Portland Thus Far (Words This Time)

Disclaimer:  I have a headache, so this post is unlikely to win any major literary awards.  Otherwise it would have been at least that good.  At least.

I like Portland.  It doesn't hurt that the weather has been beautiful the whole time I've been here.  It's cute, green, outdoorsy and incredibly bike friendly.  Portland would be a nice place to live.

I think Portland should be called Bridgeland.  I'm obviously not the first to think this is true - I'm not sure why it's still Portland.  Bridgeland: there are bridges everywhere.  All the bridges are paramount to the geography of Portland.  Porland:  leads one to believe one might find a port city.  I guess it was at one point, but I have been to many cities with giant ports, and this is not one of them.  I read that Portland was named after the hometown of one of the founders of the city: Portland, Maine.  One vote Bridgeland. 

Mostly what I have been doing so far is riding around.  I rented a bike for a week.  I've never been anywhere else that this made sense, or been an option.  I think the other places I have rented a bike (usually my favorite day) have had a day or half day rate.  A week would be a small fortune - maybe they negotiate.  Here is was $100 US - not bad.  It's been a fantastic way to see the city, get outside and get "light exercise". 

I have a rented apartment in Invington, (for the first four nights), which has also been excellent.  It's was about the same price as getting a hotel (not downtown - that would be way more).  It's been so nice to have a kitchen - I like cooking/eating what I normally eat while I am traveling.  One of my favorite features is the porch, where I am writing this from.  I went on a long ride and to Powell books (huge, and not just an urban sprawl Chapters)  this morning.  I'm not feeling awesome now, so I'm just lying low.  With this place, I can still be enjoying the sunshine.