07 June 2008

Stumptown In Pictures

If you didn't know, I live close to the mecca of all bookstores. 4 floors, one city block, a coffee shop, and over a million volumes of new and used books.

Oh, and you bet I drool over them, too.

I remember visiting Powell's all throughout my childhood. I can nearly feel the time warp into my 6th grade year every time I grace their doors.

I love the feel of downtown, where you can find a law business closed for a 2 hr lunch by 40 year old hybrid-driving man and his life partner. Coincidentally, the same office front sidewalk would grace a blue-haired panhandler wearing a choke-dog collar and a Ralph Nader t-shirt. Transients ask for change from trophy wives. Women ignoring  spending their spouses money at some trendy boutique carrying over-priced vintage clothing and jewelry.

God bless downtown in it's diversity and color. Love it. LOVE IT, I say.

Our family ventured out last weekend. During our downtown excursion, we visited a favorite pizza place. They have loud music, gigantic pizza slices, and the BEST. CUSTOMERS. EVER. for people watching. It also helps that their pizza is fantastic. This below is what I attempted to eat just half of: Fresh zucchini, black olives, artichoke hearts, and feta on hand tossed goodness. 

It does not get any better than this. Please note the size of my fork to the size of my pizza. No child or adult was harmed in the consuming of this delicacy.



Mr Coffee might have been harmed in the eating of his two pieces. Ahhhh, I can FEEL my arteries hardening.




The art on the walls gives the place a great feel. Don't you just love the colors?






If I was a childless woman, I'd live in downtown with my white couch and fingerprint-free, stainless steel appliances. Oh, but who could give up IKEA couch covers, a lego VS foot impalement around the corner, and PB and J stuck to the fridge door? Not in a NY minute. See what fun things I would miss on my drive into downtown?



It's not everyday that you witness Batman pimping a Ford dealership with sidewalk signs. One would think Batman would be more sensible and stick to a Batmobile dealership. Robin was a no-show, although The Joker was dying of boredom on the opposite corner waiving his sign and taunting Batman, to be sure. I didn't get a picture of him only because the light was green and people were tired of me hanging out my van capturing Kodak moments.

My kids also noticed this sign in the bike lane. My 9 year old wanted to know why only those people with mushroom-shaped heads are allowed to drive in the bike lane.

He has a point.


Okay, this wasn't taken downtown, but it was still taken on the road. Smart cars are pretty cute and small and the up side is you can have a normal shaped head to drive one.


If you are ever in my neck of the woods, feel free to give me a shout. I'll meet you downtown in a Stumptown minute.

~Bee is now a shutterbug.

19 comments:

brooke said...

Now I totally want pizza. :)

And I love Portland. If I didn't love where I live so much, P-town would definitely be my next choice.

holly said...

whenever i want a car, my FIRST thought is "what would batman want me to drive, and what kind of deal is *he* prepared to offer?"

tremendous haggler, is batman...

Tenakim said...

I often fantasize about no kids, a downtown loft, and white furniture- to be young and fancy free! You have ny heart aching for my city, as much of a dump as it may be! We moved out 3 years ago (cuz of the kids, of course) and miss it dreadfully.

Ed (zoesdad) said...

I want a Smart Car--sadly, they won't hold five kids. Wait--that may be a plus.

Heidi said...

I didn't know the Batmobile was a Ford.

Tiggerlane said...

OMG...that pizza slice has all my favorite things, except puppies (which I usually don't eat). That looks DIVINE! Now I'm going to have to go on an artichoke/olive/feta/zucchini binge! YUM!

Millie said...

PIZZAuhhhhhhh...

I love downtown too. I love it when Bri calls me from Pioneer Courthouse Square during the day and I can hear a street singer in the background...

Finnegan's is the best toy store ever. Finnegan's is the Powell's of toys. :)

Doozie said...

Smart cars are the devil, and I just need you to get used to that

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I used to live forty minutes from there. For four lovely years. I miss Powell's desperately.

... Paige said...

Mushroom headed people.

My beloved works at a Ford Dealership. Batman is a super great guy he is a

Tough Ford Man just like mine!

The Rev. said...

My GOD that pizza looks amazing...I'm full just from looking at it (and drooling at the photos...).

As for the mushroom-headed folk, that's just pure racism! Er...shapism? Some sort of -ism, that's for sure-

-The Rev.

ps: Great shots-

Leslee said...

I love pics!!!

Anonymous said...

thanks for swinging by my site via the rev's....a personal reveal-a-secret for you about him, he's DYING to get a smart car! not sure how a six foot man would be comfortable in one, but that's neither here nor there. i added you to my blogroll, i'll be reading!

david mcmahon said...

Any bookstore is my mecca! And pizza - now that's just added value!

Jaina said...

Haha, sounds awesome, I would totally spend all my freetime at that bookstore. Love the pictures!

Whistle Britches said...

That's not me.
I was never there.
D*** imposters everywhere.

Gen said...

I am feeling the need to GET AWAY. Maybe I'll head down that direction sometime soon. (As soon as I can swing a prison break.)

ancient one said...

Loving the shutterbugging! Nice photos... now I'm hungry.

Dapoppins said...

You didn't take pictures of the book store. I want pictures of the book store, and could you do some smell-i-vision too? I love the smell of books and coffee in the morning.

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