A Pair of Nike’s and a Pint Glass
What does a pair of running shoes and pints of beer have in common? These two things were crucial when I first moved to Portland and started exploring my new stomping grounds.
In late April 2016, Molly and I moved to Portland from Atlanta. Being a running enthusiast and a restaurant professional with an emphasis in beverage management, I was thrilled to be living in a city steeped in running and beer culture. With numerous trails around the metro area, breweries all over, and the Willamette Valley a short country drive away, I was in heaven.
Our goal for the first year was to live in a central location, which would allow us to explore our new environment with ease and convenience while developing a sense of familiarity with the city. We opted to rent an apartment in the Alphabet District of NW Portland. It was perfect.
My first morning in Portland was an experience I'll never forget. I woke up at 4:45 am and couldn't believe how light it was outside. Naturally, I was excited like a kid on Christmas Eve and had to burn off the excitement with some intense activity. It was time for my first run in PDX. My desired alter ego, Steve Prefontaine, was anxious to explore, so I suited up for a run and hit the street.
The run was magical! I started out weaving through nearly every street in the Pearl District, then heading east towards the Willamette River. As I approached the river and continued through Tom McCall Waterfront Park, I noticed the Saturday Market. I thought, "What was this? I didn't know Portland had a bazaar-like market downtown. How cool to have an open-air shopping experience within walking distance from home."
Photo: Facebook: Portland Saturday Market
Somewhere around mile three, I decided to turn back towards the apartment, working my way through the SW waterfront, PSU campus, and downtown. I noticed the beauty and consideration paid to the design and preservation of the old buildings. It was something I'd only experienced when I was visiting Manhattan. I was blown away and felt validated that I'd made the right choice moving to the Pacific Northwest.
Next came my obsessive infatuation with the beer scene. I'm a beer enthusiast, maybe even a snob, and I was in awe the first time I wandered into a proper brewpub. Being an IPA/Pale Ale lover, I found the options for local and regional offerings were far and above what I experienced in Atlanta. Plus, the Happy Hour prices on mythical selections like Pliny the Elder by Russian River Brewing and Punk Rock Time IPA by Baerlic Brewing Company were a pleasant surprise. I made my way through the Brewery Blocks and eventually over the river to see what the Eastsiders had to offer.
Over the next four years, the places I ran and the conversations I had over pints get credit for my familiarity with inner Portland. The infinite taverns nestled throughout the city were and continue to be a fantastic source of idle chit-chat, as well as a telling representation of their respective neighborhoods. What better way to get to know your new city?
