Re: Oregon Hiking/Brewing
Posted: Thu Sep 22, 2011 8:09 pm
There seems to be 100-some McMenamins out there - an evil chain by many measures - but I'm talking just about the Edgefield Manor in Troutdale. I don't know about their dive bars or music venues - they may suck (although I hear the Crystal Ballroom and White Eagle are pretty cool) - and I've read that they take a lot of s**t from the locals for being a "chain" - but any corporation that takes old deserted historic buildings like the county poor farm (Edgefield) or a historic elementary school (Kennedy School) and restores them into interesting and useful places, while asking local artists to paint the walls and rooms at their whimsy, while brewing beer, mediocre as it is, out in the backroom, while offering modestly priced accomodations, is absolutely alright by me. They aren't perfect - not even close - but the Edgefield is very unique. Unique like Disneyland, but for grownups. And without slot machines.
But I'm into cool old hotels. Heck, I've enjoyed a number of nights in the St. James Hotel in Cimarron NM (still with bullet holes in the copper ceilings) with circa-1900 wallpaper peeling from the walls of the rooms and carpets stained by time. McMenamins Edgefield is of similar stock, from which not many are left, but in this case complete with vineyards, brewery, and expansive wandering grounds with minature details to explore. Love it or hate it, it's just too unique not to recommend.
And Derek, with the suggestions here it sounds like you have a GREAT trip lined up. I've thoroughly enjoyed the all too limited time I've spent in Portland. Hope it's a good time for you and your wife.
But I'm into cool old hotels. Heck, I've enjoyed a number of nights in the St. James Hotel in Cimarron NM (still with bullet holes in the copper ceilings) with circa-1900 wallpaper peeling from the walls of the rooms and carpets stained by time. McMenamins Edgefield is of similar stock, from which not many are left, but in this case complete with vineyards, brewery, and expansive wandering grounds with minature details to explore. Love it or hate it, it's just too unique not to recommend.
And Derek, with the suggestions here it sounds like you have a GREAT trip lined up. I've thoroughly enjoyed the all too limited time I've spent in Portland. Hope it's a good time for you and your wife.