PORTLAND, Ore. -- Just call it "The Pearl."
Known officially as the Pearl District in downtown Portland, the former warehouse and industrial area on the north side near the Willamette River is respectfully referred to by most locals in that quicker, livelier vernacular these days. It's trendier too -- "The Pearl" rolls off the tongue easier than "Pearl District."
By Jeff Larsen | May 27, 2004
A talking douglas fir has stood as the centerpiece of Portland's World Forestry Center for almost 30 years, cheerily telling visitors in five languages how a tree's roots absorb nutrients, its wood holds moisture and its needles turn sunlight to energy.
Glen Gilbert, the center's dynamo president for about two years now, wants it to do much more.
"I want to put a spotted owl up there," he says, referring to the bird whose protection ended most logging on public lands in the Northwest.
By Michael Milstein | January 30, 2003
The rain started hitting my windshield around Burlington. Small drops at first, then big drops, followed by small drops again and then none at all. As soon as I shut off my wipers, the cycle of precipitation would start all over, reminding me of the unpredictable nature of road trips during Pacific Northwest winters.
By Stuart Eskenazi | January 9, 2003
VANCOUVER ISLAND - It's time for the annual Eagle Extravaganza at Goldstream Provincial Park outside of Victoria, B.C. As many as 200 bald eagles flock to the Goldstream estuary to feast on the remains of a salmon run. The Nature House has spotting scopes and naturalists are available to help you learn more about eagles and other birds of prey. Visitors may want to bring binoculars to view these magnificent birds.
December 19, 2002
For an easy day trip with a ferry ride and a festive lesson in Japanese culture, head across Puget Sound on December 28 for the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community's annual mochitsuki party.
The making of mochi chewy cakes of rice traditionally pounded with wooden mallets on a big granite mortar is part of New Year's celebrations in Japanese culture. Eating mochi is said to bring luck for the coming year.
December 13, 2002
LA PUSH, Clallam County These rolling waves, soft sand beaches and sunset skies studded with sea stacks have always meant home and solace to the Quileute people, here since time immemorial.
But now, thanks to a major, $1.8 million investment by the Quileute tribe, there is a deluxe home here at the Ocean Park Resort for visitors, too: 15 new cabins, right on the beach.
By Lynda V. Mapes | December 12, 2002
After snapping a few photos of a wolf eel, I start to move on. As I do an octopus arm comes out of the kelp and reaches around. I get the attention of my dive buddy.
We're diving in the San Juan Islands, where these undersea creatures can be spotted, usually without incident but this encounter would be different.
The octopus has been sitting right above the wolf eel the whole time, but it has camouflaged itself well, looking just like the rock. It has about an 8-foot span when it flares out, and weighs about 50 pounds.
By James Johnston | November 28, 2002
I felt like a drill sergeant as two pre-teens and I devised our battle plan for a quick visit to Portland.
The zoo? Yes, chorused my 12-year-old daughter and her friend who came with us. Science museum yes, yes. Art museum sighs from them, emphatic yes from me.
We went to all of them well, almost and more (the girls stuck to the gift shop and cafe at the Portland Art Museum). In between we explored Portland's tidy, compact downtown on foot and on its enviably efficient public transit.
By Kristin Jackson | October 28, 2002
PORTLAND This town loves its newest riverfront trail, that's obvious: At 1:30 on a sunny Tuesday afternoon I'm not exactly risking my life, but I could well get knocked silly as I amble in the path of zooming skaters, kiddie-trailer-pulling bicyclists and purposeful power-walkers who pack the wide concrete of the Eastbank Esplanade.
It's a weekday, for goodness sakes, yet I've got to keep my wits about me when I stop to photograph a tour boat carving a creamy wake on the green Willamette River, close enough to dip my toes in.
By Brian J. Cantwell | October 24, 2002
