Trip Day 7 - Downtown Oregon

To this point in the trip we had kept quite solidly to the green side of the street. Day 7 found us wandering the more urban byways of Portland.

Having unnecessarily parked rather far from our destination, we walked past this edifice with the still unexplained signage. When we went by in the morning the neon sign proudly proclaimed ‘working’. By the time we came back later in the day the sign had changed to ‘playing’ and there was quite a shindig going on.

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

There was more than a bit of provocative signage.

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

Always an ecologically friendly town, apparently Wednesday is recycling day at the drag club. (Well, recycling of SOME sort at any rate)

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

Somehow, as always seems to happen, we ended up in the homeless section of town. We learned later that this area was actually intentionally set up for the homeless. If you can’t feed them at least keep them all in one place, I guess?

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

Part of me wishes that we’d come back to see this place when it was really hopping. A larger part is glad that we didn’t.

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

Ah, here we are. The view from any bridge never fails to appeal.

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

Mmm. Roll’n Smokes… because you never know when there’s going to be a tobacco emergency and you’ll have to high-tail it to the scene!

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

Must admit that there’s no shortage of very yummy beverages in Portland. Or, for that matter, in Oregon in general. That said, I’m guessing the lion gets first dibs. I’d bet though that after a few glasses he’s pretty docile.

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

Voodoo donuts is a raging Portland tradition but from what I saw on offer I have no idea why. Their concoctions sound fairly disgusting and suffer from rampant sugar overload…

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

… but this never ending line of people and I will just have to agree to disagree it seems.

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

Not everyone’s into donuts though. This person, for example, apparently prefers cereal.

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

And this guy prefers… well, he looks like he fought with the thirsty lion and lost…

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

Just tempting fate… more people set their veils on fire this way…

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

And there are plenty of people you just don’t forget easily. If these two end up in a police line-up for some reason they are TOTALLY screwed.

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

This group reminded one of the malodorous hippies of the 60s. They could be smelled 50 feet downwind.

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

No trip to Portland is complete without visiting the 24 hour church of Elvis.

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

And lastly, we roll wearily to the end of the day with our heads hung far low.

From 7-5-2012 Day 7 – Downtown Portland

Day 8 finds us pressing our luck against unexpected volcanism on Mt. St. Helens. Will we make it out alive or will we end up a molten cinder?! Tune in tomorrow to find out.