AMERICAN STORIES: MOVING ON TO NEW LAND

American stories in early Oregon were about pioneers, travel, and hard work.

How hard?

As hard as it’s ever been clearing land by hand.

But first they had to get here.

And they’re still coming.

Oregon is famous for the Oregon Trail bringing new people to their new home.

That the new lands were occupied by indigenous people didn’t seem to matter as much then.

But we’re better people now. Better, right?

What attracts new people to the Great State of Oregon?

Pro: Beautiful Nature Scenes

Nature is a huge draw.

On a bad day when you feel like nothing is going your way?

Look at Mt. Hood for calm reassuring.

If you haven’t died climbing Mt. Hood you’re way ahead of the game.

Feeling better? You should.

Con: High Risk of Earthquake

The beautiful nature scenes were created by earthquakes.

Cascade Mountains? Created by volcanic eruptions.

Columbia River Gorge? Created by violent ice dam floods.

Oregonians are always talking about the “Big One,” which refers to a massive earthquake, rated a 9.0 magnitude, expected to hit every 300 years. 

Seismologists say the Big One would be the worst natural disaster to hit the United States when it comes.

Many homes in Oregon are not prepared for disasters of this nature, so the “Big One” is always on everyone’s minds. 

This con of living in Oregon may become top of mind to you, too, if you move to Oregon.

Come and live in an active seismic zone.

It’ll be fun.

They said.

American Stories Of Running Away

This is the man who put America on the move.

After the Louisiana Purchase he wanted to know what was out there.

Some scholars have called the Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery Expedition a primer on sending a man to Mars.

Less than forty years later the wagons rolled out of Missouri for a fresh start on new land, Oregon land.

Who were these border state mushers willing to put grandma in the wagon and let the kids walk 2000 miles?

Lets call them future Oregonians.

They loaded up and headed out with no intention of returning.

Not all of them made it to Oregon.

What did they leave behind in the 1840’s and 1850’s?

The roiling political landscape that resulted in the Civil War between the states while they were in a ‘territory’ is what they left.

1995-96 was a year of earthquake, flood, and wind storms that sent more than a few recent residents packing up.

Flood.

Earthquake.

Wind Storm.

One time I questioned why I lived here, but only once.

It was after returning from Hawaii’s warm water and warm air to Oregon March snow and cold this year.

It was my first time to Hawaii and I got a bad reaction back home.

But I got over it.

From what I know, I’m staying in Oregon.

So far.

But I’ve got American stories just the same.

The Journey Home

I grew up in a small town among other small towns that consider my small town ‘The City.’

A man from Coquille said, “From North Bend? So you’re a city boy.”

Was I?

I lived next to a town called Empire and as a little boy I kept looking for the Empire State Building.

Once I figured out I’d never find it in Empire, I went looking for it and other things when I got old enough.

I hit the road at eighteen and hitch hiked to Iowa and back looking for a wrestling medal.

A few years later I took the same trip, but further. I was looking for the future and found it in Brooklyn, NY.

Except it was the wrong future for me.

Which resulted in the most important trip of my lifetime until then: A bus ride from east to west and a future I could relate to.

An Oregon future.

I spent the next twenty years working for the Oregon Historical Society hobnobbing with the rich and famous fans of history.

The boss was a famous history man who opened his house several times a year for staff parties. You can do that in a 12,000 square foot mansion in the West Hills.

And the boss and his family were as welcoming as if we were all related. They showed how it’s done.

During this time I got married, had kids, and moved to the suburbs.

My American story changed from the open road to the #12 TriMet bus with a group of daily pioneers called commuters.

I was a real public transportation riding American living the dream.

Those American Stories

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved.

One story ends and another begins.

Too often we get hung up on the one that ends and don’t notice the one beginning.

It’s a lot like writing a blog post every day.

I’ll be over hear staying sharp for current events.

What about you?