Wandering downtown, we found a bookstore that was, unfortunately, closed. Pioneer Courthouse, which is across the street from Pioneer Courthouse Square. Apparently the grand hotel that was there was torn down in the ’50s to be replaced by a parking lot. In the ’70s, the block was reclaimed as a public space. The gate is …
Author Archives: swan
Sauvie Island
Sauvie Island. A bit out of the way if you’re visiting Portland, but quiet, pretty, and I found a nice dry camping spot, with abundant blackberries. And there were farms down the road with blueberry picking, which is of course more fun when other people do the work for you. Especially transit. She didn’t discover …
The main street of Seal Rock
Chicken, anyone? … I should have gone for the chicken. Seal Rock storefronts rely heavily on cardboard cutouts. Most of them are odd. But at least this one made sense. And wasn’t as questionable as some of the others. I wonder what the sushi shop used to be. And who Papa John is, …
Seal Rock
A successful alley dock from the right; no spotter. My view of the ocean while BBQing. … and dinner. Followed by a walk to see the sunset and sea lions at Seal Rock. At least I’m told they were sea lions. And then there was minus tide. I woke up early for this. I …
Cape Blanco
Another day, another lighthouse. Another claim to being the most westerly. Only this one lost that distinction after advances in geolocation. I’m told Cape Flaherty lighthouse wins by 5 inches. So now they emphasize that Cape Blanco is the oldest and most westerly in Oregon. Another Fresnel lens, made in France, as most …
Gold Beach; or, A windy place to eat fish
I thought I might blow away, so after eating fresh fish at the old cannery, I walked some more.
Nostalgia
The difference a day makes
Ferndale
Cows always make me feel at home. At least, they smell like home. Aside from the lovely farmland, Ferndale is quaint. There are lots of Victorian buildings and even a homey post office. (As well as other public services.) The food is passable, and comes with “old time camaraderie”, at least according …
Ukiah; or, The loss of public spaces.
“Next door to Willits, two towns that sound like diseases you don’t want.” Where the community mostly preserved its downtown, but lost its post office. I’m not sure what happened to its mural. But the once-public building sits vacant and for sale, mostly hidden behind a cheap green fence. Replaced by …