Timberline Lodge at Mount Hood, and rides on the MAX light rail and the trolley. You're not that far from Mount St. Helen's, which has an interesting visitors' center documenting the 1980 eruption. Another possible day trip is to the wine country around Dundee and McMinnville. Even if you're not into wine, you'll see lovely rural scenery.

Restaurants come and go to often for a former resident like me to make recommendations.

.....to Hood River. It is a section of historic road from the early 1900s that will be some of the most scenic you could imagine. The Columbia River Gorge is an American treasure.

Gee, you might as well take what is called the Mt. Hood loop. It goes . through the Gorge to Hood River, then around the back side of Mt. Hood through orchards and forests and back to Portland. Foliage! That's where people go for foliage. Lots of farm stands and a portion of it actually follows the old Oregon Trail route where the pioneers crossed the Cascades.

Sellwood is a great place to stay. You will find NO LACK of things to do and see in Portland.

A good first stop is the visitor center at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland. This is called Portland's living room. The visitor center will have boatloads of brochures, and suggestions for any kind of activity. From Sellwood, you can take the bus right downtown, on Bybeel Street. It will take you right to the Square. Portland's transportlation system is wonderful. A day pass will cost you five bucks.

I could go on and on! I could tell you the name of the hottest restaurants and food carts. Portland is a foodie's heaven.

One thing I will tell you upfront is that Portland is a very very safe city. It is easy to stay oriented because the streets are laid out in a logical grid, and you can always see either Mt. Hood or the West Hills to know what direction you are facing. You needn't fear street crime unless you are out in a sketchy neighborhood late at night, and even then the risk is nearly nonexistent. Some tourists complain about panhandling downtown, but I think those tourists must look really rich or fearful. I never see that problem.

Japanese Garden is great. If you like nature walking, Sellwood is the location of what is called the Oaks Bottom trails by the Willamette River. Lots of birds and stuff there.

I could go on and on. Obviously.

I did stay downtown a few yrs ago, so this is more of a nature trip. I really want to take that loop drive, it sounds great. I chose this area to stay because it is close to the river and trails. I love strolling and bird watching.

...there are no rattlesnakes west of the Cascades. No worries. Some big slugs, but they don't bite.

The leaves are turning, the rains are just starting but they aren't constant, and everyone seems friendlier for some reason. i suggest taking a day completely unplanned, just head down to Pioneer courthouse square or the waterfront, sit on a bench, watch things happen around you, see what happens, strike up conversations with random passersby. Maybe you'll get caught up in something completely unexpected... or not.

I love Oct too. I think it's a great month to travel. It is still very hot here in Oct, so that's why I like to get away. I'll only be there for 5 days, so I want to be in nature as much as possible. Also, it's a bit of a scouting trip to see where I may move someday. I'm 50 and not sure how much longer I can handle climate change in L.A. It is so hot now I'm heat sensitive and it's just getting worse.

My idea of paradise. Reminds me of the Humboldt, CA forest. Thanks for posting, I'll check it out.

Trudy, because you love woodsy things, I suggest that the Woodsman Tavern might be a good fit for a dinner out. It's very highly recommended, and on the lists of most interesting and best foods in Portland. In a neighborhood filled with bungalow homes, and the walls are covered with vintage oil paintings of Mt. Hood. It's operated and the brain child of the founder/owner of Stumptown coffee, a big deal in Portland.

Some menu items are pricey, but there's enough variety to be able to have a modest meal, too.

www.woodsmantavern.com

Easy to get to from Sellwood, too. 45th and Division SE.

You might enjoy driving through the Laurelhurst neighborhood when you are i S.E., as well as the neighborhood around Reed College not far from Sellwood. Pasadena's old bungalows are rivaled by the bungalows and craftsman houses in Portland. These neighborhoods are particularly beautiful.

I'll check out the Woodsman and I'd love to see Laurelhurst. I'm curious about the different 'hoods as I've only really been downtown - - Powell's, Voodoo donuts, etc. My home in So. Pasadena, is a residential/commercial bldg my brother and I inherited built in 1915. The apts have cool Craftsman elements, so I love this style. I'm curious to compare the Portland area Craftsman styles with the CA styles. We have a few Green & Green homes in Pasadena that are just incredible.

I wish I had more time on this trip but I can always comeback. I'd like to visit in the Spring someday, too

Hope you have a good trip. I was there in late July/early August and it was pretty hot.

to escape the CA heat didn't work as planned. It was hotter in Portland that week than L.A.! Fall is my favorite time of year Thanks, I'll try to have a good time. I know I will feel better if it is cooler than here.