Monday, March 31, 2008

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.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Cherry Blossom Time


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

Friday, March 28, 2008

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.**

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Photo Op


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

Monday, March 24, 2008

Under pink and white skies


Capitol Mall grounds are in full bloom.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

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.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Surrounding countryside


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

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

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.

Monday, March 17, 2008

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.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Signs of Spring


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

Friday, March 14, 2008

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.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

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.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Harmless


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

Saturday, March 8, 2008

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.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

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.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

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.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

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".

Saturday, March 1, 2008

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.