It's my last day here and I wake up with the realization that I really don't have that much left to do in this city, all of the must does where officially checked off, and all of the recommendations where seen. It wasn't until breakfast till a hostel mate said "Just go out for a run, it's what this city does". After much contemplation, whether or not forsake my (foot) arches & go run in Vans, I decided to go out and brave the popular Willamette River Loop.
Now for those who love to run, you understand the zen calm you get when you fully take in your surrounds and appreciate little that you never noticed before. My time alongside this river path was highlighted by the passing industrial section on the north side of the trail path and dodging very agitated geese. But of course nothing could beat the absolutely befuddled expressions on some of the joggers faces. Like I said, this is a city of runners (Nike was born here for Christ's sake) and I was the only schmuck on this trail without running shoes. The amount of concern on one guys face was if he was saying "PLEASE STOP, HERE TAKE MINE". Even the some hipsters I sped by where wondering "why are you even wearing those", but hey I had run off a case of doughnuts somehow.
Everything else afterwards was picking a point and walk from there, I really had no idea what I was even going for. I ended up on the outer rims of town (the financial & university district) where I encountered a plethora of talented musicians, gorgeous city parks, Keller Fountain Park in particular just captivated me into just sitting down and meditate for an hour. After much roaming across the day I was able discover the somewhat luxurious feeling of having a coffee & cigarette, hipster achievement succeeded.
By the time I came back there was an impromptu vegetarian potluck brewing. After a quick trip to the market, we where all in the kitchen making or pouring our contribution, where we later made our way out to our little patio. Some of the featured dishes was a Pesto Gnocchi pasta, Beet & Goat cheese spread, citrus kale & walnut salad, and Chevre baked tomatoes provided by yours truly (recipe coming soon). Naturally a congregation of this size, brings in more people and even more contributions.
After what was once a quiet dinner, turned into a rally for a pub crawl where it inevitably turned into an all nighter of smoke, even more street musicians, and a conquering of a near by park where tunes & random stories where swapped. What a way to close it out, just wish I had more than 30 minutes to catch my bus when I woke up the following day, I've never packed my bags with such speed before. Haha
I don't anything else I've come to appreciate after today about the fact that not everything should come planned, just take it as it goes. And that it's not necessarily the city that makes the trip but the people you meet.
Keller Fountain Park
SW 3rd Ave & Clay St
Portland, OR 97255
-Photo Credit to Mariana Rego
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