I want to put in a word regarding Portland’s streetcar system. Although I am normally confounded by public transportation systems, as I live in a city, um, town, that doesn’t really have one, I took Byron’s advice and jumped on the streetcar this morning to go to Nob Hill. It was very very easy, by which I mean I did not get lost, at least not for more than two minutes. I would recommend the streetcar system highly. It’s basically free (or $1.70 or something outside the free zone) and super fast. I was in the Nob hill area, where WW has its offices, in about 12 minutes. There’s great shopping there and Byron has the full low-down on all the shops. Also, I’m way down for an expedition to Powell’s Books, so if anyone else is interested, let’s make it a group outing.

Flickr’d by JoeCollver.

Thanks to a recent episode of “No Reservations,” I’ve paired two (three?) fantasies I might otherwise have not: Anthony Bourdain and a maple donut topped with a slice of bacon.

A Portland delicacy, apparently, served at Voodoo Doughnut.

Our entertainment editor, who traveled to Portland on the Tour de Fat last summer, highly recommends checking out the McMenamins‘ Kennedy School. Judging by the site, McMenamins runs lots of interesting establishments in which to experience the area’s cultural “whimsy,” including breweries, restaurants and live music venues.

Best bike library or co-op?

I’m used to my cruiser here, but if we’ll be tempted toward illicit activities over hilly urban terrain, we’ll want gears. (I’m talking urban transport. No plans for mountain biking. We can do that here in Colorado–and I don’t.)