For a three-day get-away, Portland is hard to beat, especially with an afternoon trip to Powell’s Books (www.powells.com) and then dinner at Piazza Italia in the Pearl District (www.piazzaportland.com). But we’ve been trying to explore more, beyond the core and what did we find? On Mississippi Street in North-East Portland (www.mississippiave.com) you’ll find stores like The Meadow, which specializes in chocolate, and in gourmet salts, which makes it an excellent stop if you or anyone you know is a gourmand (themeadowflowers.com). While you’re there, don’t forget to try a food from a mobile food cart on nearby Alberta Street! (www.foodcartsportland.com)
