On a sunny, Saturday afternoon, I invited Kyle to explore St. Johns--a charming yet unpretentious neighborhood in North Portland where the Willamette and Columbia rivers converge. Steeped in history, Cathedral Park is thought to be one of the 14 Lewis and Clark landing sites in the Vancouver-Portland area. In 1847, James John settled on the site and operated a ferry to Linnton across the Willamette River. In 1931, the St. Johns Bridge was built on the site with 400' towers. It is the only steel suspension bridge in Portland. Today, the park includes a boat dock, picnic tables, and off-leash dog area, and is home to several festivals, concerts, and community events.
By happenstance, Kyle and I stumbled upon an annual gift of nature outside the St. Johns Theatre that evening. Vaux’s swifts migrate south on the Pacific Flyway from Western Canada to various parts of Latin America. The birds migrate 4,000 miles in mid-September, making pit stops on the West Coast to rest and refuel. Communal roosting enhances safety from predators and helps the small birds maintain warmth. Dwindling old-growth forests have caused them to begin substituting chimneys for trees, which makes it possible to more easily see and appreciate the wonder of their acrobatic behavior.
This time of year also means Oktoberfest. My German roots were anxious to partake in several events around town: Occidental Brewing Co. in St. Johns (#4) and Prost! on Mississippi Avenue. I also met a new friend, Chloe, at Schilling Cider House for a refreshing, chilled cider.
My big adventure of the week was dipping my toes into Forest Park, one of the largest urban forests in the country. With 5,200 acres and 80 miles of trails, fire lanes, and forest roads, Forest Park stretches for more than seven miles along the eastern slope of the Tualatin Mountains. It overlooks Northwest Portland and the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers. Forest Park offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience a true PNW forest without leaving the city limits.
The day began on bike to Lower Macleay Park. From there, it's an easy 5-mile out-and-back trail (900' gain) to Pittock Mansion. The Lower Macleay Trail follows Balch Creek until it runs into the Wildwood Trail at the Stone House. I then climbed out of the Balch Creek canyon and crossed Cornell Road to continue uphill to the mansion. On the return trip, the Upper Macleay Trail can be substituted to make a small loop.
Located in between Forest and Washington parks and surrounded by grand neighborhoods, Kings and Arlington Heights, Pittock Mansion tells the story of Portland’s transformation from pioneer town to industrialized city through the legacy of one its most influential families. There is a fee to tour the inside of the 1914 mansion, but strolling the grounds is free. On a clear day, the lawn provides spectacular views of downtown Portland and Mt. Hood.
