Peaceful Places Portland

Everybody knows about Portland's food scene, its outdoor recreation, its bike lanes, beer pubs, and coffee shops. Whether you call it Stumptown or Bridgetown--or even PDX--Portland has been mocked as the city "where young people go to retire." But seemingly every weekend there's a festival, organized bike ride, political march, or something else clamoring for participation. In short, Portland is a happening town. But sometimes folks just want to chill out, to go where there isn't much happening. They might want to enjoy a quiet meal, take a walk in a park, curl up with a good book, or get out of town to some soul-soothing destination. With books covering all the other activities in town, where's the one that tells people where they can do --. well, not much? As of Fall 2012, the answer is Peaceful Places: Portland, written by Paul Gerald, the man who gave this town 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Portland and Breakfast in Bridgetown. This time, Gerald is off in search of peace and quiet, and he invites the reader along to quiet tables, parks and gardens, enchanting walks, outdoor habitats, and other retreats. Seeking out the places or times when the crowds will be elsewhere, Gerald will give you the essence of what each place is about--what makes it peaceful or inviting. But he does not stint on also giving you all the detailed info you need to find the place and get there at the crowd-free time. Sometimes, this will be a matter of discovery, as in "Do I really stand a chance of seeing a heron in the Pearl District?" Other times it may feel like being let in on a secret, like a meadow full of camas blooming within earshot of Interstate 205. Or maybe it's just the right time to hit just the right table for a romantic meal or some quality reading time. But the theme that carries throughout the book is a simple one: Portland is a great city, but it's still a city, and sometimes folks just need a break.

Everybody knows about Portland’s food scene, its outdoor recreation, its bike lanes, beer pubs, and coffee shops. Whether you call it Stumptown or Bridgetown — or even PDX — Portland has been mocked as the city where young people go to retire. But seemingly every weekend there’s a festival, organized bike ride, political march, or something else clamoring for participation. In short, Portland is a happening town. Seeking out the places or times when the crowds will be elsewhere, Paul Gerald give travelers the essence of what each place is about — what makes it peaceful or inviting. But he does not stint on also giving readers all the detailed info they need to get there at the crowd-free time. The theme that carries throughout the book is a simple one: Portland is a great city, but it’s still a city, and sometimes folks just need a break.

This highly visual book marries style and substance to give Portland and the people who love her the guidebook they deserve: a curated and creative collection of more than 130 outings in and around Portland to inspire romance and adventure. Secret spots, beloved locales, and unexpected destinations offer endless options for date night or a weekend getaway. Finally, a stylish, cheeky, curated guidebook of cool places for Portlanders (and visitors) to go on dates/outings/field trips/adventures. These range from one-hour coffee and ice cream dates in Portland's neighborhoods to multiday expeditions to Hood River and Mount St. Helens. The authors have a bead on the obscure and fascinating, and the descriptions are motivating enough to prompt even the lazy to head out the door. The book will have serious pickup power and will become an essential resource and armchair read for Portland-area Gen X, millennial, and Gen Z couples (and singles with friends) interested in learning about off-the-beaten-path things to do, see, and taste. No more FOMO! In-the-know authors and tastemakers Eden Dawn and Ashod Simonian will reveal where the cool and quirky go, while educating readers on this beloved city.

Among the hundreds of parks and natural spaces around the Portland area, Forest Park gets the most recognition--and deservedly so--as America's largest urban forest with more than 80 miles of hiking trails and biking paths. Yet there's more to explore in and around the city than just this one forest, and Urban Trails: Portland, by hiking writer Eli Boschetto, brings this abundance to the people! There are plenty of opportunities for wandering the banks and wetlands of Portland's three major rivers, as well as hiking on volcanic buttes, strolling through community gardens, discovering historic sites, and walking urban footpaths. Add to that, tips on observing some of the hundreds of species of birds and mammals that reside in these areas, and you practically have an urban safari at your doorstep. With an emphasis on easy access to the outdoors and fitness, features of this guide include: Trailhead directions, including public transit where available "Know Before You Go" tips for park hours, events, etc. Trail distance and high point Trailhead amenities Info for families with kids, dog owners, and bikers Sidebars on area history, nature, and sights Fun checklists for plants, trees, flowers, and wildlife you may spot Easy to reference maps Indicates trail suitability for walkers, hikers, and runners

The combined expertise of Art Bermstein and Andrew Jackman make this book a special one, more than just another guidebook. The authors are naturalists, long time observers of nature in the Pacific Northwest. Art Bernstein's warm and down to earth style conveys to the readers the authors' knowledge of the flora, fauna, geology, and local history, including the reforestation of the Mount Saint Helens region. His descriptions and story telling are vivid, entertaining and inviting. "Portland Hikes" has good literary value, as well as being a primer for observant hikers wanting to know more about this beautiful region. "Portland Hikes" goes beyond the city boundaries. The 70 selected trails described are day-hikes. Some are short and some are a little longer. All are of easy access from downtown, and a short drive away to the surrounding wilderness areas, state, and national parks of Oregon and Washington.

From debut author Cameron Kelly Rosenblum comes a stunning teen novel that tackles love, grief, and mental health as one girl must process her friend’s death and ultimately learn how to stand in her own light. Perfect for fans of All the Bright Places and We Were Liars. It’s the summer before senior year. Reid is in the thick of Scofield High’s in-crowd thanks to her best friend, Hattie, who has been her social oxygen since middle school. But summer is when Hattie goes to her family’s Maine island home. Instead of sitting inside for eight weeks, waiting for her to return, Reid and their friend, Sam, enter into a pact—to live it up, one party at a time. But days before Hattie is due home, Reid finds out the shocking news that Hattie has died by suicide. Driven by a desperate need to understand what went wrong, Reid searches for answers. In doing so, she uncovers painful secrets about the person she thought she knew better than herself. And the truth will force Reid to reexamine everything.

In 1987, Barbara Drake and her husband sold their home in Portland and moved to a farm in western Oregon's Yamhill Valley. In PEACE AT HEART, Drake reflects on ten years of country living and on the happiness that this rural landscape has brought her. She combines gentle humor, practical advice, and deep respect for the work and the land.

Get outdoors with this guide to 60 of the best hiking trails within an hour or so from Portland, Oregon, leading you to scenic beauty. The best way to experience Portland is by hiking it! Get outdoors with local author and hiking expert Paul Gerald. Now in full color, this best-selling guide helps you locate and access the top hikes within 60 miles of Rose City. A perfect blend of popular routes and hidden gems, the selected trails transport you to scenic overlooks, mountain retreats, and beautiful forests that renew your spirit and recharge your body. Hike around Mount Hood on the Timberline Trail. See migrating fish in the Salmon River. Enjoy the wildflowers at Tom McCall Preserve in the Columbia River Gorge. Explore the wildlife sanctuary at Oaks Bottom, right in the heart of the city. Stroll behind waterfalls in Silver Falls State Park. Whale watch from high up on Cape Lookout. With Portland author and outdoors enthusiast Paul Gerald offering advice about where to hike and what to expect when you get there, you’ll learn about the area and experience nature through 60 of Portland’s best hikes! Each hike description features key at-a-glance information on distance, difficulty, scenery, traffic, hiking time, and more, so you can quickly and easily learn about each trail. Detailed directions, GPS-based trail maps, and elevation profiles help to ensure that you know where you are and where you’re going. Tips on nearby activities further enhance your enjoyment of every outing. So whether you’re a local looking for new places to explore or a visitor to the area, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland provides plenty of options for a couple hours or a full day of adventure, all within about an hour from the city.

A guidebook for hikers, bikers, and equestrians, Hiking from Portland to the Coast explores the many trails and logging roads that crisscross the northern portion of Oregon's Coast Range. Designed to showcase convenient "looped" routes, it also describes complete throughways connecting Portland to the coastal communities of Seaside and Tillamook. Each of the 30 trails described includes a backstory to help users appreciate the history and significance of the places through which they are traveling.

I love to go into the garden. I sit quietly. I see flowers and plants. It makes me feel peaceful. If I am very still, I see birds, insects, and creatures I had not noticed before. I can even hear them! Nibble, crunch, chomp. Chew, bite, slurp, swallow, gulp. They are all hungry! Get ready to look and listen. Get ready fbr fun in the quiet garden. You can make your own quiet garden, too!