Pittock Mansion, International Test Rose Garden and Tillakum Bridge

Malia and I had a full day in Portland.  First we visited the Pittock Mansion, a French Renaissance-style Chateau in the West Hills of Portland, originally built as a private home for the Oregonian publisher Henry Pittock and his wife Georiana.  They lived in the mansion from 1914 to 1915 where they celebrated six children.  He was penniless when he arrived in OR at the age of 19 but eventually built an empire incorporating real estate, banking, railroads, steamboats, sheep ranching, silver mining and the pulp and paper industry.  He married 15 year old Georgiana when he was 26.
The City of Portland eventually bought the home and it is now a popular tourist attraction.

 

Each room, with it's lavish décor,  offers a uniquely personal oppportuity to peek into the past and study our world as it was from the viewpoint of one Portland family.

 

 

 

Such a wonderful view of the city from the grounds of this magnificent mansion. 

Not too far from the mansion is the International Rose Test Garden.  Located in Washington Park, there are over 7,000 rose plants of approximately 550 varieties.  Just beautiful!  They were in full bloom today and we were both so in awe of their beauty.

 

We made a new friend.  Actually, this statue represents the rose hosts that wander through the park answering any questions you might have.

 

 

We then drove over to the new passenger bridge, the Tillakum Bridge, which was just opened a  couple of weeks ago,  and walked across it.  We timed it just right as they turn lights on at night which makes the bridge an awesome sight.  This bridge is one of twelve that span over the Willamette River in Portland, OR.

 

 

Our feet were killing us after walking all day, however, and then we could not find Malia's car as by now it had turned very dark and we are not at all familiar with this area.  With the help of some passersby, we finally were able to be on our way, exhausted from a very exhilarating day.  We returned to Troutdale and found an inviting little Italian restaurant where we shared appetizers and wine before turning in.