Staying Outside of Portland – Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort
January 5, 2010
While you are in the area, and if you are feeling nostalgic for the best of good old hippie days, or you were born before or after that era but always felt an affinity for the times, then I suggest you try Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort. It is a great place to relax, rejuvenate and generally unwind. There are rooms, cabins or you can bring your own tents, depending on your pocketbook or inclinations. There is a shower facility near the cabins which I didn’t use.
The fees are quite reasonable and include 3 meals a day. The food is wholesome vegetarian fare so you will be eating healthy whether you want to or not. The meals are served cafeteria style, and part of their charm is meeting the other guests. There is no lack of human variation for you to observe and engage. All you need is honest curiosity, and the ability to suspend judgment and enjoy the conversational ride.
The grounds are rustic, so it is hard going in a wheelchair. I opted to stay at the main house where most of the events and meals are served. It reminded me more of someone’s casual bed and breakfast than a hotel. The room was quite small and not really suited for a person with a disability. The bed was very high and difficult to navigate. I just kind of prayed for the best and jumped on the bed with a little bit of help from my husband and daughter. The other thing to keep in mind is that you must provide your own linens which might discourage some, but helps keep costs down.
The bathroom was a real point of contention for me. There were three stalls, one of which was supposed to be handicapped accessible. However, it was very small, and way too narrow to fit any else besides yourself. Although I was pretty unhappy because of the bathroom and lack of a shower in the main house, it didn’t really detract from the laid back feeling of having fallen off the grid. I was there for only three days so I can’t say how much more it would have bothered if I was there for a longer stay
For the rest of your group who may have no mobility issues, the major attractions of Breitenbush are their hot springs, which you can enjoy clothed or au naturel, either way being relaxing, Their nature trails perfect for hiking – there are plenty of big Douglas firs and western hemlocks. There are also classes in yoga and other New Age ways to get in touch with your inner spirit. Nothing is mandatory so you can be as active or idle as you wish.
The staff was always very obliging and although they couldn’t change my accommodations to be more convenient, they certainly tried their best and were always friendly. The next year, I was told that they had changed the bathroom, moving the handicapped bathroom stall to be first and enlarging it as well. It was nice to know that people listened to what I had to say and I am looking forward to going back there again.
For more information, see www.breitenbush.com. Share your experiences of Brietenbush in the comments below.
Staying at the Ace Hotel
January 4, 2010
The Ace Hotel is in N.W. Portland close to downtown and the trendy Pearl District. A handicapped accessible room had been reserved for me.
The Hotel’s ramp entrance takes you through directly into the Stumptown Coffee Shop next door. Although this might not have been the most convenient way into a hotel, the delicious coffee made the trip worthwhile. When I entered the hotel I was struck by how “cool” it was – tourists were hanging around the lobby, snapping pictures. This was a place to see and be seen! This made me feel a little strange since I consider my cool days long over but I am always game to see what it is like. The young men at the check in desk were courteous, and directed me to my room. The one elevator was snug, intimate– you take your pick of adjectives, but you get the idea. My husband and I managed to fit in which I suppose is what really counts.
We got to our room only to discover, it was not, in any way handicapped accessible – there was a step up to the room, a step to the bathroom etc. The bed was so low I could not envision any way to hoist myself up once I got in. It was obvious to all that this wouldn’t do at all. A hasty meeting was convened and the best solution was a room on another floor. The only hitch in the arrangement was that I would have to use the bathroom and shower on another floor. The logistics of this arrangement made me wish for home. However, travel is never for the faint of heart so I expressed my concern but said if that was the best arrangement, I would try to manage.
So I was resigned to my fate when their manger took us up to the top floor and showed us a magnificent room that was about triple the size of our initial room with amenities galore. They felt that since the error was theirs (someone had given my room away earlier in the day), I shouldn’t suffer. So it was arranged that they would comp the first night and the room rate would be the same as the first room. All this was achieved with no fighting, bad feelings or any kind of negativity. My only complaint, and a minor one, was that the bed was low, so I needed help getting up in the morning, but the bathroom was better than some handicapped accessible ones I’ve used.
And for you bibliophiles, the Ace hotel is only a few short blocks away from Powell’s Bookstore, the largest west of the Mississippi. It’s also very near Portland Center Stage, one of America’s 25 largest regional theaters, showing a mix of classical and contemporary work. And, a block away from Powell’s is the Deschutes Brewery and Public House, serving great beer and pub food. Needless to say the Ace Hotel is an ace in my book. I hear they’ve opened one in New York City.
For more information, visit http://www.acehotel.com/portland and http://www.i-can-travel,com/destinations. Share your own experiences at the Ace Hotel or other hotels in Portland in the comments below.
At the Kennedy School
December 20, 2009
We also stayed at the Kennedy School in N.E. Portland near the Alberta Arts District. The Kennedy School is one of the McMenamins Hotels and brew pubs. It’s a converted school that has been turned into an idiosyncratic hotel. Each room has a classroom name. There was no drama here – our room was as advertised- handicapped accessible. It was a spacious room, easy to get around in a wheelchair. The bed was a good height to get in and out of. Although it lacked the sleek newness of the Ace Hotel’s accommodations, the room was well thought out and easy to stay in. The cost of the room was very reasonable as well.
The Kennedy School is not just a place to stay: it’s an experience. It has cozy bars (for honors students, delinquents and assorted others), an in-house movie theater, and an almost museum-like environment with whimsical photos, amazing tile work and historical photos of early 20th century students who attended the school. There’s also a nice soaking pool, good pub food and live entertainment.
Just as the Ace Hotel represents Portland’s hip side, with unique furniture and recycled materials, the Kennedy School represents funky Portland.
For more information, visit http://www.Kennedyschool.com and http://www.i-can-travel.com/destinations. Share your experiences at the Kennedy School or other McMenamins Hotels in the Comments section below.
A Few Tourist Attractions
December 15, 2009
Let me begin by saying that most of what is beautiful about Portland exists both inside and outside the city limits. Within the city, the world-famous rose garden in Washington Park stands out most for me. It is handicapped accessible so you can enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. As a Pacific Rim city, it’s not surprising that there are also fine Japanese and Chinese gardens. If gardens or zoos aren’t your thing, there are galleries and unique one-off stores to satisfy the most acquisitive of tastes. Speaking of which, if you enjoy sampling beers, Portland is the town for you. Because of the purity of the water in Portland and its environs, micro breweries have sprung up all over. Word to the wise, be careful you can hold your liquor, since your assistive device may become a weapon of destruction!
A walk along the Willamette River Esplanade is paved and quite accessible. It’s 1.5 miles long and extends from the Hawthorne Bridge past the Morrison and Burnside Bridges to the Steel Bridge with extensions into eastside neighborhoods and across the river. It has public art, a biking path, panels about the history of Portland and is nicely illuminated at night. Forest Park, one of the world’s largest city parks, has paved trails and with Mt. Tabor Park, Portland boasts the only volcano within city limits. Fortunately, it’s dormant. For more to do in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com.
Tell us about your own favorite places in Portland in the Comments section below.
Simple Fare
December 10, 2009
Before I begin talking about Portland restaurants, I have one observation to make – that when I die and if I am reborn, I would like to be a Portland dog! I have never been to a restaurant anywhere before that not only allows dogs, but has a menu just for them! That was at the Tin Shed in N.E. Portland, which has inside and outside seating (with heat lamps in the winter). It seems quite popular and we had to wait a long time for seating.
The restaurants I ate at were all handicapped accessible but obviously I wouldn’t go to one that wasn’t! We didn’t tend to go out to fancy places, but the food was fine. I had never had a tofu scramble before and I probably won’t again, but I am not a gourmet so I was happy with most of my meals. My best meal was breakfast– it was biscuits with vegetarian gravy at Gravy, a restaurant in the North Portland’s Mississippi Neighborhood. We were warned to get there early.
The most disappointing meal we ate was at Kenny and Zuke’s, Portland’s version of delicatessen. It wasn’t terrible, but it’s not a threat to any of the great New York delis, that’s for sure.
Since we didn’t have any great meals for carnivores, please send us your suggestions for visitors with disabilities.
Mount Hood
December 8, 2009
Outside the City of Portland, majestic forests and mountains are everywhere. There are stops along the way to admire the waterfalls and other natural features of beauty. I’m a city person and not that adept at describing nature. Just rest assured, that nature is magnificent and worthy of pulling over at a rest stop to observe. These areas are handicapped accessible but tend to be quite steep, so the climb and ascent is not for the faint of heart, but those brave souls who venture forth will be well rewarded.
A trip to Portland would not be complete without a visit to Mt. Hood and the Timberland Lodge. Built during the Depression as a work project, the Timberland Lodge is perhaps best known for serving as the exterior of the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. 
The Lodge is handicapped accessible but is one of those places that were retrofitted so there are some twists and turns to get to the lodge proper. The Lodge itself is quite grand and most places were accessible; but if memory serves me right, I was not able to get to the bar (no, not for more drinks), but the view. We ate in the main dining hall that was handicapped accessible but pricey. Since I am not a food critic, nor could I pretend to be, I thought the food was fine.
I was told that the Lodge had rooms which were handicapped accessible but was unable to view any since they were all occupied. As anyone who has stayed at hotels/motels knows, what passes for handicapped accessible, is often not adequate for your needs. But being adaptable helps, so I would say try the lodge, it is probably worth the effort.
My memories of the Portland area are fond ones. It’s a good city to navigate around, the people are polite and friendly and the scenery surrounding the city is splendid. My only reservation: why does it have to rain so much?
Getting Around
December 2, 2009
If you’ve never been to Portland Oregon and you’re a person with a disability, you’re in for a big treat. Being a born New Yorker, I’m used to impatient people eager to get to their destinations, so little prepared me for the politeness I encountered when I went out on the streets.
Firstly, the traffic does stop when you enter the crosswalk – this is no game of chicken – but rather good manners of the native population. At first, I was hesitant to believe my eyes, but gradually I came to trust the local drivers. This phenomenon was not isolated to Portland alone, but occurred in the other places I visited like the town of Hood River.
It’s easy to get around in Portland. The buses have ramps and power lifts. About half of them are low floor buses that can “”kneel,” lowering the first step closer to the curb for easier boarding. All buses have priority seating and places for mobile devices. Streetcars also have ramps, and for people who are blind or have limited vision, there are textured tiles along the length of the boarding platform that indicate you are near the platform edge. These tiles can be detected with a cane or foot. For more information on public transportation, visit http://trimet.org
If you’re walking, there are buttons at almost every corner to change the lights and help you cross. The curb cuts are OK; it’s impossible to find a city where they’re all in perfect condition.
Do you have any hints of your own about getting around in Portland? If so, please share them in the Comments section below.
