Day 53: Halloween double feature

Spooky cupcakes in the cafeteria

I couldn't decide which photo to put up for Halloween, so I decided to do both. I like the cupcake one better, but wanted to also capture some of the "costume fun" of today. I saw people in costume all around town today - it was so much fun. This lady was leaving Costco with her purchases.

Happy Halloween!!!!

Shopping in costume

Day 52: Fall Colors EVERYWHERE!!

My goodness fall around Portland is gorgeous! Everywhere you look there are leaves of color - red, yellow, orange, purple (and a few green). Just amazing! This was outside of a mall .. .in the parkinglot! What richness!

Day 51: Pumpkins

Fall is everywhere. Pumpkins are at most people's doors as we gear up for Halloween. Some are carved and spooky. Others, like these, are just beautiful signs of fall.

Day 50: Noble Rot Patio

I pass this building on my usual commute to work and have wondered what "Noble Rot" could possibly be - especially on the top floor of a multistory building. Each of the windows has an artwork panel that serves as a shutter (sliding). You can see two of them here and there are more on the side of the building beyond the patios.

Well, with a little research, I learned that Noble Rot is an award winning restaurant and bar - known for their wines, their roof-top garden (from which much of the menu is made), their aquifer that supplies water to the garden, and the incredible view over the rooftops of Portland). What do you know!

Day 49: Stop for Pedestrians

I am sorry, but I just have to say it - I hate this cross walk. I have come to a screeching halt on more than one occasion as pedestrians or bikers charge across these blessed striped lines with total confidence that motor vehicles will 1.notice them 2. come to a complete stop before turning them into a pancake. You see, pedestrians have the right of way in Portland. Always. No matter if they practically jump in front of your car. No matter IF there is a crosswalk. I am not used to this yet and have had a couple of close calls. (But I am getting better....)

This cross walk is by far my most loathed traffic intersection.  It is in a stretch of a main road on a hill where there is a lot going on and cars are generally moving fairly quickly.  Because there are often pedestrians walking the sidewalks/parks on the side of the road, I have a really hard time being atuned to those who wish to CROSS. Some pause to check oncoming traffic first, but other just throw themselves into a brisk walk. I drive this intersection twice, most days - sometimes more. It drives me crazy.

There, I said it.

Day 48: Sidewalk Halloween Scene

sidewalk Halloween scene

While walking through the neighborhoods there are many fun Halloween decorations. Some are funny, some cute, some morbid and others downright creepy. This is one of my favorite ones I have seen so far - if you can read the headstones, they are very creative - obviously made by some young creative minds this year. What fun!

Day 47: Curb-side happy hour

Many restaurants, coffee shops and pubs set tables out in nice weather. When the sun shows it's face, even briefly, Portlanders hurry to be outside and enjoy a break from the rain.

Day 46: Portland Composts!

Not all neighborhoods compost, but all neighborhoods recycle. It is so wonderful to me, coming from a state where there is no curb side compost, that this is so "normal" here. I think many many people have small compost heaps in their yards, but this is such a great service for city dwellers who can't or for the more bulky yard "waste".

Day 45: a Buddha Barber

On the wall outside of a barber shop. Made me smile.

day 44: Chestnuts (pre-open fire)

Chestnuts

As I was walking down the sidewalk a couple of days ago, I cam across a section of sidewalk and street that was entirely covered with these fuzzy pods. They "squished" under my shoes, but had some sort of large seed on the inside. Not know what on earth they were, I grabbed a naturalist friend of mine and took her back with me. CHESTNUTS! These are exactly what one might "roast on an open fire" and are one of the two species of chestnuts in the Pacific Northwest. The spiky pods opened once they hit the ground and though these had nuts that were fairly small and malnourished (likely due to the dry summer and tree right on the street) usually edible chestnuts are quite large in diameter. How neat - I'm quite sure that I have never seen a chestnut tree before!

Day 43: Jack-O-Lanterns

Some friends and I gathered last night for a pumpkin carving party. I'd say it was a tremendous success!! Mine is "the honeymooners" - Frankenstein with his (dead?) bride.  We had a great time! Happy Halloween!

Day 42: West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta

Those are, in face, real pumpkins (hundreds of pounds each!)

Oh the joys of fall!  Today in Tualatin - a southern suburb town of Portland was the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta.  It was a festival to which farmers brought the largest pumpkins they could grow.... the winner weighed in at 1,500+ lbs! Unbelievable.  There was popcorn and roasted chestnuts. clowns and bluegrass. face painting and pumpkin painting... and of course llamas (in costume). However, the highlight of the festival are the races - these giant pumpkins are carved into to make boats and whoever is daring enough grabs a kayak paddle and races them around the lake. There were a few "casualties" (not real ones - just tipping over) and some great costumes in a couple of the races. It was great fun (and the rain even stopped just for a couple hours!)

Day 41: Vote Nov 6

There is lots of buzz around the city about getting out to vote. Oregon does all ballots by mail. I received an election booklet about a week ago with descriptions of all candidates and issues. In a week or so more I will receive the ballot, which I will have several days to fill out and then take to a drop box to cast my vote.  I really think that this process is a great way to increase voter turn-out and help citizens make informed voting choice.

Day 40: Flowers For Sale

Flower Bouquets $5

While I was walking through the neighborhood today I cam across a house with the most amazing garden - totally unphased by the chilly temperatures of fall that are upon us.  There was nobody outside,but they had this small table set up with these flowers to sell. If I'd been going straight home, I would have bought one. Aren't they just beautiful!!!

Day 39: food carts, bus stops and reading

Thought this corner snapshot captured a lot of Portland. Food carts are everywhere around here and offer so many different cuisines. Public transportation is widely used and this Portlander is bundled up with something to read while she waits. Good stuff!

Day 38: Spooky cupcakes

Lots of Fun Halloween Goodies

A client gave me a gift certificate to this coffee shop and bakery (Crema is the name) and though I didn't partake of this ghoulish treat, I just loved the fun Halloween decorations and names. Might have to go back for something more than just tea next time!!!

Day 37: Mission line

line of homeless along Burnside waiting for breakfast

Even on this rainy morning, there was a long line of homeless / poor stretched down the sidewalk along side W Burnside. In this section of blocks closest to the River is a collection of missions, shelters and food kitchens.  Morning and evening people are lined, often for blocks, at whichever door will offer them some nourishment.  This was especially sad today because it was raining.

Day 36: Hats Off! to giving directions

What a fun street sign!

This photo is from last weekend, but wanted to make sure I got it up here. I LOVE this fun street direction sign from behind the capitol building in Salem.

Day 35: For the Love of Cars

Mural in downtown Portland

This huge mural is 4 stories tall and I found it really fun as I sat at a stoplight in downtown Portland. It's obviously an advertisement, but a fun one ... and it's Portland!

Day 34: Bike Lanes

Green Bike Lanes at some intersections

Portland is a very bike friendly city. There are bike lanes on many, if not most, busy streets. Some streets, though, go even a step further. These green areas denote "bike only" places to stop at stop lights. Of course it extends to the intersection in the right lane, but if you look closely you can see that it also includes some area in front of the car (in the car lane) so that bikes can approach and get in front of cars - for turning or simply for better visibility.

Day 33: Vintage A-Go-Go

Parked behind a bakery in a lot with a few food trucks "at rest". I'm not sure what this truck sells, but I loved it hiding behind that tall sunflower - still standing despite the impending fall.

Day 32: Wall of Fall

Wall of Fall

If this is not a welcome sign for fall, I don't know what is. This wall of ivy near our home has gone from green to red in the last weeks. So beautiful!

Day 31: Oregon State Flag

The Oregon State Flag waving in a brilliantly blue sky (perhaps one of the last of the year - we had some blue this afternoon, but the morning was foggy and it's turning cold.)

Day 30: Corner Sitter

This is a very common site on Portland's streets. There are so many resources for homeless people here that some will literally move across the country in order to be homeless here. Some homeless in Portland are so by choice and some due to mental illness or other factors out of their control.  Other citizens of Portland have really mixed views on this aspect of the culture.

I have never had a negative experience with anyone on the street. Sometimes they play, as this man is doing, in hope for "tips" - my favorite one was this very  nice man for whom I bought a sandwich. He was grateful for the sandwich and to show his appreciation, he proceeded to do his "stand up comedy" act. Though he was actually sitting down, there were parts that did make me chuckle. I appreciate those who try to DO something.  Otherwise, there are people with signs at many, if not most, intersections. I am really torn each time because I KNOW there are good resources and yet, I have trouble of conscience to simply drive past someone in need. I'm still working on how to manage this, as I would go broke if I gave to each who asked for it.

Day 29: Informative intersection

Lots to do in Silverton

We visited Silverton, Oregon to watch a couple friends performing in their community theatre performance of Evita. I found this particular intersection to be extremely informative!

Day 28: Oregon State Capitol: Salem

Oregon State Capitol Building and lawn (Salem, Oregon)

We took a trip to Salem, Oregon today to get a glimpse of the capitol building. It was pretty deserted, but the building was beautiful, the lawn was green and the day was beautiful. We really enjoyed walking the grounds. The Capitol Building was built in the 1930s with columns from a previous building "monumented" on the grounds along with statues of past governers. There is a wide variety of trees and flowers on the grounds including a Japanese Maple and a Giant Sequoia.  The Gold statue on the top is an "Oregon Pioneer" and there are carved walls in front of the doors depicting travelers on the Oregon trail.

Really, a very nice building and grounds. We'll have to go back when the building is open.

Day 27: Gardener's surprise!

One of many pieces of snake skin I found while gardening.....

I took out a thick clump of tall daisies to put in some pumpkin plants. Well, the web of stems and roots made a great spot for some skin shedding.  I admit that I'm quite afraid of snakes, so I was a little jumpy after finding several pieces that probably added up to a snake that was a meter or more in length. But, I'm glad for some natural field mice control. (And I was happy to learn from a neighbor later in the day that there are not poisonous snakes in this region ... as opposed to my home state of Texas where all 4 North American venomous types are found). And, lucky for my nerves, the "donor" did not make a reappearance.

Day 26: Houses on a hill

This is one of my favorite spots on Portland's highway system.  The highway and tunnel are fairly uninteresting, but I just love the houses built up the hillside and the trees that fill in every gap between houses. I don't know how they don't fall right into the highway...but, so far, so good!

Day 25: Hippo Hardware

Hippo Hardware

I love the pillars in front of this store - there are about 8 of them, all with hippos in togas. What fun. I drive past it on my way to work most days and I smile every time. As it turns out, this is Hippo Hardware and has been in the Buckman area of Portland since the 1970s.

Day 24: Transportation

Yes, I admit there are a lot of cars in Portland - really a whole lot more than I expected. BUT.... it is amazing how many people get from here to there using methods other than driving. This quick shot out of my car window makes this point perfectly, I think. Bus, bike, skateboard and pedestrians. In one moment, on one corner. And, the neat thing is that this is the norm on Portland streets!!

Day 23: no smoking, pretty please

I love that I am rarely bombarded by cigarette smoke in Portland. It is assumed that public places do not allow smoking. Sometimes around hospitals, entire blocks have signs stating the city block is a "tobacco free zone".  I thought this "pretty please" sign was just great - seeing as it is above a city bench along a busy sidewalk.

Ah, my lungs - they can breathe free!!