SP 4449 Steam Locomotive, No. 4

Steam's heading our way as the SP 4449 continues to back up toward the line of vintage rail cars.
 

Steam enveloped my brother who stood closer to the tracks than I. Through the steam you can barely see the silver and orange stripes at the bottom of the front of the locomotive. Is that a cow-catcher?

Later on when the train pulled out, I myself stood even closer to the track than my brother in this photo.
Surrounded by steam in seconds, I soon realized that moisture covered my glasses and the camera lens. No photos of that--the camera couldn't find anything to focus on, and I was somewhat disoriented.

Smile! It's Friday!

SP 4449 Steam Locomotive, No. 3

She's just about to stop and then begin to back up towards the line of vintage rail cars. Check out the man at the right edge of the photo--he's got her on his camera. Can't tell if he's shooting stills or video.
 

Steaming up for backing up.

SP 4449 Steam Locomotive, No. 2

Happy Birthday to my brother, Howard!
 

About to pass me by and cross the street in order to get the right amount of space between her and the line of vintage rail cars waiting beside Union Station, it's the magnificent SP 4449, seen through the chain link fence.
 

Coming closer, blowing massive amounts of hissing steam from all sorts of places, the SP 4449. The sight and sound brought a huge lump to my throat.

About this time, the grin splitting my face wide open grew even broader. I wish that I'd had enough sense to take out my iPhone and capture the sounds to share with you, to have to listen to whenever I wanted. My mind just didn't go there, consumed as it was by awe at the power I witnessed.

From the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation's Web site:

Southern Pacific 4449
Built: 1941
Manufacturer: Lima Locomotive Works, Lima, OH
Length: 110’
Weight: 433 tons
Drive Wheel: 80”
Horsepower: 6,500
Boiler Pressure: 300 psi
Fuel: Oil
Donated to PDX: 1958
Volunteer Organization: Friends of the SP 4449

Built in 1941 as a 4-8-4 GS-4 locomotive, she is 110′ long, 10′ wide and 16′ tall. With locomotive and tender weighing 433 tons and a boiler pressure of 300 psi, her eight 80″ diameter drivers and unique firebox truck booster can apply 5,500 horsepower to the rails and exceed 100 mph.

The only remaining operable “streamlined” steam locomotive of the Art Deco era, this grand Lady of the High Iron pulled Southern Pacific “Daylight” coaches from Los Angeles to San Francisco over the scenic Coast Route and then on to Portland until 1955.

Retired to Oaks Park in 1958 for display only, many thought 4449 would never run again. In 1974 she was completely restored specifically to pull the 1976 Bicentennial Freedom Train throughout the United States to the delight of over 30 million people. SP 4449 has also operated numerous excursions since.

She is arguably one of the most beautiful locomotives ever built and kept that way by the all-volunteer Friends of SP 4449.

SP 4449 Steam Locomotive, No. 1

What can be more American that a vintage steam locomotive on the move? You, on the move to vote, that's what. Get out and vote!
 

On Friday, October 19, my brother Howard had flown into town from Mississippi for a visit. He's a game guy, so it didn't faze him one bit when I suggested that we get up very early on Saturday morning and catch mass transit in order to be at Union Station to watch the SP 4449 pull out with her train of vintage cars. Didn't faze him one bit!



The last car in the line of vintage rail cars. I took this photo at 7:28 a.m. We had arrived well before the scheduled departure time of the Deschutes Steam Special, took a quick and most-likely-not-allowed trek across the rail yard at its south end so that we could get on the other side the train, away from the station, and walk northward.
 

I zoomed in and quickly took this photo at 7:31 a.m. and began to concentrate on successfully following my brother's advice--look like you belong here and keep walking--until we could get away from where we really shouldn't have been, crossing the tracks in an operating railroad station. We looked and listened, then thankfully ended up on a regular sidewalk beside a building and even found somewhere to wait out of the rain.

In a few minutes, we saw people gathering to the north at an intersection between a street and the tracks. Then we decided that the SP 4449 must be on the other side of the line of cars from our vantage point, completely out of sight from our vantage point! By 8:07 a.m., we had hurried north to NW 9th and crossed the tracks heading west, just in time to see the locomotive steaming towards us so that it could make the change from the track it was on to the track it needed to be on in order to be connected with the line of vintage rail cars.

The sold out special excursion left Union Station in Portland, Oregon, went to Vancouver, Washington to pick up more passengers, and then headed east in Washington alongside the Columbia River until time to turn south at Wishram where it crossed the Columbia River so that it could go to Bend, Oregon, along the Deschutes River. Folks were transported from the station in Bend to various lodging sites, then returned to the train on Sunday for the return trip.

Here's the back story: I had contemplated buying myself a ticket, but by the time I made up my mind, the ticket selection I could splurge on had sold out. Still and all, getting to stand beside the tracks and see, hear and feel this locomotive that I love made up for not being aboard. Plus, I would have missed my brother's perfect visit--we had a blast, my sons, my brother and I.

Link to a post from someone on the excursion, with a fantastic photo of the train going over a trestle!

Neon glory on N. Interstate Avenue.

I took this photo on October 9, 2012, after eating supper here. I needed to take some photos of the newly refurbished sign at The Palms Motor Hotel, but I knew I couldn't leave for that site before taking some photos here. This one turned out best.

Quick info on The Alibi's Web site: The Alibi Tiki Lounge is located in North Portland at 4024 North Interstate Avenue. We are open daily from 11am - 2am, with Karaoke every night form 9pm - 2am! Happy Hour in the Bar is from 3pm - 7pm with food and drink specials. Call ahead (503) 287-5335 for Reservations!



The History Of The Alibi

A Horse & Buggy Stop Beginning

The orignal home of The Alibi was a nice stop for horeses and buggies as they traveled up and down the dirt trail known as the Inter-state in the late 1800's. "Chat-n-Nibble", as it was known to travelers then, served up some of the finest grub a fellow could find at a breakfast and lunch counter. A small beginning!

The Max Alibi

The next business to call the spot home was a tiny tavern run by Mr. Peterson. "Max Alibi" was a popular spot to stop, and saw much success under his ownership. Peterson gave the business a name that would last far into the 1990's.

Island Inspirations

The third owner, Roy Ell, saw a jewel of a restaurant in this little stop. He leased the building in 1947 and renamed the place "The Alibi". Roy spent some time traveling to Hawaii and felt his friends and neighbhors deserved to experience the beauty and style he found on the islands. Polynesian decor was his goald to enhance his restaurant, even though it was hard to find suppliers.

The '50's found "The Alibi" expanding to a full restaurant and lounge. The building engulfed a home which sat behind the restaurant and The Alibi was proving itself popular. The famed food and delightful exotic surroundings kept bringing folks back for a piece of paradise right in their own community.

Taking Over The Neighbors

In the 70's, Roy added a magnificent 3-dimensional mural and had carved rails installed in The Alibi. By the 80's, The Alibi was a grand replica of the South Pacific, even businesses from overseas came to copy the decor.

Roy took his next step, purchased the property from Mr. Peterson, and engulfed the Texaco Station next door for parking.

Today, Like Yesterday

In the 80's, The Alibi was leased once again, with the agreement that the decor would not be altered. In 1991, the current owner, Larry White, took over and has agreed to keep the style and flourish that has been so magnificent for some 40 years.

Like A Tropical Paradise

As you sit in The Alibi lounge, restaurant, or one of the many nooks and shelters, under shell lamp shades, you can almost feel the cool summer breeze blow across the beach. Sipping tantalized tropical drinks, letting the atmosphere sink in, nibbling on seafood appetizers and entrees, it's easy to relax and enjoy a mini vacation in the midst of your day.
I posted the neon sign at The Palms on October 10, if you'd like to take a look at it. It's worth the bit of time to go find that one at the blog.

Rainy autumn in my neighborhood, No. 6

On Halloween, I took the photo of the street that runs beside my apartment building through the windshield of my Zipcar. I was stopped at the intersection, nothing dangerous going on with the camera and the car. The other three photos are ones that I had taken last Sunday on my short walk.

Never expected to see this among the autumn leaves.

On Halloween after I had parked my Zipcar where it lives over on SE Ankeny at SE 20th, I did a walk around, checking it out before walking home. As I stepped up onto the curve, look what caught my eye. Someone's lost Zipcard had been found and carefully placed so as to be seen.

Gosh, I hope that person who lost it comes back to get it. One cannot open your reserved Zipcar without one's Zipcard. You must place the card on the card reader at the top left of the windshield to unlock the door and start your reservation's clock ticking. When I'm out and about in a Zipcar, I continually reaffirm the location of my card.

And guess what extra benefit I got with my card on Wednesday? I drove to the downtown Zipcar office, parked in front of the Multnomah County Central Library next door, walked into the office and showed my card to get $10 driving credit. All because I had a Halloween headband on my head, complete with a couple of bats on springs. Way cool, Zipcar. Thanks!

Finally, I have to say that I love this space because beside the two parking spaces where two Zipcars live, you find at least one bike rack--notice the back tire on the right side of the photo. And one block north on East Burnside, you find on diagonal corners bus stops for the 20. Alternative modes of transportation abound!

Fans chanted, "Beat LA!" Blazers played ball. Blazers beat LA, 116-106!

I'm so glad to find that referee's wrist and hand signaling a three-pointer at the bottom of this photo!
 

Because for me, this three-pointer by Nicolas Batum says it all about last night's game. The vaunted Lakers could only stand and watch as our Portland Trail Blazers kept comin' at them, fulfilling the prediction projected on the outside of the Rose Garden Arena.
 

I can think of no better way to open the basketball season!

Rainy autumn in my neighborhood, No. 4

From nearby fully-opened blossoms, the scent of roses wafted in the wind. But not from these rosebuds. Possible late-bloomers? My guess, they'll become never-bloomers. Hmmm. Can you become a never?
 

The red door and white trim at Albertina Kerr's headquarters becomes the best background possible for this red rose bud.
 

I like the peachy orange and bright yellow rose bud contrasted with the dark green leaves and maroon stems. No color alterations here. These photos are just as they came out of my iPhone.



A fading pink rose bud seems the perfect lead-in for this poem I found on the Internet:

When the Rose is Faded by Walter de la Mare

When the rose is faded,
Memory may still dwell on
Her beauty shadowed,
And the sweet smell gone.

That vanishing loveliness,
That burdening breath,
No bond of life hath then,
Nor grief of death.

'Tis the immortal thought
Whose passion still
Makes the changing
The unchangeable.

Oh, thus thy beauty,
Loveliest on earth to me,
Dark with no sorrow, shines
And burns, with thee.

Special Halloween Memories

My younger son's birthday is today. At PicMonkey, I have vampired and day-of-the-deaded and zombied him, in honor of his having been born on Halloween. Happy birthday, honey!

Oh, the original photo was taken on our mushroom hunting trip in 2008, eleven days after his birthday.

Rainy autumn in my neighborhood, No. 3

When I decided to take a short walk Sunday afternoon, I couldn't hear any rain from inside my apartment, nor could I see any falling when I looked out the window, so I walked from my front door and across the hallway to the building's side door in my Crocs and socks. All it took to hear the rain was to open that side door. Went right back to my apartment for my rain boots, pulled the hood on my raincoat up over my cloth hat and walked on outside into a shiny, colorful wonderland of autumn leaves.

Rainy autumn in my neighborhood, No. 2

Friday a week ago, the day that my brother arrived in Portland for his visit, we walked from the bus to the apartment; we'd had a full afternoon out and about in Portland, either on mass transit--MAX, bus, and Portland Streetcar--or on foot. As you can tell from the amount of water trapped at this corner, it had been raining hard earlier. In fact, the two of us got soaked walking from the Oregon Rail Heritage Center to the Portland Streetcar stop. Everywhere we went, we managed to avoid puddles in our path.

As we approached and I noticed this man engaged in a regularly occurring autumn activity here in Portland, I grabbed my camera from inside my raincoat and took a few photos. I didn't realize I had the bicycle in the shot until I had downloaded them to the iMac. Yea!



The bicyclist made it through the puddle, while the man with the rake diligently continued his work. We crossed the street out of view to the left where there was good drainage, avoiding our final puddle of the day.

Rainy autumn in my neighborhood, No. 1

Near my apartment this afternoon, water stands at the junction of a sloped driveway and a street. Brightly colored leaves float in the water until wet through and through--then they sink.

Mississippi State University! Go, Dawgs! Hail State!

There's a really big game today for the Mississippi State University football team and all of us True Maroon fans. The Dawgs play at Alabama. I shall be busy from 5:30 p.m. to approximately 8:30 p.m., Portland time--thank you, ESPN! I shall have my Mississippi State cowbell app at the ready. I'll play the fight song, "Hail State," on that same app and ring that virtual cowbell!

What results when an upper arm collides with a No Parking/Bus Goes Here sign?

I know that on Tuesday, October 16, as I trotted across the street to catch the homeward bound bus, I made a mistake.

I took this photo on Thursday as I waited to catch the bus at that same intersection.

Yes, I am the woman who solidly collided with the edge of the then upright sign. It happened as I attempted to hop up onto the curb so that I could walk a few feet to the bus. My left upper arm hit the edge of the sign so hard that I bounced right back onto the street, staying on my feet just fine. I adjusted my direction a little to the right, and then hopped onto the curb and walked to the waiting bus.

All of this had happened in full view of the bus driver, who asked as I stepped through the door, "Are you OK?" to which I replied, "Yes." Then I turned toward him so that he could see my upper arm straight on and asked, "Is there a hole in my sleeve?" "No," he replied. "Then I know that I'm OK. Thanks!" I said.

Just before we pulled away from the curb, I looked out the windshield and noticed that the top of the sign tilted to the right about 10 degrees, but I couldn't imagine that my running into it had caused that to happen; I vividly remembered feeling the length of the sign's edge when I hit it with my upper arm. However, after seeing what you see in the photo on Thursday, just two days after I had run into the sign, it appears that my hitting it so hard must have loosened the connection. I'll never know for sure.

Needless to say, I still have a bruise, but all of the soreness is gone. And, thankfully, on Wednesday, the company nurse managed quite professionally to give me my flu shot well away from the impact site.

Sunrise and sunset on October 17, 2012

Looking east on SE Hawthorne Blvd., near the intersection with SE Grand Avenue. I took this photo at 7:29 a.m.
 

Looking west from the top floor balcony at the Rose Garden Arena. I took this photo at 6:22 p.m. Notice the bit of blue to the left of the tallest antenna, down in the hillside?
 

Hiding in the sunset photo, it's Union Station. I cropped and altered the photo at PicMonkey so that you could see it, sort of.

Seen at Rose Garden Arena, October 17, 2012

My new seat as a sophomore season ticket holder affords me a great view of the action. I like it, sixth seat in from the aisle, front row, uppermost level, straight up from the right end of the Blazers' bench, facing the floor. Although according to the elevator, I'm on the 5th level up, prior to the pre-season home opener, I still managed with my zoom lens to get this photo of Portland Trail Blazers' legendary play-by-play announcer, Bill Schonely, and the Portland Trail Blazers' new head coach, Terry Stotts. It's obvious to me that they're glad to see each other and to be where they are in their lives.

About Mr. Bill Schonely, from Wikipedia: 

Bill Schonely (born June 1, 1929[1]), nicknamed "The Schonz", is an American sports broadcaster who was the first play-by-play announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers. A native of Pennsylvania, he worked in radio in Louisiana and Seattle before settling in Portland, Oregon. In addition to his work for the Blazers, he has also been a sportscaster for Major League Baseball games, several minor league baseball teams, college sports, National Hockey League games, and junior ice hockey.
Portland Trail Blazers
Early years In April 1970, Schonely was approached by Blazers co-founder Harry Glickman, whom Schonely knew as a founder of the Portland Buckaroos. Schonely was the organization's sixth hire. Said Glickman in a 2008 interview: "The interview only lasted a few minutes; he opened his mouth and I knew I had the right guy." Schonely moved to Portland to start with the team on July 1, 1970. Schonely's first task was to assemble a radio network, starting with Portland's KOIN as the flagship, and Blazer games were carried on six stations the first year. Schonely was not as familiar with basketball as with other sports, and had to work hard to learn the game, attending every practice early on. Schonely called the play-by-play on 2,522 Blazers radio and television broadcasts, from Portland’s very first preseason outing (September 24, 1970) to the team's appearance in the 1998 NBA Playoffs (April 30, 1998). Schonely's announcing streak was interrupted only once, when he missed the first 25 games of the 1982–83 season for heart bypass surgery following a heart attack. In 2003, Schonely returned to the team to appear in radio and television segments and act as a team ambassador at charity and community events.
Return to the Blazers
In 2003, Schonely was rehired by the Trail Blazers' new management, a move aimed at reconnecting with Blazers fans disenchanted by the previous management and players' off-court troubles. Schonely's role included hosting pre-game segments, "Memorable Moments" on television and "Blazers Flashback" on radio, plus appearances in advertisements and at community events. Team president Steve Patterson called the move "smart business" and intended to honor the team's past. The move followed general manager Bob Whitsitt's resignation in May. Asked whether he would have responded had the call come from Whitsitt, Schonely said at the time, "Probably not." On October 14, 2009, at age 80, Schonely returned to the microphone for the second half of a "throwback" exhibition game held at Portland's Memorial Coliseum, where the Blazers played from 1970 until 1995. The occasion was billed as a one-quarter tribute, but radio announcer Brian Wheeler let Schonely call the remainder of the game. Schonely's Trail Blazers business card reads, "Ambassador".
Popularity
According to Oregon sportswriter Kerry Eggers, Schonely is considered by fans "the one constant link with Oregon's only major-league team." NBA trainer Ron Culp said of Schonely in 1990, "Bill Schonely is the symbol of the love affair the fans have with the Trail Blazers. ... He's part of their immediate family. Everything else with the Blazers have changed over the past 20 years, but you just don't mess with the Schonz." Schonely is often compared to legendary announcers Chick Hearn and Johnny Most, of the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, respectively. At Schonely's induction to the 2002 Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, former Blazers center Bill Walton said: "Bill Schonely is as important to sports in the Northwest as Chick Hearn was to sports in Southern California. There are very few people in the history of Western Civilization who have had that kind of an impact." Walton also said: "Bill Schonely is the most important figure in the history of Oregon sports, with all due respect to Phil Knight and Maurice Lucas. Bill Schonely is the man who convinced people that sports are worthwhile." A restaurant in the Rose Garden is named in his honor, the Pyramid Taproom at Schonely's Place. The Trail Blazers organization retired Schonely's microphone on November 3, 2003. The 1992 Public Enemy album, Greatest Misses features the voice of Schonely calling Trail Blazer games on the track "Air Hoodlum."
Signature phrases
Schonely coined or popularized numerous phrases and sayings during his radio career with the Blazers, which have become synonymous with the Blazermania phenomenon in Oregon, including "Rip City," "Bingo Bango Bongo," "Climb the golden ladder," "Lickety brindle up the middle" and "You've got to make your free throws." Schonely's best-known phrase, "Rip City", debuted in a game against the Lakers in 1970. The Blazers had fallen behind by a significant margin, yet rallied back to a two-point deficit. When a long jump shot by guard Jim Barnett tied the game, Schonely blurted out, "Rip City! All right!" an exhortation for which Schonely had no literal explanation. The Blazers lost 136–114 but the phrase stuck, became synonymous with Blazers basketball and even became a nickname for Portland itself. Schonely is also known for the opening line of each broadcast, "Good evening basketball fans, wherever you may be..." delivered in some variation since the beginning of his professional sportscasting career in Baton Rouge.

About Coach Stotts, from Wikipedia:

Terry Stotts (born November 25, 1957) is an American retired professional basketball forward and current head coach for the Portland Trail Blazers of the NBA. His most recent head coaching job was with the Milwaukee Bucks. Stotts was fired by the Milwaukee Bucks on March 14, 2007. Before becoming the head coach of the Bucks, Stotts was an assistant for the Golden State Warriors, head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, assistant coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, and an assistant coach of the Seattle SuperSonics. Stotts played in Europe for a few years before becoming a SuperSonics assistant coach. He also was the star player for George Karl's CBA team, the Montana Golden Nuggets, in the early 1980s. The Dallas Mavericks hired Stotts as an assistant coach in September 2008. The Portland Trail Blazers hired Stotts as their head coach on August 7, 2012. The announcement was made by General Manager Neil Olshey. Stotts became the 14th head coach in Trail Blazers history. At the time, his NBA coaching record was 115–168. Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Stotts grew up in Illinois, Wisconsin, Guam, and Indiana and graduated from Bloomington High School North at Bloomington, Indiana in 1976. Stotts started all his four seasons with the University of Oklahoma Sooners basketball team and was an Academic All-American selection in his junior and senior seasons and an All-Big Eight Conference selection in his senior season. He graduated from Oklahoma in 1980 with a B.S. in zoology and a Master's in Business Administration from Oklahoma in 1988 on a postgraduate scholarship from the NCAA.

Seen in my neighborhood, September 29, 2012

Look at this gorgeous blue sky over the Albertina Kerr building, in my neighborhood. What more could one want--sunshine, blue skies, and sidewalks!

From their Web site, the About info: Every day, Albertina Kerr helps children, adults and families in Oregon with mental health challenges and developmental disabilities, empowering them to lead fuller, self-determined lives. Those who support us, whether employees, volunteers or donors, experience the joy of giving back to their community, knowing that more smiles grace more faces on more days because of their efforts. When we work together, we create something incredible. We create a community that's balanced and complete. We find what's truly wonderful in all of us.

Seen on the street, September 30, 2012

A Hudson parked at the curb beside a restaurant called 24th and Meatballs--at the intersection of NE 24th and NE Glisan.