Sunshine and blue skies

Close crop of a bit of serendipity--the man's sunglasses reflects the blue sky (see next photo). A bit more serendipity, how the reflected color matches the glowing hair around Jerry Garcia's head. And the last bit of serendipity--how that other man's head almost completely pops out of the guy's dreadlocks, as if he were a two-headed man, current on the right, future on the left. Love it!

You know, I could have taken the time to clone a few of those dreads to completely cover that older dude's shirt, making it look even more like we were looking at a two-headed man. But I decided to only crop and straighten. I'll leave cloningfor another day.
 

Here's the wide shot of our beautiful Union Station. I took this photo on July 14 as I approached to enjoy Union Pacific's 150th birthday event.

I got off the bus when I saw these two vehicles.

I got off the bus to take these photos. Since "Leverage" and "Grimm" and "Portlandia" are all filmed in Portland, I naturally wondered what might be happening near these vehicles. Well, I couldn't find anything outside, so I gave up and walked to the nearest bus stop so that I could continue my homeward commute.

At work I mentioned doing this to someone who wondered if I had come near to finding the supposed shooting of the latest version of MTV's Real World. I wonder. And I doubt I'll ever know.

Seen on the corner of SW Madison St. at SW 4th Ave.

Oh, to be young again. To be able to ride a bicycle in those high heels, without wearing a helmet. Not!

Seen in conjunction with The Big Float, No. 4

All of a sudden, this Multnomah County Sheriff's Office boat took off to my left. I looked and saw a personal boat tootling along near the river wall, seemingly not paying any attention to how close it was getting to the dock for the Portland Spirit excursion boat which was approaching. I don't know if that person driving that personal boat had no peripheral vision or if his boat's motor was really loud, but he acted like he had no idea the large excursion boat was nearby and coming toward him. I also don't know if he was still able to be seen by the pilot of the Portland Spirit.
 

Here is a shot with all three boats in it. And a goose.
 

I'll bet the Portland Spirit pilot knows what's happening now.
 

Here it appears that the River Patrol deputy is talking with the people in the personal boat.
 

Sheriff's escort? Looks like it to me. I kept watching and the River Patrol boat broke off not long after I took this photo. The personal boat continued across the river and I soon looked elsewhere. Thanks to the quick action of the River Patrol boat, I didn't see a terrible wreck. And, no, I don't know if that is the same goose from that earlier photo.

TriMet Early Morning Readers--a break from The Big Float

One of the neat things I've noticed over the years as I commute to and from work is the number of folks reading. Not just on their phones or readers, but also from newspapers and magazines. Most importantly, books from the Multnomah County Library!

The morning I sneaked this photo, I didn't get much of a focus on my iPhone. However, you can tell that the two people on each side of the photo are reading hardback books--notice the smudge of gray on the edges of the pages in the woman's book? That's the marking that says MULTNOMAH COUNTY LIBRARY. Take my word for it, the same marking is on the man's book. The fellow in the middle is reading one of the newsweeklies in Portland, the Willamette Week.

Seen in conjunction with The Big Float, No. 3

Bubbles, bubbles everywhere, even on this dog's nose! I know you're wondering what this photo has to do with The Big Float. Before I realized I was standing in the wrong place to see any close-up float action, I stood with a couple and their two dogs just south of the Hawthorne Bridge, thinking eventually the float would go by right in front of me, well to the back of me if you look at the perspective of this photo. I call it serendipity because I got to watch this dog have such a good time trying to catch the bubbles being blown by a little girl. Not once were they close enough for a good shot of the two of them together, but I still like these two in particular.



I tried here to crop and alter the photo in order to make the bubble more visible. Not sure I succeeded.It's right there where the nose meets the dog's coat, just on the right side of the snout.
 

Here's one more. I think there are two bubbles on the nose this time!



See two? I do.

Seen in conjunction with The Big Float, No. 2

Here's the official finish spot, near shade created by the east end of the Hawthorne Bridge.

From the big float dot com:

What’s the BIG idea? This second annual Willamette River event, benefitting Willamette Riverkeeper, is a celebration of our river – including the recreation it offers as well as the restoration it has undergone in recent years. The idea is to enjoy the river and also inspire positive aspirations for the river’s protection and improvement.

New Features for TBF II * Outlandish Watercraft Award * Best-of-Cruise Costume Award * Paddlers parade - kayakers, canoeists, dragon boaters, crew teams, SUP’ers * Floating barge with live music The Big Float II is open to all ages. All floaters must wear a life jacket. It's a safe voyage, not a race. Join the flotilla. Share in the "great crossing" and participate in the grandest pool party Portland has ever seen!

Pre-Float Inner-Tube Waterfront Parade

THE BIG FLOAT is an opportunity for the people of Portland to partake in a public display of affection for the Willamette River. In grand style, the event will begin with a “parade of floaters”. 

Participants will gather with their inner tubes or other watercraft in a parking lot near the Eastbank Promenade beneath the Hawthorne Bridge. Shortly after high noon, they will sally forth across the bridge and head south along Waterfront Park to the put-in point at Marquam Bridge beach, below the Marquam Bridge.

Start time is 12:30 at the gravel parking lot due South of the Hawthorne Bridge. The Crossing After signing waiver forms (register online for convenience), floaters will enter the river from Marquam Bridge beach and cross in groups of 50, under the supervision of Coast Guard personnel. Kayaker chaperones will also provide escort help. Floaters will head east across the river and proceed downstream to the landing area, where swimming will be allowed. All floaters must have a flotation device and wear a life vest. No alcohol is allowed on the float, but will be available at the after-party.

Is THE BIG FLOAT big on safety? Safety is a critical component of THE BIG FLOAT. The event will be supervised by the Coast Guard, Portland Fire Department and the Multnomah County River Patrol. Safety kayakers will line the route to provide additional visual survaliance. Floaters will be debriefed before launching by Willamette Riverkeeper volunteers and Coast Guard staff. Unsafe, unlawful behavior (and alcohol consumption) will not be tolerated and will be enforced by the Multnomah County River Patrol and the Coast Guard. THE BIG FLOAT reserves the right to reject any "craft" deemed unsafe to float on.

Do I need a life jacket? Yes, all floaters must wear a life jacket. This will not only help keep you safe, it will make our friends in the local Coast Guard very happy. And we want everyone to be happy.

Why do I need to register? Participants are encouraged to pre-register to help organizers plan for the event. By filling out the registration and waiver form prior to the event, you won’t have to do it at the start point of the float, saving time. So please be a peach and register. THE BIG FLOAT will cap participation at 2,000 people, register early.

Are air mattresses allowed? Water wings? What other types of watercraft? Air mattresses – yes. Anything float-worthy you can sit on or lie on is allowable. You may swim across but must wear a life jacket. Where can I get an inner tube? THE BIG FLOAT sponsor's Popina Swimwear Portland and Les Schwab Tire Centers will be selling inner tubes.

Can we tie our watercraft together and go as a group? Yes, but everyone tied together must have a life jacket. Can we bring alcoholic beverages with us on our voyage across? Negative on that. The Multnomah County River Patrol and Coast Guard will be keeping a close eye out for alcohol.

Are kids welcome to float? All ages are welcome to participate in The Big Float.

What if it rains the days before or day of the event? Weather could be a factor in postponement or cancellation of the float. Check this website for last-minute updates.

Where does the name Willamette come from anyway? Wikipedia states that Willamette derives from the French pronunciation of the name of a Clackamas Indian village. Other sources say Willamette is thought to mean a long, beautiful river. There is no definitive answer. However, it is a fact that the Willamette River is the largest U.S. river lying entirely within one state.

Where’s a good place to get a pirate costume? Aye, Portland has many good costume outlets, including Hollywood Portland Costumers, Helens Pacific Costumers, and the Lippman Company. Pirates should not board, sink, or pillage other vessels.

Who invented the inner tube? In 1911, Philip Strauss invented the first successful tire, which was a combination tire and air-filled inner tube. It is not known who the intrepid individual was who first sailed down a river in one.

How does one gracefully board an inner tube? Forget graceful. Just plop your butt in the center of the tube and start paddling. There will be inner-tube handlers in the water to help you plop on your inner tube and push you on your way for your historic maiden crossing.

Seen in conjunction with The Big Float, No. 1

I'm back. Thank goodness, right?

Sunday, July 29, I spent several hours downtown either walking back and forth across the Hawthorne Bridge or walking along the west or east banks of the Willamette River. My goal, to see as much as I could of The Big Float. Today I'll begin to share photos with you, in no particular order. All of these are of the same man, after he'd completed The Big Float course. I saw him walking back and forth on the east bank of the Willamette River, still wearing everything he'd worn while floating.



First I saw him walking south.
 

Then I saw him walking north.



Then I saw him talking with the ice cream vendor, putting away his paddle so that he'd have both hands available to open his valuables plastic bag.



Here's a good shot of the ice cream vendor's set-up--her bicycle, trailer, and ice chest. I'll bet she's done this at other outdoor summer events.



And here he is, heading south again, ice cream sandwich in his left hand as he prepares to zip shut his valuables plastic bag.

From the big float dot com:

What’s the BIG idea? This second annual Willamette River event, benefitting Willamette Riverkeeper, is a celebration of our river – including the recreation it offers as well as the restoration it has undergone in recent years. The idea is to enjoy the river and also inspire positive aspirations for the river’s protection and improvement.

New Features for TBF II * Outlandish Watercraft Award * Best-of-Cruise Costume Award * Paddlers parade - kayakers, canoeists, dragon boaters, crew teams, SUP’ers * Floating barge with live music The Big Float II is open to all ages. All floaters must wear a life jacket. It's a safe voyage, not a race. Join the flotilla. Share in the "great crossing" and participate in the grandest pool party Portland has ever seen!

Pre-Float Inner-Tube Waterfront Parade

THE BIG FLOAT is an opportunity for the people of Portland to partake in a public display of affection for the Willamette River. In grand style, the event will begin with a “parade of floaters”. 

Participants will gather with their inner tubes or other watercraft in a parking lot near the Eastbank Promenade beneath the Hawthorne Bridge. Shortly after high noon, they will sally forth across the bridge and head south along Waterfront Park to the put-in point at Marquam Bridge beach, below the Marquam Bridge.

Start time is 12:30 at the gravel parking lot due South of the Hawthorne Bridge. The Crossing After signing waiver forms (register online for convenience), floaters will enter the river from Marquam Bridge beach and cross in groups of 50, under the supervision of Coast Guard personnel. Kayaker chaperones will also provide escort help. Floaters will head east across the river and proceed downstream to the landing area, where swimming will be allowed. All floaters must have a flotation device and wear a life vest. No alcohol is allowed on the float, but will be available at the after-party.

Is THE BIG FLOAT big on safety? Safety is a critical component of THE BIG FLOAT. The event will be supervised by the Coast Guard, Portland Fire Department and the Multnomah County River Patrol. Safety kayakers will line the route to provide additional visual survaliance. Floaters will be debriefed before launching by Willamette Riverkeeper volunteers and Coast Guard staff. Unsafe, unlawful behavior (and alcohol consumption) will not be tolerated and will be enforced by the Multnomah County River Patrol and the Coast Guard. THE BIG FLOAT reserves the right to reject any "craft" deemed unsafe to float on.

Do I need a life jacket? Yes, all floaters must wear a life jacket. This will not only help keep you safe, it will make our friends in the local Coast Guard very happy. And we want everyone to be happy.

Why do I need to register? Participants are encouraged to pre-register to help organizers plan for the event. By filling out the registration and waiver form prior to the event, you won’t have to do it at the start point of the float, saving time. So please be a peach and register. THE BIG FLOAT will cap participation at 2,000 people, register early.

Are air mattresses allowed? Water wings? What other types of watercraft? Air mattresses – yes. Anything float-worthy you can sit on or lie on is allowable. You may swim across but must wear a life jacket. Where can I get an inner tube? THE BIG FLOAT sponsor's Popina Swimwear Portland and Les Schwab Tire Centers will be selling inner tubes.

Can we tie our watercraft together and go as a group? Yes, but everyone tied together must have a life jacket. Can we bring alcoholic beverages with us on our voyage across? Negative on that. The Multnomah County River Patrol and Coast Guard will be keeping a close eye out for alcohol.

Are kids welcome to float? All ages are welcome to participate in The Big Float.

What if it rains the days before or day of the event? Weather could be a factor in postponement or cancellation of the float. Check this website for last-minute updates.

Where does the name Willamette come from anyway? Wikipedia states that Willamette derives from the French pronunciation of the name of a Clackamas Indian village. Other sources say Willamette is thought to mean a long, beautiful river. There is no definitive answer. However, it is a fact that the Willamette River is the largest U.S. river lying entirely within one state.

Where’s a good place to get a pirate costume? Aye, Portland has many good costume outlets, including Hollywood Portland Costumers, Helens Pacific Costumers, and the Lippman Company. Pirates should not board, sink, or pillage other vessels.

Who invented the inner tube? In 1911, Philip Strauss invented the first successful tire, which was a combination tire and air-filled inner tube. It is not known who the intrepid individual was who first sailed down a river in one.

How does one gracefully board an inner tube? Forget graceful. Just plop your butt in the center of the tube and start paddling. There will be inner-tube handlers in the water to help you plop on your inner tube and push you on your way for your historic maiden crossing.

Seen on the AHC Walking Tour of the Montavilla Neighborhood, southeast Portland

The Monastery of the Precious Blood is a building in southeast Portland, Oregon, USA, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Posted to the National Register of Historic Places on February 14, 1985. Architect: Jacobberger and Smith. It is located in the Mount Tabor residential neighborhood and has a long and interesting history.

 

Every photo is straight out of the camera--the only thing I did to any of them was straighten them, if need be. The sky was that blue, the grass and trees that green. It was a glorious Thursday early evening, July 12, 2012.



In the chapel, stained glass from Povey Brothers of Portland. Looking west.



The main chapel elevation is dominated by an arched window in the Rennaisance - Revival style. Modified versions of this window appear on the side elevations of the chapel (seen in the top photo), and on the facade and interior of the Sister's choir, north of the chapel. There have been no subsequent additions to the exterior facades.



The roof line on each side of the chapel facade is a bit unusual to me. How about you? Modest Chiurgurresque detailing appears on the chapel and pavilions of the west elevation. Churrigueresque refers to a Spanish Baroque style of elaborate sculptural architectural ornament which emerged as a manner of stucco decoration in Spain in the late 17th century and was used up to about 1750, marked by extreme, expressive and florid decorative detailing, normally found above the entrance on the main facade of a building. The Churrigueresque decorative style was used in Spanish Colonial architecture in the New World colonial town's important buildings. The style enjoyed a resurgence after architect Bertram Goodhue and Carleton Winslow Sr. studied Spanish Colonial Churrigueresque and Plateresque ornament in Mexico, using it in designing the 1915 Panama-California Exposition buildings at Balboa Park in San Diego, California. The Exposition popularized its use in Spanish Colonial Revival architecture styles in the United States.



Here's an even better view of the Povey Brothers window.

Originally on this site was a Greek Revival-style monastery and chapel built in 1892 as a convent for an order of cloistered nuns. In 1922, the current Spanish colonial style monastery (also found it labeled Mission/Spanish Revival) was constructed as a Roman Catholic convent for the Sisters of the Precious Blood, and the chapel was further restored in 1931. The historic building was extensively renovated in 1986 as St. Andrews Care Center, a residential care facility for Alzheimer's patients.




Gleaned from the January 17, 1985, nomination form to become recognized by the National Register of Historic Places:

Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) 

The Monastery of the Precious Blood, constructed in 1923, is significant to the City of Portland for several reasons. It is an excellent example of Spanish Colonial- inspired architecture as well as a rare building type in Portland. It is additionally significant for its association with the growth of the order of the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood and with the establishment of the Catholic Church in the Pacific Northwest. 

Again, here's some of the modest Chiurgurresque detailing on the chapel.


Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance:

The 1923 Monastery of the Precious Blood is a Spanish - Colonial style building, which incorporated portions of the original 1892 Greek Revival Monastery in the construction. The monastery is three stories in height with a full basement and is constructed of hollow ceramic tile which is coated with cement stucco. It is surrounded by residential architecture that ranges in date from pre-1900 to the present time. The building retains a high degree of integrity and is essentially unaltered on the exterior. The structure was designed by the Portland architectural firm of Jacobberger and Smith.

Setting

Montavilla Mount Tabor Villa, Tabor Heights, Belmont Park, Melrose, and Crystal Springs addition comprised the earliest subdivisions of what are now the neighborhoods of Mount Tabor and Montavilla. Their development progressed rapidly in the years after 1900 and the extension of the carlines to serve the developments in 1889 and the succeeding years. Montavilla, where the Monastery was built, was centered on the Willamette Baseline, now Stark Street. Pioneers arriving from the east crossed the Sandy River near Troutdale and followed Base Line Road to Portland. Until the 1900s, the old road had run straight up over the north shoulder of Mt. Tabor where there are now unimproved pedestrian ways at 63rd and 73rd Avenues. Mount Tabor was named after the Biblical Mount Tabor. Located on the eastern slope of the extinct volcano, the Monastery is situated on the north 30' on the east 30' of Block 7, Lots 1-18, Kinzel Park Addition. The building occupies the western half of the large parcel. The property slopes to the east and the gardens around the structure are surrounded on the north and east sides by a ten foot reinforced concrete wall and a vertical plank fence on the south side. The front lawn is surrounded by a low concrete wall topped by a mature box hedge. The well-manicured grounds contain various flower gardens, fruit and nut trees, plus mature deciduous and fir trees.

About the building: 



The low-pitched hip roof is primarily covered with red tin tiles, and has exposed rafters ends jig-sawn in a meander pattern. The cupola--seen in the top photo--reminiscent of the original, is constructed of wood covered with sheet metal and supports a gilded cross and ball at the pinnacle. All exterior elevations are bilaterally symmetrical. With the exception of the choir windows north of the chapel, all window configurations conform to this symmetry. They are primarily single and paired one-over-one sliding sash in unadorned wooden frames. Multi-paned windows appear on the north and south projecting, multi-story porches.
 

Exterior access to the north and south wings from the central chapel is through a one story arcade whose shed roof is covered by red tin tile.

The arcade is supported by simple Doric columns with cast-stone Corinthian capitals. A wrought iron balustrade connects each column.  This detailing and the coping on the parapet, is in cast-stone.

The entrance porch was altered in 1931 to provide for double doors. New entrance steps were added at that time. There has been little or no change of the interior plan since the building was erected.


Perhaps the most dramatic interior alteration occured in the chapel, which supposedly was "wrecked" in 1931 for an unknown reason. I found this 1910 image of the interior from before the demolition. 

In the 1931 remodel, the historic inner wall was cut and arcuated, thus creating aisles on either side of the sanctuary. Simple columns with elaborate Corinthian capitals were added and support ... ... the ribbed barrel vault which is completely painted with religious subjects. ... At the time of remodel, a new vestibule and choir was created at the west end. Stairs lead from this space on either side of the west window to the loggia located on both sides of the sanctuary. Visual access from this space is provided by the arched cutouts between the vault ribs. The sanctuary is lit by contemporary light fixtures and patterned linoleum covers the floor.

1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato, Allure of the Automobile, Portland Art Museum's Photography Day, August 14, 2011

1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato - I bought a special ticket which allowed entrance a couple of hours prior to the regular Sunday opening time. Hardly anyone present, just a few workers and a few photographers. Here is the all important agreement I signed about these particular images, which applies to the bottom two photos.

Under no circumstances may you download, upload, copy and paste any of these photos in this post. Thank you. They are not to be used for any purpose other than by me, and that purpose is to be posted on my blog, Portland Oregon Daily Photo. These are the conditions put forth by the Portland Museum of Art when I bought my Photography Day ticket. Thank you.




You can see others taking in the elegance that is this Aston Martin. While I don't begrudge anyone the chance to stand and look as long as they would like, I did wish for fewer people now and then. That's why I bought the special ticket I mentioned at the top of the today's post.

Driver's side view. I read this on the information placard on the wall near the vehicle: It is believed that only two of these cars had hood scoops, and this is one of them. Of the nineteen examples built, just six were left-hand drive. Coachwork: Lightweight Superleggera aluminum alloy body by Carrozzeria Zagato. Only 19 examples were produced. Some cars had hoods with triple power bulges; others had a single scoop. Suspension: In front its equal-length wishbones with coil springs, tubular shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar.
 

Passenger side view and more evidence in support of my desire to take photos of these cars with less people present. From the information placard: Engine type: 226-cid, 12-valve, DOHC 1-6. Horsepower: 314 bhp at 6,000 rpm. Transmission: 4-speed manual. Top speed: 160 mph. Wheelbase: 93 inches.
 

Name on the trunk, along with the reflection of the ceiling light fixture. From the placard: This particular example was the Turin show car in 1961, "dressed up" with bumpers, a chrome strip along the side, chrome instead of polished aluminum around the windows and headlights, and chrome wheels. It is believed to be one of only two examples that had hood scoops. Of the nineteen examples built, just six were left-hand drive.
 

Can you imagine walking through the museum's front door and seeing this beauty, right there in front of you? And you're one of only a handful of people there at that time? Wonderful, let me tell you.

I also read this on the information placard: Suspension: The rear suspension is a live axle with coil springs, lever arm shock absorbers and a transverse Watts linkage.