A Walk in the Park

A cloudy day stroll past the Waite Fountain in Willson Park at the west end of the State Capitol grounds. The park was named for William Holden Willson who is known as the founder of Salem. According to the Salem Public Library, he filed the first plat of the city and held the original title to the land that now comprises Willamette University, the State Capitol, and downtown Salem.

The Library has some old photos of the park [here].

Waiting for Spring

Bush Pasture Park.

Cool Water II

Cool Water

Bush Park drinking fountain, designed for use by kids or wheelchairs.

The Cow and the Cat

Near the children's play area in Bush Pasture Park.

Rose Garden

Tending the rose bushes at Bush Pasture Park.

Harbinger

Signs that spring is on the way. Found in Bush Pasture Park.

Until warmer weather...

At EZ Orchards farm market.

A Quiet Ride

A few days ago it was sunny and warm and a good day for a walk or ride through Minto-Brown Island Park. A couple miles south of city center along the Willamette River, the park consists of over 800 acres and has approximately 16 miles of trails, 5 of which are paved.

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.

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

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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.

Governor Tom McCall

The statue of Former Gov. Tom McCall was hoisted into place today along the Willamette River in Riverfront Park. The sculptor Rip Caswell fashioned the bronze statue after a photograph taken by John Daniel Callaghan of the former Governor wading from the North Umpqua River with his flyrod in one hand and holding a very nice steelhead in the other.

Gov. McCall served 2 terms (1967-75) and, says son Tad McCall, "his administration was neither "red" nor "blue." He is remembered among other achievements for the 'Beach Bill' which granted the state government the power to zone Oregon's beaches, thus protecting them from private development, and the 'Bottle Bill' which was the nation's first mandatory bottle-deposit law, designed to decrease litter in Oregon.

The dedication is planned for Friday September 26 at 10:30 am. Gov. Ted Kulongoski and former Gov. John Kitzhaber will be at the ceremony.

Cooling Off

The geyser fountain known as the Wall of Water is a favorite of kids on a hot summer day. This is on Court Street across from the main entrance of the Capitol.

Picnic in the Park

Family, a beautiful afternoon, nothing like a picnic in the park. Caught this shot at Riverfront Park. The only reason this is so green is because it is watered. Most lawns and around our house are crispy, dried brown.

Bite of Salem

This weekend through Sunday is the Bite of Salem in Riverfront Park downtown. Various local restaurants are serving up their dishes. And there is live music, beer and wine gardens, and carnival rides for the kids. I loved the lady's flower dress in front of the Hawaiian Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee & Smoothies booth.

I had a Chicken Caesar Wrap from the Sassy Onion (review by EatSalem). I scored it an 8/10 (needed a little more Caesar and fresh grated Parmesan). DH had a burrito from Jr's Taqueria (review by EatSalem) and rated it a 7/10.

Admission is free though they ask for a $3 donation. Proceeds from the Bite benefit Salem's youth, including the Boys and Girls Club, many youth oriented events, and numerous community, musical, and athletic programs.

Another Footbridge

You can tell I love bridges. This footbridge is across Pringle Creek at Pringle Park just west of Salem Hospital.

A Stroll thru the park

Taken at the mirror pond north of the downtown Civic Center.

Left Behind

Someone is missing his shirt.