Missing Your Daily Quota

Much happens when you're on the way to  Turkey. You may or may not have noticed that PTML or Take the Streetcar (depends upon how you're thinking) has had a service interruption. Part of it is due to the internet and part not. In any case for the next two weeks enjoy the view on the way to and from Istanbul. This image is at PDX Airport.

Activity Planning

One good way to know about events in Portland (anywhere actually) is to take a look at community bulletin boards. At the Ecotrust Building, the "board" has been transformed into three columns...

Meditation Near the Portland Streetcar

If you're on the Portland Streetcar and need a moment of silence you can always get off at NW 23rd and Marshall, walk North towards Overton and go to Renaissance Bookstore and take the stairs to the second floor. Watch your breathing ... Namaste

Tandem in Jamison Square

Passing through Jamison Square today, I saw any number of people at play ~ Petanque players, kids in the fountain and these two on a rented tandem. What fun!!!

Alternative Forms of Transportation

This cargo bike makes quite a statement as it sits parked at the Ecotrust Building in the Pearl District. Seemingly fully loaded it was hard to believe that a young child came up and hopped into the bin section of the cargo area. Even more amazing was the fact that the woman was wearing flip-flops.

Kitsch on NW 23rd ~ the Other Side of Mickey Mouse

Walk on streets near the Portland Streetcar line and you'll find all sorts of interesting shops and products for sale. On NW 23rd there is a Pop-Up Store dealing in kitsch, the only word to describe all of the "stuff" there. Here's a piece that's just silly.

Slow Day Before Trip Abroad

News flash ~ Voice from the Couch and I will be leaving for Istanbul come Tuesday next. Sometimes you just have to take advantage of these opportunities. As a result the whole photo taking experience has dropped to a mere trickle in the daily hour glass of time. I did see this very great reflected light image, reminding me of a large backbone. It's emerging from the wall under the approach to the Broadway Bridge. This is just a few blocks from the NW 10th and Lovejoy stop so beware!

Dinner at Serrato

One of the best "Happy Hour" menus is at Serrato Restaurant on the corner of NW 21st and Kearny, just a block away from the Portland Streetcar line.

and my wine glass with many layers of transparency and reflection.

Almost Full Moon

With a moon this great, there's no need for other photos today!

Along the Willamette

A few blocks away from the northern most point along the Portland Streetcar line and you'll reach the Willamette River. Walk a bit more North and you'll find scenes like these... and the others here in the photostream.

View from the Parking Garage

Parking garages provide a great birds eye view of the city. The one in the Pearl that's used by REI is a great example. Look out the window of the second or third floor and you'll likely see this graffiti.

You'll also see great interactions such as this one.

Go By Cab

That's what the sign says just to the south of the Portland Streetcar line on NW 16 and Lovejoy. Radio Cab occupies a large brick building there. In addition to being the dispatch point for cabs, it also functions as a service station for the general public.

Amtrak

Just over from where the Portland Streetcar makes its turn to head west towards NW 23rd and Marshall, you'll find Union Station. Trains come and trains go. There's movement afoot to have this be a no-horn zone. Not yet in place the engineers are taking great delight in blowing those things. Here's Amtrak in the NW 9th Ave crossing. Just imagine the sound of the horn and go on over to the photostream to see a freight locomotive that went through minutes later... more horns!

An Encore of the Encore Reflection

Different day, different hour ~ this wall has such a varied presence. Check it out the next time you're at the north end of the Portland Streetcar line. Here it is in the photostream for today...

Fremont Bridge in Living Color

Back to color and this time it's the Fremont Bridge. Dropping by early, I found the bridge bathed in a glorious yellow. All of that was enhanced with the yellow from Rational Exuberance. Drop into the photostream here to read more about this piece of art and to see the other images from today.

Change of Pace

Today's image is presented to you in living black and white. For the color version (the world was black and white before 1940 and only after that did it change to color), enter the photostream here.

She's interrupted her reading to take a message from planet Earth. Otherwise she's floating in her own world right there on the North Park Blocks.

Encore Reflection

This is one of my favorite reflections along the Streetcar line. The Encore is at the corner of NW 10th and Overton. The reflection varies depending upon the time of day and where you're standing. For the rest of the photos, click here.

At Least 94 Degrees

Wow, Portland was hot on Saturday. The woman operating the Icicle Tricycle had stopped to listen to this street musician. Quite the entrepreneur, he had a pile of CD's in his guitar case for purchase.

Streetcar Heading North

This streetcar is heading towards OHSU from the terminus at SW Lowell and Bond. It was a lovely warm summer evening.

Reading on NW 23rd

Portland Art Museum ~ Wednesday Food Cart

What could be better than eating out doors and having Koi Fusion at the Portland Art Museum to fill your stomach?

Director Park

Take the Portland Streetcar to the Library stop on SW 10th and Yamhill. After disembarking, walk one block East and you'll find Director Park. This view looking South is on a grey day that has been sprinkling. What a great addition to the urban parks in downtown Portland.

Bling and Streetcars

 The NW 23rd and Marshall was a busy stop tonight on the Streetcar line... For the rest of the bling and light and shadows click here.

Crystal Ballroom

Walk a few blocks from the Portland streetcar and you'll come across this building, the Crystal Ballroom currently owned by McMenamin's and a venue for music. Big Pink is looming in the background so you have a nice juxtaposition of old and new architecture. Click here and you'll see the rest of the images from today including one of Pittock Mansion.

Amazing Who You Meet

Walk the neighborhoods in NW Portland after you've taken your streetcar ride and you'll meet the most friendliest cats around.

Sails at Portland Art Museum

Take the Streetcar to the Art Museum stop on 10th, disembark and enter the Sculpture Court at the Portland Art Museum. These sails will be hanging above you, protecting you from the sun's glare and providing nuances of light and shadow.

First Thursday ~ Fading Light

Tonight's walk and Streetcar ride took me to First Thursday. Here we are walking in the fading light two blocks from the Streetcar Line. The North Park Blocks are so green and lush making a wonderful urban respite. 

Streetcar Turning onto NW Lovejoy

Here's an image of the Streetcar as it makes the turn off of NW 23rd onto Lovejoy. For other images, drop into the photostream here.

Amazing What You Find Parked on the Street

Check out this 1975 Citroen. It's amazing what you find parked on the streets. For more photos of this blue beauty and from the day, click here.

Pink Chair on NW Ninth and Flanders

This pink chair is getting another coat of fresh paint. You have to love the painting outfit. Heels and white sleeveless top are not exactly standard-issue outfits for painters, either house or art. Click here and you'll land in the middle of the photos for the day. They include a flute player practicing as he walks down NW Flanders and any number of images of the Lan Su Chinese Gardens.

Anna Bannana's

Anna Bannana's has been around for years. It's quite the spot with outdoor seating and colorful locals enjoying a cup of brew. Take the Portland Streetcar to NW Northrup and 21st, disembark, walk one half block North on 21st. Enjoy. To see more images from the day click here.