Imaginative Oregon Staycations: How Portland Became Venice for a Day

We were so excited to spend the day in "Venice" the next morning.
I researched what to wear in Italy. Scarves are in. Check.
Blessed with perfect weather, we parked close to the waterfront.
Our agenda:

~ walk the waterfront loop. What could be more appropriate? Along the way we chatted with some friendly fisherman along the river wall. No gondolas, but plenty to see on this popular walkway. Here's a link.

~ choose an Italian restaurant with sidewalk seating for lunch. Piazza Italia. The entrees were great, but the bread was my favorite. Maybe it's because after walking four miles I was so hungry!

We always buy a Street Roots newspaper when we go downtown. It is a responsible way to help people experiencing homelessness, and an interesting read. Hint: tip them a dollar in addition to the price of the paper.

~ visit the Portland Art Museum's "Venice, the Golden Age of Art and Music", a visiting exhibit of paintings, musical instruments and other artifacts from Venice's era of pomp and splendor.
No pictures allowed of course, but it was magnificent.

~ go to a second Italian restaurant for coffee and dessert. Tiramisu absolutely required.
Mama Mia Trattoria was perfect.

~ find a souvenir. Saturday Market was in full swing, and I found a glass vendor who promised her earrings were made with the same process as Venice's famed Murano glass.

~ take photos of anything that looked remotely Venetian.