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BUILDING BRIDGES TO CROSS OVER AND OVER

Some people say building bridges is the most important thing in the world. And they are correct. But for me, the most important thing is getting across them safely once they’re built. I’ve been crossing them all my life, for better or worse.

PORTLAND OREGON FROM THE THIRD FLOOR

City lights in Portland Oregon brighten before sunrise, one window at a time, floor by floor, until an entire wall reveals the secret shadows behind steel and glass. Every city feels anonymous in the beginning. Tall buildings full of strangers become familiar in time. After that, it’s your town. A clear orange sky promises fall colors painted […]

SOUTH PORTLAND PEOPLE CHANNEL PROUD MARY

Old painting of a rower An early morning walk by the Willamette showed the sort of Portland people see before they move here. A calm scene, placid water, with sun breaking through scattered clouds for a blinking reflection. With the Ross Island Bridge on the left, and the actual Ross Island in front, dog walkers […]

PARIS RIVER: HOW WATER MAKES THE CITY

The Paris river divides the city like the Willamette divides Portland. But instead of an Eastside / Westside divide, Paris goes with Right Bank and Left Bank. One method means knowing the compass, the other is much more simple. Think of finding a place with directions that include east, west, north, and south. I’m already […]

PORTLAND FUTURE: WHAT TO EXPECT

What I want to see happen How many times have I driven over the Willamette River and looked at the Eastside thinking of what a Portland future could be? Every time. Early morning works best, especially if you’re leaving town for a short time. When I get back I don’t expect the freeway to be […]

HAWTHORNE GOLD, PORTLAND BLUES, THE QUEEN

At just the right time of day the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland Oregon gives up the goods. Panning for gold? Here it is during the Golden Hour. You can’t take it home, or invest, but you can put it away in case you need something extra. And who doesn’t need something extra now and then? […]

SAVE OREGON, MOVE TO PORTLAND

Moving to Portland for the food and music? Or to save Oregon? It’s not Austin, Texas, but you’re heading the right direction. The Southwest here is a part of town, not part of the country. Food cart walk ups, innovative menus, and don’t forget the river. Without the Willamette River what would Portland be? It […]

LIVING UNDER A PORTLAND CHERRY BLOSSOM CANOPY FOR AN AFTERNOON

    Portland cherry blossom between Burnside and Steel This side of a drone video the best place to see the whole run of the Portland cherry blossom parade is the on ramp off Front to the Steel Bridge. Just enough space and height to see the beautiful curve of nature. It looks deserted at […]

TWO MARRIED GUYS MAP DATE LIFE

What else would two married guys do? The beauty of public transportation comes with the people you meet. Two old men waited at a Portland bus stop. Late afternoon drizzle fell on the city through fading light. The sun made little effort to split the clouds over the Willamette River. Man 1: It felt like […]

GOODBYE PORTLAND IT’S BEEN FUN

If you leave, just say goodbye Portland. That’s all. Portland visitor’s say goodbye Portland when they leave. Maybe they’ll be back, maybe not. Saying goodbye Portland says it all. You came, you saw, you didn’t stay. If you did stay, if you decided Portland was the only place in the world for you, then you […]