Three Perfect Days in Portland: Day Three: Gorge Hike & Neighborhoods

The Wahkeena Falls Loop is a great way to share a classic Pacific Northwest experience. Even in the heat of summer, the waters run cold and the moss and ferns are green. Firs, Western Red Cedar, Hemlock, and rocky canyons keep the trail shady. The 5.6 mile trail climbs to the top of Multnomah Falls. Then, we walk upstream to an intersection with a trail that heads west through the forest. Wahkeena Springs is my picnic place. Even on a busy Sunday at Multnomah Falls, we had the springs almost to ourselves.

Having observed the source of this river, we followed it tumble downhill to the Historic Columbia River Highway. Here are some photos of the hike.

On the way back, we stopped to show Scott the classic Northeast Portland, along Alberta Ave. The anti-Lake Oswego.

In the evening, we finished off our day with dinner at Bamboo Sushi, where every other page of the menu notes another certification it has earned. These are not awards for culinary skill, but culinary correctness, Portland's version of Kosher: Most Sustainable Seafood Restaurant in the United States; Business for Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow; Green Source Business; Monterey Bay Aquarium; Salmon Nation; KidSafe Seafood, Green Restaurant Association, Marine Stewardship Council; Blue Ocean Institute.

Which is not to suggest the food is second rate. That would be wrong. People waited for seats at Bamboo Sushi on a quiet sunday night because the food is terrific. Instead, I mention all of the certifications and partnerships because it is so "Portland" to aspire to be the number one, very best, top-of-the-heap environmental good citizen (in a very humble way, of course).

So, thank you, Scott, for visiting us in Portland. We hope you now have enjoyed some of the many flavors of Portland and its environs.