Walked 3.49 Miles - Kennilworth Park

On my last walk to Westmoreland Park, I noticed that they had started to tear down the photo restoration place at 17th and Holgate. A few days ago, I heard on the news that an old wooden rail car had been discovered in the building. I knew that I had to check this out on today's walk. I can't believe the luck I had, but I talk more about that below. I ended up in Kennilworth Park and it was just the most beautiful day to walk.

Good life - I agree.





ABC, easy as 123





When I first walked past the rail car, I felt comfortable taking pictures of it even though there were worker bees everywhere. It had been on the news, I figured it was probably being photographed often. I took pictures from all sides and then walked on. 





I never get tired of taking pictures from the Holgate overpass.





At first I thought this was a bracelet. Nope, it's an earring.











I'm still fascinated by the sap on the trees at Kennilworth Park.





Today has been the most perfect day I've ever seen. This lyric by Radiohead was playing on my iphone; I stopped and took this picture. And I felt grateful for the day.








It was pretty overcast when I first walked by the rail car. The sun was fully out on the return trip, so I wanted to see if I could better shots. As I was taking pictures, a very nice, well dressed lady said that I could go inside the fence. Nobody would mind. Really? She said sure, go ahead. I didn't ask twice. I thanked her and went in. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. I'm grateful that I was able to go inside and see this bit of history. I didn't want to take advantage of this situation and only went in a few feet. The men in hard hats were nice, but they didn't look all that thrilled. I took a bunch of photos and then left after only a couple of minutes. I didn't want to wear out my welcome. 





Turns out the very nice lady was a reporter from Channel 12 (she's in blue, I wish I had gotten a better picture of her) and they were interviewing people about the rail car. I can't wait to watch the news tonight.





Only two more years to wait. 





But progress is happening fast! There are new curbs where the Semaphore used to be. It's getting easier to visualise the future tracks. 





This is a block from my house and I saw it yesterday when I was out running errands. I'm so glad it was still here today. It reminds me of Lord of the Flies.

Walked 5.57 Miles - Westmoreland Park

Today I headed to Westmoreland Park. Yesterday was an intense weather day with beautiful sun to monsoon downpours sometimes only moments apart from each other. It was pretty overcast when I started walking, but I took a hat and sunglasses just in case and I'm so glad I brought them both. I got very lucky and it only rained a bit. One the return trip home, I was treated with hail! So fun! It doesn't hail here too much and it's always a joy to see it.

My hummingbird was on the small tree in front of my house. He usually sits up crazy high in the neighbor's tree. He was close enough that I could see his beak open and close when he sang.





I walked along 17th to see how the Milwaukie-Portland Max construction was going. So much work! There are many groups working on different parts of the road. There were even flaggers in three different areas. 





It's getting to the point where it's almost too difficult to walk this street. There are so  many sidewalk closures. Crossing Holgate, I noticed that the digital archive building was being torn down. 








I found this pick up again in a completely different part of town. I can't wait to find it again.








I really dig this picture. Mushrooms on the side of a tree. They were about a foot over my head.





I walked up the Bybee bridge to see the MAX construction going on below. It's crazy to think there will be tracks here soon.





Here is a view from the north side of the bridge. The big metal thing on the left of this picture is hanging from the rig below and must be about 20 feet long if not longer. It will be pounded into the ground soon.





The park was pretty empty and the clouds rolled in pretty fast. Usually it's incredibly easy to take good pictures here. Today the ever changing weather and light made it tricky. 








These folks had a bag full of food for the birds. On the pole (very left) is a sign saying "don't feed the birds".








I didn't know that palm trees were so hairy. You don't see many of them in these parts.

Walked 2.64 Miles - West Hills of Brooklyn

This was a hard walk. I stayed close to home, because I wasn't really in the mood to walk. And after about 10 minutes, my legs were really hurting. It felt like I was walking through mud with cement shoes. Each step was a chore. I pushed myself a bit and gave myself a point in the distance to walk to before turning for home. 

I walk past this every morning on the way to the bus stop. I've made many mental notes to take a picture while walking. I finally remembered.




















My dog friend is now sporting a festive scarf.

Walked 3.93 Miles - Ladd's Addition

Today I walked to rent a movie at a nearby Redbox. We wanted to see the newest Bond movie Skyfall. I had 4 Redboxes to choose from and I decided to walk through Ladd's Addition to the 7-11 at 20th and Hawthorne. It was such a warm day and I wore shorts for the first time. 

This is a squirrel paradise. Besides this basket of sunflower seeds, there was also an apple for them to gnaw on.








I got to the 7-11 and my card wouldn't work in the machine. Hmm. I had just used the card the other day, so I knew it was fine. I asked the 7-11 dude and he said that the machine had been stuck for most of the day. So I headed to Safeway at 30th and Hawthorne and the next Redbox. 





That box didn't have Skyfall. So I headed home. I was grateful for the added blocks, because I walked passed the Sisters of Reparation house. I've only driven past it a couple of times and I always forget that it's there. It was great to walk by and take a few seconds to really look at this interesting place. 





Then I walked by a house with several Buddhas in the yard. 





And then I walked passed this house with a 15 foot tall pagan statute. I love Portland.

In the end, I did finally rent Skyfall. I drove to the other two Redboxes that were about two mile on other side of my house and they were both out. Finally I drove back to the 7-11 on Hawthorne. My card worked and I got my movie. 

Walked 6.10 Miles - Oaks Bottom Bluff

I had today off from work, because I'll be working this Saturday. It started off cloudy and I almost wore a hat thinking it could rain. I'm glad I didn't, because the sun came out and I quickly shed my coat. I decided to head to the Oaks Bottom Bluff, because I had time for a longer walk. At the SE Artwalk a few weeks ago, I had bought a print of the view of downtown Portland from the Bluff. I also drive by here often when I get sushi from Zenbu (I'm hardcore addicted to them). I haven't walked here for awhile and it seemed perfect for today.

I look forward to walking past this house. They decorate for every holiday. Even this little shrub in front is always dressed up too.








I assumed this was going to be more Occupy literature, and I was surprised to see this. While I'm blogging this post, I'm watching a documentary on Joan Baez and she's singing It Ain't Me, Babe with Bob Dylan. What a funny coincidence. 




















I love this so much! This is the poster for the upcoming Llewellyn school auction. 





I finally got up the nerve to walk through the big lot just North of Portland Memorial Chapel. I've always wanted to check out the view from there, but sadly there isn't much of one. I do love the big trees that are on this lot. 





Oaks Parks is in the background. 





This is the view of my print. We refer to Downtown as "Oz" from this vantage point. 





I spent a bit of time hanging out on the bluff. It's just a beautiful area. You can even see Mt. St. Helen today (to the left of the dark green trees in the background).





While looking over the bluff and standing directly under this tree, lots and lots of crows started landing above me. The noise was deafening. There must have been 100 crows. 

Walked 4.02 Miles - Ladd's Addition

Another beautiful day in Portland. This is my backyard. The clouds were just amazing. It was warm enough to walk in short sleeves. I headed to Ladd's Addition to find some shade. I'm sad that the cold crisp sunny days seem to be ending. 

Occupy literature is popping up everywhere in Brooklyn. I wonder if this is happening in other parts of the city. 








There was a house here just a few days ago. I'm curious what the new house will look like.








It's weird to see this building which was always hidden by the building that used to stand in the foreground. The landscape is constantly changing. 











Things seem to be wrapping up in this spot for now. The big hole is gone! And look at those clouds. Just amazing.














A few weeks ago I wouldn't have known what this means. Now that I've been to a Timbers game (and loved every minute of it), I know this stands for Portland Timbers Football Club. I can't wait to go to another game.














I almost didn't notice these tiny mushrooms. Looking straight down at them, they looked like pebbles. 





The whole neighborhood smelled of Daphne.








Night construction is starting on the 17th Ave overpass. This is one last look on the sketchy walkway along Powell that goes under the train tracks. I never walked here. Lots of homeless folks hang out here and with the switchbacks, you couldn't know what you'd walk into. The new path will not have switchbacks and will be well lit. 





Detours are everywhere. The new overpass will be open this fall. I can't wait. 

Walked 3.06 Miles - West Hills of Brooklyn

 

 

The sun was out and and flowers are starting to bloom. This was a great walk in the West Hills of Brooklyn. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turkey Tail Mushrooms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This looked like it was handmade out of duct tape.

 

 

 

This is the very first cat I took a picture of on my walks. It was great to run in to her today. 

 

 

I'm starting to see these around the neighborhood. I'm curious about this program. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walked 4.4 Miles - SE Art Walk

The SE Art Walk is one of my favorite events. Now in its 10th year, this self guided tour of artists' studios, taking place the first weekend in March, has more than 80 artists participating. This is the first year that Greg and I have walked the event. In years past, we'd drive to an area and walk from there. The art walk has grown so much and now there are enough folks participating close to home that we decided to walk. The map of the event is much larger than this section, but this is the area we walked. I'm dork and filled our route in with a dashed line. We ended up seeing 46 artists in all.

The day started off with street art. I found a new face that I hadn't seen before. There are now at least 3 faces here at the corner of Poawell and Milwaukie. I was bummed to see the very cool face at Oaks Bottom has been removed. 





Our first stop was at the very cool Ford Building. We got muffins at Ford Food + Drink, and then checked out the three artists located in the building.














I even  made a page. "I'm too fly not to fly" is one of my favorite lines by Saul Williams.

The signs and green balloons were so helpful. Artists were in stores, coffee shops, their own studios and houses or hosted in homes by friends. The boundary of the Art Walk is from 9th to 39th Ave from Hawthorne to Divison. I love walking in this area.





Yesterday was cloudy and kind of stormy. We were so lucky to have practically perfect weather for our walk.





I really like this fiber installation. So intricate. We saw so many different mediums along the walk. 





One of the best things about the Art Walk is you get to go into some really cool houses. This house built in 1928 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the Interior National Park Service. 





A few churches were also involved and could house several artists. It felt like a craft fair at this church.

















This totally caught my eye. The picture on the pole is a picture of the video mural in the background. I love a picture within a picture. 





I couldn't believe it when I found another outside of St. Jack's at 21st and Clinton. Such a brilliant idea. I wish I would have thought of it first.





Art is everywhere.





We stopped for lunch at Gordito's and topped off the day with a cider from Apex. I couldn't have asked for a better day. I ended up buying a few things. I love this print of downtown Portland from the Oaks Bottom Bluff. It's one of my very favorite vistas. We refer to Portland as Oz when we see it from here. Now I need to figure out where to hang it.