Walked 4.04 Miles - Hawthorne

Happy May Day! I've always love this day. I grew up leaving flowers on neighbors' doorsteps, ringing the bell, and running away. I've only done this once or twice as an adult. I'm always surprised when people have never heard of this tradition. 

This cat's eyes are enormous. I'm really starting to get into photographing the cats I see on my walks. It would be fun to have a whole collection of neighborhood cats.





The American Heating building is about halfway down. Gideon is starting to become bare. The very large brick building is still left. It will be wild when that, the last building standing on that side of the street, is gone.











Since it was May Day, I wanted to head to Hawthorne to see if I could find any May Day stuff.








I do not agree with this statement. Everyone needs to vote and be heard. I'm waiting for my May ballot to arrive in the mail, so I can vote 'No' to fluoride in our water. 





I love walking around this Buddhist Temple. It's so beautiful and peaceful.








One pane is not like the others.








I haven't seen the duct tape camper in ages. The last time I saw it, there was just the sun and flowers. I'm curious to see what this will look like when it's all done. 





What a nice surprise. 

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 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. 

Walked 3.72 Miles - Ladd's Addition

 

 

On this walk, I headed to Ladd's Addtion. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Winter Daphne is starting to bloom. One of the best smells ever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I tried really hard to get a picture of this plastic rat with the cat sitting next to it. The cat was too friendly to cooperate. 

 

 

 

 

Another Little Free Library. I always shake my fists when I see Infinite Jest. I read the entire thing (over 1000 pages) and just didn't get it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the green doors on this church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Omakase at Boxer Sushi is really just a wonderful thing. I highly recommend it. At 20th and Hawthorne, it's a great addition to the neighborhood. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A three hour tour, a three hour tour. I couldn't get that out of my head after seeing this toy boat.

 

 

 

 

A very good year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was painted in many places long an alley. I don't know if it's suppose to mean anything.

 

 

 

 

I was sad to see this piece that I've taken pictures of before was destroyed. I'm so curious about the story behind this.

 

 

Walked 3.33 Miles - Ladd's Addition

Today was blustery. While it rained most of my walk, it was so light that a true Portlander wouldn't call it rain. I enjoyed the wind and it really wasn't that cold. I headed to Ladd's Addition and had a very nice walk.

I wanted to see if this very large building was completely gone. Nope, there is about a half of a block to go. It's been so amazing to see this building disappear bit by bit.








May peace prevail on Earth





I'm pretty much in love with this picture.





I tweaked this picture quite a bit, so you'd be able to see this squirrel. I knew when I was taking it that the squirrel was horribly back lit, but he was just so cute that I didn't care. He would run away and then come back. He did this a couple of times until he finally leaned out on his feeder to see me better. We stared at each other for a while until I decided to head on my way.





Color is so rare this time of year. Such a treat.











This is so Portland! This is a brand new supply store for bee keepers...that has applied for a liquor license. Rad. I will be definitely checking back once they've gotten their license.











I  just finished reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed. Cheryl walked 1100 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail. Amazing. I've thought a lot about this book on my walks. My mom-in-law is currently preparing for her own long distrance trek. I'm so inspired by this concept. I don't know if it's for me, but who knows? I'm definitely not ruling it out. 

Walked 3.64 Miles - Industrial SE

Today I decided to forgo the pedestrian streetlight at 13th and head down to Powell and Milwaukie to cross into Industrial SE. Well, it turns out waiting for the pedestrian streetlight is much faster than at Milwaukie. I had to cross the street three times to get to where I wanted go. Not efficient, but I always love to see the Benson Bubbler - the only one on the Eastside of the Willamette. Yay, Brooklyn! 





I also got to see one of these faces again. They are really just so great. This face is about a half an inch tall. So easy to miss, but such a treat to find. That is the beauty of street art.





The little blob in the picture is a bald eagle. I've seen one a couple of times farther East on Clinton. I've never seen one so close to home. I wonder how many are in the area. 





I walked down 12th to Hawthorne, then meandered around 9th and 10th until Belmont. My natural inclination is to tuck into Ladd's Addition and stay off of busy streets. I've walked Ladd's so many times that it's time to branch out a bit more. 





This walk felt much more urban and there were so many great things to see.





These railroad stakes were staking a small tree. There were probably 15 stakes in all circling the tree.








I'm always drawn to locks and interesting metal works. I've never seen a padlock with a chain this thick. It really was pretty impressive.











This caught my eye and I changed direction to see it more closely. I'm kind of in love with the exclamation mark. 





I turn the corner of the building and find this inverted mural. 








Goats! I can't believe it's taken me this long to walk down to the goats at 12th and Belmont. I didn't intend to end up here and I really didn't expect to see goats this time of year. It was cold out. Such a great idea for the city. Several people stopped to take pictures along side of me.





The things you see while waiting for the light to change.





This was very sad to find on 12th ave. It's a good reminder to make sure cars see me when I'm crossing streets, especially in the winter when it gets dark so early.





Even the bikes are festive here.





As I mentioned before, it was freaking cold out. I wore my brand new gloves that my mom-in-law got me for Christmas. You can wear them and use your iphone! They are simply amazing and made for a much cozier walk.

Walked 4.35 Miles - to Belmont

Today I had the intention of walking basically due North, but once I had crossed Hawthorne a huge black cloud started heading my way, so I turned East and just meandered with no clear direction. I quickly shed my coat after walking only about 10 minutes. It was really such a great day to walk. Towards the end, the wind picked up and I felt a few sprinkles. Both were so refreshing and I was grateful to not get too hot.





I climbed around on the new addition to the Brooklyn skate park. This is the first time I've been here in ages that no one was skating. I took the this opportunity to explore.





I'm standing in the original part, the bowl in the background is brand new. I love to see this skate park grow. I think it's really great for our area.


















I found another 1903 - on a stretch I've walked many times. 














Such festive decorations in this beautiful church.





Holiday dog walking signs were posted all over the area.








Col Summers Park is at 20th and Belmont. I saw these leaves 2 blocks away and just had to do a shadow shot. The ground was crazy soggy and I had to step carefully not to sink down to my ankles.








Dr. Locke must have been very important back in the day. I've never seen a raised block like this before. The house behind it was huge and gorgeous. I imagine Dr. Locke tying up his horse here.





The construction for the new Max line continues. 

Walked 4.07 Miles - Ladd's Addition

 

 

I took about a week off of walking.  A heat wave hit Portland and the thought of walking in such hot weather (it was 102 on Saturday) was just not appealing. You know what a wimp I am in the heat. It did spark me to start up Pilates again. I'm so happy about that. That along with riding my bike more has really helped me diversify my exercise. I'm hoping to build more strength and stamina to keep my leg pain at bay.

 

For today's walk, the heat had really come down. It was still hot, but not unbearable. I was still a sweaty mess by the end, of course. I headed to Ladd's Addition to find more shade. I walked through Ladd's and paralleled Hawthorne up to 30th.

 

 

 

 

Heading to Ladd's Addition also let me spy on the construction. This is the first time I've walked on the new transitional sidewalk very close to where the overpass used to be. It's amazing how much this landscape has already changed. I'm finding it hard to remember it when there were buildings here.

 

 

 

 

A temporary light pole held in this cement block by shims.

 

 

 

 

I want to sneak up here when the worker crews are gone to get a closer look at where the overpass used to be. They were watching it much to closely today to venture over the barriers.

 

 

 

 

This building sits pretty much exactly where the 12th street max stop will be. I've always liked this building.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took a closer look at the Abernathy school - built in 1925. This was the first time I've walked by and there were no kids playing. This is a pretty school and it's fun to see all the small things they have done to make it more personal.

 

 

 

 

I've been seeing these mushrooms on so many trees.  They are kind of weird looking. It almost looks like they are plastered on the side of the tree.

 

 

 

 

 

Magical sidewalk art

 

 

 

 

Ladd's Addition has a lot of these trap door type things. I'm sure they are access to utilities. They have the same rings used for the old horse posts and must be close to 100 years old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This plant was enormous! It made me feel like I was in the tropics. It helped that I was quite sweaty at this time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bear! I find it really hard to believe that a bear was spotted here. Granted, it's possible, but highly unlikely. I found it curious that all of the tabs were taken.

 

 

 

 

Sid and Nancy kept me company for the very long wait at the pedestrian sidewalk.

 

 

Walked 3.45 - Ladd's Addition

 

 

This is the 17th street overpass.  I have walked along this ugly loud stretch any time I've wanted to venture North of Powell.   I always have to turn up the audio of my book, because the traffic is so loud.  I also always keep a close eye, because folks could be sleeping anywhere along this stretch.

 

 

 

 

I wanted to document the area, because by the end of the month it will be gone!  In order to make way for the new MAX line, this overpass will be demolished and a new overpass will be built.  This means that for the next year, I will not be walking in this area at all.  I'll have to use the lame, slow pedestrian light at 13th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love seeing all of the lavender in bloom.  I like to run my fingers across a patch like this and then my hands will smell good for the rest of my walk.  

 

 

 

 

I'm amazed at all of the painted cars I see on my walks.  Is this a Portland thing?  Or do other cities also have lots of funky cars?

 

 

 

 

Yarn Bombing!  International Yarn Bombing Day is June 11th.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

I walked through Ladd's Addition to Hawthorne and then turned around to head home.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was very tempted to eat a raspberry, but I was good and kept on walking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus wants you to pick up your crap.  Hilarious!

 

 

 

 

The Brooklyn Skate Park is getting a new addition!  How cool!  There was also a brand new cement bench as well.  I can't wait to see how this space grows over time.  

 

 

Rock and Roll Half Marathon

 

 

The inaugural Rock and Roll Half Marathon was finally here!  We have been planning for this for ages.  There were 5 runners in our group: Greg, my sis, my mom-in-law, Greg's best friend, and my mom-in-law's best friend.  Since I wasn't going to use my bib, due to my bum ankle, I gave my bib to my mom-in-law's best friend.  I'm so glad it could go to use since it was already paid for.  

 

 

 

 

Here is the traditional walking over the Hawthorne bridge before the race picture.  We always park on the East side for any race.  Since this course took place mostly in SE, it was harder than usual to find parking since many roads were closed.  We had 6 in my car which made for quite the adventure.  We only drove less than 2 miles to park, but it was stressful trying to find roads that were open.

 

 

 

 

There were 24corals in total.  The first was titled E for Elite.  My group queued up in coral 20 and 22.  This was actually very lucky for me.  Since they were so far in the back, I was able to walk back to the Hawthorne bridge and get positioned to take their pictures.

 

 

 

 

The Portland Spirit sat next to the Hawthorne bridge and kept blowing its horn.  Passengers on the deck were all cheering the runners.

 

 

 

 

There were thousands and thousands of people in this race!  This is what I saw for a solid 30 minutes.  It was by sheer luck that I was able to spot all 5 of our team.  

 

 

 

 

From my first position on the bridge, I was able to turn around and walk about 10 feet to the next spot where I could see our team.  Again, I was able to take pictures of all 5 of our team.  It was great to cheer them on!

 

 

 

 

After seeing our last team member head over the bridge, I headed to 8th and Hawthorne.  This was the  only other spot that I was easy for me to walk to and see people.  The rest of the route went straight up Hawthorne and then looped around and came down Burnside.  There would be no way for me to get ahead of them without driving and that was a whole mess that I didn't want to have to deal with.  

 

I stopped for a few minutes to watch these baby geese.  So adorable!

 

 

 

 

Looking up the hill of Hawthorne made me really glad that I wasn't racing. Just the few miles I walked to talk pictures was a lot for my bum ankle.  I was a tad sad that I wasn't able to participate, but mostly I was just hugely relieved.   I was especially relieved when our best runner was amazed at  how hilly the course was.

 

 

 

 

I headed back downtown (stopping to use the bathroom at Burger King - so good!) to the finish line.  I met up with friends and family who had come down to support our team.  I had wanted to be stationed right at the finish line, but it was so insanely loud that there was no way I could stay there for hours.  We opted for a spot about a block before the finish line.  I cheered folks on for hours and hours.  It's so great to get caught up in the collective spirit.  

 

The day had started off with a few raindrops, but then it was pretty darn right miserable.  I was only in a t-shirt and shorts (it wasn't cold) and I was drenched by the end.  The only thing that was annoying about the rain was worrying about getting my camera wet.

 

 

 

 

I'm so proud of our whole group!  I'm especially proud of  my sis (on the left), because she only started running in February.  I'm glad I was able to be the coordinator for the team and make sure everything went smoothly.  If I had run, the whole day would have been much more convoluted.  The whole day was lots of fun and I'm so glad we took part in this race.

 

 

Walked 4.50 Miles - Across the Hawthorne Bridge

 

 

Today I decided to head down to the waterfront.  It was beautiful morning and the air was crisp.  I really couldn't ask for better weather.  

 

 

 

 

I love that you can see the blue sky and fluffy white clouds in the reflection of the doors. 

 

 

 

 

This is such a cool pickup.  It was completely painted and so very detailed.  I hope to see it again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I checked on the bridge progress.  

 

 

 

 

Yesterday on the way home from work, Greg came upon a small crowd of people in the street.  When he got closer he saw two baby river otters. The mother had left and folks were trying to figure out how to return the babies to the water.  How incredible!  I had no idea that there are river otters in the Willamette.  That's so great.  Today I saw these signs posted along the stretch of path between the Opera House and OMSI, where the construction is taking place.  It was sad to see.  I really hope that Oscar and his family are able to be relocated to a new home.

 

 

 

 

 

I texted Greg when I was about 5 minutes from his office.  He was able to pop down and chat for a few minutes.  That was great fun.  

 

 

 

 

Walking under the Marquam bridge is always mind boggling.  The sheer noise of the freeway is both overwhelming and also kind of soothing.  It definitely makes me feel small.

 

 

 

 

I decided to cross the Hawthorne and then turn around and head for home. This is really a great bridge to cross and the views are stunning.

 

 

 

 

This crossing signal is in the middle of the bridge.  I've been stuck here, when the bridge has gone up, many times.

 

 

 

 

I think this barbed wire is fascinating.  The top wire was very different from the standard fare.  

 

 

 

 

The Aladdin Theater is my favorite venue in town.  It's 5 blocks from my house, there are seats (yes, I'm old), and they even have beer and pizza. Not to mention amazing artists perform here; I've seen some incredible shows.  I always take a picture of the marquee of each show I go to.  I walk by this building all the time, but never think to take a picture during the day.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a large row of Calla lilies in front of the dry cleaners on Milwaukie.  I've admired these flowers for years.  They are really quite amazing.  I took a few pictures and was starting to walk away when a man ran out of the dry cleaners and started talking loudly.   At first I thought he was going to yell at me for being in his flowers.  Instead he was trying to get me to stop, so he could cut some flowers to give me.   It was really just a great moment and made my whole day.  

 

 

 

 

 

Walked 6.14 Miles - To Bagdad

 

 

It was another stunningly beautiful day in Portland.  I was happy to have the day off from work (I'm working this weekend and won't get to run with my sis) and I treated the morning like it was a Saturday by decided to go on a longer walk.  I need to start upping my mileage, because May is just around the corner.  I'm struggling with allowing myself to go on walks for multiple hours.  I feel guilty, especially since life is so very busy right now.  I don't feel (as) guilty when I read for hours.  Walking, like reading, is an activity I view as selfish.  I'm trying to change the mind set by reminding myself that walking is time well spent.  I get an immediate pay off, because I always feel better afterward.  Also, the exercise will only help me as I age. So I'm going to start adding on those miles and if I'm out for 2, 3 or even 4 hours, that's not a bad thing.  

 

 

 

 

 

I decided to walk to Hawthorne and then up to 39th.  This is part of the route for the Rock and Roll half in May.  To be quite frank, I'm very nervous about the hill up Hawthorne.  It climbs forever.  I'm going to start incorporating this into my walks to get used to that climb.  I had to cross Powell at the pedestrian signal at 13th.  I hate this signal.  It takes forever to change (I watched a guy walk three blocks and I was still waiting for the light to change) and it's hard to wait that long.  I used to avoid it by walking on the overpass on 17th.  Now, due to the construction this route has been closed for a couple of weeks.  I hope it's reopened soon.

 

 

 

 

I'm still deeply engrossed in listening to Atlas Shrugged on my walks.   I seem to find references to the book everywhere.  Slug is Francisco D' Anconia's nickname for Dagny Taggart.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was walking in Kanye land.  I saw so many stickers, but I was amazed to find this yellow Kanye tape.  It's great to see a different form of this street art.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I saw this, the first thing that popped into my head is that this person wouldn't be bored if they picked up a book.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didn't actually walk on Hawthorne.  It's way too busy for my liking.  I walked on Madison which is a block North.  I was so happy to walk past this Buddhist center.  I remember walking through here many years ago when it was being remodeled.  It's such a beautiful space.  I want to come back when the lighting is different to see if I can get better pictures of the stone dogs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This has always been one of my favorite houses.  The last time I saw it, it was painted white.

 

 

 

 

This was a treat!  I walk past these horse hoops (back in the day, folks would tie their horse up to these) all the time, but I've never seen one off the ground.  I was definitely walking in a fancier part of town.

 

 

 

 

The fanciness continued with these names imprinted into the walkway stairs.  I've never noticed this before.  They were all along Madison.  So interesting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I'm pretty sure this is Falcor from Neverending Story.  There were two benches here and both were amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I figured this was a good spot to turn around.   

 

 

 

 

My dear friend's birthday is today.  I remember going to her house on one of her birthdays for a Harold and Maude party.  I think we were 19.  I feel so old seeing that a 35mm screening is special thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Clinton is another local institution.  I remember seeing Rocky Horror Picture show here as a teenager.  Driving to SE (from Multnomah village) was always a long, scary trek at that age.  Now that thought just makes me laugh.

 

 

 

 

Walked 4.40 Miles - Belmont

 

The last 2 weeks has been sheer chaos at my job.  I worked long hours and it's been a pretty stressful time.  I just didn't have the time or energy to walk last week.  My big project ended today and I was able to leave work before noon.  When thinking how I could treat myself since I had a gloriously free afternoon, the first thing that I really wanted to do was walk.  Just the idea of it sounded so nice.  Which, I have to admit, I surprised myself with this idea.

 

 

It was a dry, almost sunny day.  I decided to head North to Belmont.  I hadn't ventured past Hawthorne all that much and decided I should spread my wings a little.  It was really just a great walk.

 

 

I think one reason my walk was so pleasant is that I started listening to an audio version of Atlas Shrugged.  I read the book last year and just fell in love.  My mom-in-law got me the audio version for Christmas.  Listening to a book while I walked let me turn my brain off.  I didn't think about work, or really anything else for that matter, and it was so nice to get caught up in a story.  I can't wait to listen to more.

 

I looked up and realized I was on Taggart street - which is the last name of the protagonist in Atlas Shrugged.  What a funny coincidence!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is hands down my favorite Kanye sticker so far.   I was so surprised by all the street art I found on my walk today.  Definitely more than in my hood. I had to stop myself from taking pictures of all the cool things I found.  

 

 

Eek!  1904!  I couldn't believe I found this.  I am still looking for 1906 and 1905.

 

 

I had just watched a news article talking about Portland's 39 community gardens.  I passed 2 of these gardens on this walk.  I can't wait for Brooklyn to get our community garden which is currently in the works.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love walking down alleys.  It's so peaceful and I never know what I will find.

 

 

 

I love this garage door.  

 

 

It is well established that I'm a bit obsessed with moss.  This is in the perfect shape of a horse shoe.  

 

 

I found this on the Brooklyn pedestrian bridge.  I had seen it before, but my picture didn't turn out well.  I finally got one that I liked which is good because I had to stand precariously on the steps which was giving me vertigo.  Kind of scary, but worth it.

 

 

 

With all the MAX construction starting to happen, I'm afraid that riding the bus will be a bit harder for awhile.  Last week I didn't realize that my bus stop was closed, because I catch the bus in the dark and I didn't see the sign.  Luckily, the very cranky bus driver did stop for me, but gave me an earful.

 

 

Speaking of construction, I put up a picture of this building that had been boarded up a week or so ago.  Now it's coming down!  Change is definitely happening fast!

Walked 4.22 Miles

 

 

We  had a rash of hot weather, so I was excited to walk in the morning to try and beat the heat.  I decided to head to the waterfront which, for some reason, I never walk to.  I forget just how close we are to the Esplanade and the river.  I went for a longer walk and really enjoyed my time along the river.  I even got to stop by my husband's work to say a quick hello.

 

 

 

I'd been wanting to get a closer at this mural on Powell for some time.  It's really great.   

 

 

 

 

The painting continues down to the sidewalk which is just darn cool.   

 

 

 

 

 I also liked that on a mural with huge subjects, there were still small details that caught my eye.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's so nice that the construction over the 99E viaduct is done.  It had been ongoing for several years.  The entire thing is beautiful and I love these pointy tower things.  

 

 

 

 

It's kind of strange that I think having a submarine a mile from ones house is normal.  So normal that I just take for granted that it's there.  Looking through my pics, it really hit me how crazy it is that we have a submarine in downtown Portland.  And the dock is public access, so you can get close to it easily. 

 

 

 

 

I did the Jet Boats once when family was visiting.  I'd love to do it again. Besides the thrill of going fast on the water, you also get to see some very cool things.

 

 

 

 

I know I'm biased, but I think Portland is just stunning.  And I adore the newly painted 100 year old Hawthorne Bridge.

 

 

 

 

 There is construction on the Morrison Bridge and it was great to see this bridge in the air.  I've rarely seen it go up.

 

 

 

 

The Willamette was so low!  There were exposed beaches that I had never seen before.  This fire pit is huge!  I'm sure there were some great parties around it. 

 

 

 

 

I always make a point to see Vera when I'm on the Esplanade.  Today she looked dapper with a leaf broach. 

 

 

 

 

Coming back I had another chance to shoot the Hawthorne. 

 

 

 

 

This horse lives just about 2 blocks from me.  I can't believe I've never spotted him before!

Walked 10.02 Miles

 

My mom-in-law came up to walk 10 miles with us.  We were lucky that it wasn't raining when we started.  10 miles is a lot of ground to cover.  Our trek took us from the Brooklyn neighborhood to Oaks Bottom to the Springwater Corridor to Ladd's Addition to Belmont to Laurelhurst Park to Hawthorne to Clinton and then back home to Brooklyn.  We had two small bouts of freezing hard rain (with a bit of hail mixed in), but for the most part it was a beautiful day.  It was so nice to walk with my mom-in-law.  Good conversation made the 3.5 hour walk seem much shorter.  My mom-in-law is starting to think about walking a full marathon.  Eek!  We are talking about maybe training for one next year.  On a very happy note, this is the first time I've walked in months without any major pain.  It's amazing how much more enjoyable walking is when you are pain free.  Yes, my legs were sore and I was tired from the 10 miles, but it's a huge difference from being in sharp, blinding pain.  For the first time, I'm starting to look forward to half marathon.