Powell’s City of Books is billed as the largest independent bookstore in the nation, but it isn’t just a bookstore. Powell’s is a tourist attraction, complete with its own parking garage at NW 11th Avenue.

It may be top on the list of destinations for tourists visiting Portland, but Powell’s City of Books is also a local hangout. The store features monthly exhibitions, reading events and an inviting atmosphere that keeps local as well as out of town shoppers entertained.

Powell’s is a tremendous resource for anyone looking for a specific book. You’re practically guaranteed to find what you’re after here. If you can’t, call on Powell’s out-of-print and rare-books specialists on staff to find what you’re after.

Not only can you browse and buy new and used books at Powell’s, you can research and read here as long as you like. What your library lacks, Powell’s is likely to have on hand. Students, teachers, scholars or anyone interested in virtually any topic can find a wealth of information at their fingertips at Powell’s.

If you’re planning to visit Powell’s City of Books, why not bring along some of your used books to unload while you’re there? Powell’s offers cash or trade value for used books. You can sell or trade in your books from 9 am until 8 pm daily.
 
Want to feel even better about shopping and trading in books at Powell’s City of Books? Check out the Powell’s Community Giving Program. You’ll discover Powell’s donates books, time and money to support public schools and libraries, kids’ reading programs, adult literacy programs and civil rights causes.

1005 W Burnside
Portland, Oregon 97209

This stunningly beautiful highway opened in 1916 to claims of its scenic grandeur and remarkable engineering, this is what Teddy Roosevelt said about the highway.  It got the name “King of Roads” from the Illustrated London News.  The roadway winds through the area with mossy stone walls and graceful viaducts and going past dozens of waterfalls.

Taking this road for a scenic drive will mean about 1 -2 hours on a narrow, winding 70 mile road.  It is best to drive in the spring for the best waterfall views, fall for best weather, mid-week for fewest crowds and bright fall colors.  Winter storms in the area can be hazardous.

Travel Options: If you travel form Troutdale where you will take exit 17 off I-84 and follow signs south to the Historic Columbia River Highway.

The highway will climb to the towns of Springdale and Corbett with their dazzling peaks at Mt. Hood.  You will first see the gorge at the Portland Women’s Forum State Park at Chanticleer Point.  This is the former site of the Chanticleer Inn, where the highway’s masterminds met in 1913 to plan the road.

You will head into a mossy rain forest, series of graceful figure-8 loops that gently drops you 600 feet.  Going just 5 miles you will see four dramatic cataracts, those being: Latourell, Shepperd’s Dell, Bridal Veil and the Wahkeena falls.  You can take a foot path to each for a closer look.  Then, hold on, you are about to see Multnomah Falls, the granddaddy of them all!

If you want to begin a second leg of the Historic Highway you can continue on i-84 east to Exit 76 and follow the signs to the agricultural community of Mosier.  Beyond Mosier is the Rowena Plateau, the site of the Tom McCall Preservation which is a 230 acre refuge for a diversity of plants and animals.  Here you can look at wildflowers, soaring hawks and other wildlife.

The Historic Highway ends at The Dalles, a richly historic town that you will enjoy visiting.  The community abounds in unique murals and historic buildings, including the Fort Dalles Surgeon’s Quarters.  This area is where the Native Americans gathered before the area was overrun with pioneers.  End you journey with a visit to the new Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County Historical Museum at Crate’s Point and learn about the Gorge’s entire 40 million year history.

Information: Phone 541-386-2333 or the Dalles Chamber at 800-255-3385.

Do a quick search for train trips on the web and you’ll get plenty of specials shoved in your face. Train companies are offering the public, vacation deals. You can spend around 1000 dollars and receive an eight day trip to all sorts of fun locations. These getaway deals typically include the train ride, your lodging, and some of your meals. Not too shabby, but maybe not as classy as you expect either. The first time I decided to take a train ride was about five years ago. I traveled on Amtrak from Oregon to Iowa. This was a train trip quite different from what I assumed. To be completely frank, it was nothing special. I had always wanted to make this trip by train, as opposed to the routine commercial flights I was used to. Well, all I have to say now is NEVER again. Naturally the train ride was longer than I would have spent on an airplane. Furthermore, it was too crowded to enjoy. I thought it was pathetic to see how filthy the train windows were as well. There’s no doubt that some great scenery is a plus to train trips, but who can see through nasty, clouded windows? If you can’t tell, I won’t be taking anymore Amtrak train trips.

You may have to save for a while if you want the dream. I imagine the ideal train trip is one where you have your own personal room/car to lounge in with your loved one. This would make a world of difference in my opinion. Sadly it’s not so easy to come by these days. So the next time you’re considering a train trip, be sure to investigate the process fully before forking out the dough.