Colors, Clouds, and a Fond Farewell

(Check out today's photo in large -- enjoy! I know there are a lot of links in my blip today, but I hope you'll have time to explore them. Back to normal -- virtually link-free -- service soon!)

It makes a lot of sense, if you live in a place that is dark and rainy more often than you'd like, particularly in the winter months, for businesses to make their offerings more appealing by using bright colors.

Pambiche Cocina & Repostería, a Cuban restaurant near the little cottage we've been renting this week, is a fine example. In case you miss the colorful mural on the side wall, you get a second chance to notice this place when you pass by on NE Glisan. It doesn't look like the other buildings nearby, that's for sure! We'll definitely have a meal or two there when we return to Portland.

Pambiche caught our eye after a tasty breakfast at the Bakery Bar, which was bathed in sunshine when we went in. However, when we came out and headed for our cottage, the skies had changed to ominously overcast, although I was still able to shoot some balcony shadows, dedicated to chaiselongue.

After breakfast we caught a bus to the nearest stop for the Vera Katz Eastbank Esplanade, a 1.5 mile pedestrian and bicycle walkway on the east side of the Willamette River. Ms. Katz served as Mayor of Portland (1993-2004), as well as in the Oregon House of Representatives (1973-1992). The dedication plaque near her statue reads a passionate life devoted to equality, opportunity, the public good, and the beauty of the human spirit -- a life well-lived, in my book.

It's a lovely place to walk, run, or bike, with both open views and the occasional naturally screened view of downtown Portland. You're aware that you're in an urban environment, but there are also many signs that nature is flourishing as well, such as this handsome mallard and these spring-green branches reaching up under the freeway structure toward the light.

We ended our last day of exploration not far from Union Station -- where we'll go tomorrow to catch the train home -- at Lovejoy Bakers, one of our favorite places from our visit to Portland in 2010. I'd rank it in my top ten eatery favorites -- their attention to detail is found in everything they serve.

This has been a memorable vacation, exploring a city we have come to love and getting to know three wonderful local Blippers: kendallishere, TerriG, and grazingllama. We hope to meet musings and seniormoments on our next trip to Portland, and maybe see them before then in Bellingham!

(Here's Phil's blip for today -- I think it's a marvelous photo.)