Taylor Ct. Grocery, serving Portland's Montavilla neighborhood for 90 years!

Architectural Heritage Center neighborhood walking tour guide Leland, in the daffodil yellow shirt, leads tour participants to the corner-facing door. He'd explained that this local business fills a large need in the neighborhood which doesn't have a nearby grocery store.
 

Errol, one of the current owners, has been there for 16 years. I read in someone's recent review on Yelp that it's 15 years, but I think he told us 16--must have had an anniversary in the intervening months. Anyway, the pleasant interior reflected Errol's personality.

From that April 1, 2012, Yelp review:

This is hands down the cleanest, most organized mini market I have ever seen. They feature an incredibly diverse selection of foods, an impressive selection of beer and wine, and an assortment of handy things you hope to find at a neighborhood convenience store.

Errol told me they have owned it for 15 years, and it has been in business for 90. Wow! So thrilled to have discovered this gem within walking distance of my place.

And here's one labeled "updated - 8/16/2012":

What the hell?! Was I on crack when I rated this place before? 4 stars? Really? Huh. Let's see, how often do you find a neighborhood store that has:
1. A walk in cooler full of a great selection of microbrews,
2. Vita Coco water in both individual-size and large jugs,
3. Kettle Chips
4. Vegan and vegetarian frozen options like boca, Morningstar, etc,
5. Emerald Valley Salsa,
6. A decent wine selection,
7. A wide array of foods from both large and small brands, and
8. Friendly service...

...? Seriously, it's not often. And for a diamond in the rough, there's no more deserved rating than a full 5 stars.

Every time we roll in to Taylor Ct Grocery thinking "oh, they won't have this," or "no way will they have that," we're constantly surprised to be proven wrong again and again. They don't have absolutely everything, but it's miles ahead of even your average Safeway when it comes to local brews and similar.

4 stars...

*shakes head slowly*

Well at least I got it right this time.

Seen through the windshield of my TriMet bus

I love all of these highway signs and street signs and reflections and traffic signals.
 

On the way home, stopped at the intersection of East Burnside and NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The green car heads south on MLK. The next intersection is with Grand Avenue. I'm on the 19. Up ahead, pulling to a stop at the bus shelter, you've got the 20 first, then the 12. There's one woman standing at the bus shelter, waiting for either the 12 or the 19, I'm guessing since she hasn't approached the 20.
 

By the time my bus pulled up to the traffic signal at Grand Avenue, the bus shelter had emptied of people.

Seen from the TriMet 12 bus on the way home after work last Friday

I decided to take one photo of someone we passed on the bus, which led to another photo, and naturally to others. Can't help myself, y'all. I love this city and what goes on here and there. We're heading east from downtown Portland on Burnside, the street that divides Portland into its north and south sections. And since the Burnside Bridge crosses the Willamette River, the east/west divider, at some point I must be in the exact center of the city. My photos: a man and his dog walk west with one of the Italian Renaissance towers reflected behind them; a man on his bicycle rides east; typical I-5 traffic, most of what you see is northbound; and a man with a child in a stroller, walking east.

About the Burnside Bridge, from the Multnomah County Web site:

One of four Willamette River crossings built in Portland during the "Roaring Twenties," the Burnside Bridge stands in age right behind the County's Hawthorne and Broadway bridges.

This 1926 structure is located on one of the longest and busiest streets in the Portland area. The five-lane Burnside is a direct connection between downtown Portland, Beaverton to the west and Gresham to the east. Last year, about 40,000 vehicles a day used it. So did more than 1,000 pedestrians and bicyclists each day.

In addition to its important daily work load, Burnside plays a key role during emergencies. Burnside Street and bridge are designated as an official emergency transportation route. The bridge, as part of this "lifeline corridor," is the one non-freeway river crossing which emergency vehicles and suppliers are asked to use.

Burnside's artistic side - The three-span Burnside is a historically significant structure. It is the only Willamette River bridge in Portland designed with the help of an architect, a result of the early 20th century City Beautiful Movement that called for adding architectural ornamentation to engineering designs. The bridge's distinctive Italian Renaissance towers reflect the trend. Burnside is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and protected by preservation laws. Originally designed by the firm of Hedrick and Kremers, Burnside was completed by Gustav Lindenthal (1850-1935). Burnside's opening mechanism, or bascule, was designed by Joseph Strauss (1870-1938), whose Golden Gate suspension bridge would open 11 years after Burnside.

The Burnside Bridge main river structure consists of two 268-foot side span steel deck truss side spans and a 252-foot double-leaf Strauss trunnion bascule draw span. The bridge originally had six lanes of traffic, but in 1995 the City of Portland requested that bike lanes be added to the bridge, so one lane of traffic was converted into two bike lanes. There are sidewalks on both sides of the bridge. The overall width of the structure is 86 feet. Vertical clearance of the closed bascule span is adequate for the majority of river traffic, with openings necessary only about 40 times per month.

Only minor modifications have been made to the bridge since its construction. Electric street car rails were removed in the late 1940’s, lighting and traffic control devices were updated in the late 1950’s, automobile traffic gates were installed in 1971 and the bascule pier fenders were replaced in 1983. Several deck resurfacing projects and expansion joint repairs have also taken place.

The east approach to the bridge is approximately 849 feet long and has two distinct types of construction. The first eight spans consist of steel plate girder spans ranging from 75 feet to 106 feet in length. The steel girders and steel interior floor beams are completely encased in concrete. A concrete deck spans the floorbeams. The next seven spans are composed of concrete stringers spanning continuously over concrete columns and floorbeams. Six of these spans are 22 feet long and one is 40 feet long.

The west approach is approximately 604 feet long and consists of 19 reinforced concrete spans ranging in length from 22 feet to 62 feet. The first 13 spans average 22 feet and consist of reinforced concrete stringers acting continuously over concrete columns and floorbeams. The next three spans average 40 feet in length and are of similar construction. The last four spans are 62 feet long and consist of four main simple span concrete girders that carry interior concrete floor beams and stringers. A concrete deck is cast with the girders, stringers and floorbeams.

From Wikipedia: A bascule bridge (sometimes referred to as a drawbridge) is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic. Bascule is a French term for seesaw and balance, and bascule bridges operate along the same principle. They are the most common type of movable bridge in existence because they open quickly and require relatively little energy to operate. Bascule bridges may be single or double leaf. Both have any truss structure and counterweights below the deck.

Voodoo Doll Doughnut from ...

... the Voodoo Doughnuts van, in place at the entrance to the PDX Bridge Festival's celebration in honor of the Steel Bridge's 100th birthday on Saturday, July 7, 2012.

Official words from the Voodoo Doughnuts Menu: Voodoo Doll Raised yeast doughnut filled with raspberry jelly topped with chocolate frosting and a pretzel stake! (characteristics of Voodoo Dolls are all different) My friend Ann enjoyed every morsel of her purchase.

 

Here's the van in a photo taken on a different date, parked at Voodoo Doughnuts Too on NE Sandy.

Union Pacific Railroad comes to Portland's Union Station

As part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Union Pacific Railroad, a special train came to Portland's Union Pacific. All three of the Union Pacific owned Streamliner EMD E-9s--2,400-horsepower (1,790 kW), A1A-A1A passenger train-hauling diesel locomotives--stood at the front of that train. First in line, the 951, next the 963B--a cabless unit doing duty as a head end power car, and finally the 949.

My photos: Union Station against Portland's blue sky; a close up of the 951's brake pads (brownish) and leaf springs (resemble silver-colored thick slices of cheese); looking at the length of the train cars and the locomotives from both directions; there I stand in my sun hat with my hand on the 951; the lady's 1956 and the man's 2012 (period costumed performers, right down to her hose with seams); and the sign which welcomes travelers to Union Station.

From UPRR dot Com:

Union Pacific Railroad Celebrates 150th Anniversary in Portland

UP 150 Express Tour Includes Legendary E9 Locomotives and Traveling Museum Car

Portland, Ore., July 13, 2012 – Union Pacific Railroad began its final 150TH anniversary celebration as part of the Pacific Northwest segment of the UP 150 Express tour today at historic Union Station in Portland. The two-day celebration in Portland is the last of a series of events in Oregon, Washington and Idaho commemorating 150 years since President Abraham Lincoln created Union Pacific by signing the Pacific Railway Act. Three immaculate Streamliner locomotives brought the UP 150 Express to Portland pulling a recently unveiled baggage car that has been converted into a rolling museum that tells Union Pacific's 150-year history using art, graphics and the latest in touch-screen technology. 

Streamliner Locomotives 951, 949 and 963B are the last of Union Pacific's high-speed diesel-electric locomotives built for service on the memorable streamliner and domeliner passenger trains. Also known as E-9s, the Streamliner locomotives pulled famous trains that included the City of Los Angeles, City of Portland, City of San Francisco, City of St. Louis and the Challenger.

"Union Pacific's 150TH anniversary gives us a special chance to celebrate our historic past with the communities that are most important to our future," said Scott Moore, vice president, public affairs – west, Union Pacific. "We are proud to celebrate 150 years of building America with the city of Portland."

As part of the festivities today, Union Pacific officials made Portland an official part of the railroad's Train Town USA Registry. Portland Mayor Sam Adams accepted a commemorative Train Town USA sign that will forever designate Portland as a city that has a historic connection to the railroad.

The Train Town presentation kicked-off Union Pacific's 150th anniversary community celebration as Portland residents were treated to an up close view of the classic E-9's, as well as a tour of Union Pacific's just launched Promontory baggage car that has been transformed into a state-of-the-art traveling museum. The traveling exhibit in the baggage car closely replicates the full-scale Building America exhibit that opened May 12 at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Period performers walked the halls of Union Station as Portland residents of all ages took a turn operating locomotive simulators and viewed Union Pacific's Heritage Fleet of passenger cars up close with Union Pacific offering the city of Portland a complete railroad-themed experience. The UP 150 Express will be on display on the tracks immediately behind Portland's Union Station July 13-14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

About Union Pacific

It was 150 years ago that Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act of July 1, 1862, creating the original Union Pacific. One of America's iconic companies, today, Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP), linking 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail and providing freight solutions and logistics expertise to the global supply chain. From 2000 through 2011, Union Pacific spent more than $31 billion on its network and operations, making needed investments in America's infrastructure and enhancing its ability to provide safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible freight transportation. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers and emphasizes excellent customer service. Union Pacific operates competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways.

Here's some sunshine and the promise of beautiful blooms for y'all.

Best wishes for a fine week from Portland Oregon Daily Photo!

For me, Zipcar fun meant winning on the wheel when spun!

I spun the wheel, and I liked it! 'Cause I won $10 in Zipcar driving credit. Then I got to come home and have even more fun playing around with this photo at BeFunky.
 

Cropped.
 

Underpainting. This is my runner-up favorite effect.
 

Popart.
 

Orton Style. This is my favorite effect.
 

HDR.

Lone Fir Cemetery, a fitting setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet

Portland Actors Ensemble presented Hamlet over several days at the historic cemetery, free. I saw it on Friday the 13th and enjoyed the entire evening, although it is Shakespeare's longest play. It is among the most powerful and influential tragedies in the English language and being in the cemetery on a superstitious date enhanced the experience.
 

Towards the end of the play, Hamlet confronts his mother.



Hamlet exhorts his father's ghost early on in the play.

According to the program handed out to the audience prior to the beginning of the play, the company, Portland Actors Ensemble, presented Hamlet in their 8th Annual Twilight Tragedie by William Shakespeare series. Around 450 people came on their bicycles, walked from nearby, rode mass transit, or parked their vehicles on the neighorhood streets surrounding the cemetery. They came with blankets and pillows or chairs of varying heights, with simple or extensive picnics suppers, ready to enjoy themselves prior to the beginning of the play, then settling down to be one of the quietest, most attentive audiences I've ever witnessed.

About the site of Friday night's performance, Lone Fir Cemetery, from Wikipedia: Lone Fir Cemetery in the southeast section of Portland is owned and maintained by Metro, a regional government entity. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the first burial was in 1846 with the cemetery established in 1855. Lone Fir has over 25,000 burials spread over more than 30 acres.

And from Travel National Geographic in 2011: Lone Fir Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, ranked #9 out on their Top 10 list of cemeteries to visit around the world. "Roaming this natural landscape—one of the few cemeteries that allows the planting of a tree or garden to commemorate the dearly departed—is like turning the pages of a Portland history book. You’ll find graves of pioneers; Block 14, a memorial in the works for the Chinese immigrants who helped build the city; and crypts of captains of industry, like the imposing Gothic-style MacLeay family mausoleum."
 

Prior to the beginning of the play, I walked the paved road to visit a discreetly positioned port-a-potty. On the way, I took this photo of the MacLeay family mausoleum.

The Wet Spot Tropical Fish, Hollywood District

At the recommendation of a family getting settled into their various bicycles so that they could ride home from the Hollywood Farmers Market, I stepped into The Wet Spot to take a look at the beautiful fish.
 

Were they ever right!
 

Here's what I found at the About link on their Web page, see link above:

We’ve got things to keep everyone entertained!

Our show tanks have some of the coolest fish you’ll ever see. Come in and view our 500 gallon Lake Malawi microenvironment. Sit and relax in our newly remodeled showroom and visit Francis, our Fahaka Puffer. Check out Snuffer the Fire Eel, and Mikey the Bichir. See our large Goldfish including Pig, Tomato, and Pudgy.

 - One of the largest collections of African Cichlids in the U.S.

- Fish you’ve only read about or seen pictures of, including Bichirs, Knifefish, Rainbowfish and Killifish.

- An assortment of fancy Goldfish year round, and Koi in the spring and summer.

- A special Betta section of the store, with all sorts of beautiful Bettas coming in weekly and all the Betta supplies and accessories you need.

- A broad selection of Discus, including wild types.

- Catfish, Loaches, Cory Cats and other bottom dwellers.

- Plecos and Algae eaters of all different sizes and shapes, including rare and unusual species.

- An amazing seasonal selection of freshwater puffers.

- An unparalleled selection of Tetras, Barbs, and Danios

- Many different Livebearers – the best way to have baby fish and watch them grow up.

- Central & South American Cichlids of all kinds.

- A diverse array of live plants - with something for (almost) any tank – and fertilizers, utensils, and complete CO2 systems available.

- Everything you need to set up a nano aquarium and stock it with the coolest micro-fish.

- A huge selection of dry goods in stock at all times, including specialized Aquarium books.

- A knowledgeable and informed staff to help your aquarium flourish.

Hollywood Farmers Market, July 7, 2012

Just a bit of what I saw at the market, clockwise from the top: Rainier cherries, tomatoes, flowers (and a flower-covered bicycle and its owner, wine, triplets along for the ride, cabbages and onions.

Finally my Wifi's back in business, been off since Tuesday! And I've uploaded all of my recent photos to Flickr. Back to blogging!

More serendipity on my way to the PDX Bridge Festival's Block Party for the Steel Bridge's 100th birthday! I'm walking more blocks than I figured I'd be walking, due to some strange directions from TriMet's Trip Planner.

So, you can imagine the utter joy I felt when this yellow VW pulled to the curb as I crossed at an intersection and the driver got out. "Lynette!" she said, "What are you doing over here? Going on a neighborhood walk all by yourself?" Grinning the whole time. "Susan?" I replied. "I can't believe you're here, we're here at the same time! What are you doing here?"

Turns out Susan was somewhat lost looking for an event she planned to attend. We'd met each other at the Architectural Heritage Center's lectures and walking tours. When she learned that I was out and about, headed for the bridge birthday party, she just laughed and offered me a ride the rest of the way. Wonderful! Blissful! Serendipity! I put the address in my Google Maps' app on my iPhone, and in mere moments, Susan delivered me to the party's location.

Before I climbed out, I asked if I could take her photo for the blog. She agreed, so I snapped it and the rest of these as she pulled away, waving and smiling! Hooray for Susan!

Serendipitous find from Saturday, The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium

On my way the the PDX Bridge Festival Block Party, a celebration of the 100th birthday of the Steel Bridge, I walked up to this sight at 2234 NW Thurman Street. I admit I jaywalked, after looking both ways, so that I could get this photo and the next two.

I wouldn't have been here if my trip planning through TriMet's Web site had turned out differently. The second of three buses left early. I saw the 15 leaving as I got off the 20 to supposedly wait for it. It left maybe five minutes before it was even supposed to be there. I knew that the next 15 takes a somewhat different route but, when I got on and asked, the driver told me he'd get me as close as he could. So, when I got off, I put the destination address into my Google Maps on the iPhone and started walking. It was hot enough that doofus me, wearing a black Los Lonely Boys t-shirt soon felt a drop of sweat sliding down my back from bra to pants' waistband.
 

Found on the Web site, peculiarium dot com: Famed and yet unknown Portland adventurer Conrad Talmadge Elwood had a dream, but forgot it when he woke up. Still he spent a life time traveling the globe in search of the inexplicable and the freaky. Established in 1967, The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium is a one-of-a-kind store and snack bar devoted to Elwood’s blurry vision. Under strict instructions, Filmmaker Mike Wellins, Lisa Freeman and Eric Bute have built the Peculiarium to house previously unknown elements of the darker side of Pacific Northwest history. Visitors can discover interactive displays for all six senses, including retro candies, toys, novelties, gags, books, original artwork, tricks one-of-a-kind oddities, ephemera and more. All while having a light snack, complete with edible insects and the likes. In Conrad Elwood’s words, the Peculiarium is a store dedicated to learning and terror.



After I took the close-up above, something just inside the door caught my eye. "What the heck is that?" I wondered. I walked in, seeing no humans at first, just this gigantic hairy-fur-covered form. Then, I noticed a young woman at the register and asked, "What's this?" Her answer, "Sasquatch." Duh, Lynette. She proceeded to answer my question about its height, "Ten feet tall. It's a model based on the biggest one ever sighted." OK, I thought, thanking her for the info and promising to return someday when I wasn't about to be late for a party.

Seen on the TriMet 20 bus, heading west on West Burnside

Hats came out on a sunny day in Portland, Saturday, July 7. At first there was just the man in front of me with the hat. The bus stopped. The other man with the hat got on, followed by the woman with the hat. Had to take a photo.
 

I guess she couldn't see well enough without propping up the brim of her hat. Had to take another photo.

Where are these people in line? And a bit more with Josh Hailey and Photamerica.

Smiling, posing people, three among many in a long line on a sunny Portland sidewalk. Enough clues yet?
 

Photo finished. All returned to the line, snaking and turning. Her T-shirt says it all, "Go The Distance." One more clue, top and just left of center.
 

Ah, yes. Voodoo Doughnut, site of the often lengthy line of folks bent upon getting there to get their sweet fix in downtown Portland at SW 3rd and SW Ankeny. Where's Josh Hailey in all this?
 

Here's the multi-tasker. On the phone, buying additional parking time at the kiosk. Today, Sunday, Josh no longer needs parking time in Portland. He's off to the state of Washington. Un bon voyage, mon ami. Voir les sites et les personnes, Photamerica!

Red, white and blue, re-do!

Seen-on-the-streets of Portland, vintage vehicles, a patriotic trio.

Here's some more with Josh Hailey from Monday, July 2, 2012

My favorite item in Josh's van, this miniature bottle tree installed on the dash! Wards off evil spirits.
 

My next favorite item in Josh's van, this relief map of the USA attached to the ceiling.
 

Josh waits patiently for me to return from feeding the meter--I had a Zipcar Monday on my vacation day. He interviewed me!

Can't you just see this young man's zest for life?

He's been around Portland and over to the coast, interviewing folks, taking photos, and making Facebook posts; he loves Instagram. I imagine he'll head to other points in Oregon tomorrow.

Here's an article about Josh and his Photamerica tour in this week's Jackson Free Press, the alternative newsweekly in my hometown:

On the Road with Josh Hailey By Aaron Cooper Last updated on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 5:07 a.m. CDT Josh Hailey loves every second of his couch hopping, frequent gas stops and random interviews with Arizona Border Control as he road-trips across America, collecting faces and moments for his "large photographic research project," Photamerica.

Most of the time Hailey is alone in his '92 Chevy, which he proclaims a "creeper van" and lovingly calls "Casa Blanca." His companion on the road is usually just his iPhone, which he says he uses for everything. The van is divided into two distinct areas by a curtain he found.

Up front is the cockpit, covered in a wealth of objects he has collected and gathered over the years: stickers from friends, postcards with drawings on the back, a glass dashboard bottle tree made by a friend and two speeding tickets (one from Oklahoma and one from Arizona.)

In the back, lit by a string of purple Christmas lights, is the second living space, the bedroom. Hailey sleeps on a comfy pallet surrounded by four bins (one for clean clothes, one for dirty clothes and two for camera equipment) and a cooler filled with water and tea.

"I want to make it to Ohio," Hailey says. "I can only imagine what the people are doing there, the lives they live in this ever-changing country. ... By face value, our lives may seem completely different but the closer and closer you look, the more similarities pop up."

In a single day, Jackson native Hailey takes more than 300 snapshots with his iPhone and more than 100 higher-quality photographs with his Canon 5D Mark 2, and uploads the best to social-media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as his own websites (photamerica.com and randombeautiful.com). He photographs everything that catches his eye, from southern weddings to Gay Pride San Francisco; interesting architecture to familiar smiles; a man selling bath and shower salts in southern California and a 6-foot crab made solely of plants and scrap metal at the entrance of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf.

Hailey says he is attempting to sum up "His America," and the culture within, through his camera lens. Hailey plans to visit 50 states in 50 weeks. He began in Hawaii this January. "I flew to Hawaii first while my van was still getting rigged up. It was a way for me to kill two birds with one stone, getting the one state I couldn't drive to out of the way and using that extra time to get my van fixed," Hailey says.

Through funding from programs like Kickstarter and new friends with cozy places to sleep whom he met via websites like CouchSurfing, Hailey is crossing the country in a van he got at an auction for $2,000.

"The beauty of the Internet made this trip possible for me," he says. The Internet continues to shape the project—Hailey and his van are willing to move and shake wherever, or however, he is invited. At the end of the project, Hailey plans to compile his favorite and most interesting photos into a book to be released in 2013.

The photographer is making big moves with Photamerica, a movement that is as open as the wind and completely loose. "I am going where I am asked to go," he says. "I am talking to people online who want to talk to me, through friends who ask me to visit and kind faces on the streets, and I am moving like word of mouth from place to place."

Hailey enjoys exploring the "cultural fondue pot" of the nation, challenging societal norms, and meeting vibrant people with ideas of their own who are willing and brave enough to share them with the world. He says its all about sharing those beautiful moments and images with the world through social media and the Internet—truly capturing America in its current state, with its current inhabitants showing the real faces, the real lives, and the real laughs.

"I am a liver of life, a lover of many and, most importantly, a sharer," Hailey says.

Red, white, and blue -- just for you -- Happy 4th of July!

Talladega Superspeedway, 40th Reunion of NASCAR Aero Cars, Parade Lap, Sunday, November 1, 2009. I had a blast!

Josh Hailey's in PDX on his Photamerica Tour!

A creative young man on a mission, that's Josh Hailey. Since I supported his successful Kickstarter campaign, I've been patiently awaiting arrival of Josh in Portland. He got to the city on Sunday. Serendipitously, I had taken a vacation day on Monday, so we got together for brunch at my favorite breakfast spot, the Bijou Cafe, downtown on the corner of SW 3rd and SW Pine. Here Josh is talking with my favorite person at the cafe--Eve. Mama and I met her on our first visit there in July, 2004.

After enjoying talking and eating and laughing, we both fed the meter (Josh has a van he's driving across the county, I had a Zipcar for the day so I could do errands), and then Josh interviewed me! More photos coming!

Here's what I found about his Photamerica tour, online:

50 states in 50 weeks: A unique interpretation of modern America, by Jessica Festa

What does it mean to be an American in modern times? That is the question propelling Josh Hailey forward on a mission to visit 50 states in 50 weeks and capture modern America in a visual way. The final project from the road trip will be a 100-page photography book.

The project will go further than photography, however, as Hailey plans to conduct interviews and shoot video footage, as well. He says, "I want to understand what people feel about America and what it means to be an American in modern times. Asking a series of open questions, people's answers will be documented on camera and compiled as a film that will be both aesthetic and thought provoking and will hopefully capture a wider picture of America in 2012."

To follow the journey, view photographic artwork, host Hailey with accommodation, leave feedback and comments, or donate money towards fuel, visit his website, Photamerica. (http://photamerica.com/)

And here's what I had read, written by Josh, at his Kickstarter campaign:

ABOUT THIS PROJECT PHOTAMERICA: 50 States in 50 weeks: a unique interpretation of modern America.

This project was born out of a very long road trip that saw me drive cross country twice in a matter of months. An avid photographer, naturally I captured the weird and wonderful beauty of my journey, absorbing the culture of every individual state and enjoying the random conversations I’ve had with Americans along the way. It dawned on me that this experience is one I could build on and share!

In 2012 I intend to do it properly. This time with two goals in mind:

• I want to capture modern America, visually. State by state, place by place, person by person and represent this all in a photography book to be completed and published 2013. 

• I want to understand what people feel about America and what it means to be an American in modern times. Asking a series of open questions, people's answers will be documented on camera and compiled as a film that will be both asthetic and thought provoking and will hopefully capture a wider picture of America in 2012.

I’ve estimated a week in each state, give or take a few days and am asking you to follow my journey and take part in steering my course on our website www.photamerica.com. This website will be all encompassing in that you can see day by day where we go, the artwork we are making, and take part in hosting us or helping us find things of interest to photograph.

This will be a unique and interactive site where you can leave comments on places of interest for me to see and also get first glimpses of the artwork I’ll be creating with the images from the road.

The book, estimated publishing 2013, will be a large and thorough interpretation of each state in many different camera mediums from digital, to cell phone images, to film.

In terms of the documentary film, this will be observational in nature. It has always amazed me how different and diverse America is, and the contrasts and conflicts that are present within each state, let alone across the entire country. I’m hoping this will be an insight into the intimate perspectives of the people I come across. I intend to sit down with 3 to 4 subjects in each state from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds, to ask a question about how people feel in these modern times, and especially in America.

Whilst I am an artist and photographer, I am wanting to make this project as legitimate and as well researched as possible, and have currently been speaking with numerous esteemed academics and professionals who have assisted me in gaining a better understanding and perspective on how to go about this and move forward my approach.

I am budgeting this trip solely on the gas to make it around America. I have good friends and couch surfers in most States and hopefully can find a place to stay with people helping host on the website. At the present the current gas pricing is upwards of 20,000 dollars to get enough gas to go to all of the states I intend to. This is about far more than a substantial amount of gas money, it is about being part of the wider journey and ultimately about being part of a moment in time.

Whether you’re a fellow artist/ photographer, a road trip enthusiast or just a curious American/ non American, this project has huge potential to be an informative, interesting and beautiful piece of art that will depict a raw, honest and insightful picture of modern America! Get involved! Please visit http://.photamerica.com/ to see more! and watch the incentives video below to see what art you can score for helping make photamerica a reality! thanks so much. Josh

Bike rack - a recent addition to apartment building's basement

I don't ride a bike, but I am proud to see this for those that do. And I have a vested interest in the fact that this many bike-riders live here.

On the smallest scale, that many bike-riders in the building means all the more possibility of there being a parking space available when I unload purchases from the occasional Zipcar.

On the largest scale, that many bike-riders in the building can be ex·trap·o·lated across Portland as taking a great big bite outta our carbon footprint. (I do my part by riding mass transit and walking and not owning an automobile. And every once in a while, since I live in such a flat neighborhood, I wish for an ol'-lady-sized tricycle.)

I pray for street safety and for observant-of-traffic-law-and-each-other bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians.

Pray for those in the path of the wildfires and for those fighting the wildfires, and for those in the flood areas, too.

I can think of no other photo I have which would serve as a better call to increased prayers at this time than the statue of Jesus behind St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter.

About the statue, found on the Internet: While Hurricane Katrina did not affect the French Quarter as profoundly as other parts of New Orleans, the high winds managed to displace two large oak trees in St. Anthony's Garden behind the Cathedral. The trees dislodged thirty feet of ornamental gate, while the nearby marble statue of Jesus Christ lost only a forefinger and a thumb. Locals have already declared that the statue of Jesus sacrificed two fingers while flicking the storm away from the city and saving it from total destruction. (Hurricane Katrina was downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 3 before landfall, when it made a turn to the north just before striking the Louisiana coast.)

This is a close-up of the one I took on Oct. 21, 2009.

Douglas Brinkley and "Cronkite"

Here's a photo that I took after the Oregon Historical Society sponsored event at First Congregational Church, downtown Portland. I got there early, bought my already-signed copy of the hefty book, found myself a seat in the beautiful sanctuary on the first non-reserved-seats-row. Turns out folks like former Governor Ted Kulongoski and his wife, President Nixon's brother Ed, and Senator Mark Hatfield's widow Antoinette were among those sitting in the reserved seats. The only one I actually recognized was Governor Kulongoski.

And it wasn't until I overheard Brinkley talking with someone as we walked after the event to the Oregon Historical Society building next door for the short reception and more book signing that I realized the former president's brother had been in the audience. So, when I got home, I Googled Ed Nixon and realized he had been in front of me! I had said, "Excuse me," to Mr. Ed. Nixon as I made my way to talk with Governor Kulongoski and his wife after a superb 90-minute-lecture in which Brinkley had the audience in the palm of his hand, as the saying goes.

Yes, I wanted to talk with the Governor and his wife because one day after he had left office last year, I found myself seated on the homeward bound bus, with him standing right in front of me, holding onto the strap as we turned onto NE 16th. I looked at him and realized I knew him from somewhere, but I couldn't place him. When a man a strap or two away called him Ted, it clicked. Former governor! On the bus! In front of me! Kulongoski explained to the man that he was on his way home, proving to his wife that he could get off at the right stop, chuckling all the way along with the man who knew him. In fact, he looked down and me and smiled as he said that last part. So I piped up, "Governor, I moved here from Mississippi in 2006 and ride the bus everyday. I don't think you're going to have any problems at all." Both of us chuckled and he stepped back as I stood up to get ready to get off at my stop. What a neat happening! Only in Portland, I remember thinking. And here he was again, this time with his lovely wife. I just had to share the neat happening with her, and him. We three enjoyed more chuckles and smiles as I told the tale. His wife said they'd been in Mississippi last year for the historic Freedom Summer events (she showed me the folded up program which was still in the bottom of her purse) and they both were interested in why I'd moved to Oregon, both happy that I had found their home state to be such a good place for Mama and me and my sons. 

 At the signing, I asked Mr. Brinkley if he could personalize my book, which he graciously agreed to do. As I stood there, I just had to mention Lemuria Books, the best independent bookstore if the whole world--to me and lots of other folks and not meaning to disparage Powell's which is grand in its own right but it's not in my birth-city-home-town! He smiled real big and we talked for a few moments about Lemuria and his visits there before I asked if he'd like me to give a message to John Evans and/or Joe Hickman. He smiled and said, "Yes, tell them I'd like to bring Cronkite there!" So I called John later in the week and e-mailed Joe, too. What fun!

What an evening! All thanks to Douglas Brinkley and the Oregon Historical Society and First Congregational Church. Next up, reading "Cronkite."

About the event: Acclaimed author and historian Douglas Brinkley will share a fascinating lecture surrounding the release of his latest book, "Cronkite." In "Cronkite," Brinkley presents the definitive, revealing biography of an American legend: renowned news anchor Walter Cronkite. Brinkley has drawn upon recently disclosed letters, diaries, and other artifacts at the recently opened Cronkite Archive to bring detail and depth to this deeply personal portrait. He also interviewed nearly two hundred of Cronkite's closest friends and colleagues, using their voices to instill dignity and humanity in this study of one of America's most beloved and trusted public figures. Douglas Brinkley is a professor of history at Rice University. Seven of Brinkley's books have been selected as New York Times Notable Books of the Year. One of his most recent books The Wilderness Warrior, became an instant New York Times best-seller. Brinkley is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and The Los Angeles Times Book Review.

 About Brinkley from Harper Collins: Douglas Brinkley is a professor of history at Rice University and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. The Chicago Tribune has dubbed him "America's new past master." Six of his books have been selected as New York Times Notable Books of the Year. His most recent book, The Great Deluge, won the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award. He lives in Texas with his wife and three children.

Seen on the AHC Yamhill Historic District and Beyond, downtown Portland, May 31, 2012

Close-up view of magnificent adornment on the facade of the middle building of three at 824-828 SW 1st Avenue. I wish I could remember the names of the buildings which our guide told us, but I cannot, doggone it.
 

Oh, joy! I just found some info online! The building with the green trim is the Pearne Building (built 1865 at one place online and 1874 at another). The one in the middle is the Poppleton Building (built 1867 at one place online and between 1875-1880 at another), and the one next to it with the brown awning, now known as the Patrick Building, originally was the Harker Building (1878 at both places online). About the Poppleton and the Harker, I found this note at that site which is a Flickr account of a local historian, Dan Haneckow: Originally built in 1867, destroyed except for the lower cast iron features in the Great Fire of 1873. The first two floors were rebuilt in the mid 1870s, the third circa 1880 and the roof added in 1890.)

I used the name of each building and searched for it at the database, Historical Oregonian 1861-1972, online at the Multnomah County Library. I narrowed the search to several years on either side of the date(s) associated with it.

I didn't find anything about the Pearne Building.

However, I found a bit about the one in the middle with the red window trim and a portion of which is seen in the close-up at the top of the post. It's the Poppleton Building. Here's an announcement in the September 21, 1868, Oregonian: "Nonpareil Lodge No. 86, I. O. G. T. meets every Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock. Hall in Poppleton's building, First Street, between Yamhill and Taylor. Members in good standing are invited to attend." By April 9, 1869, the announcement stated that the lodge "Meets every Thursday evening at 7 1/2 o'clock." I like this bit, found in the May 7, 1869, paper: "Dancing Academy - Prof. Cardinell's classes are held every week-day evening, and on Saturday afternoon for children. Hall in Poppleton's Building, First Street." I found mention of a Dr. E. Poppleton, Coroner for Multnomah County, around the same span of years. I wonder if he owned the building. And I found that an Edgar Poppleton was being sued, but I didn't have the time to dig around to find out why or even if Edgar and E. are the same Poppleton.



Van Rensselaer Building (1878)

About the Harker Building, I couldn't find anything, except an interesting tidbit which connects that last name to a building on the next corner north which is known as the Van Rensselaer, completed in 1878, with the third and fourth floors added in 1884). (Now it's the home of Paddy's Bar & Grill, on the corner of SW 1st Avenue and SW Yamhill.)  In the November 3, 1879, Oregonian, there's mention of the fact that Mrs. J. B. Harker and Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Van Rensalier (the spelling in the old newspaper) were owners of a mill that had recently burned in the town of Dayton, the Dayton Flouring Mills. Interesting. I had already seen mention of Sarah Harker who may or may not have been Mrs. J. B. Harker, and mention of a J. B. Harker, bankrupt in Dayton, Oregon.

Whoops. May have been on a wild goose chase.

I just found several interesting mentions in the January 1, 1879, Oregonian, in an article titled "Growth of Portland, Improvements for the Past Year, A Solid and Substantial Growth, Good Record for the City of the Northwest." First, "J. C. Van Rensselaer, two brick stores, cor Yamhill and First streets, W. S. Ham contractor, value $11,000.). (That's the location in the photo above.) Second, "Asa Harker, two brick stores, First Street near Yamhill, G. F. Wells contractor, value $5000." (First near Yamhill just might be the Poppleton and the Harker which are on First and half a block south of Yamhill.)

Isn't that interesting? Different Harkers connected with Mr. J. C. Van Rensselaer. Wonder if Asa and J. B. Harker are brothers? Cousins? Father and son?

Well, I never. I've just found something else very intersting in the July 25, 1870, Oregonian. Sheriff's Sale, The Circuit Court found against J. B. Harker and his wife Sarah E. Harker and directed the Sheriff to sell "all the right, title and interest" of the buildings and improvements on the south half of lot 7, block 3 in Portland. You see, according to Portland Maps, the three buildings in the photo are on lot 6, block 4. Makes me wonder even more about the relationship of J. B. and Asa. Could these lots and blocks be next to each other?

Here's one more very interesting thing I've found just now, in the March 19, 1872, Oregonian. "A CHURCH BELL - There is on the wharf a large bell, brought by the Almatia, for the Congregational church of this city. It is from the Menulay Bell Foundry, Troy, N. Y., and weighs 1,511 pounds. It bears this inscription: "Presented by Asa Harker to the First Congregational Church of Portland, Oregon, A. D. 1871." This is so cool because on Thursday night, June 21, I sat in the sanctuary of that very same church and listened to Douglas Brinkley speak for nearly 90 minutes about Walter Cronkite, the subject of his latest book. Now I'm wondering if this particular home of the church is the one in which the bell was installed.

Wow. I love these connections! I'll have to find time to do more research on these Harkers and on that bell.

Eye-catching kick at the intersection.

Naturally I noticed this inflatable martial arts character, but not in time to get a photo as the bus buzzed by going east to Killer Burger on Saturday a week ago. So, on the way back towards home, I remembered to swivel around and make the effort to get a few photos as we slowed down for the bus stop diagonally across the street. That's why this photo is at a slant--I decided to share it with you SOOC, straight out of camera, no alteration at all, not even any cropping.

The intersection--the blue car is turning northeast from NE 42nd onto NE Sandy Blvd.--is five blocks west of Killer Burger , a block wset of Whole Foods , and two blocks east of the Hollywood Theatre , and one block east of Paulsen’s Pharmacy .

A Fine Home in the Sullivan's Gulch Neighborhood

What a fine home seen on the Architectural Heritage Center Sullivan's Gulch Neighborhood Walking Tour on May 17. The 1917 house which sits on the southeast corner of the intersection of NE 19th Avenue and NE Clackamas Street seems to glow as the setting sun highlights it exterior.

About Sullivan's Gulch, from Portland Neighborhood dot com: Sullivan's Gulch is located in Northeast Portland. It is bordered by the Lloyd, Kerns, Hollywood, Grant Park, Laurelhurst, and Irvington neighborhoods. Sullivan's Gulch is conveniently located on bus lines, and within a short distance to the MAX light rail station at Lloyd Center. Sullivan's Gulch is a mixed urban and residential area that is located within walking distance to dining, shopping, and other entertainment. This well-established community has a mix of older East Portland homes, usually mid-sized to larger family homes located on streets with mature trees. There are also some lovely vintage apartments, and plexes for rent, as well as some newly developed condominiums for a more urban lifestyle.

About Sullivan's Gulch, from Sullivan's Gulch Neighborhood Association at Portlandonline dot com: A historic, pedestrian-friendly, diverse neighborhood in the Northeast section of Portland, Oregon -- just across the Willamette River from downtown. It is a truly urban neighborhood with large comfortable homes, gracious apartments and shady, tree-lined streets, and a vibrant local business district -- yet close to the central city and adjacent to Lloyd Center, bus lines, transit stations, and freeways.

And here's something else from the actual SGNA Web site: SULLIVAN'S GULCH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION SULLIVAN'S GULCH IS LOCATED IN INNER NE PORTLAND (OREGON). WE'RE BORDERED BY THE LLOYD DISTRICT, HOLLYWOOD, GRANT PARK, LAURELHURST, KERNS AND IRVINGTON NEIGHBORHOODS. WE COVER HOLLADAY PARK AND NE 15TH TO 33RD AND I-84 TO NE BROADWAY. OUR BOUNDARIES INCLUDE LLOYD CINEMAS AND HOLLADAY PARK & THE MAX STATION WHICH OVERLAP WITH THE LLOYD DISTRICT COMMUNITY ASSOCATION. WE ARE THE PROUD HOME OF GULCH-O-RAMA AND A MYSTERIOUSLY BALANCING ROCK GARDEN.

Sailors and their ropes, at the west seawall, Willamette River, during Fleet Week June 7, 2012

The rope goes up, up and hopefully away.
 

The rope falls short.
 

Left to right: The rope comes back again. A rope gets tossed. Another rope connects to the seawall.



Left to right: A rope gets worked. Another rope begins as a loop. A third rope heads for the seawall.

Adirondacks all in a row at Schreiner's Iris Gardens, Salem, OR

On Memorial Day, a few hours after I took this photo of long row of empty Adirondack chairs, each one held at least one person, maybe two, or more if a child was involved. You see, from when I arrived and parked as the third vehicle in the lot until the BBQ began at 11:30 a.m., more and more people arrived to enjoy themselves in the sunshine and flowers.
 

I didn't notice if the same size chairs sprinkled more randomly alongside and at the opposite end of each display garden had filled with folks, but surely they had. By the time I'd eaten my BBQ, every seat at every table situated beneath the canopies you see here was taken, too, with other folks surely as hungry as I had been.