Oldest Building

The tower of Cascade Hall, built in 1883 on what is now called the Oregon State Hospital campus. It is the main entrance to the "J" building, believed to be the oldest, intact building in the city. The 1975 film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, winner of 5 Academy Awards was filmed on this location. The controversial and crumbling Oregon State Hospital, much of which is in disrepair and no longer used for patients and parts of which were under discussion for demolition, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 6, 2008. Read more.

Cherry Blossom Time

So beautiful, I've just got to post one more.

Crazy Weather

Crazy weather. For a couple days now, we have had snow flurries, sunshine, hail, sunshine, rain, snow flurries -- all during Spring Break. Two inches of snow graced the beaches this morning! I'm not sure what kind of tree this is, but I believe it is relatively old. It stands behind the former Governor's Residence on the North Mall State Offices complex.

Edit**Ruth K. tells me it is a Magnolia.**

Photo Op

Taking advantage of the short-lived beautiful display of flowering cherry trees.

Under pink and white skies

Capitol Mall grounds are in full bloom.

Cherry Blossom Time

The cherry blossoms on the Capitol Mall are a sure sign of spring. It makes for an enchanted scene, but they last for such a short time. It was a sunny afternoon today, but unfortunately the weather report is for rain throughout next week.

Surrounding countryside

Pretty and pleasant -- an agricultural valley just southeast of town.

Spring Fishing

A warm, sunny day brings out the fishing poles at the 100-acre Gateway Park, near I-5 just south of Mission Street. This is a favorite for migrating geese and ducks. Mill Creek winds through the park and though I haven't been a witness, I'm told the Fall Chinook Salmon can be seen during spawning season. A one-lane wooden bridge crosses over the creek to several nicely-shaded picnic areas. Though this is not a landscaped or manicured park, it is maintained by the city and considered safe. The lake, which started life as a gravel pit, and picnic areas see a lot of family use. A major homeless camp, though not visible from the public areas, is just the other side of the vegetation.

Sunrise

I know it's not unique to Salem since the sun rises the world over, but it's nice to catch an extra beautiful one.

Signs of Spring

Signs of spring along Mill Creek north of the State Lands building on Summer St. NE.

Llama Rescue

Pam is part of a regional group dedicated to rescuing llamas that have been abused, neglected, or in need of a new home. She has provided a home for several adult llamas. They are intelligent and good-natured creatures, and are susceptible to mental stress which can prove fatal. Moving and introducing them into a herd requires gentleness and consideration. Healthy llamas can live to be 25 or so years old. This is one of her sweeties.

Afternoon Snack

Between the Agriculture and the Veteran's Buildings, State workers take their afternoon break to feed the waterfowl that enjoy Mill Creek as it meanders through town on it's way to the Willamette River.

Harmless

Found this little guy climbing around at the Best Western on Market St at I-5.

Great Bread

Great, healthy bread at Great Harvest, downtown on Court St., where you are always offered a free slice. Whole wheat is milled daily. The whole operation is open to the storefront and fun to watch, except on a hot summer day when the ovens are going full blast. There are two other Great Harvest stores, one in West Salem and one out south.

Pink Cadillac

A relic from the past, this pink Cadillac is used as a sign for Rock-n-Rogers 1950's-style restaurant, located along East Market Street.

Beautiful Day

Seen from across a local Christmas tree farm on the outskirts of town, Mount Jefferson, about 55 miles east in the Oregon Cascades, at over 10,000 feet, sparkles in the sunshine.

City Daily Photo Theme Day -- Murals

A slight detour (2K miles) from Salem, Oregon, this mural of Civil War General William T. Sherman is in the town where both of us were born -- Lancaster, Ohio.

He was a hero to the North, and considered "the most hated and despised man in the history of Georgia".

City Daily Photo Theme Day -- Murals

This Vaudeville-style mural was painted in 1984 on the back or east exterior wall of the historic Elsinore Theatre by the late Professor James Mattingly. The subjects of the 4-story mural are Theda Bara (Cleopatra), Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich and W. C. Fields. Thanks to the parking lot at the corner of Church and Ferry Streets, the mural is visible from the street.