North of the Hawthorne Bridge, you find the Morrison Bridge

Looking north from the Hawthorne Bridge you can see the Morrison Bridge.






Wikipedia: The Morrison Bridge is a bascule bridge that spans the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. ... The bridge is the largest mechanical device in Oregon. Thirty-six foot tall gears drive 940 ton counterweights located inside each of the piers. The 69 ft. clearance limits openings to about 30 times a month. It currently carries 50,000 vehicles daily on six lanes.



Wikipedia, continued: The canted windows of the control tower give each the distinctive look of air traffic control towers.



Flat Stanley thought he ought to give equal time to the Morrison Bridge, so here he is!

Two bridges I photographed that are south of the Hawthorne Bridge

South of the Hawthorne Bridge and past the Riverplace Marina, you see the double-decker Marquam Bridge and the Ross Island Bridge. I took this photo on a beautiful September day, right after work.


The Ross Island Bridge is the first bridge that I drove over that crosses the Willamette River. It was at some point in July, 2006. Mama and I had decided we wanted to go to the Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde, Oregon, to play the penny slot machines. Since the bridge has such a short-seeming railing, I was thrilled that two lanes go each way because I could get in the middle and not be able to see much of the river or be able to tell how high up we were in the car.

We made our way off the bridge and onto I-5 South, then to state highways and finally to the casino where we had a good time for a couple of hours.

As we neared the Ross Island on the way back, intending to take it to our then apartment in Southeast Portland, it became obvious that going back would not follow exactly the same path as going forth. What I mean is that I couldn't find the way to get onto the west end of the bridge. I could, however, find my way onto Naito Parkway and then onto the west end of the Hawthorne Bridge which we crossed with ease, mainly due to the fact that the 10-foot-wide sidewalk between the lane I drove in and the railing really helped me cope with my fears. I believe it took at least four trips back from the casino before I finally figured out the convoluted method of gaining access to the west end of the Ross Island Bridge from northbound I-5. I can't even describe it to you accurately, nor can I take photos of it because I'm always the one driving. Just believe me when I tell you that convoluted describes it to a T.

Here's another shot of the Marquam Bridge, taken from the Peter Kohler Pavilion at Oregon Health & Science University, up on Marquam Hill. I've driven south on the Marquam Bridge twice, I'm proud to say. Neither time did I allow myself to do anything but stay in the center lane, concentrating on breathing and driving. I have yet to go north on it, and to tell you the truth, I'm hoping that I don't have to--from where I stand, the railings just don't look high enough to make me feel safe. I mean, even the Fremont Bridge's top deck has that soaring arch up above it which gives me the allusion of being enclosed. I know that's irrational, but it's the way I feel. But I do love looking at these curves from afar.


In this photo of the two bridges, you're looking westward. Those high rise buildings are in an area known as the South Waterfront. I don't know for sure, but I suspect that one of them is the building that Mama and I went to on Monday, Dec. 3. She had an eye doctor appointment.


I took this photo from the 11th floor of the Oregon Health & Science University's Center for Health & Healing--I do know the name of the building even if I don't know if it's in my other photo. It never dawned on me what a view there would be from the windows until we walked off the elevator and turned left. Can you imagine how I would have felt if I didn't have my camera and Flat Stanley?

The bridge closest to the little guy, sort of going through the tires on the Vespa, is the Ross Island Bridge. The one you can barely see in the distance, behind his left shoulder on the right side of the photo, is the Marquam Bridge. And that's the skyline of downtown in the background. The rain is part of the 3.55 inches that Portland got in three days which was a drop in the bucket compared to other areas of Oregon and Washington. Please say a prayer for all those whose lives have been drastically changed by the weather.


Wikipedia: The Marquam Bridge is a double deck cantilever bridge that carries Interstate 5 traffic across the Willamette River south of downtown Portland, Oregon. It is the busiest bridge in Oregon, carrying 135,600 vehicles a day as of 2004. The upper deck carries northbound traffic; the lower deck carries southbound traffic. ... Total length-1043 feet. Width-57 feet. Clearance below-130 feet. ... As it has great importance, the Marquam was the first Portland bridge to undergo a seismic retrofit in 1995.

Wikipedia: The Ross Island Bridge is a cantilever truss bridge that spans the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. It carries U.S. Route 26 (Mount Hood Highway) across the river between southwest and southeast Portland. Although it looks like a deck arch bridge, it is the only cantilever deck truss bridge in Oregon. ... The bridge is named for its location close to Ross Island, an island in the Willamette River which measures about one-and-a-half by one miles. The bridge is about 800 feet (250 m) north of the island and does not connect with, nor does it provide access to Ross Island. ... There is a pedestrian walkway on the north side of the bridge, with no barrier between the sidewalk and the westbound right lane.

ABC Wednesday – T is for Team Towing Truck Tows Taxi

I saw it with my own eyes, a Broadway taxi moving tediously up the inclined bed of a Team Towing truck as the tow truck driver toiled alongside, toggling the switch.



This travesty--an inoperable taxi in downtown Portland--continued as the tow truck trundled toward me.

Imagine the conversation with me, if you will, between the two people standing on the corner:

Man: "I tried and tried to get the engine to turn over, m'am. It's too bad you'll have to go to the trouble of waiting on another taxi to take you to Tualatin Trophy and Awards on SW Teton Avenue."

Lady: "Yes, it's a trying turn of events, but there's plenty of time for another taxi to get me there so that I can take a look at the engraving on my son Trowbridge's trophy. You know, he's the tailback on the team that took first place in their division."

Man: "Thanks for your understanding, m'am. Yes, m'am, you told me about the trophy. I've already telephoned for your taxi."

Lady: "Thanks for taking the time. I'll find time later today to tell the taxi company this tale and to talk up your talents!"

Man and Lady, waving off camera: "Toodle-ooh, taxi!"



Th-th-th-that's all folks!

The Accidental Bridge Crossing

I took this photo of the Fremont Bridge in mid-October, from the Northwest Hills up above our apartment when we went looking at fall foliage. It's a beautiful bridge, even if the bottom deck is 175 feet in the air.


Until we moved from Southeast Portland to the Northwest Hills in October, 2006, I figured I'd never, ever have to drive over the Fremont Bridge. I admired the beautiful, soaring bridge from afar, with a slight change in my breathing from just looking.

I can't even remember what month it was that I planned a trip to Vancouver, Washington, for Mama and me, to a Wal-Mart Supercenter. I needed the generic Claritin D for my stopped-up ears, and you cannot buy the D of anything in Oregon without a prescription--a new law that took effect in the summer of 2006, aimed at thwarting meth-makers; I don't know why they aren't just driving over the Columbia River to Washington like I did to get my box of 10 pills. Sorry. I digress.

To prepare for the trip, I got online, wrote down the directions to one of the two supercenters in Vancouver, and we seatbelted ourselves into the Buick. Mama's job--to read the directions as we went, first straight down Everett, over the 405, then turn left, then left again onto Highway 30, and so on. Piece of cake.

As I took that first left, I glimpsed the two decks of the Fremont Bridge straight ahead. Nothing registered for about twenty feet, then it hit me. "Oh, no, Mama," I wailed. "We're fixin' to go over that scary bridge!" and I turned left onto the approach because there was no where else I could go.

Taking a deep breath, I drove into the center lane, looking straight ahead, glancing in the rear and sideview mirrors. Mama happily sat beside me, bubbling about seeing this and seeing that, pointing every which way. I had to ask her to be still so that I wouldn't be distracted from my goal--getting off the bridge properly, not irrationally. We climbed steadily until we were high over the river, an eternity before I saw my deliverance, the Interstate 5 Seattle sign. Whew. I made it. And if you start at the right edge of the photo and follow the bridge from there, on the lower deck, you'll go where we went.



I bought those decongestants and drove right back home the same way--you know, sort of like that fall-off-the-horse, get-right-back-on school of thought. Besides, I had no idea of any other way to get home from Washington. I drove right over the top of the Fremont Bridge which, naturally, is even higher. Plus I didn't have the comforting prescence of the upper deck above me, making me feel enclosed and less fearful. You can see what I mean about feeling on this photo that I also took on Oct. 13, from an overlook near the Vista Bridge. It's such a beautiful bridge.

Since that first accidental trip over the Fremont Bridge, I've driven back and forth four more times, and I've ridden over it when my son Leland was driving, twice. I still feel symptoms of gephyrophoia, lesser symptoms. I am not paralyzed.

Wikipedia: The Fremont Bridge is a steel tied arch bridge over the Willamette River located in Portland, Oregon. It carries Interstate 405 and US 30 traffic between downtown and North Portland where it intersects with I-5. It has the longest main span of any bridge in Oregon and is the second longest tied arch bridge in the world (after Caiyuanba Bridge across the Yangtze River, China). ... In October of 1971, while still under construction, a crack was found on the west span girder that required a $5.5 million redesign and repair. The main span of the bridge was built in California then assembled at Swan Island, 1.7 miles downstream. After completion it was floated in place on a barge. On March 16, 1973 the 6,000 ton steel arch span was lifted 170 ft. (51.8 m) using 32 hydraulic jacks. At the time, it was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the heaviest lift ever completed. The bridge was open on November 11, 1973 at a final cost of $82 million, most of which was financed by the Federal Highway Administration. ... The bridge has two decks carrying vehicular traffic, each with four lanes. The upper deck is signed westbound on US-30 and southbound on I-405. The lower deck is signed eastbound on US-30 and northbound on I-405. The Fremont Bridge was also the 26th Peregrine falcon nest site designated in Oregon after the raptor was placed on the U.S. Threatened and Endangered Species list in 1970.

Flat Stanley visits Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Here's our guy Flat Stanley, out and about in October. Like most boys, he couldn't wait to take a look at the Willamette and its surroundings from the telescope with Point of View on its side. Y'all recognize the Hawthorne Bridge there behind him? It looks closer than it really is. See you tomorrow with the rest of the bridges.

Snow Enables My First Walk Across the Hawthorne Bridge

To make sure you understand where I'm coming from, I've got a noticeable case of gephyrophobia--the fear of bridges. I notice changes in my breathing and how my skin feels when I drive over really high bridges. I notice irrational thoughts, such as "I'm going to drive right off this bridge." I notice that if I say to myself, "I'm going to stay on this road"--suggested by my brother to help me with my other fears, heights and driving/riding on curving, rising, steep roads--I have managed to make it in the Buick over eight of Portland's 10 bridges that cross the Willamette as well as the Interstate and Glenn Jackson bridges over the Columbia River. I have even waited patiently in the car while the Burnside Bridge closed after letting some water vehicle go up river. I can ride the bus over the Hawthorne and the Morrison bridges just fine. I thoroughly enjoy looking out the bus windows.

So, on the morning of Jan. 16 I walked to the 15 bus at NW 23rd and Flanders, in a swiftly falling, big-flaked snow that had already blanketed parked vehicles, streets and sidewalks. I trusted TriMet to get me where I was going, even if the night before the trusty weatherman had emphatically played down the possibility of accumulating snow on the valley floor which is where a large portion of Portland exists. I had on my tall black rubber boots with my YakTrax stretched onto the soles, my some-kind-of vinyl-hip-length dark green jacket, my red Dale Earnhardt Jr. billed cap, my gloves and scarf--I was ready.

I boarded the 15, joining other stalwart employees headed for their jobs. As we slowly rode and occasionally slid our way to SW Salmon and Third, I took my three-week-old Nikon D50 out of my vinyl tote and hung it around my neck, tucked in over near my left arm/shoulder, and zipped the jacket. I was more than ready.

Turns out TriMet was not ready. They had believed the area forecasters and had not put chains on a single bus. Here's SW 3rd and Salmon, about 15 minutes after I arrived there, where I wait for my second bus which takes me across the Hawthorne Bridge. It resembled a parking lot in both directions.


During a total of 30 minutes, I talked to myself, silently so as not to disturb everyone else waiting for the right bus to inch to a stop at the curb. "I just ought to walk. My building is right at the other end of the bridge. It's snowing thick enough that I bet I won't be able to see the water so I won't really feel like I'm high up on a bridge. Afterall, snow helped me not be so afraid the second time I went up on Mt. Pilatus in Lucerne and that little snow blower had carved a right nice little solid-looking wall around the viewing area, instead of that dinky-looking metal pipe handrail. In a little while I'm going to need a bathroom break, and I don't know where any close ones are on this side of the river. I can walk up 3rd and turn left at Main and still have one more bus stop between me and the bridge. OK." I set off and just kept walking.

Looking east, from the approach towards the bridge. Already I'm glad to be walking, even if in a few minutes I'll be on the steel grid deck, able to feel it vibrate as vehicles drive by on my left.


You can see on the right lane, heading east, where the steel grid deck starts--the gray area. You can also see in the center of the bridge that very few, if any, vehicles have tried that leftmost eastward lane--the solid white area to the left of that yellow-and-black-chevron-shaped sign. Both westbound lanes are full of traffic at this point.


Looking west, around the middle of the bridge. Please take note of the man walking toward me. You'll see why in a bit.


I've stopped here to talk to myself again. "I made it! If I can walk over the bridge, I can do anything!" You can see a bit of the bottom deck of the Marquam Bridge at the top of the photo. Notice those walkers headed west on the opposite sidewalk?


Looking west, with both decks of the Marquam Bridge in the shot. How weird is it that I got a car carrier headed south on an interstate bridge in a snow storm?


Here's a close-up of the westward headed traffic, vehicular and pedestrian.


Once I got settled in at work, naturally I looked out the windows at any opportunity. Seeing this #10 bus struggling to make it up the approach to the Hawthorne Bridge, I totally understood the number of walkers I'd seen earlier. And I totally knew that I'd be walking back over the bridge when I left work.


Looking west, walking west, having a blast!


Now you know why I said to take note of the man walking toward me, heading east that morning--here he is again, walking in front of me, heading west in the afternoon. Craziest photographic coincidence I believe I've had, and y'all already know about lots of my photographic coincidences, as in matching street-level accessories. I'm not trying to fool you, though, into thinking I noticed the guy and thought, "Wow! The same guy." No, I just snapped photos and there he was on my iBook when I downloaded the photos. Unreal.


I even managed to look at the river on the way back, well, sort of look at it, at an angle. Y'all mathematicians, would that be an oblique angle?


At the west end of the bridge, just before it dips down to street level, there's a ramp the curves up from Tom McCall Waterfront Park. See what I snapped at the top of the ramp--closest I'll ever come to skis.


How fitting that my last photo shows a 4 bus making its way off the bridge onto street level. I'm talking to myself again. "I could have ridden that bus. But if I had, I would have missed reinforcing my ability to walk across the Hawthorne Bridge. I would have missed photo opportunities. Thank you, snow, for changing my fear into accomplishment."


P.S. Please stop by Mama and Me from PDX in a few hours for more Flat Stanley fun.

December Theme: Bridges

A September, 2007, photo, shows you most of the Hawthorne Bridge. I took this one facing sort of northeast.


Sorry, y'all, that I'm this late with my bridge stuff. I realized way late last night that I was completely off my rocker, putting the "Random Thoughts, Shining Continents" on the blog for Dec.1, so I changed it to Nov. 30 instead. Then today family time took precedence over blog time. Until now. Here goes, the first of several bridge days, all in a row, just like the bridges across the Willamette River.

The Hawthorne Bridge

The Hawthorne Bridge crosses the Willamette in just the right place for me, in relation to where I live and work and where the bus runs. It's also the only bridge I have walked across. I always take pictures when I'm walking across the bridge, always, even that first time, when it snowed on Jan. 16, 2007. I love this bridge, its two colors, the height of the railings beside the sidewalks, the way the lanes of traffic flow in both directions across it, separated by parts of its structure.

Wikipedia: The Hawthorne Bridge is a truss bridge with a vertical lift that spans the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, joining Hawthorne Boulevard and Madison Street. It is the oldest vertical lift bridge in operation in the United States and the oldest highway bridge in Portland. It is also the busiest bicycle and transit bridge in Oregon, with over 4,800 cyclists and 750 TriMet buses daily. ... The 880,000 pound (400,000 kg) counterweights are suspended from the two 165 ft. (50 m) tall towers. While the river is at low level the bridge is 49 feet (15 meters) above the water, causing it to be raised an average of 200 times per month.

A February, 2007, photo, shows you the towers with their suspended counterweights. I've yet to be on the bridge when a lift happened, but from a window at work I sometimes notice all lanes of traffic backed up on the approach, waiting--I assume--for the lift to be done. To keep the bearings greased, the bridge is raised every 8 hours. You'd think that since I've crossed it two times a day, Monday-Friday, since mid-October, 2006, I would've chanced upon a lift. With the approach right there at my building, maybe on nice days I ought to go for a walk across it at lunch and/or after work--maybe I'll get to see a lift that way.


Here's an April, 2007, photo. The sidewalks on both sides of the bridge are 10 feet wide, with room for pedestrians and bicycles, going east and west, passing each other easily. This is the sidewalk on the north side of the bridge, and I'm heading west.


Here's another February, 2007, photo. I'm standing in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, amazed at grass this green in February, at how blessed we were with that stupendous blue sky--friends were down from Seattle for a visit and it couldn't have been a more beautiful day.


Here's a view of another of Portland's bridges, taken from the Hawthorne Bridge in April, 2007. The double decks belong to the Marquam Bridge which carries Interstate 5 through Portland, north and south. On the Hawthorne Bridge's deck, you can see where the lanes join--the right one is heading west across the river and is where my first bus makes the curve to head over the river after work. In the mornings my bus is in the lane of the left, heading up the slight rise that you can tell is just beginning.


Tomorrow I plan to post my snow photos of the Hawthorne Bridge for you. Then on Monday and/or Tuesday I'll show you several other bridges which I've been able to photograph.

Now for an original poem, in honor of Portland's bridges:

Stitches of Steel

By Lynette Hanson

Rendered asunder
By the passage of time
And the flow of water

The land of the Willamette
Welcomed all who came
To where Portland would be

Rendered together
By the endeavor of men
With their stitches of steel

The bridges of the Willamette
Welcome all who come
To where Portland is

Until tomorrow, here's a list from Wikipedia for you:

Bridges over the Willamette River, listed north to south:
St. Johns Bridge (1931) - U.S. Highway 30/N Philadelphia Avenue
Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge 5.1 (1908)
Fremont Bridge (1973) - Interstate 405
Broadway (1913) - Broadway
Steel Bridge (1912) - Pacific Highway West/former Oregon Route 99W
Burnside Bridge (1926) - Burnside Street
Morrison Bridge (1958) - Morrison Street
Hawthorne Bridge (1910) - Hawthorne Boulevard
Marquam Bridge (1966) - Interstate 5
Ross Island Bridge (1922) - U.S. Highway 26/Powell Boulevard
Sellwood Bridge (1925) - SE Tacoma Street

Please take a look at all of these interesting bridges around the world by visiting these city photo blogs:

Boston (MA), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - New York City (NY), USA - Portland (OR), USA - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Inverness (IL), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Stockholm, Sweden - Setúbal, Portugal - Brussels, Belgium - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Hyde, UK - Manila, Philippines - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - London, England - Austin (TX), USA - Toulouse, France - Weston (FL), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Selma (AL), USA - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Cleveland (OH), USA - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - North Bay (ON), Canada - Arradon, France - Paderborn, Germany - Durban, South Africa - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Portland (OR), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Wichita (Ks), USA - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Grenoble, France - New York City (NY), USA - Nottingham, UK - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Arlington (VA), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Miami (FL), USA - Cheltenham, UK - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Saratoga Spgs. (NY), USA - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Nashville (TN), USA - Toruń, Poland - New Orleans (LA), USA - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Melbourne, Australia - Moscow, Russia - Trujillo, Peru - Château-Gontier, France - Quincy (MA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Joplin (MO), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Brookville (OH), USA - Chateaubriant, France - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Baziège, France - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Subang Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Detroit (MI), USA - Riga, Latvia - Nelson, New Zealand - Budapest, Hungary - Cape Town, South Africa - Sydney, Australia - Dunedin (FL), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Radonvilliers, France - Turin, Italy - Montpellier, France - Kansas City (MO), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Wailea (HI), USA - Lubbock (TX), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Terrell (TX), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Budapest, Hungary - Montréal (QC), Canada - Sharon (CT), USA - Le Guilvinec, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - London, UK - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Orlando (FL), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Paris, France - Mainz, Germany - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Darmstadt, Germany - Naples (FL), USA - Torino, Italy - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Bogor, Indonesia - The Hague, Netherlands - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Melbourne (VIC), Australia - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Christchurch, New Zealand

Random Thoughts, Shining Continents

Here's what caught my eye Wednesday after work, not that I don't look at the World Trade Center sign most every day as I walk from one bus to another, from SW Main and SW 2nd Avenue north to where SW Taylor crosses 2nd. My thoughts range from remembering Sept. 11, to enjoying my reflection in the shining continents as I walk by, to thinking about City Daily Photo bloggers everywhere and how much I'm learning and loving being a part of that world every single day.

Those random thoughts usually lead to my thinking of what The Oswegan has said as part of his post "Are You Addicted to Blogging" on Nov. 22: "What is remarkable about the blogosphere to me, is how it enables people from all over the world to connect, and to discuss interests and ideas, and the way that relationships are formed based, not on appearances, but on intellect, wit, sense of humor and common experience."

Well put.

If you'd like, you can read The Oswegan's entire post and the scores of comments it engendered here.

Bagdad Theatre, SE 37th and Hawthorne, where it always looks like Christmas, thanks to this great neon sign

Here's what McMenamins dot Com has to say about the home of one of my favorite neon signs in Portland:

THE BAGDAD THEATER & PUB - Popular pub and picture palace *** Now featuring Dolby Digital Sound! ***

Southeast Portland's marvelous relic of Hollywood's Golden Age is a stunning movie palace full of wonder and surprises. For nearly four generations now, the Bagdad's Mediterranean and neon persona and daily offerings of celluloid adventures have made it an icon of Portland's vibrant Hawthorne District. A movie hall of the best sort, the Bagdad's interior is an attraction unto itself with barreled arches, ornate, wrought iron fixtures, brilliant-colored mosaic work, and painted and stenciled Mediterranean designs and mythical characters. Kick back in the theater and enjoy a slice of pizza and a handcrafted ale during the show, or come early and enjoy dinner in the casual pub that fronts the theater. But be forewarned -- outdoor tables in the summertime may be hard to come by!

I found this for you at Wikipedia: McMenamins Pubs and Breweries is a chain of over fifty brewpubs, microbreweries, music venues, historic hotels, theater pubs and more. ... There are fifty-six McMenamins sites and many of its locations are renovated historical properties. ... nine are on the National Register of Historic Places ... a movie theater built by Universal Studios (The Bagdad Theatre and Pub.)

Just last night Leland and I were set to go see "The Bourne Ultimatum" there, but one of his roomies had a bicycle accident--he's fine now, thank goodness--and we had to go give him and the bicycle a ride home.

Windows, around the corner from the Atlas holding the clock

What's your favorite part of these holiday windows at Tiffany's? Is it the deer? The birds in the cage? The crystal-looking beads draped from the white branches? Or the possibility of what might be in those little blue boxes, all tied up with white ribbons?

For me, it's the ambience created by the snowflakes surrounding each window. They're the spiff in the special sort of results that I like to call "ham and spiff," as in ham it up, spiff it up--make the style such that whatever you're working on leaves a pleasant, perfect taste in the mouth of your intended audience.

ABC Wednesday – S is for Statue

From Wikipedia: One of the more recognized pieces of public art in Portland is Seward Johnson's Allow Me, often popularly referred to as Umbrella Man. It is on the south side of the square, just above the amphitheater. Allow Me is a bronze statue of a man in a business suit, holding an umbrella and welcoming you with a friendly gesture.



From Pioneer Courthouse Square dot org: Serving as a signature Portland icon, this bronze life-sized sculpture of a man offering his umbrella, was created by nationally known artist J. Seward Johnson of Princeton, New Jersey. The sculpture joins a number of Johnson's works in public spaces in cities such as New York, Kansas City, Los Angeles and Oakland, California.



From Indopedia dot org: One of the more recognized pieces of public art in Portland is Seward Johnson's Allow Me. It is on the south side of the square, just above the amphitheater. Allow Me is a bronze statue of a man in a business suit, holding an umbrella and welcoming you with a friendly gesture.



From Everything2 dot com: Above the larger amphitheater and towards the southwest corner of the square stands the beloved bronze statue, Allow Me (popularly known as the "umbrella man"), depicting a cheerful and friendly Portlander leaning forward to offer his umbrella. Tourists get their picture taken standing under his umbrella, campaign volunteers stick political stickers on his breast after rallies, and citizens of all types meet at his side.



From Associated Content dot com: One of the highlights of Pioneer Square is the 'bronze man", a statue by renowned artist Seward Johnson. It is called "Allow Me" and is so real that visitors often mistake it for real. It is a favorite spot for photo sessions. No tourists goes away without a few pictures of themselves with the bronze guy.

Whizzing by the Willamette Building

See the slightly curved roof overhang above the double doors, on the right? If you look really close, you can read Willamette Building running across the front. Can you recognize the shape that the tiny white lights are on, standing up above the words? It's a giant diamond solitaire, made out of some sort of metal, but a diamond solitaire shape nonetheless. I've been wanting to show you that "rock" practically since I started Portland (OR) Daily Photo Blog in September.

I'll try to get a closer, better shot of the solitaire when it's not raining. Since the holidays are here, I figured why not go ahead and get a wide shot of the building, complete with Christmas lights, vehicles and pedestrians whizzing by on their way home from work. I'm tickled with how the photo turned out. All hail serendipity!

I first noticed the Willamette Building as I rode by on the bus one morning back in January, after the bus mall closed and my going-to-work bus went down SW 3rd Avenue before turning southeast to cross the river. I found a 2004 newspaper article about the Willamette Building that I think you'll enjoy reading. Turns out its right in the middle of Portland's diamond district.

Time for Memories

I fell hard for that entrance, that Atlas sort of guy holding the clock, and that clock itself. So romantic. For a few moments I stood there, memories of my husband filling my mind, then I set off for the bus stop.

There's more where this comes from ...

... at Mama and Me from PDX. I'm here to tell you, it was something to be thankful for, that scrumptious food cooked by my wonderful sons. Our blessings overflow every single day.

Pink and Silver--my first window of the season.

Friday night after the lighting of the Christmas tree, I crossed SW Yamhill at Broadway. I stood on the corner and took a photo of the MAX going westward--you can see it at Mama and Me from PDX--and turned right to walk north on Broadway. That's when this woman--wearing a hot pink wig, wrapped in a strategically placed pink ribbon, and sitting in a store window--grabbed my attention. I stepped closer, past the pillar on the corner in front of the door, and took this photo.



Looking to the right, I saw another interesting window, but before I could walk towards it, I noticed this sign on the inside of the pillar. I love the attention to detail shown by the window dresser(s)--surely this pink light reflected in the sign came about as part of that person(s) creativity.



Here's that other attractive window. I never would have thought about hot pink ribbon in relation to the holidays, but it works for me. I also like the different size silver balls which match the color of the store's sign and the gigantic clear Christmas balls. It's all in the details, isn't it, CDPBers?

Flat Stanley and the Christmas Tree Lighting at Pioneer Courthouse Square

We had a blast, watching people, singing carols, seeing the lights come on. Please look at Mama and Me from PDX for the rest of the story and a bunch of photos!

Perfect Post-Thanksgiving Dinner Activity?

As I walked east on SW Salmon headed to work one recent morning, I spied this lady running on a treadmill--I think its an exercise room in a hotel. Seems like something lots of us who enjoyed sumptious Thanksgiving dinners might need to look into doing ourselves. Well, not me. I'll walk like always. I'm just not balanced enough for a treadmill.