Portland

I like to be more descriptive with my post titles, but I should probably choose my words carefully.

On the positive side:
Today was a work day - my first real travel day outside of Puget Sound - and it went very well. I accomplished what I set out to do and made some new contacts that hold great potential.

On the negative side:
We spent the day in Portland. Okay, save your rotten tomatoes...have you actually ever been here? I've been to a lot of places and have traveled neighborhoods many would fear to tread, but really...what is it with this place?! We had such high hopes before coming here, but even in the light of a new day I fail to understand the attraction to this city.

Washington Park is a treasure - and I'm sure that some of the city's other 'attractions' are lovely as well, but we found the city as a whole to be unwelcoming and seedy. Apart from leaving town at the end of the day, the bright spot came when I got to leave town shortly for an appointment to the north (Vancouver, WA) across the river. And that's all I have to say about that.

We have met some nice people (none of them drive cars in this state, I assure you) and I fully expect to have a more positive tale to tell about the southern half of the state after our visit to Crater Lake tomorrow.

In the meantime, thanks for reading.