Thank you for all the birthday wishes from my last post. You are all too good to me!
Upon my arrival in Portland, the weather was so atrocious I had to find something indoors to peak my interest. I didn’t have anything planned, the main reason for the adventure was to run my race, but that wasn’t until the next day. After sitting in a car for three hours I just needed to MOVE. I didn’t care where or how, so I Googled the nearest mall.
While driving to the mall I saw this cemetery and suddenly got the urge to take some photos. The rainy, foggy weather made the perfect backdrop if you ask me.
What a wonderfully eerie start to the trip.
About a mile from this cemetery I found a sign that said, “Pittock Mansion next left.” Having no idea what the Pittock Mansion was, I decided why not follow the sign.
This place looked straight out of a Steven King novel, so of course we went in.
Most of my photos from inside didn’t turn out well enough to share, so if you’re curious you can click this Google link for some better photos. It was gorgeous, but creepy. Every room had something in it that made my neck hairs rise. I was expecting orbs in all my photos.
It didn’t take long to tour the place, maybe 35 minutes. I couldn’t help but think about how epic this place would be for hide and seek. Except I’d never want to be alone in there.
Perfect piece of Portland history. No need to tour a boring mall.
Q: Do you like sticking to a plan, or jumping off the path to discover something new? Both..in different ways and at different times. So vague of me.
37 thoughts on “Discover Portland: The Pittock Mansion”
Laura
Such a cool place – and beautiful pictures! I miss the color green!
kathy @ vodka and soda
you are a brave girl for going in there and into that cemetary! i’m such a wuss 😦
sincerelylily
ahh I love how you just showed up and was like ‘ Im going to go to this cementary. Oh- a mansion- I shall go there too.’ Love your adventurous attidude.
I LOVE THE CREEPY MANSION. Omg. Ok, so I used to work at that historical mansion and …. I dont’ know, I love history and old places and homes that are ridiculously imposing and ancient. I would like to visit here. Actually, I can elope for my one year anniversary and have it here??? that seems suitable.
Loooove the last picture- I feel like ther should be some Ferngully characters living in there.
Brittany
I can totally see you frolicking in this mansion with proper attire to fit the scene. Please elope here for your anniversary, because it’s close to me and I will come celebrate with you.
Ashley @ Married to the Game
Great pictures! I like jumping off the path and discovering something new!
Meredith
Very cool that you went there and snapped pics! I think it’s fun to go off course now and then and have an adventure! Looks like a gorgeous place
Britta
That mansion is stunning. I bet there are so many stories about this place and ghosts that probably linger. NOTHING SCARIER than a ghost tour – bah. Scares the daylights out of me! I love that you just do these random things and jump out of the car to take photos and explore. So great.
Cant wait to hear about the rest of your trip. ahhhh, I am still daydreaming about your Voodoo Donuts picture – SWOON!
Brittany
I can’t stop thinking about that Oreo doughnut..seriously…it’s bad.
Amalia
That’s so awesome! I love the way you explore cities – very similar to the way I do! I love to find things and just kind of wander. Thankfully my boyfriend does too, otherwise we would probably have an issue! I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip in Portland! Looks like you’re getting comfortable with the camera!
Davida @The Healthy Maven
So cool!!! The other day my friend suggested we go on an “urban hike”. I laughed at the name but it was awesome to just walk around my city and explore…could have done without the arctic temps though!
Brittany
I LOVE urban hiking!! Not right now though, the weather sucks balls.
theduckandtheowl
Gorgeous photos 🙂
P
Wow, what a wonderful place to sumble upon! Who needs malls ;)?
Reminds me of Hansel and Gretel stumbling upon the witch’s cottage 😛
Alex @ therunwithin
jesus it is beautiful there. I don’t know how you are so lucky to always stumble on these treasures.
Brittany
I am a magnet for living a random life. Haha.
PNWRunner
I like to have a plan, but discovering something new is great. You never know what you’ll find at a new location until you’re there. I always like asking locals about the best sites to see! I can’t wait to visit Portland!
Choc Chip Uru
It is like your own wonderland, you are so lucky! 😀
What a treasure trove to come across!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Nicole
Those are some beautiful pics!!!! (And I would have been freaked out by the old mansion too). Ha, ha. 🙂
Missy
You wandered! That is the best!
Happy 25th Birthday! That’s halfway to 30!!
Heehee… see what I did there?
jessielovestorun
Dear, your photography skills have improved so much over the year. Each picture just leaves me in awe!
Brittany
Your comment made my week. The end. And thank you. 🙂
Rachel
That place is beautifully creepy! Great pictures!
rachel
thegystofthings.blog.com
Meghan @ fitnesscrEATures
That is absolutely an eerie way to kick off your trip! I would totally play hide and seek with you girl! Come on, where’s your sense of adventure?? 🙂 I’ll bribe you with some delicious Vegan food afterward. Loving your pictures in this post so yummy I could eat them up. You’re so good!
Brittany
OK deal, anything for delicious food. Throw a cupcake in there and I’ll make it worth your while. 😉
apartmentwife
love days like this – when you just roll without a plan and let the good things come and find yourself an adventure or 2 or 3 🙂
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
I loved these photos.. I guess I love moody places:) I’d be scared too, though! I think it’s the rich green color that I love most, sigh, I can’t wait for spring!
Alex
DUDE that place looks like something out of a storybook!!! I love how the moss encases the architecture–so beautiful! I would love to see that one day…and eat a voodoo donut amidst the trees with you 😀
Brittany
YES! This sounds so wonderful!
Melissa @ Al Forno Mementos
gahh I miss portland! I wish I lived by you! you have the best adventures!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG OMFG I just CAME UP WITH THE MOST MAGICAL IDEA for when you come visit me (or I go visit you). We play the most EPIC GAME of TREASURE HUNT or HIDE & SEEK!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
Brittany
In the woods…at night…with minimal clothing..and we MUST be able to ride centaurs.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
OMG YOU JUST DESCRIBED MY DREAM EVENING!!! I will go out at night for that!
Rach @ This Italian Family
O_O I would be terrified of this place, haha! I think I could do it in the daylight, but being there on my own in the dark would petrify me, ha! Looks like you had fun exploring! 🙂
The Vegan 8
Omg what a crazy, freaky place girl!! I would be a nervous wreck…that medicine cabinet, yikes, lol!! Love the forest photos though!
Luv What You Do
Looks awesome! We were just talking like 7 seconds ago about visiting Portland in August. I will definitely hit you up for suggestions!
Amy
It’s so funny that you mentioned how foggy weather is the perfect photography backdrop. My high school photography teacher always said that cloudy days were the best for outdoor photography because the clouds acted as a diffuser and eliminated all of the shadows. See, you’re a natural!! 🙂
I LOVE the outside of the mansion; I’ve always had a thing for stone buildings. It’s why I love Europe and their architecture so much. Out here on the west coast, we don’t have very much of that. Super cool that you randomly made up your adventure as you went too; I normally need to stick to a well-organized plan!
DistrictSweats
Dude! That’s where I run every weekend. There are beautiful trails around the mansion, and the city views are amazing on a clear day.