After spending so much time in the mountains and remote areas, it was finally time to start seeing some cities. The first big city on our list was Portland. We had hoped to get a feel for the “local color”, visit some museums and see some friends from Charleston.
left: A glass blower transforms a bottle.
We started our immersion into the local scene with a trip to “Last Thursday” which is a street festival held on the last Thursday of the month through the summer. This one would be the last one for the season. A large section of Alberta St. is blocked off, the galleries stay open late, the eateries are hoppin’ and anyone with a talent or without a talent can entertain the crowds.
We made it to Alberta St. after a short delay a few blocks away when we had a minor fender bender with “sue happy Sam”. A tiny “bump” which left no mark at all on our vehicle seemed to produce major injuries to the occupants of the other vehicle. Such was our welcome to the big city.
right: Maybe next time we should ride our bikes.
left: Hula hoops in neon.
right: A one man band?
We continued on to “Last Thursday” hoping to get a little more positive experience of the city than the one we had just had. And we did. Musicians, jugglers, break dancers and artists lined the length of the street. Food carts and restaurants provided plenty of variety to keep one satiated and the galleries were great fun to peruse.
The crowd continued to grow throughout the evening and the street was jammed with people dancing by the official end at 10:00pm. Although, I have a feeling the “party” continued until the wee hours. The Hippygeek overheard a couple of people say “I should have taken tomorrow off”.
right: “Toucan Sam and the Fruitloops”.
The Dudes walked the street wide eyed at all of the new sites and sounds and they seemed to be as entertained as we were. By the time we headed home, we felt like we had definitely gotten a dose of the local color.
“The marvels of daily life are exciting; no movie director can arrange the unexpected that you find in the street.” Robert Doisneau