3724Returning to the Ross Island Bridge, I give you the look out our car's front window as we proceed toward the west side of the Willamette.
Ahead of this, the road devolves into a number of ramps connecting to streets leading into downtown (S Kelly Avenue, SW Naito Parkway northbound, SW Arthur leading to SW 4th) and to the great Southwest (SW Naito Parkway southbound to Barbur Blvd). These are very charming old ramps and, judging by the curve radii and the tightness of the roadways, were clearly designed for much slower traffic. But, we deal.
Off to the left, if you could look, are the condo towers of South Waterfront ... and my history here goes back far enough that I knew a time when none of them were there. Off to the right, views of downtown that are, unfortunately, obscured by the safety railings.
Straight ahead, tho ...
... th e eastern face of Portland's posh West Hills. The buildings most in evidence surmount a massif known as Marquam Hill, our medical mountain, our "Pill Hill". Not only is there the massive research joint known as OHSU, but there's also the Doernbecher's Children's Hospital, a Shriners' Hospital, and a VA Medical Center.
If I caught a case of Andromeda Strain, that's where I'd want to be. You're never more than one insurance plan away from any doctor.
The cables up the hill are the OHSU tram, of course, another thing I knew Portland before it had. It's a fun ride, surprisingly low-key as a tourist attraction, and connects the OHSU buildings down by the river with the ones up on the hill.
And, of course, the lush green. Surfeit of trees? This is Portland. We haz dem.
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