Spruce Goose

The "Spruce Goose" (officially the Hughes H-4 Hercules) is the largest flying boat ever built. It is the centerpiece of the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, OR. Due to limited supply of metals during WWII, the plane is mostly made of birch (not spruce!). It flew one time on November 2, 1947.

A few facts about the plane:

• Aircraft Type: Cargo Prototype
• First Flight: November 2, 1947
• Wingspan: 319 feet 11 inches
• Length: 218 feet 8 inches
• Height: 79 feet 4 inches
• Weight: 300,000 pounds
• Capacity: 18 Crew, 750 troops
• Cruise Speed: 220 mph
  
  

This is a model of the plane used in the movie The Aviator.

The Museum is housed in three buildings. One large building houses the Spruce Goose and several other (mostly military) aircraft. A duplicate building across the parking lot houses the space exhibits. On our visit (March 2009) it appeared the exhibits were under development. There is a replica of the lunar lander and a missle launch simulator. Pictorial displays take the visitor through the years showing highlights of space exploration and travel through the years. A smaller building between the two large ones contains an IMAX theatre. They were showing a movie on life in the International Space Station. I found this to be very interesting and the 3D effects (with glasses!) were very effective.

In my opinion, there are two negatives of the museum. First, the high level of militarism and nationalism was offputting. A soon-to-be-opened gun collection fits right in. Second, there are many additional costs once you enter the museum. The museums and movie cost $30/person. Add-ons include a docent tour of the exhibits and entrance (beyond a cursory peek into the fuselage) of the Spruce Goose.

Wong's King - Portland, OR

duck (center) and other small plates of tasty treats

dim sum (dĭm' sŏŏm', sŭm')
n. A traditional Chinese cuisine in which small portions of a variety of foods, including an assortment of steamed or fried dumplings, are served in succession.

Tucked into the corner of a small strip mall in southeast Portland, Wong's King (8733 SE Division St.) is one of the best places I've been for dim sum (the list includes places in Seattle, Portland, Oakland, and Minneapolis). If you don't believe me it's good, ask the other people who wait in the large, but cramped, entry for at least 30 minutes to get a seat at a table! (Or ask the people in the cars in the small parking lot waiting to pounce into a spot as soon as satisfied diners vacate.) The dining space is spacious with large tables for 4 or more. On Sundays there are usually families sitting at the round tables enjoying lunch together. It feels formal with white tablecloths on the tables and a wait staff in tailored purple uniforms. The servers push carts through the dining room and diners can select whatever appeals to them. I usually have eyes bigger than my stomach and end up choosing more things that I can eat! The carts have small plates of duck, chicken feet, boa, shu mai, chinese broccoli, soup, and many more tasty morsels!

Willis Tower

Do you know the name of the tallest building in the United States? The tallest in the western hemisphere? The view above is taken from an upper floor of the 108-story building. Well, I guess the title of the post gives away the answer. June 2009 marks the end of the building being officially called "Sears Tower". Read more about the name change here. I wonder how long it will take for the new name to enter common parlance.

Sushi Land - Portland, OR

Sushi, Edamame (Soybeans), Calamari

I'm not a connisseur of sushi. My underdeveloped palate doesn't distinguish between high and low quality nigiri or maki. So I usually opt for the inexpensive and there is no better place for that than Marinepolis Sushi Land (multiple locations in the Portland and Seattle areas). The plates (color coded for $1, $1.50, $2, $3) pass by on a conveyor in front of you. You can examine them through the clear plastic as you contemplate if it is something you're willing to try. My favorites are the cooked, rolled sushi with yam or shrimp. But I'm willing to try others, although I can pass on ones with avacado. There is always a variety of choices so you never have to go hungry. The place is perfect for first-time sushi eaters since the price is right if you don't like one. Wait and choose another from the conveyor. Don't be surprised if there is a wait - the restaurants are very popular. Smaller groups sit at the counter while larger groups can gather in booths on the side. The wait staff stays out of the way and lets you enjoy your selections. The sushi chefs will occassionally ask if you want something special not on the conveyor. They always seem happy to satisfy. For the very timid (or kids) they even have some sushi without any fish. One option is sliced vienna sausages on rice, held together with a seaweed band!