PNW Photoblog

Sacagawea’s Statue

Back in 1905, a mere one hundred years after Lewis and Clark walked, paddled, drifted, ran, hunted and rode their way across the Louisiana Purchase, Portland Oregon celebrated by putting on the Lewis and Clark Exposition. The Exposition did little for Lewis and Clark though, instead it promoted Portland and it’s potential trade links with China and other Asian destinations. By all accounts the Exposition itself was a huge hit and made a 21% profit for it’s backers. The fair was directly responsible for Portland’s economic growth for years later. Little remains other then dim memories, a few various buildings scattered across the city, postcards and this statue of Sacagawea.

The site of the Exposition, including the lake were filled in by one of Portland’s well meaning citizens at the time and created a glut of new real estate just barely outside of the city limits. Several buildings were salvaged and moved to become residences for future citizens. The huge log cabin built for the Exposition was burned down by an arsonist in 1964, and another was totally demolished in 1981. Economically this Northwest area still provides a huge industrial base for Portland, but one can not but wonder how the city would be changed if the site was still around.

At least two history books written about the Exposition around the 60’s state that this statue was moved and “lost, never to be found.” Yet postcards from the 1920’s to 1930’s clearly show it in it’s present location. Unfortunately it’s location is sort of hidden for visitors to really notice, unless they’re enjoying the park itself.

But finding it is easy, from Burnside, head south on SW Vista Avenue (it’s NW 23rd on the North side of Burnside). Take the first right on SW Park Pl, then follow the road through the park. The statue is on the left before the stop sign.

Old Barns in Southern Oregon

The Coquille Valley in Southern Oregon is an extremely interesting area. Located right off the Pacific Ocean, the winters are mild, summers are mild even compared to the rest of Oregon. It does get a lot of rain which makes it perfect for two things, logging and farming. While I can not find any real proof, it seems to me that loggers in this area was one of the very first to practice sustainable logging.

This clear cutted area has been logged at least three times, and very possibly four times since the first Pioneers showed up. It’s still possible to see buckboard (where boards were inserted so that loggers could cut the tree further up the trunk to get the more useable parts) marks on old tree stumps right on the side of the road.

As the valley was clear cut and settlers moved in farms sprang up all over the place. Along with the farms came the barns to house animals and their food. Many of these barns still exist. Some are well taken care of, others not so well.

The best part is that even I can still get surprised by the diversity in Oregon.

This was found by digging up under the fallen leaves. Worse, it doesn’t show up in my mushroom field guide. Yet the color is astounding and I’ve never seen anything like it.

Flying Bald Eagle

Yes, that is a Bald Eagle. Yes, this is Oregon. No, this is not some remote inaccessible part of Oregon that is an hour drive from Portland and takes another two or three hours to hike too.

This was taken near Mt Tabor within the city limits of Portland Oregon. Mr. Bald Eagle was flying around without a care in the world. Taken of the Endangered Species list in 2007 the American Bald Eagle has made a huge come back. Over 70 nesting pairs live along the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam. There are several good spots along the Columbia River to view these gorgeous creatures, Sauvie Island wildlife viewing area being one of the best.

Or just randomly drive down Highway 30 towards Astoria and stop when you see one. Doing this I’ve seen a good dozen Bald Eagles, hundreds of Golden Eagles, and once, a Bald Eagle catching a fish out of the ponds near Trojan Nuclear Power Plant.

Goodbye “Made in Oregon” sign

One of Portland’s most famous landmarks is slated to soon be destroyed. Ok, not exactly destroyed, but rather defaced in such a way that Civic pride in it will decrease significantly.

It says:

Case File: LU 08-191800 HDZ (White Stag Sign)
Review By: Landmarks Commission
When: Monday Marth 9th, 2009 @ 1:30pm
Where: 1900 SW Fourth Ave, Room 2500A, Portland, OR 97201

It is important to submit all evidence to the Landmarks Commission. City Council will not accept additional evidence if there is an appeal of this proposal.

Land-Use Review: Historic Design Review (HDZ)

Proposal: The application has proposed alterations to the Landmark White Stag (Made in Oregon) Sign atop a building at the west of the Burnside Bridge. Teh sign was designated as a Portland Historic Landmark in 1978, when the sign advertised White Stag Sportswear. The primary message of the sign last changed in 1997, when a Type III Historic Design Review approved the change from “White Stage/Sportswear” to “Made in Oregon/Old Town.”

Ramsay Signs, who owns and maintains the sign, has proposed alterations to the sign, including removing the existing (Made in Oregon) letters, and manufacturing and installing new (University of Oregon) letters. THe proposed letters would be in a similar cursive font to those being removed. The construction and illumination of the letters would be similar, with 4-inch-deep aluminum pan channel letters, double-tube neon, and chasing incadescent bulbs.

Light sequencing would retain the current configuration: each individual word is sequentially outlined in green neon, followed by all three words illuminating at once with both neon and chasing/flashing incadescent bulbs. No change is proposed to the holiday season “Rudolph” feature (seasonal illumination of a red nose for the stag.)

Location: 5 NW Front Ave (Naito Parkway)
Legal Description: Lot 1&2 EXC Pt in St Lot2 EXEC Pt in STS Lot 4, 5&8; Block 9; Historic Property 15 yr 1998: Potential Additional Tax, Couchs Add

Zoning/Description: CXd, Central City Plan District, Skidmore/Old Town Historic District, Historic Landmark.

So essentially the sign changes from “Made in Oregon” to “University of Oregon.” I have a huge problem with this as “Made in Oregon” is more generic and uplifting then “University of Oregon.” Yes the “Made in Oregon” store is gone from that building, but I think it’s current wording makes a much better sign for Portland to be proud of. I apologize to University of Oregon alumni who might disagree, but this sign will significantly change the character of Old Town.

We still have several months more to enjoy the sign, but here it is before it’s gone.

First signs of spring, at the Coast

In Oregon we do not call it the beach. It is the Coast, due to the (supposedly) sad fact that we do not have proper beaches like California. To the contrary I believe we have some of the most beautiful beaches around. Long stretches of sand like the one between the Columbia River and Seaside. Graceful arches of rock carved by millions of years of tidal action like those near Tillamook. Or the plethora of features with colorful names early explorers littered our coast with. Names such as Cape Disappointment or Cape Foulweather bring to mind those explorers foul moods as they searched for the fabled Northwest Passage.

On a road with views points, waysides, campgrounds, parks, and tourist attractions galore, Boiler Bay is perhaps one of my favorite stopping points. Located in between Lincoln City and Newport, just a couple of short miles north of Depoe bay, Boiler Bay and Cape Foulweather signal the transition between the North Oregon Coast, and the Central Coast.

Originally called Brigg’s Landing after a local family, Boiler Bay got it’s name from the 1910 wreck of the J. Marhoffer and the remains of it’s steam boiler which can be seen at low tide. It remains a great place to watch the ocean, especially during storms as the waves crash on the rocks below.

The Cape Sticks out far enough into the ocean that in addition to providing a great place for nesting sea birds, migrating whales frequently pass by. This in addition to a native pod of Gray Whales. For close up looks it’s recommended to take a Whale Watching cruise out of Depoe Bay.

The next city south of Depoe Bay is Newport. Protected on the north by the Yaquina Head Lighthouse, and the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse on the south, the Yaquina River provided early transportation options for settlers deeper in the coastal interior. Both lighthouses have been replaced by electric automated lights, but are in the process of being restored. As can be seen from this picture, even at 11am there was still a large amount of fog despite the lack of clouds in the sky.

Newports most striking feature remains the Yaquina Bay Bridge, designed by Conde B. McCullough who designed several other Costal Bridges. This bridge has come to represent the city of Newport, even though it’s only viewable from the immediate area of the bay itself. Over 3200 feet in length, it still retains all of it’s decorative embellishments of McCullough’s trademark design.

While the Oregon Coast can live up to it’s explorers expectations, when the sun comes out, and the sea crashes against the rocks, it becomes one of Oregon’s unique experiences.

The Quintessential Portland Picture

This is the one picture of Portland you’ve seen a million times. It’s posted every where, it’s been used to advertise Portland since it’s birth in the 1850’s. Yes, it’s Mt Hood from the Rose Garden.

Stern Wheeler on Willamette River

A vintag-ized picture of the stern wheeler Columbia Gorge going down the Willamette River. The original picture was OK, this one is much better. But I only had one lens on me with the camera so my choices were limited. And it was near impossible to get lined up on the horizon properly due to the fact that I was on a dock shaking from the wake of passing boats.

But I’m happy with this version.

Day Freakin’ 9 of Portland Snow Storm 2008

The snow is getting old. This is NOT Alaska.

Day 8: Portland Snow Storm 2008

A couple of more inches on top of the 6-8 inches we already had. In some places the snow is as deep as two fee.

Day 7: Portland Snow Storm 2008

Note; posts are actually a day behind at this point. Yesterday was Day 7.

Sunday night was freezing rain. This resulted in a quarter to half inch layer of ice on top of the 4-6 inches of snow.

Walking through the snow and ice is was hard, as one had to crunch through the layer of ice on top, then sink several inches into the soft powdery snow.

Of course, the number of people traveling on unsanded roads without chains or even snow tires still continues to amaze me.

The ice leaves cool patterns on plants. This common thistle becomes something of beauty encased as it is in ice.