Milwaukie, Oregon - Roake's (the hot dog folks)

Technically in Milwaukie (but super convenient to Oregon City) you can find the main Roake's location (there is another in NorthEast Portland). The McLoughlin Roake's has a history going back to 1937, though it has not always been under its present name and ownership. 

It amuses me a little that the first thing you read on the sign is "Great Burgers".

The burgers are tasty, but that is a weiner dog on the roof for a reason. Their web site calls them "the hot dog folks". Of the T-shirts they sell, two emphasize the classic hot dog stand vibe, and the third declares "Bite the weiner".

The last time we were there I noticed a sign announcing their new chicken sandwich. That's nice, but there is no way we are getting that when there are hot dogs on the menu.

We visited three times total to be sure, and I am declare the Long Hot Dog the winner. 

There is certainly nothing wrong with the Short Hot Dog, but you get so much more for the extra two dollars!

The Plump Dog - which give you the extra volume in girth instead of length - is an interesting idea, but the distribution of toppings works better on the long one.

Standard toppings include mustard, onions, relish, ketchup, and kraut. On one level this makes me worry about specifying "no kraut" every single time (which I keep accidentally calling slaw), but a better way to look at it is that you get a lot of bang for your buck without paying extra.

Coney sauce is also available, though that makes it a different menu item. Having tried coney dogs and non-Coney dogs, I still recommend the Long Hot Dog, every time. It's tasty!

The awesome looking retro indoor dining is open if you wear a mask, but most patrons were opting for takeout or using the outdoor picnic tables.

Obviously, we ate in our car.

There were three of us, so we tried a platter of fries, which was supposed to be a double portion. Even among three it was way too much. The fries were fine, just know that portions are large.

I tried a root beer shake as well, because I found the idea intriguing. It was kind of weird. I think root beers works better in floats, where it is less fully integrated, but that may be personal. They also have more traditional flavors.

Also, prices were really good. The online menu is a little outdated, but everything is still reasonable.

And there is at least the possibility of getting car service at night, just like the old days.

http://www.roakesthehotdogfolks.com/

Oregon City - Viewing Willamette Falls

Oregon City was built around Willamette Falls, where the Willamette River drops shortly before joining the Clackamas River. The portage required because of the falls and power provided by them was all an important part of the history and shaped the region.

They are also kind of hard to see.

The river takes kind of a bend right around there, and then there are the elevation changes and structures and trees... there is plenty to see in Oregon City if you never look for the falls, but here are some potential viewpoints if you want to.

The Municipal Elevator and along the McLoughlin Promenade:

These are not good pictures, but there are glimpses. When you have two eyes, you can see some things better than your camera sees them. I have not been all along the promenade yet, so there might be some better viewpoints, but angles and trees and structures get in the way.

Willamette Falls Scenic Overlook

Located off of Interstate 205, Northbound right before Oregon City, this has the same issues with angles and vegetation getting in the way, plus the distance is a little greater. It did occur to us that you might have a better view in winter when the leaves are down.

Oregon City Arch Bridge

This is as close as you get without being on the water, and it is a pretty good view, though this picture is using the zoom (you still aren't that close). Those two paddle boarders are getting pretty close.

Jon Storm Park

When we were driving back from Roake's (review coming!), we had a moment before passing under an overpass that gave us a pretty clear view of the falls. It would not have been a good place to stop, but we realized that we could approximate it by stopping at the park, and that's what we did.

Jon Storm Park is adjacent to Clackamette Park and home to the Abernethy Elm Stump, which I did not notice while I was there, but that's why looking on maps is fun.

From the water

Those paddle boarders had the right idea. There are lots of options for approaching by water, but safety first.

The best view we have ever had of the falls was when we took our jet boat ride.

http://sporktogo.blogspot.com/2017/11/portland-willamette-jet-boat-excursions.html
 

Oregon City Municipal Elevator

Willamette Falls was an important location for river travel and river power, which had a strong influence on the development of Oregon City.

Part of that is that the city is built on two levels, and it is not always convenient getting between the two. An earlier elevator opened up in 1915. The old wooden structure was replaced with the current elevator in 1955. You may notice some similarities to the 1960 Chemosphere (or Troy McClure's House on The Simpsons.)

Although the elevator itself was not a part of the local Works Progress Administration projects, there were many in the area and a series of photographs that show different scenes from different angles commemorates this.

Glass etchings on the windows also celebrate the local history and design.

Glass etchings on the windows also celebrate the local history and design.

The elevator is in a central location for exploring Oregon City.

The lower level opens with a direct path to the Arch Bridge, with signs to help you connect with TrailLink. https://www.traillink.com/city/oregon-city-or-trails/

From the top you have easy access to the McLoughlin Promenade and historic houses.

The elevator is currently unmanned with a limit of two passengers per ride, due to the virus, but it is still there, and an important part of your Oregon City experience.

https://www.orcity.org/publicworks/municipal-elevator

Sandy, Oregon - Ivy Bear Pizzeria

One of my early memories was of passing by the Ivy Bear on family trips to and from Mt. Hood. It was kind of scary in the dark, but it was still something I always looked for. We stopped going as often, and then the bear was gone so it wouldn't have mattered if we did go. I was thrilled to read that it was coming back.

https://pamplinmedia.com/sp/68-news/123894-the-ivy-bear-returns-to-the-mountain

I knew that I wanted to try it out, and then of course, the pandemic happened.

You can still go. The indoor dining area looks airy and pleasant, but is also closed.

There are picnic tables in the back, but we saw many people coming in for takeout while we were waiting for our order. We ended up taking our pizza to a nearby park, which is why we have no good pictures of it.

And the pizza is not great. It reminded me of the pizza at Redd Rockett's Rocket Port in Disneyland: fine but not memorable. Web feedback indicates that other menu items - like the garlic knots and soup - are better.

But I don't know that the pizza is the main point either. This is a part of Oregon history, and the structure is filled with pieces of Oregon history, including a picture of the original bear.

The Ivy Bear is now a bed and breakfast, so that can be a fun place to stay now, with convenient access to Sandy and Mt. Hood.

The ivy hasn't fully covered the new bear yet, but it is growing.

Come by for some pizza and memories.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Pizza-Place/Ivy-Bear-Pizzeria-1499383000281197/