Portland

After weeks in drier climates, it was a comfortable relief to find myself riding through the dense forests west of the Cascade Range.  In a small town off Hwy 26, the red Temperature light lit up and the CDI went into "limp mode".  Fortunately this has happened to my twice before since owning Ruckii and I let it cool then checked the coolant reservoir. Sure enough, it was an inch or two low so I squirted some water into their from my Camelback and buttoned her up.  The next 10 miles were spent wondering where that coolant went.  Something to monitor I suppose. 

The neighborhood streets are slick with wet leaves and pine needles. I've wrecked on those surfaces a few times before so I'm extra careful around town.  Diagnoal trolley tracks can be challenging in the rain. Wrecked on a set of them in Hburg too!  Speed limits are low and traffic lights are many so the Ruckus performs well in the circumstances.  I explored under bridges, past homeless camps, through welcoming parks and down most of the main thoroughfares.  The preponderance of boutique and eclectic artisan shops is overwhelming and supports a thriving DIY scene.

Rose Test Garden

Rails in Washington Park

Trails in the Hoyt Arboretum

There are facets of the city which feel familiar to other hip and thriving "young" urban areas.  The abundance of murals and public art lends a vibrancy to the otherwise drab environment.  Architectural styles vary wildly depending on the part of town and age of structures. The biodiversity in even a neighborhood is truly stunning.  The wet weather and fertile soils allows for abundant variety, the Hoyt Arboretum cataloguing at least 6000 different species of plant.  I always have a way of finding natural places in urban spaces as if a magnetic field pulls me from the concrete, glass and steel toward something I feel is more real.  It has been a good visit and welcome break from the daily camping but I'm feeling ready to put on the final miles of the trip. Next stop: Bay Center.