Autumn Doorway #4

Autumn Fencerow

Took a side road and came upon this beautiful field, a nice colorful scene on an overcast day.

Autumn Beauty

The Stiff-Jarmin House was used as the governor's residence for Governor Tom McCall (1967-75) and Governor Victor Atiyeh (1979-87). The governor in between, Governor Bob Straub (1975-79) chose to remain in his West Salem farmhouse. Built in 1929, this English Cottage style house is now used as state offices.

Curious

I'm pretty sure this isn't ketchup, unless Heinz has changed it's recipe. Saw this sign at Sizzler's on Lancaster Drive.

Secret Garden

This lovely path is in the botanical garden tucked in behind the athletic building on the Willamette University campus. Much of the garden contains plant species native to Oregon. Bordered on the north side by Mill Race, and fairly hidden from view, you probably wouldn't know of it's existence unless you had a reason to be in the area. We took a 'wrong' turn while walking through campus and discovered this delightful place.



The Blog Friends Forever award was given to me by Valeria of Verona Daily Photo. Thank you so much Valeria. I am honored!

And now it is my turn to pass the award onto five other bloggers according to following rules:

1. Only five people are allowed
2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog
3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world
4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award

Some of my blog friends have been recognized already for this award so I have tried not to duplicate. These are my awardees:

Boise Daily Photo by Boise Diva
Kelowna BC Daily Photo by Peppercorn
Gumbo YaYa by Cindy
Scraps of Bev
VJ Scraproom by Val

Mount Hood in October

On our recent visit to central Oregon, we took the northern route across the mountains and were treated to this gorgeous sight. This is majestic Mt. Hood, home of Timberline Lodge and great ski slopes. Weathermen are forecasting an early ski season this year.

Harvest Time

Here's one for Wayne "You can never go wrong with tractors."

The harvest is underway around the area. These are headed to local canneries and will appear in your supermarket as canned 'pumpkin' though they are actually a variety of squash.

Smith Rock #2

I was lamenting to my husband that I didn't get to see any rock climbers on our recent visit to Smith Rock. I did see a couple of guys pulling equipment out of their cars, but we didn't have the time to stay around. So I was content to take a few shots of the rocks as we were leaving. Then to my great surprise, when I dld the photos, what did I see!! Can you spot them? There are 3!

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Well if you can't here's a cropped shot.

Smith Rock

On our recent trip to central Oregon, we stopped by Smith Rock, just east of the town of Terrebonne, north of Bend. I can't begin to do justice to it's colorful, massive shear cliffs. Smith Rock State Park, overlooking the scenic Crooked River Canyon, has received international fame for its rock climbing opportunities. I took a few 'tame' photos, from the parking lot and roadside.

Beautiful Central Oregon

The Cascade Mountains form a stunning backdrop for Bend. Autumn color is just beginning to show. In the mild Willamette Valley, Salem gets clouds and rain while Bend, at an elevation of 3600+ ft above sea level, and at the western edge of high desert country, gets a lot of sunny skies and snow. Not sure why our autumn is weeks ahead of theirs.

Heroic Presidential Candidate

I'm sharing a few photos from a visit to central Oregon. This plaque sits unassumingly under some majestic Ponderosa Pines in Drake Park in Bend, Oregon. Mr. Johns' was nominated by the Socialist Labor Party. (Herbert Hoover won the 1928 election.)

And a personal hero. My Dad at 4 and 84, standing in the same place.

I miss you Dad.
3/2/1917 - 10/21/2004

Y

A visit to Bend

Drake Park sits in the heart of Bend and is well-used by both folks and fowl. Large Ponderosa Pines are prevalent in this historic neighborhood. The park is adjacent to the quaint downtown shopping area with the Deschutes River on it's western boundary.

On the Road

I want to share a few shots from a visit to Central Oregon. Taken from Highway 20, just west of Bend you can see that a little snow has fallen on the Cascades. This is two of the "Three Sisters" -- Middle and North. South Sister is off to the left.

Take Care of Oregon Project

Employees of the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) volunteered their time Saturday to remove non-native invasive plants along Mill Creek between Summer and Winter Streets.

To commemorate Oregon's 150th birthday in 2009. Gov. Kulongoski has asked state agencies to participate in a statewide “Take Care of Oregon” (TCO) effort. DSL's project focus, organized by Wetland Specialist Jevra Brown, is to remove invasive plant species along the south bank of the creek, and to replant with native species next spring.

Gov. (below right) and first lady Mary Oberst (center) also contributed to the effort with a little guidance from Jevra.

Autumn Doorway #3

Made with Heart

Stone wall around the State Forestry Office building, erected in 1938 by the WPA.

Misty Sunrise

Painted Face

I didn't see the outcome of this, but the boys usually go for bugs or creepers. More fun at the E.Z. Orchards Harvest Festival.

Autumn Doorway #2

At the E. Z. Orchard's pumpkin patch, on Hazel Green Rd. NE. Their Fall Harvest Festival is in action each weekend this month (there is a charge). My favorite thing there? Still-warm, freshly made apple cider donuts! Or is it their pumpkin donuts?

The Look of Desire

So many temptations. I always preferred the ones with the dark red cinnamon shell.

Autumn Beauty

At the Pumpkin Patch

The Farm at Heritage Hills, off Cordon Rd. 71st St. SE, is a fun place for kids (and photographers). Sold by the pound, the pumpkins are available from tiny to huge and in many hues. Of course the kids always pick out the biggest one they can carry.

High-Wire Act

It's amazing to watch these guys scamper along the wires. This one was kind enough to pose for me.

Edit: I just noticed -- my 200th post!

Autumn Doorway #1

A cheery front entry on a gray day.

Galaxy

At the front entrance to the Marion County Courthouse Square is a whimsical wind sculpture, called "Galaxy" created by Andrew Carson (perhaps inspired by Tinguely/Saint Phalle?).

Walk of Flags

Dedicated in 2005, the circular Walk of Flags (funded through private donations) on the west of the state capitol, consists of a flag for each of the 50 states.



By each flagpole is a small copper plaque set in marble recognizing the sponsor.



Because the plaques are made of copper, a number of them have 'disappeared'-thirteen in one night. Metal theft is rampant here. Is metal theft a problem where you live?

Autumn in the City

Lovely sights while strolling around an older, central neighborhood.

Money Store

Interesting bike rack.

Along Mill Creek

This is Mill Creek as it flows past the Oregon State Penitentiary looking just to the right of yesterday's shot. This a popular spot for observing and feeding the migrating Canadian Geese and Mallards.

Shiny Bright

While watching kids feed the ducks along Mill Creek on the south side of the Oregon Penitentiary on State St., the glint of the sun off the razor wire caught my eye. This used to be the Oregon Women's Correctional Center. The razor wire was added after Diane Downs, the subject of Ann Rule's book Small Sacrifices, escaped in 1989 while serving life +50. She was found 10 days later shacked up in an old house just up the street, less than a half-mile away.