Week 6 USA:- Portland, Oregon!

 We are in our penultimate week of our stay...... We pack our bags home on the 9th evening.....! 

1) This cracker now forms a part of my breakfast with Puffed Rice daily basis. I plan to grab a few boxes heading home. (0 Sugar). I now look for labels and if it has added sugar, then it is big no no, however good or cheap it is. (I won't take it if given free, that is why I refuse all complimentary drinks in flights too!).

2) Eshwar took us to Seal Point Park,- an amazing view of the Pacific ocean from a vantage point for which we have to climb up a steep slope. You can do a 3 mile trail of the park. We also had a chance to take a tour of "GILEAD Life Sciences". 

3) We visited Portland, Oregon to spend a couple of days at my cousin Mahesh's place.(Mahesh and I grew up together in Madurai,80s, and he moved to the USA early 90s). We took SouthWest Airlines. South West has an interesting boarding process. At the time of web checkin you are allotted a #. When your # is called, (Mine was B-16) you can take any seat which is empty and there are no pre reserved seats. (Yes one can pay to get your number called first for priority boarding from B or C to A!). I am also amazed how Military / Armed personnel are given preference in boarding etc. South West offers complimentary snacks and soft drinks...!??!!!..... 

Saturday was Birthday as per Indian almanac for Lalitha (English is 1st July), so a temple visit was mandatory... The Portland Balaji temple and Hanuman temple are managed and patronized very well by Indians. (Mahesh tells me that the Indian community may # around 30,000!). The Balaji temple was refurbication of an old Church. Also most temples sell Indian vegetarian food, besides free give away. (Mostly no onion /garlic too!). We picked it up for our Astoria visit as lunch stuff. I am told most Indian families across the USA, plan their temple visit to pick up food and most bachelors come during food time to pick free food.! ( I recollect Steve Jobs' only hot meal of the week was at ISKCON temple, Portland, which I could not visit!)

Karaa baath is Semolina thick paste with seasonings.  (Bangalore dish). 

We visited "Silver Falls, "about 40 miles from Portland, and took a trail of the forest area around. We passed through rural Oregon farmland to be able to see massive sized farms of fruits.!! 

Mahesh.

It was a memorable visit to "ASTORIA"  (110 miles from Portland) where the column exists to commemorate President Thomas Jefferson's effort to find western sea route on the Pacific side, from the Midwest through the Mississippi River. (Lewis and Clark Expedition) Also now over the last 50 years there is a bridge (4 Miles in length) connecting Oregon and Washington State. The top of the column gives a panoramic view of Columbia river on one side and Pacific ocean on the other. The 6 min Astoria Bridge drive over the Pacific, reminded me a lot of the Bandra -Worli Sea link drive, a few weeks back @ Bombay when my brother in Law, Murali drove us through ....! 

 

 Background:- 4 Mile, Astoria Megler Bridge that connects OR to WA. (No toll, despite heavy pressure to collect one!).

180 step spiral staircase to reach Astoria column at top.

Columbia River in Background view from top of Astoria column.

Abhinav Mahesh. Oregon State Assembly @ Salem, OR. 

Oregon, like New Jersey, are the only 2 states that have fuel/ gas station attendants who fill your car. (All other 48 are self service, on your own!).....

Regards

Karthik.