About Town Squared

Have you ever taken a tour of your own home town? Does that seem like and odd thing to do. Well I did and it isn't. Several members of my book group took a walking tour of Portland and how fun was that. I learned

• How Portland got it's name. 
• Back in the day, men outnumbered women 10 to 1, which made women fearful of walking on the streets. Chapman Square was set aside for the exclusive use of women and children. It was also the site of the recent Occupy Portland group who camped there for some number of days.
•  I saw the world's smallest park, called Mill Ends, which is located in the median strip of SW Naito Parkway and measures 452 square inches. 
• There is a fountain officially named The Quest but was renamed by Portlanders  Three Groins in the Fountain.
•  That it's a long way to Tipperary but Portlandia was only a few blocks away.
• The weather vane in Pioneer Square has a "top hat" (my term) that is different depending on the weather prediction. On this day it was rightfully sunny.
• There are stations for charging your electric car.
• And a trash can that features a compactor and a digital code is sent when it is full and time for a pick up. 
• Allow Me the statue in Pioneer Square of the gentleman with umbrella got a few things wrong. Portlanders don't use umbrellas, or wear ties, or sport watches but he is still a crowd pleaser.
• Bicycles are a favorite mode of transportation.
• Food carts abound and seemed to be loved by all.
• The Heathman and the MAX blend the new and the old but both reign supreme.

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Give your town a go. You will be surprised at what you learn.