Laura O. Foster

The author used to lead tours of Beverly Cleary's old Portland neighborhood, the setting for Cleary's books about Ramona, Henry Huggins, Ribsy, et al. This book is the tour with more detailed information about Cleary's life and the history of neighborhood sites. Chapter 3 offers a street-by-street tour description. A visit to Portland is in my future, methinks!

This is a very interesting book, if you live anywhere near Portland and are able to actually go on the walks discussed inside. I am looking forward to doing some of them (most of them) once the weather warms up a bit. I feel very privileged to live in Portland, so much beauty as well as so much to do an see relatively near by.

(Edit: My husband and I "courted" doing these hill walks. Some of them are better than others, in practice, but this book will always have a special place in my heart.)

Take a hike right in town! Urban hikes all over Portland and Vancouver. Something for all ages, interests, abilities. See parts of town you've never visited and get in shape by getting to know the Portland area.

This book is great if you're familiar with Beverly Cleary's oeuvre. I went on the walking tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. Later, I read the rest of the book and now I want to go back to Portland!