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portland
portland, oregon, the city of roses is the city i wish i could be. about 400 miles away and a seven hour drive, portland feels like a whole new world to me.
it's completely different than anything i know.
boise is one of the most desolate cities in the united states with our nearest rural city 350 miles a way, salt lake city, ut. driving to salt lake still feels like being in boise because everything seems the same. the drive of the deserty nothingness and our sister city itself bores the hell out of me...not only salt lake really, but every other city in the mountain west. they are all pretty much the same except for population.
but portland, on the other hand, is just 50 miles further and in the opposite direction of salt lake and is very different and exciting. located in the lush green hills of the pacific northwest, portland is beautiful but wonderfully different at the same time.
the city of roses is very unique. although filled with splendors, portland has a large homeless population and although it is not as economically boosted as much as it's mountain west relatives, it has a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.
the subdivisions are one example of this. in most of the mountain west, boise especially, the houses all look like exerpts from town and country magazines. they are all moderatly colored and have two trees in front of them (required by idaho law). portland, however, has little odd shaped houses that can be anywhere from bright blue to a light yellow. the last time i've honestly seen a house that was anything but a conservative color was when i was nine. the house was bright blue until the owners were told they needed to paint it.
oregon may be one of the "most liberal states in the west", but the individualty and respect for it, is irreplacable.
also, portland is where troy lives.
credits to portland's official visitors website at www.pova.com.
*note oregon has been claimed "one of the most liberal states in the west" by a republican legistlature. despite his political stand, oregon has had several strong libertarian (not as in democratic) stands, especially since vietnam.