Wednesday, August 16 and Thursday, August 17, 2012
As the last post involving my travels to Oregon and Washington this summer I want to share the first two days walking around Portland. We arrived fairly early on Wednesday and after settling in to the hotel room we went out on the town. Walking the streets, we decided to hit some breweries along the way. Beer lovers know that Portland has a cornucopia of local breweries that provide liquid refreshment to thirsty travelers. We stopped at Rock Bottom Brewery to try a few flights of tastings. Thursday would bring more tastings. We stopped by McMinamen’s Blue Moon pub in downtown to try some delicious home grown brews. After walking for what seemed like forever we found Lucky Labrador Brewery as well. Both had some delicious offerings. After returning to the hotel and grabbing some delicious seafood we wound up spending Thursday night at Ground Kontrol. As a lover of video games this barcade was a virtual playground, combining old school video games like Pac-Man, Gallaga, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Tron, with decently priced beverages and pumped up music. All in all the first two days set the tone for the rest of the trip and I couldn’t ask for a better adventure.
The Willamette River flows through downtown Portland, Oregon on Thursday, August 16, 2012.
The Willamette River flows through downtown Portland, Oregon on Thursday, August 16, 2012.
Mt. Hood can be seen in the distance of downtown Portland, Oregon on Thursday, August 16, 2012.
Rock Bottom Brewery in downtown Portland, Oregon on Thursday, August 16, 2012.
A man tries a tasting flight of beers at Rock Bottom Brewery in downtown Portland, Oregon on Thursday, August 16, 2012.
People drink at Rock Bottom Brewery in downtown Portland, Oregon on Thursday, August 16, 2012.
A work of art is reflected in the floor of an office building in downtown Portland, Oregon on Thursday, August 16, 2012.
A woman uses a parasol to protect herself from the sun as she walks her dog in downtown Portland, Oregon on Friday, August 17, 2012.
The bar at McMeniman’s Blue Moon in downtown Portland, Oregon on Friday, August 17, 2012.
People drink crafted beer at Lucky Labrador Brewery in Portland, Oregon on Friday, August 17, 2012.
Downtown Portland on Friday, August 17, 2012.
Max Cooper races against Destiny Kelley at Ground Kontrol in Portland on Friday, August 17, 2012.
People play video games as they drink cocktails at Ground Kontrol in Portland on Friday, August 17, 2012.
A couple talks outside of Ground Kontrol in Portland on Friday, August 17, 2012.
Kristen Cooper plays Dance Dance Revolution at Ground Kontrol in Portland on Friday, August 17, 2012.
Hi Jonathan. I live in Portland and just happened to stumble across your blog post. Nice photos! One correction: The river that flows through downtown is the Willamette (pronounced Will-LAM-ette). It empties into the Columbia at the extreme northern boundary of Portland. The Columbia flows from east to west and separates Oregon from Washington.
Glad you made it to Portland. Atlanta is on my list of cities to visit someday. I’ve heard great things about it. Take care.