Trainyard

I wonder how many Union Stations there are in the country? This one is in Portland, OR, with the Fremont and Broadway bridges behind. .

The Weekend in Black and White

In the Pink Shadows

Al fresco tables and chairs are a common shadow sight around here (when there is sun)  -- but I loved the bright pink background for these.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Window Views - 12-16-09

Mary T hosts Window Views.











Building, downtown Portland, taken from my car. The name near the top is Sengstake. I haven't yet been able to find out much about the name, other than some local residents by that name.

Monochrome Weekend- 12-12-09

The Monochrome Weekend explores black and white.






The Eastbank Esplanade.

Color Carnival - 12-04-09

Martha hosts this meme about color.



Portland is awash with wonderful colorful murals. Here's one on a garage in front of an apartment building. I don't know who the artist is, and it changes from time to time. The art on this side reminds me of some of Shaun Tan's art.

I wonder what's on that roof....

Weekend Reflections 11-20-09

Weekend Reflections hosted by James. I love catching reflections in windows, mirrors, water, raindrops, so this meme called to me.


Another Portland building reflection , taken out my car window (no, not moving; I was at a stoplight!):

Looking at the Sky - Friday - 11-20-09

hosted by Tisha






On the Eastbank Esplanade - a light standard and some of the last blue sky for awhile.

Ruby Tuesday - 11-16-09: Up on the roof

MaryT/theteach hosts this weekly event - photographs of all things red.







Sunset view from the rooftop of a local department store looking down on the many red lights and signs on SE Hawthorne Blvd.

Monochrome Weekly 11-16-09

The Monochrome Weekly explores black and white.







Downtown Portland:

Mellow Yellow Monday 11-09-09: The Little Tug that Could

Mellow Yellow Monday links are here.

If a tugboat is pushing a barge, is it then a pushboat?

Weekend Reflections 11-06-09

Weekend Reflections hosted by James. I love catching reflections in windows, mirrors, water, raindrops, so this meme called to me.


Downtown Portland from the east bank of the Willamette River:

More Adventures with Jientje

First thing this morning, Jientje rearranged my cottage! And then spent some time reading blogs. I think she feels lost without her internet connection.


After some time shopping on Hawthorne Blvd., we went down to the Willamette River Esplanade and walked along the river taking photos and laughing.


It was warm! Jientje's feet got too warm, but of course she was ready with her flip-flops!




Now we know why Jientje loves butterflies - she is one!

Right now we're in Salem visiting Alida and her kids Luke and Isabella. More photos of that trip coming later!

Jientje Arrives!

Our Belgian friend Jientje arrived in Portland today, one of the stops on her 3 week American adventure. Jientje and I "met" sometime last year as we participated in some of the same photo challenges and admired each other's work.

The plan was for her to arrive last night, but the gods had other ideas and she was stranded in Washington DC overnight (albeit in a pretty comfy looking hotel!).

I caught up with her at United Airlines lost and found, where she reunited with her luggage that had preceded her to Portland.

Before we'd gone two miles, Jientje spotted some neighborhood art she wanted to photograph.

And before I knew it, she was wandering into the back yard taking photos!

I gently explained to her that Americans tended to be pretty private and protective about their yards. Fortunately, no pit bulls were involved.

Next stop was a local coffeeshop. Jientje was amazed to see almost every customer using a laptop. I've grown accustomed to the sight, but she said if she did that in Belgium, people would be shocked and would gossip about her!



Then it was home with a hearty greeting from Liza the wonder puppy, Laurie, Tara and Ms. P and Mr. M. Jientje introduced Ella to us.

Ella is traveling around the world with a variety of friends. She arrived in Portland last night, ahead of Jientje, and spent a lonely night in baggage claim.

Jientje immediately recognized Ms. P's potential as a photographer.


We headed up the street to shop for some dinner items. Jientje got a little taste of our neighborhood, one of the more vibrant and creative areas in Portland.

When we left Pastaworks, we happened upon three young men boogieing to a boombox.

Not only a photo op for Jientje, but a dancing op too! There she is, dancing in the street (well, almost).


Tired (Jientje's had about 3 hours sleep in the last 48 hours, plus jet lag), home to a lovely meal of sausage and cheese and bread, with the cupcakes saved from last night.

Next up: more of Portland in the morning and then a trip to Salem to visit Alida. Stay tuned for more adventures!

Ruby Tuesday - 05-04-09: Broadway Hotel

MaryT/theteach hosts this weekly event - photographs of all things red.








Broadway Hotel, downtown Portland.

Monochrome Monday - 05-04-09

Monochrome Maniacs explore black and white.







Portland's aerial tram "tracks." The Willamette River is down below.

Ellipsis Photo Shoot and Nature Notes: Earth Day

This week Carly from Ellipsis invites us to celebrate Earth Day by showing something in the natural world that we particularly appreciate. I love living in a place where we can see sights like this on clear days; or be on a beach at the Pacific Ocean in a little over an hour. Forests, mountains, deserts, rivers, lakes, ocean beaches - we have it all here in a small circumference. I love Oregon.


Mt. Hood. Taken from Mt. Tabor - a Portland park near our house - yesterday, Tuesday April 21st.

Combining this with Michelle's Nature Notes for this week.

Round Robin - In Flight

Our Round Robin challenge this time is to photograph something IN FLIGHT.





This might be stretching the theme a bit - this is taken from the loading dock of the Portland Aerial Tram - the outgoing ship has just left the dock. You definitely have a sense of flying in the gondola.

Sepia Scenes 04-15-09: Hollywood Theatre

Sepia Scenes is hosted by Mary T, who also hosts the fabulous Ruby Tuesday.







The Hollywood Theatre is an icon in Portland. Built in 1926 in the fashion of the great movie palaces, it has remained a popular movie and concert venue in one of Portland's most active neighborhoods. I can't tell you how many times I've driven or walked by or into this theater and never really noticed the work of art that it is. I knew it was elaborate, even a bit gaudy. But until I aimed my zoom lens at it this week, I had no idea what the details looked like. And, of course, it begged for sepia!

The top piece:



One of several arched niches:



The center piece:


Middle left (duplicated on the right side, but with different figures):



Upper right side, duplicated on the left (of course, I had to play with a little half-sepia!):



This is the original marquee (photo from Oregon History Project):

Unfortunately, they've mucked it up with a big sign and more modern marquee:



Some information from the Oregon History Project:

The Hollywood was designed by the architectural firm of Bennes & Herzog of Portland. The style has been described as “Byzantine,” but is better characterized as Spanish Colonial Revival. It was constructed of poured concrete, but the entrance was topped by an elaborate tower of polychrome (colored) terra cotta with arched niches flanked by turned pillars. The two-story street side of the theater was capped by roof tiles that carried out the Spanish Colonial theme. Most theaters of this size were located in downtown areas, but the Hollywood was sited in a neighborhood shopping district that was well served by both streetcar and automobile.