Small Museums by Bike - A recap

Since September I've led a half-a-year's worth of Small Musems by Bike tours each month. I love to lead these rides. They are always small groups usually 8 - 18 really nice people, I get to visit places I want to go, and the rides always seem a little magical and adventurous. Here's a recap with links to a report & photos of the last 6 rides.

February: Old & New - A visit to the moving Contemporary Crafts Museum & a ride on the New Portland Aerial Tram

January: Off-Beat Art - Velveteria's Clowntactular, Portland Art Center, A Bathtub Valentine Show, & the Center for 3D Art

December: Craft Beer - Behind-the-scenes at Lucky Lab & Bridgeport

November: Trainspotting - Union Station & two model train open houses

October: Great Collections - Toys, Vaccuums, & Hats

September: Old Town History - Old Japantown & Maritime History

Why is my Hat on a pillow?

Because I just found out it's worth about $150-200.

Sure it looks like just a nice warm knitted winter hat. In fact it is. I found this hat in the middle of the street last winter, after I had lost my hat. I took it as a sign and claimed it as mine, besides, if I left it too long it would get run over by a car, and thrown away. Last weekend I happened to be wearing this hat and was on the bus riding home from Mochitsuki (Japanese Mochi pounding festival), when a girl two seats behind me asked me if the hat was musk ox?

I took it off and showed her the label which says 100% Qiviut Artic Handknitted. She said, oh Wow, that's a 150 - 200 Dollar Hat your wearing. I asked her how she knew, and she said the tight-knit & color. Curious with this interesting information, I did a little e-searching myself. I found out she is exactly right about my hat which is made from the soft undercoating of the Musk Ox by a handknitting co-op in remote coastal villages in Alaska. The Musk Ox only sheds in the spring,a and only so much can be collected, so this fiber is very rare and expensive. It is 8 times warmer than wool, extremely soft & never itchy, and does not shrink when it is wet.

Well nonetheless, I am still wearing this hat, though I am a little more cautious to make sure I don't lose it!

My favorite (cheap) Ethnic Food in Portland

1. Dalos Kitchen (N Willams just South of Skidmore). Amazing Ethopian food, and they just remodeled and expanded, so not only do you get a gorgeous supper, the interior digs are cool too. The deal: Get the large veggie sampler plate for $8.99. It's really enough for two people, and they will bring more bread. Lucky me, this place is blocks from my house.

2. Pho Jasmine (N Killingsworth just East of Albina). Amazing Vietnamese food. The deal: reasonably priced dinner food, get a couple dishes and share. I recommend the pho (soups) & gluten dishes. mmmm! Inside decor not that fabulous, so bring someone you can't your eyes off of.

3. The Real Taste of India - food cart (Downtown on 5th Avenue & Stark). There are several indian carts but this one is just three carts down from the corner and has a covered picnic table. I've been going to this cart for 5 years, and they still offer the $4.50 Lunch special (veggie or meat). There is no better deal. On days where I work a double shift. I eat here for lunch as it lasts me all day. For the lunch special you get three entries, Naan bread, and rice. With a meal so cheap, you can afford yourself a mango lasse, but do you have room for it is the real question.