My first destination this morning is Voodoo Doughnuts, a unique Portland based shop specializing in unusual favor combinations with names to match - Captain Crunch or Fruit Loops, cookie toppings, and grape flavored Tang are just a few. There are over 100 varieties, but the NyQuil Glazed and Vanilla Pepto Crushed Tums flavors are no longer available due to the health department!
There is a line outside so something yummy must be inside!
One young boy finishes a doughnut covered in frosting and coconut before starting on another w/ mini-Reese’s pieces. Approaching the counter, two rotating display cases hold the available flavors.
“Hi! I’m a Voodoo Doughnut Virgin so what do you recommend?”
I’m told all about Voodoo Doughnuts...prices, regular vs. specialty, vegan. I chose the bacon maple bar (w/ real strips of bacon on top), the Dirty Old Bast___d (Oreo cookies w/ peanut butter frosting) and the Voodoo Doll (puffy figure w/ a face and filled w/ raspberry jam, covered in chocolate frosting and a pretzel stake sticking from it’s belly). How could I refuse that one!
I leave with a signature pink box, and after eating the bacon maple bar, a smile!
Pittock Mansion is a Portland landmark built in 1914 by newspaper owner and publisher, Henry Pittock and his wife, Georgiana. On a hill 1000 ft above the city, the French renaissance chateau features 46 rooms on 46 landscaped acres. The couple built this house to accommodate themselves, but 11 people lived here including their daughters and families and nieces.
A top of the line oven/stove was installed in the kitchen for the kingly price of...$35!
Georgiana loved her flowers and had an extensive cutting garden.
However, her favorite was roses, and she helped form the Portland Rose Society and held the first rose show in her backyard.
I head to the International Rose Test Garden, a 4-acre public space, w/ 8,000 plantings of over 550 rose varieties. Started in 1917, Henry Pittock was one of the founding members. I have never seen so many gorgeous flowers, and I take picture after picture looking for the special bloom. Many of these roses don’t have a fragrance but others fill the air with perfume.
On this sunny mild day, the garden is packed with families and couples and friends. It took me 3 trips around the park to finally find a parking space - about 40 minutes. However, it gave me time for an afternoon snack - the Voodoo Doll! Yum, but I feel a little naughty eating it!
In the distance are the mountains and Mount Hood. A toddler bends over to smell a rose; absolutely adorable! Where are the parents w/ a camera?
Portland is known for a plethora of food carts, and I try Egyptian for dinner - lamb shank and stewed veggies over rice. I’m glad I tried it but think Egyptian food might be off my bestie list.
Portland has a huge rose festival annually that lasts almost a month. I have arrived at the busiest time w/ the Grand Floral Parade in addition to concerts and art shows, the Navy Fleet Week, coronation of the Queen, the knighting of Royal Rosarians - a type of ambassador - who each get “knighted” under a rose of their choice. This is a big deal!
I don’t attend the parade, but I want to see the floats which are similar to the Rose Parade in Pasadena; another bucket list item for me. They are covered w/ flowers and other living items and nothing artificial can be on the surface.
The floats are amazing! Creative, artistic, whimsical are all words that describe them. I wish there was a list of the natural ingredients, but you can see seeds, and pods, and moss, and bark, and dyed rice in addition to incredible floral displays.
It has been a busy and exhausting day, but definitely a beautiful one!
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