us for a Newberry's snack bar hotdog and my sister and I would hound Hickory Farms for free samples. It didn't used to be covered, which meant you'd get rained on between the stores.
My father took my sister and I to get our ears pierced at Meier & Frank, and knowing him, he likely detoured to hit up their deli, which was the only place in Portland for the style of cold cuts he grew up with in Pittsburgh.
Occasionally our mother would splurge and treat my sister and I to the Meier & Frank's Aladdin restaurant that overlooked the ice skaters. It was so fancy!
This rare urban mall is being razed to create a "mixed use neighborhood" that will erase the last ice rink in the entire city.
I photographed a hidden spot with the old logo that I grew up with.
As evidenced by my sister's "skate school" pin, circa 1973.
I always loved this enormous Flight of Birds sculpture, which used to hang over the skating rink. I hope the "mixed use" development that's razing Lloyd Center will find a place to display it.
I'm not the only Northeast Portland resident who was experiencing Big Feelings yesterday, as there were thousands of us making one last pilgrimage to Lloyd Center.
I only wish I'd brought a pen. And a time machine.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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I was raised in Seattle but my sister lived in Portland so lots of visits to Lloyd Center. We always bought caramel popcorn at the candy store near the rink. I can still smell it!
Joe's Carmel Corn was a Lloyd Center tenant from day one in 1960! They have another location on MLK Blvd.
Happy anniversary! Looks like you had a delightful day. Love all the great pics!
I sure hope that sculpture is rehomed somewhere! It's amazing!
The mall that is closest to where I live has recently closed for good and I think has already met the wrecking ball. It has been slowly dying for years. In recent years I have only gone there occasionally to shop at Kohl's. Since I buy mostly used, I probably won't miss it much, but it still makes me a little sad.
I went to Aldi this morning after a short night's sleep, not feeling well, but I wanted to get my shopping done before I turned over the car to my grandson. I ended up buying more than I intended. Three heavy bags that were difficult to bring up three flights of stairs. I'm going to have to start changing my ways if I continue to live here much longer. Perhaps consider delivery more often, and not buy so much at one time.
I'm okay climbing the steps, but it's when I'm carrying things I get into trouble.
I didn't find any particular deals at Aldi. I got bread, yogurt, cheese, cookies, eggs, spaghetti, ketchup, dried fruits, strawberries, vegetable oil, biscuits, ranch dressing, cinnamon and basil paste. I spent $42.
I filled up the tank at Sam's, where gas has now gone back up to $4.08 per gallon.
Speaking of my grandson, he has recently been made head coach of the local Ultimate Frisbee summer league. This morning the car was full of new uniforms and frisbees. Made me smile.
It's storming this afternoon and I'm enjoying lazing around and reading. I'll probably turn in early after a light supper.
At the farmers market I saw a wheeled upright grocery carrier with an extra set of wheels for going up and down stairs easily. Could be a game changer for you
You know, I do have a cart that's just too flimsy so it's just holding stuff in my storage closet. But even if I got a better one -- the staircase is narrow and twisty and manipulating a cart around the turns is no easy task. I have to keep thinking about it.
Beth, have you considered a backpack to carry things up? It frees up your arms and hands to grab handrails and keep your balance. Just a thought.
What a perfect journal of love celebration. Happy Anniversary to you both! A museum or two and a heart wrenching visit to the Lloyd Center.
My mom and dad grew up on the coast and it was a twice yearly school activity to go ice skating.
Thank you for sharing.
It is nice that the former mall is being repurposed for another use. Here in the Metroplex of Texas an aging mall is being razed & turned into a Logistics Center where merchandise is to be stored. I envision something like an Amazon type warehouse setup.
That is a nice photo of you in your refurbished ball cap. Your purple shirt picks up the ring of purplish embroidery on the hat. I keep a spare ball cap in my car for a sunhat or a rain hat.
1. I went on a short road trip w/ my BFF. We ate a late breakfast at IHOP. They have a selection of $6 dollar breakfasts that are plenty of food. I used some of my IHOP rewards to get a stack of 3 huge pancakes. There was food to take home for another meal. I entered my receipt on my IHOP app to earn more free food.
2. We visited a HS friend in Austin TX. He gave me a stainless steel cat fountain that his cat would not use. I think my cat will like it. Enjoyed time w/ his lovely Siamese cat.
3. Ate a free breakfast at the hotel on another morning.
4. Went to hear free live music at a bar. Of course, I put $ in the tip jar for the band. Austin has a vibrant music scene.
5. I did spend $ on some restaurant meals. My BFF & I split an entree at lunch & drank water.
I think I have gotten my fill of travel for the summer. I'm ready to go to work for the fall semester.
It's not being repurposed, it's being torn down.
Happy Anniversary to you both! Love the photo booth picture's. Also love that stained glass. When I was little, the house we lived in had a stained glass window. It was beautiful. To bad not too many houses have them.
I love the stained glass. Your parents were so lucky to find a home like that, especially for $20,000.
Thanks for the tour of Portland and the sweet memories of your parents.
1. We took advantage of the tax free weekend here in Massachusetts to pick up some items we needed for out of town company we're expecting next Saturday. We saved the 6% sales tax on four bath towels, four washcloths, two pillowcases, a fan, a toilet set and a sink bowl drain plug.
2. We were tired after shopping but ditched the idea of going out for hamburgers and ice cream and came home and cooked instead. I say "cooked" but it was basically heating up a kielbasa for sandwiches.
3. The heat and humidity have finally got to me. I went to sleep last night around ten thirty and woke up at 10 am this morning. A rare indulgence but I felt rested. Good sleep is free.
4. I hung another load of laundry this morning.
5. I made DH a big Sunday morning breakfast of bacon, eggs and corn muffins today. I used eggs from the container my boss gave me a couple of weeks ago from their chickens. I have one egg left so it looks like I have to start buying them again. Sigh.
Good sleep is priceless!
It truly is especially now that I'm older. It doesn't come as easily as it used to!
Happy Anniversary to you and Mr. NCA!
If you want to know the value of your folks ' house, look it up on the West Egg Inflation Calculator (free online resource) and it will give you the number for the previous year. (The year has to be over before they can run the numbers.) For instance, what cost 20 grand in 1980 would equal $79,450.40 in 2025 dollars. You can plug in any year and they will do the calculation for you. When I read an old book or article and it says John Doe made (or paid) X amount of dollars in a given year, I like to look it up in order to get a better understanding of how much or how little that would be in today's money. Not sure when your folks bought the house, Katy, but you can go plug in the numbers yourself.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY to you both. What a lovely day of celebration.
Aww! I love photo trips down memory lane!
We've been doing a lot of museum trips with our kids and they've enjoyed them more than I thought they would!
I finished the book I was reading on Libby with 7 hours to spare! Now I'm listening to the audiobook of the Calamity Club, per a recommendation from here, and I'm enjoying it while we pack!
Lots of leftovers and eating what's in the house already. We leave early Tuesday afternoon and have a lot of food to eat through between now and then.
I just finished this book & it’s amazing. She is such a good writer.
Growing up in N.E. Portland, Lloyd center was the place my girlfriend and I were allowed to ride the city bus too. Straight shot no transfer 1974 I think?
I live an hour and a half away now. Should have went to visit one last time.
Portland for good or bad will always be home
Happy anniversary!
Number 15?
Happy Anniversary. It sounds like a wonderful day.
Happy anniversary! Grew up a bit north of Vancouver, WA & a trip to Lloyd's Center was always special. One of my friend's hosted a birthday party there, complete with skating & it was an absolute hit! My parents could have never pulled off the cost & logistics. Also, I saw Tonya Harding skating there once! Fond memories for sure.
I almost went to Lloyd Center’s last day but decided to skip it. I thought it would have to many people. I worked at B Dalton booksellers from 1972 to 1974. I have lots of good memories. From shopping went in opened in 1960 to working there and then taking my own children there. My daughter’s first job was across the street at the senior living home so she then spent time there.
By the way, Happy Anniversary. Ours is August 7th. August is a good month to get married in. We celebrate at few more than you did. We can’t believe we have been married this long, 56 years.
We downsized from our Lincoln street house and still miss it so I enjoy seeing pictures of your house, getting downtown used to be so easy,
One of our favorite Portland restaurants is the Osyter Bar. It is the second oldest restaurant in Portland. It is like visiting a museum with the huge collection of vintage dishes and pictures mounted on all the walls. Still owned by the decenants of the founder. It has been tough for them since C-19 but things might be picking up for them.
Happy Anniversary!! Love seeing the pics of Huber's. We used to go there when I was in college in the early '80s. I always felt like I was truly an adult then enjoying their fancy coffee drinks.