CROSS COUNTRY TRIP 2010 - Oregon

The drive into southwestern Oregon was magnificent, with its mountains, canyons and raging rivers.  

Tony couldn't wait to go panning for gold.  He joined an experienced operation nearby, Oregon Gold Trips, which drives you into the mountains, and has all the necessary equipment to make the job easier - as well as even supplying meals. 

The front end bucket loader brings you the material, and you then load it into the trommel.  

The remaining "concentrates" are put through a spiral wheel called Gold Magic, which retains only black sand and gold.  Then, you put that into a pan, and wash out the black sand. Today's take was 2-3 pennyweights - about $150.
We headed north into Portland.  This city is for people who love to shop and eat.  Stores and restaurants everywhere.  And I'm talking Neiman Marcus, Tiffany's, and Ruth's Chris Steak House.  Not to mention it's own little Chinatown.

The transportation system includes trams that follow the grooves in the street, and drags along the electric lines above.  Problem is, most of the downtown streets are one way, and if its a street with a tram, then its down to one car lane and one tramway.  Must be interesting during rush hour.

As we drove into Portland yesterday, we noticed a huge, magnificent, snow covered mountain to our east.  We wondered if it was St. Helens or Ranier. We forgot our Geography lessons from grade school, because it turns out it is Mt. Hood, elevation 11,245 ft.  We drove east today to get up close:

Portland lies along a river, and there are numerous bridges on the north end.  There was a large number of homeless people, many lying on sidewalks sleeping next to buildings. That aside, it is a clean city, bustling with activity.
Tomorrow, onward north to Seattle.