WESTMORELAND & SELLWOOD

Talk about close! The Fulton House Bed & Breakfast is only about 2-minutes away from an area of Portland visited most often by visitors -- Westmoreland and Sellwood. Wendy and I often frequent this neighborhood to eat at our favorite Italian joint or to browse among the many shops there.

What makes Westmoreland and Sellwood so popular? Perhaps it's the shops and antique "malls" that offer more home decor destinations, both vintage and new, than any other shopping district in Portland.

Or maybe it's the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge and Wapato Marsh, where you can sight dozens of different birds and other wildlife, very unusual in a close-in, easy-to-visit spot in a major city. Nearby, walk or bike to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) on the Springwater Trail along the Willamette River.

For golfers, there's the beautiful Eastmoreland Golf Course. For flower lovers, the Rhododendron Garden. For the adventurous, the Oaks Park Amusement and Vintage Skating Rink.

From May through September, wander through the Moreland Farmers Market every Wednesay from 3:30-7:30 p.m. And on every first Friday evening of the month, enjoy "First Friday Art Quest," when all the galleries, artist studios and most shops stay open until 9:00 p.m. There are sidewalk artists and musicians, lively artist receptions, local music, occasional literary readings, wine tastings, and generally just a good time for all.

Just cross the Sellwood Bridge, about 2-minutes from The Fulton House, and you're there.