Portland and Its People, from different perspectives

Portland!!!

It's only 45 degrees!

Astoria

Tankers in ballast, Astoria

Astoria was founded by Jacob Astor as a fur trading post in 1811. Many Scandavians, especially Finns, came to work in the fur trade. When the beaver and otter became scarce, salmon canneries were built alonog the river and Chinese came to work there. When that industry waned, Astoria geared itself for the steamship era of luxury travelers.

There were societies and fraternities that reflected the ethnic groups - Chinese masons, Socialist Daughters of Finland, etc. Today, serving the river shipping needs is the main occupation, and many sport fisherman use it as a base. It is a charming town of Victorian houses stacked up a bluff - with plenty of taverns and bars in the town - and a burgeoning art colony is developing.

The French Fry route

Among the fish and chip choices is halibut - fished mostly in Alaska, but down the coast as well. It is a flatfish - like flounder and is more expensive, but fine-grained, moist and sweet. Atlantic cod is always offered as well. This and crabcakes are alwasy on the many tavern/pub menus.

One Must Eat

Columbia River Gorge in January

Lewis and Clark

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the first United States expedition (1804–1806) to the Pacific Coast. "The object of your mission," Jefferson wrote,"is to explore the Missouri river, & such principal stream of it, as, by it's course ... may offer the most direct & practicable water communication across this continent, for the purposes of commerce.

The Corps of Discovery was one of the most brilliantly conceived and best executed voyages of discovery of all times. Thomas Jefferson commissioned Lewis and Clark to undertake that mission not only to find the Northwest Passage (which didn't exist), but to map, document, describe and take samples of the flora, fauna, soil and minerals of the continent. Their daily journals are still read with interest by historians and adventurers. (free in ebook format at Amazon)

The louisiana purchase had secured for America all the territory drained by the missouri and mississippi rivers, from New Orleans to the water shed of North America in the then unknown Rocky Mountains.

After crossing that watershed in the treacherous Bitterroot mountains of Idaho, the explorers descended the Columbia river to the Pacific. The Shoshone indian Sacagawea, made that descent possible by securing horses from her tribe in the monutains She made the long journey with the Corps of Discovery, with her baby and explorer husband. When the Corps arrived at the Shoshone nation, she found her indian chief brother from whom she was kidnapped many years before, and identified herself to him. It was a happy reunion and made it possible for Lewis and Clark to descend the Columbia River to the Pacific ocean.

The Astoria Tower commemorates their arrival at the mouth of the Columbia

.
and shows pictures of experiences they had there

The Pacific, south of the Columbia Bar, 2010 summer

The Columbia Bar, Where the Columbia meets the Pacific

Looking out to the Pacific. Looks calm enough, but wait . . .

The Coast Guard conducts about 600 rescue missions a year on the bar. There have been 2000 shipwrecks since 1800.

The most hazardous water in North America, the Columbia Bar must be crossed to enter the Columbia River.

The Coast Guard conducts its heavy water rescue training her. Above, a 44 foot rescue ship especially constructed to right itself, self bale and even rollover.

a rescue mission. rescue crew is strapped in.

A few who made it in, discharged their oil and now have to get out. Bar Captians (there are 24 of them) take each ship in and out by boarding by rope ladder from a pilot boat which pitches

through 40 foot breakers and 60 knot winds. Thousands of ships are brought in each year and travel the 1400 mile river all the way to Idaho.

New Comfort Food

Having trouble finding good hamburger joints (tho French Fries are often exceptional - dark brown, hand cut),

we are now eating Vietnamese sandwiches....

And the City is.......

Portland and Its People, a newcomers perspective

mount tabor

his and hers




first sighting week 2

clearing things up once and for all


Quick, write down 20 to 25 words that you think best describe Portland and its people after a two week orientation and look around. They might be fair or unfair but that can be determined by the images captured to reflect those traits. Here are my 25 words and a first installment of pics which might represent one or several of the following words. If you can provide any more words I will be happy to include and try to find an image which goes along with it.

Oregon trail

Tree Stumps

Douglas Fir

Columbia river

Lewis and Clark

Food vendors

Hippies

Recycling

Body alterations

Organic

Salmon

Rain

Mixed neighborhoods

broken down cars

breweries

Artisans

Farmers market

Powell book store

Mt. Hood

Wilamette

Vegetarian

Self Righteousness

Bicycles