Last Thursday, I set out on my first solo exploration of new territory since touring parts of Wales two years ago. How did this come about? Because the rest of my family were headed to a wedding reception in Minnesota that weekend, which would have been our fourth visit in less than a year. My wife took mercy on me and said I could go somewhere else if I wanted to, so I booked this trip. Little did we know that their weekend in Minnesota would soon turn into a summer, and then into forever for my wife and son... but that's another topic.

A rare chance to get away for (at the time of booking) up to five days tempted me to return to any one of my old favorite destinations, but this time I was determined to go somewhere I'd never been before. Somewhere peaceful, pretty, with good weather, here in the U.S., with opportunities to see all kinds of cool movies that probably won't come to Louisville. The city that ended up fitting that bill was Portland, Oregon. My friend Doug grew up in that area, and my friends Mary and John have a sister who lives there, so I was able to procure tips to ensure an enjoyable trip. Sold!

Needless to say, at times it was hard to relax with the recent drama in my life, but I enjoyed this little four day visit anyway. However, I discovered that I am not all that thrilled with the rigors of traveling anymore; the wait, the risks, the crowds, the expense. So this little excursion to Portland will probably be my last solo visit to somewhere entirely new, although if I'm up to it and the circumstances are right, I still want to return to London with a side trip to Scotland next spring.

So here it is: Jerry's Portland Trip Report

LOUISVILLE-PORTLAND CONNECTION: Recent independent film hit Old Joy takes place in Portland and environs where it was filmed. Though barely screened in Louisville, it stars the eccentric and popular Louisville musician Will Oldham.

LOUISVILLE-PORTLAND-INDIANAPOLIS CONNECTION: World famous Indianapolis architect Michael Graves (designer of household items for Target) became world famous by designing the Portland Building and then Louisville's Humana Building which opened in 1982.

LOUISVILLE-PORTLAND-INDIANAPOLIS-LONDON CONNECTION: Needing new walking shoes before my trip, I had remembered the excellent Clarks (of London) Slate black shoes I bought in Indianapolis ten years ago. I wore those shoes for a long time before they gave out. Discovered that Clarks also makes a stylish brown shoe called the Portland, named after this famed walking city in Oregon, so I had a pair delivered to my current home in Louisville and really like them.