A Trip to Portland

During the month of May this year I got the opportunity to visit my BITS Pilani batchmate Mohan Nair at Portland in USA. In fact, we were visiting our younger daughter at San Jose in California and Portland is just one hour flight from there. Last time I met him and his wife Rema in 2019 when we were in Dayton, Ohio at another common friend Arun’s house. They came to meet us there in Dayton all the way from Portland. It was so touching. They also hosted my older daughter at their house in 2017 when she visited them during summer vacation while she was studying at University of Illinois. They took all the care to make her stay comfortable and enjoyable. She was very happy to visit them and described it to us in so many words. It was but very natural for us to plan this visit while we were so close to Portland. Mohan & I was in BITS Pilani from 1980 to 1985. We were in the same hostels and same wings (lane) throughout this duration although we were pursuing different degrees. We always had very good friendly and respectful relationship. He is very supportive and caring kind of person, and you can always depend on him. He is living & working in Portland for the last 27 years. We were very excited to meet him and his family.

We took morning flight from San Jose and reached Portland PDX airport. Mohan & Rema were there to receive us although it was a working day. It was so nice to see both after almost 5 years. It was drizzling and weather was very pleasant but little bit cold. We were trying to catch up time passed by while he was driving us to his house in Beaverton. Beaverton is around 20 minutes’ drive from airport PDX. Beaverton is located in Washington County in the state of Oregon, with a small portion bordering Portland. It makes up the Portland metropolitan area. Portland is around 60 miles east of the Pacific Ocean at the northern end of Oregon's most populated region, the Willamette Valley. Downtown Portland straddles the banks of the Willamette River, which flows north through the city center and separates the city's east and west neighborhoods. Willamette & Columbia are two important rivers in Portland. Less than 10 miles from downtown, the Willamette River flows into the Columbia River which is said to be the fourth-largest river in the United States. Columbia river divides Oregon from Washington state. Portland is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon and situated in the northwestern area of the state at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers. It is also the county seat of Multnomah County. In the USA each of fifty state is divided into several counties. County is like a district in India. Drive all along was very smooth and scenic. Home was very beautiful, spacious, and very well maintained as expected. After settling down we spent the day at home simply gossiping, eating & trying to join dots of missing last forty years. True to its character It was drizzling the entire day.  It was pleasant surprise to find that they had already chalked out trip itinerary for us.    

Next day Mohan & Rema took us to Multnomah falls. It was a beautiful 40 minutes’ drive mostly along Columbia River. We were wearing thick jackets as it was little chilly & windy. My mind and all senses were trying to make sense of living painting unfolding outside car window with each moment. Wide flowing serpentine Columbia on one side, emerald hues and whispering leaves of forests, rugged tall mountains together were weaving a tapestry of wonder defying all words. Multnomah Falls are located on Multnomah Creek in the Columbia River Gorge. The waterfall is accessible from the Columbia River Highway and Interstate 84. We took the Columbia River highway route. It is the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon at 620 ft in height. The falls drops in two steps, split into an upper fall of 542 feet and a lower fall of sixty-nine feet.  Underground springs from Larch Mountain are the year-round source of water for the waterfall, augmented by spring runoff from the mountain's snowpack and rainwater during the other seasons. The waterfall is believed to be formed around 15,000 years ago during famous Missoula floods. Mohan was busy in clicking photographs from his professional camera. It was so much fun enjoying nature with your friends.

We also visited the Japanese garden that day. The Portland Japanese Garden is a traditional Japanese garden spread over 12 acres area, located within Washington Park in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is one of the best Japanese gardens in the world. Very well planned, designed and maintained. There were so many bonsais on display, and some were even 130 years old. Person like me can only wonder how they do it?

I do not think we will ever forget the next day trip to Silver Falls Park. It is around 1 hours’ drive from Beaverton. Mohan took the route which was little longer but very scenic. Much of It passed through countryside having wide curvy roads, agricultural fields and farmhouses dotted with small village like neighborhoods. Finally, it led us to Silver Falls state Park. These are considered as the crown jewel of the Oregon State Parks system, being both Oregon's largest State Park (9,000 acres) and boasting one of America's most impressive waterfall day-hikes. We did a trail of ten falls which is 7.8-mile loop. It is moderate difficult trail with about 1300 feet accumulated elevation. Incidentally, this trail is considered as one of the best waterfall trails in the state of Oregon. The entire trail took us to of Ten water Falls each better than the other. It is very near to Silverton.

Most of the trail was well maintained passing through thick forests dotted with water streams & waterfalls. There were many well thought off viewing points. Interestingly there were few falls where it was possible to go behind the falling water stream. It was a unique experience. After every few yards there was a breathtaking view ready to capture in the camera & eyes. Luckily, weather was good throughout the day without any rain. However, we were wearing thick jackets with hood. It took us around 5 hours to complete the entire loop. We (all four) were quite tired towards the end of the trail but were trying to put brave face in front of each other. After sitting in the car everyone was busy in locating the nearby Starbucks for a hot cup of coffee.

Mohan’s family is from Kerala. At home they speak Malayalam. One day we also met their children Aravind & Meera. They live nearby. Both are very well educated, soft spoken, sweet & well-mannered. I was pleasantly surprised to note that they can also understand and speak Malayalam although they were born and brought up in USA. At home we were served with fresh homemade traditional Malayali food. I am quite fond of south Indian food, but this food was so tasty and so different. Rema is very good cook and an excellent host. We enjoyed many new dishes. Interestingly Mohan made Dosas, and we came to know that he is called Dosa Master at home. Every meal was a treat for us.

They also took us to Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport and Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. Aquarium is on twenty-three acres of land along Yaquina Bay near the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium was home to Keiko, the orca who starred in the movie Willy, The Aquarium also has the largest outdoor Seabird Aviary in North America, which is home to tufted and horned puffins, black oystercatchers, common murres, rhinoceros auklets and pigeon guillemots. It also has huge transparent acrylic tunnel. One can see fish and other sea creatures from top, side & bottom. It gives a feeling as if we are walking under the sea and enjoying the marine life. It is one of the best aquariums I have ever seen.

The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is an aviation museum in McMinnville, Oregon. Its exhibits include the Hughes H-4 Hercules (Spruce Goose) and more than fifty military and civilian aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and spacecraft. The museum is located across the highway from the former headquarters of Evergreen International Aviation and across Oregon Route 18 from McMinnville Municipal Airport. Interestingly one of the exhibitors asked us about our country. When we said India, he was very happy and told us that his son-in-law is also an Indian and he is from Almora. I was wondering what a small world it is. Enroute we also passed by Oregon State University (OSU) at Corvallis and had coffee at Starbucks while returning.

Last day was little more adventurous when we did a jet boat cruises on the Willamette River.  The Willamette River is a major tributary of the Columbia River, accounting for 12 to 15 percent of the Columbia's flow. It was very trilling experience as high-speed boat zip through the river. It passes through Portland waterfront, bridges, and various landmarks long the river. Commentary of the captain during trip provided a very different and interesting perspective about the river, city, and history of various landmarks. We were fully drenched although we wore waterproof jackets. Mohan made it a point to show us his Intel campus in Hillsboro as well as Nike & Columbia. Portland is home of all three. After returning home had hot water shower and enjoyed hot meal. That day we had very long conversation on various things sitting in the living room knowing fully well that we have to a take morning flight back to San Jose.

Next day Mohan & Rema dropped us at the Portland PDX airport. They came inside the airport terminal as well to ensure that everything is smooth. Unlike India visitors can go inside airport building till security check. At security check before saying goodbye to them we invited them to India and our home. I also mentioned that we are going back with very fond memories, and they quickly replied, ‘that’s exactly we wanted.’ At that note we hugged and said goodbye to them. While we proceeded for security check they were still standing and seeing us from some distance. They left only when we completed the security check. While sitting in the lounge waiting for flight, I was wondering how lucky I am to have such friends. It was indeed an unforgettable visit to Portland, and I will always cherish the memories of the time spent with Mohan & Rema’s family.  

[Manoj Mittal, Noida, July 26,2024]

NOTE: All Facts and figures mentioned in post are taken from various internet sources and hence may not be truly accurate.