Day 22: Convention center lucky day

Oregon Convention Center and Billboard

I was stopped at a stoplight by the Oregon Convention center and really liked the large billboard on the side of the building next to the convention center needle. Mostly I just think it is a fun picture. But, I also really like the design of the convention center. This is actually only one of the two twin needles on the building - very much a signature part of the Portland skyline (since 1990 when it was built).

Day 21: Music in Portland

Great artists come to Portland!

I couldn't go, but how exciting that Joss Stone was in town. Portland is a regular stop for many wonderful musicians!!

the Crystal Ballroom looks like a really neat place - I will have to check out the inside sometime soon....

Day 20 Vegan grocery store

Food Fight: Vegan Grocery

I love that there are so many vegan resources in Portland - bakeries, restaurants and even grocery stores. However, if you look closely, you will notice that some vegans are a little angry. :)  Still, this is a great grocery!

Day 19: Bike Parking

bike parking

Portland is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the US. There are bike lanes everywhere and it's imperative to watch for bikers while driving!  This is not an uncommon scene - bike parking. This particular corner is near a strip center of vegan stores - bakery, grocery, clothing etc. It seems to me that there are even more bikers in this particular area of town than in some others.

Day 18: Apples For Sale

Apples for Sale

I feel like this photo is so representative of Portland. So many people have large gardens ... or, in this case, have friends with orchards! I frequently see home-made signs for produce for sale. It's usually organic and it's usually cheaper than the market price. What a deal!!

The friendly gentleman who made this sign (as I had to check out these apples) was probably around 80 and had boxes of apples and tomatoes. The apples were from a friend's orchard and were for sale. The tomatoes were his own and he wasn't selling them - he makes tomato juice ... but he threw in a few delicious looking tomatoes "because I was so pretty". Ha! I love it.

He also made cedar planter boxes. I wished that I had more cash on me to buy a couple big ones, but I did buy one smaller one that will be perfect for planting kale - which I plan to do in the next couple of days.

I have his card. He also makes wishing wells!!!  What a great find!

Day 17: Mod House

the house

This is a really neat, modern house in one of the northeast neighborhoods of Portland. Though I think it looks really neat, I also think it must be tiny inside!

As you can see - we got another beautiful day today. I keep thinking the gray will stay and, fortunately, I keep being wrong ... so far!

Day 16: Tomatoes

the last of the tomato crop

It's about time to rotate the crops (in pots) on our balcony. This year has seen an extended tomato season due to the warm temperatures and skies full of sunshine. Here are the last couple tomatoes from my crop....

Day 15: Portland AIDS walk

Portland AIDS walk 2012

I participated in the Portland AIDS walk today, along with thousands of other people. It was amazing to see everyone take to the streets - we filled the street for blocks.  My team decided to walk in costume and I just love this shot of Mr. Elf and Mr. Dragon having an interesting conversation. In front of them is Paul Bunion and to the right is "Red" (as in "riding hood"). On the far right, with the blue shiny wig is a very creative "fountain of youth".  Lots of fun costumes!

The walk was put on by the Cascade AIDS Project and in total, over $500,000 was raised to help support CAP's mission:

"To prevent HIV infections, support and empower people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, and eliminate HIV/AIDS-related stigma."

Cascade AIDS project is the oldest and largest community-based provider of HIV services, housing, education and advocacy in Oregon and Southwest Washington. (Information from CAP webpage: http://cascadeaids.org/about)

It was a beautiful day - not to hot or cold - and they grey skies cleared up just for a few hours in the morning .... The perfect window! There was every type of person there walking - young, old; gay, straight; men, women; children, adults; black, white; able-bodied, wheel-chaired. It was really amazing! 

Day 14: The wheels on the duck...

Spoke Duckling

Portland is well known as being one of the friendliest biking cities in the country. Thus there are bikers everywhere (even in the rain) and plentiful bike stores. what I have been noticing, when looking at things more closely, is that there is also "bike art". This duckling was a small part of a larger scene of metal onamation outside a store or clinic. You can see some of the shadows and designs in the background.  This guy, though, I think was the cutest!

Day 13: Tinctures

herbal tinctures on sale

Portland has such an amazing network of "alternative medicine" resources. Naturopathic doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists. Herbal and homeopathic remedies are available in many stores around town. Of course, there are many "traditional western medicine" options as well - not to discount this side of things. I just feel so refreshed at the options available here - I have not experienced this anywhere else I have lived.  This is one shelf of herbal tinctures for sale at a clinic and birthcenter in town.

day 12:Summer turns to Fall

Summer flowers with a fall sky

Today was foggy and chilly. Fall was in the air.... we have, perhaps, seen the end of our glorious weather. But, this gorgeous corner garden didn't care one whit about they gray sky. What a beautiful bunch of color to cheer up a gray day.  The seasons are changing, but on this small plot of earth, summer hangs on.

Day 11: King Rama ... in Portland

King Rama V, on the wall of Thai Orchard

We ate dinner at Thai Orchard tonight (not a bad meal) and were greeted by King Rama V, of Thailand, when we walked in the restaurant. Having served with the Peace Corps in Thailand for 27 months, I have a warm feeling of nostalgia when I see portraits of the kings. (As every home in Thailand is adorned somewhere by a past or present king).

Day 10: Bridges of the Willamette

Bridges of Portland

The Willamette River runs through the middle of Downtown Portland. It is Oregon's largest river and one of the largest in the United States as well. Even in the heart of downtown, you'll find many activities around this beautiful River. When flying into the Portland International Airport, you'll see the tremendous amount if industry in and along the river. It's not called "Port"land for nothing. In the foreground you can see a small amount of the Waterfront Park - with jogging/biking trails along the edge of the river. Many festivals also take place in the parks that line the west side of the river.

Of course, if there is a large river splitting the city in two, then citizens need ways to cross it. Thus, there are many unique and interesting bridges that connect the east and west sides of Portland. Many of the bridges offer bike lanes and pedestrian side walks alongside the road. Some are train only and most are also drawbridges. I was standing on Burnside Bridge when I took this photo (in the pedestrian lane, of course!).  I cross it daily on my way to work.

I thought the two bridges in this photo were interesting side by side - very different. Old and new. Angular and sleek. Dark and light.  There are other bridges in the photo, but I will focus on these two, as they are the most apparent.

In the background, the curved arch is the top of the Fremont Bridge. Finished in the 1970s, this is Portland's newest bridge. It is a double decked bridge and connects two of Portland highways. Because of the height of this bridge, it is not a drawbridge.

The double towered bridge in the right of the photo is the Steel Bridge.  This bridge is used by cars, Amtrak and Portland's light rail, MAX. "Finished in 1912, the Steel Bridge is considered unique because it is one of the only known dual-lift bridges in the world. That is, the lower deck (Amtrak and freight trains) can be lifted independently of the upper deck (MAX, automobiles) to allow some clearance." (taken from www.portlandbridges.com/steel-bridge.html, which referenced Smith, Dwight. Historic Highway Bridges of Oregon. Second Edition. Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society, 1989. P. 208.)

A really neat pair of bridges!!!  I'm glad this summer weather is holding out and allowing for fabulous sunny photos!

Day 9: There was an ol' plant, who lived in a shoe...

  

Spotted in front of Whole Foods. These beautiful plants seem to be everywhere here - outside and in people's homes. I need to learn more about them!

Day 8: Zelda: a dog with lipstick

Meet Zelda

While enjoying the beautiful day walking in downtown Portland, my husband and I came across Zelda. She is such a looker, that I just couldn't pass up a photo...

This pup and her water bowl (a running drinking fountain for dogs) were just outside the Heathman Hotel (see previous post). This Luxury hotel is apparently known as being a very pet friendly hotel ... and thus, provides a convenient drinking fountain for it's four-legged patrons after their stroll of the city.

Day 7: The Wall

"The Wall"

I have walked by this wall dozens of times and never noticed this small "label". How fun to look with an artistic eye and have it jump out at me!

Day 6: Storm Drain

Portland Street-Side Storm Drain

How many small things that could make us smile do we walk by without seeing. I found this small curb plaque just above a storm drain while walking through the Northeast neighborhood near where I work.

Day 5: Dinner of Nectar

This little guy pauses to check if there is anything left for him on this flower

While out walking this afternoon I passed a clump of these daisies with hundreds of bees flitting from flower to flower. Many of the flowers were already dead - signs of summer's end - but there were enough still open that these guys were eating their fill. I probably shot photos of these amazing insects for 20 minutes - this is the photo that I think captures the most detail and  most joy in it's meal! As autumn approaches, I love the signs that summer is not yet gone.

Day 4: Portrait of Salsa

Salsa

Sweet cat eyes - and one wicket eyebrow that I never noticed before. This is our torty cat - surprising the stayed still enough for a photo!

Day 3: Climbing towards the sky

Downtown Portland: Corner of Broadway and Main

Looking out of the third floor of the Portland Center for Performing Arts building at the corner of Broadway and Main, it struck me how history offered a triad.

The "Portland" sign is attached to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall - listed in the US registry of Historical Places. If you recognize the design of the sign, it is because it is the Paramount design. The building was orginally the "Portland Theatre" - constructed in the 1920s. Puchased by Paramount in the 1930s, this sign was erected. When the city bought the theatre back from Paramount in the 1980s, the sign reportedly (by my Portland walking tour guide - though I can't find reports of this elsewhere) plumeted the ground during refurbishing efforts and shattered. As the public was well attached to this sign, the city requested permission from Paramount to design their own sign with the same design. After receiving permission, this sign was created to reflect the original theatre name. Today, it is still a functioning concert hall, and part of the Portland Center for Performing Arts. For more information on this building and sign CLICK HERE.

The Heathman Hotel is the next step up towards the sky - and and equally as historic building. This luxurious hotel was also constructed in the late 1920s. It is one of the only remaining hotels left in Portland from that time period and continues to offer elegance and easy access to the city and the arts district. CLICK HERE to learn more history about this hotel.

The third and tallest, building offers a modern sleek juxtaposition to the two other historical buildings in it's shadow. This modern era skyscraper houses the West Coast bank with retailers on the bottom floor. Well, it IS downtown Portland, after all. And the year is 2012. Still, I find this to be an interesting corner.

Day 2: Fall's First Rain

Evidence of last night's rain - left on my swiss chard

I have been told of Portland's rain. Rain and rain and rain..... However, since I moved here in the summer, I have been spoiled these last 3 months with sunshine and warmth. I knew better than to take it for granted - soaked it up with gratitude daily. Even Labor Day weekend was sunny and warm .... we're spoiled, I know!

However, last night showed us that fall is on it's way. We awoke to a damp layer covering everything as far as the eye could see. The sky was cloudy, though not completely gray and the air was chilly.

This leaf of Swiss Chard held on to those sweet raindrops while other plants had already let them slip away. I think she was happy to have a break from the dry heat!  The sky in the background is gray, but still there is light coming through.

The day warmed up and there were no more drops from the sky ..... but this morning was a reminder of what is to come.

Day 1: White Stag Sign - Old Town

This photo seemed the obvious choice for starting this journey. This sign is iconic for Portland and you'll find it often on travel materials. It is situated on the southeast corner of the northwest section of the city - just north of West Burnside (the North-South dividing line) and just west of the Willamette River (the East-West dividing line). I took the photo from the south pedestrian lane on the Burnside Bridge.

Old town is known for housing Chinatown, for being a slightly seedy section of the city, but also for housing many of the top nightclubs and bars in town. Below this historic sign, along West Burnside, are several missions and soup kitchens - regularly there is a large homeless population gathered to wait in line for food, or simply to socialize (but more on that later)

What I didn't know before doing some light research is that the sign has had several different appearances. Originally constructed as an advertisement in 1940, it read,  "White Satin Sugar" until 1959 and then "White Stag" - a clothing apparel line. Because the sign had been an advertisement for locally made products (and many years after White Stag had left Portland) in 1997, it was changed to read "Made In Oregon". The most recent change was in 2010, when it was changed to it's current "Portland Oregon". CLICK HERE to be directed to an article from the City Hall Commissioner regarding this most recent change. The sign is currently owned by the city and remaining solely as a historical landmark.

Portland, A Year in Pictures - my motivation

Welcome!

I initially had the idea to do "a  photo a day" from a friend of mine who is teaching English in Korea. He does the same on social media and it has been fun to see many different sides and angles of Korea and also watch his photography skills improve throughout the year (I think he's about 2/3 of the way finished now). He encouraged me to copy his idea and thus, here I am.

I moved to Portland a couple months ago and find this city to be a wonderful complex place with many many hidden (or not so hidden) treasures. My second motivation in turning this idea into a blog is to get to know Portland as I go along. My intention is not just to snap photos, capture moments. My intention is to learn fun, interesting bits about this wonderful city as I snap each picture. They eye of a photographer or artist sees so much more than most people notice day to day. I want to maintain and grow this trait in myself so that I continue to explore my new home.

Thank you for coming for a visit - and I hope for continuing to take this journey with me. If you have suggestions for places to find an funny, meaningful, historical or simply impromptu photo, please feel free to leave a comment.

And now, grabbing my camera and starting the journey......!!!!

(Yes, I have taken all these photos and they are my property - please ask before re-using. Thanks!)