Portland finds ideal balance in big city

As Alaskans enter the streets of this amazing city, they tend to gaze upon the luscious foliage as well as the soaring buildings beyond the greens. Portland is one of those cities that has the hard-to-find perfect balance among the industrial, the artistic and the eco-friendly.

Driving down the suburban streets of Portland, you see recycling bins lined up on the sidewalks at every household, hinting that there is more to this city than meets the eye. On the streets, you see Toyota Priuses, Mini Coopers and Smart cars; you can tell that the natives know how to treat a city. Bikers buzz by you everywhere like busy bees inside their comfortable hive. All around you, buses and carpools are filled to the brim with people ready to start or end a great day in the City of Roses. Really, the atmosphere and energy of Portland beg its natives and visitors to just get outside and enjoy the day.

On the other hand, Portland is also just as industrial as any other city you might come across. First, as its name suggests, Portland is a huge trading port. It is also an amazingly technological city. All around you, you see the latest BlackBerrys, iPods and laptops. Portland is also headquarters to one of the biggest athletic titles in the business, Nike.

Downtown, you'll find Niketown, the biggest Nike store in the country, with everything from track spikes to sweatpants. Portland is also home to the businesses Freightliner and ESCO.

You may think Portland practically has it all already, but you only have the half of it! The city has an extremely artistic and cultural background as well. One of the main scientific and cultural tourist attractions in Portland is the Oregon Museum of Science Industry.

From an artistic point of view, Portland is home to one of the most amazing dance companies in the country, Oregon Ballet Theatre. Led by artistic director Christopher Stowell, OBT has performed countless performances in Portland but has also bowed beside our fellow Alaskans in the past three years of George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker."

All in all, Portland is a wonderful city, and I'd definitely recommend a visit there. It is a pure gem on the western edge of the United States.

Olin Blackmore is a sophomore at West High.