Eugene, OR Daily Photo

Willamette River and My Hiatus

2007-09-14T10:53:00.000-07:00

I snapped this photo of the Willamette River while looking northwest of the easternmost footbridge, near Springfield (the city immediately east of Eugene). Beautiful.

My husband and I recently learned that our landlord was planning to sell the house we're living in. No big deal, right? Well, after meeting with the realtor today and learning all that is involved in selling a house, we've decided that we're going to try our hardest to move out in the next month or so. Since we haven't even found any housing prospects yet, we've got our work cut out for us. So...I need to put my blogs, and my life, on hiatus while we sort out finding a place to live and then actually move. Sigh.

Roller Derby

2007-09-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

My apologies for being away for a few days. I had some technical difficulty with Blogger and with my laptop cache and it took me a little while to figure out how to log back in.

The above image is the last one I'll post from last weekend's Eugene Celebration parade. These two women are with the Emerald City Roller Girls. Too cool.

Lots of Pigs

2007-09-10T16:06:00.000-07:00

I wish I could recall the name of the organization of pigs who put on such a great show during the parade. I believe the group represented sustainable development and growth, but I was too busy trying to snap some photos that I didn't catch their name.

2007 Slug Queen

2007-09-09T09:50:00.001-07:00

Meet the Eugene Celebration's 2007 Slug Queen, Queen Glorious Gastropause (aka Leigh Anne Jasheway-Bryant), a comedian from the region.

Judging: A Serious Business

2007-09-08T22:00:00.001-07:00

The rosey-nosed fellow and his two companions were the judges for today's Eugene Celebration parade in downtown Eugene. For the next few days I will feature images from this year's colorful parade. Stay tuned!

Food Not Lawns

2007-09-07T13:52:00.001-07:00

This home near downtown Eugene has an edible front yard instead of a lawn. Densely planted edibles cut down on water use (and the grocery bill) and create a wonderful, interactive space.

Street Scene

2007-09-06T08:11:00.003-07:00

The Bel Ami restaurant and cafe at 16th and Willamette streets. I haven't eaten there since it was the L & L Marketplace (many years ago), but I hear it's good.

Noggin Rubs

2007-09-05T07:58:00.001-07:00

This kitty, outside the public library, appears ambivalent about the attention.

Unusual Flower

2007-09-04T08:06:00.001-07:00

I spied this flower in a nearby neighborhood and snapped a photo to help me identify it. Anyone familiar with this unusual beauty?

Recent Canal Repair

2007-09-03T08:42:00.001-07:00

This section of the Amazon slough was recently "repaired" for erosion. These wonderful rocks were brought in and the water has been clearer and the ducks happier ever since.

Tahkenitch Creek

2007-09-02T09:51:00.001-07:00

A beautiful place to spend the first day of September. Tahkenitch Creek and Campground is located about 15 minutes south of Florence, Oregon. Not a Eugene photo, but beautiful, yes?

Feed the Birds

2007-09-01T08:15:00.001-07:00

An interesting place to put a bird feeder, yes?

Beautiful Blue Sky

2007-08-31T15:33:00.001-07:00

While out dropping off my rent check I noticed the bright blue sky and wispy clouds and snapped this photo on 16th near Willamette St.

Bread Bullies

2007-08-30T22:48:00.001-07:00

Otherwise known as geese, these are pushy and persistent buggers. The last time I fed some geese (many years ago) so many of them ganged up on me that I tripped over my own feet and fell. I probably should have stood up to them, but they were bitey.

Fence Bird

2007-08-29T21:16:00.001-07:00

This bird paused to take in the view of the fields at O'Hara School.

Golden Grass

2007-08-28T19:45:00.001-07:00

Dry summer weather has prompted the many Willamette Valley grasses to die back, as they are naturally inclined to do. So the usual green carpet of this area is, for a time, replaced by golden grasses instead.

Duck Watching

2007-08-27T18:42:00.001-07:00

It's a popular pastime in these parts.

Beautiful Beans: Grassroots Garden III

2007-08-26T19:02:00.001-07:00

At Grassroots Garden beans are planted very close together and trellised over a series of "walls." There are three or four bean walls at the garden this year and these beautiful veggies are keeping volunteer pickers busy.

Grassroots Garden II

2007-08-25T09:13:00.001-07:00

A section of the Grassroots Garden that includes beds of celery, onions, young cole crop starts, beans, raspberries, sunflowers, etc. In the far distance are more than ten varieties of tomato plants as well as sweet peppers. Very inspiring!

Grassroots Garden I

2007-08-24T12:40:00.001-07:00

For the next few days I will feature photos taken at the Food for Lane County Grassroots Garden site. The Grassroots Garden is a wonderful place. It's a very productive mini-farm (producing 52,789 pounds of food for hungry families in Lane County last year). It's a great place to volunteer. It's a learning center. It's also a great place to lose yourself for a while.

I've been volunteering at the Grassroots Garden this summer and loving it. I've learned a great deal and feel like I'm doing a little something to help my hungry neighbors.

This shot, taken in one of the greenhouses, features a variety of pepper plants and shows some onions and garlic bulbs curing. Yum!

Farm House?

2007-08-23T08:04:00.000-07:00

This house, actually a real estate office, sits near downtown. As someone obsessed with most things rural I am fascinated by houses that look like barns.

Eugene Weekly

2007-08-22T18:39:00.001-07:00

This building is home to the Eugene Weekly, the local events and political news rag.

Eugene Yard

2007-08-21T14:24:00.001-07:00

Every square inch of this yard is growing and/or blossoming. It appears well-tended and organized, despite the plethora of plants. Beautiful.

The Fair

2007-08-20T07:19:00.001-07:00

Yesterday marked the final day of the 2007 Lane County Fair and it looked like the place was hoppin'. Despite rain, attendees were undeterred.

Stillpoint Farm in Veneta, OR

2007-08-19T08:54:00.001-07:00

Just west of Eugene is the town of Veneta. A largely rural area, it boasts several small farms, including Stillpoint Farm, where this photo was taken yesterday. This goat was the only one in the group who trusted us for a few pets. Our offer of fresh-picked blackberries a little bit later was unanimously rejected, however.

A Little Flare Never Hurt Anything

2007-08-18T08:18:00.001-07:00

I never claimed to be a photographer. I'm an amateur. I know I'm not supposed to shoot with the sun at the angle. No self-respecting professional photographer would. Me, I like a little flare. Light does some interesting things and I like to capture a little of it from time to time. This photo was taken at 16th and Friendly streets a few weeks back. If I were to take this photo today things would look pretty different. 16th street runs behind the fairgrounds and, with the Lane County Fair going now, it's been completely congested with cars and RVs. This too shall pass.

Bathing

2007-08-17T22:04:00.001-07:00

These ducks were bathing and preening when I first came upon them, but one of them stopped to watch me watch them. When I snapped this shot I didn't notice the stealth duck up in the left hand corner. Cute!

Waterfront Condos?

2007-08-16T08:31:00.000-07:00

Do these look like waterfront condos to you? Up until about a year ago these buildings operated as low-income university family housing. The company that now holds them has renovated them somewhat and is marketing the ones near the slough (as pictured here) as waterfront property. Their asking price? Between $113 and $115 thousand for these 560 sq ft former low-income apartments. They can't actually be serious! Sadly, I'm pretty sure they are.

Looking East

2007-08-15T07:30:00.001-07:00

Another section of Fern Ridge path facing east. Sorry folks. I'm here every day. It's bound to show up again and again in my images.

Bronze Brim

2007-08-13T21:44:00.001-07:00

This hand belongs to the bronze sculpture outside the Eugene Public Library.

Frisbee Golfers

2007-08-12T08:33:00.001-07:00

A couple of frisbee golfers on a west Eugene course.

Rose Garden

2007-08-11T07:44:00.001-07:00

A small section of the Eugene rose garden, a beautiful place to visit during the spring and summer months. It's unfortunate that an overpass was built so near to the garden. While many of the senses are delighted in this place, it's definitely noisy.

18th Avenue

2007-08-10T13:56:00.001-07:00

Looking east toward the university, this photo was snapped from the footbridge that spans 18th Ave just east of Chambers. A main west-to-east artery, there were surprisingly few cars on the road when I took this.

I Love Weird People

2007-08-09T07:39:00.001-07:00

This is written on the bark of a graffiti-covered tree in west Eugene. The tree is also really quite beautiful on its own. Anyone out there know what kind of tree this is?

Friends

2007-08-08T13:54:00.001-07:00

The dog's adoration is plain to see. This photo was taken along the Willamette River, just a little west of the rose garden.

Westmoreland Park

2007-08-07T17:11:00.001-07:00

I snapped this photo facing east while at Westmoreland Park, located between Polk and Chambers streets just south of 18th. This is a great place for a stroll.

Aquatic Cycling

2007-08-06T17:06:00.001-07:00

While at the banks of the Willamette River hoping to photograph some avian antics I happened to see the man in the white shirt heading straight for the river on his bike. I was able to capture him as he started to tip and fall. Interestingly, the birds don't seem at all phased. It's a wild life on the river.

Heron

2007-08-05T12:16:00.001-07:00

While out for a walk this morning I failed to spot this beauty. Luckily a passerby pointed him or her out to me and I snapped a few photos while I had the chance.

Sunflower Redux

2007-08-04T11:05:00.001-07:00

Nearly everywhere I look right now I see sunflowers. They grow tall and abundant, many of them "volunteers" left by birds. And wherever there are sunflowers there are worker bees. The flowers pictured here are just the tops of plants that had been put into buckets of water at the farmers' market, but they were alive with bees. One of the bees can be clearly seen here, but there were many others hard at work within the frame.

Eugene Has Few Highrises

2007-08-03T16:41:00.001-07:00

This building (does it have a name?) sits at the corner of 11th and Olive streets. It's one of maybe 8 tall buildings in the Eugene area. I believe this building is a retirement or assisted living center, but I could be wrong.

If you haven't yet noticed it, Eugene isn't known for it's architecture. This is my home town and I love it here. Nonetheless, I think most of the buildings are pretty unattractive. We need an aesthetician STAT!

Bandon III

2007-08-02T08:16:00.001-07:00

A beautiful view framed by some interesting coastal foliage.

Bandon II

2007-08-01T17:12:00.000-07:00

Part of the Bandon, OR south beach from above. One more Bandon photo planned for tomorrow, and then the blog will be back to featuring photos taken in Eugene. Promise!

Bandon I

2007-07-31T17:53:00.001-07:00

The Pacific Ocean flowing between some of the beautiful big rocks of Bandon's coastline. My 2nd favorite OR beach, the south beach at Bandon is truly a windswept beauty. More photos to come!

Florence II

2007-07-30T18:42:00.001-07:00

Another photo snapped in Florence yesterday, near Old Town. Watch for images from Bandon (if I can choose just a couple of them!) in the coming days.

Florence I

2007-07-29T21:52:00.001-07:00

For the next few days I'll be posting photos from my visits to Florence and Bandon, OR (I just arrived home a few hours ago). Sometimes a change of scene can clear the mental smog that can accumulate when one lingers in a single place too long.

Drooping Sunflower

2007-07-28T07:24:00.001-07:00

Somewhere in West Eugene.

Monroe Park

2007-07-27T14:52:00.001-07:00

Enjoying the warm temperatures at Monroe Park (8th and Monroe streets).

Middle of the Road

2007-07-25T22:45:00.000-07:00

Looking north on Lincoln St (at 24th). The College Hill area is one of my favorite places to walk in Eugene. I wish I still lived in close proximity. Ah well.

Front Entrance

2007-07-24T07:20:00.001-07:00

Looking very much like a garden gate, this entrance in West Eugene actually leads to the front of someone's house. This beautiful, shady space, oddly enough, opens onto a rather barren-looking grassy area. I like that this lush facade is available to all passerby.

Brick House

2007-07-23T17:45:00.001-07:00

This house, at the corner of 12th and Washington (or is it Jefferson?), is nestled in to its lot so nicely. To me, a very homey looking place.

Farmer's Market Scene

2007-07-22T07:32:00.000-07:00

Groundwork Organics, like most of the other farms represented at Eugene's Saturday Farmer's Market, does a brisk business in wonderful fresh, local produce. Also, like a number of the other farms represented, Groundwork offers a Community Support Agriculture subscription program. What's a CSA? Go to http://www.localharvest.org/csa/ for more information.

Proposal Rock

2007-07-21T12:24:00.001-07:00

A more complete view of Proposal Rock at Neskowin.

Neskowin, Not Eugene

2007-07-20T08:15:00.001-07:00

North side of Proposal Rock at Neskowin. This beach is the site of many wonderful memories for me and for my family.

Near Mt. Pisgah

2007-07-19T08:23:00.001-07:00

Before I knew better, I used to occasionally swim in this water, near Mt. Pisgah. Unfortunately, this waterway carries a lot of agricultural runoff. This is still one of my favorite spots for skipping stones.

Good Eats

2007-07-18T21:43:00.001-07:00

Chef's Kitchen is a very popular eatery for the "epicurious" who can drop $60 or $70 for a good meal. I've never been there, but I keep hearing good things about the place and the parking area smells amazing.

Rooftop

2007-07-17T18:37:00.001-07:00

This roofer is working on a house near 24th and Lincoln streets. I like the way the foliage looks in this shot.

Find The House

2007-07-16T17:37:00.001-07:00

I've come to think of this place as a Eugene landmark of sorts, and it has inspired no shortage of questions for me. Who lives there? Is the overgrowth intentional? Are there structural issues? Have the occupants always wanted to live in a tree house?

If you want to check it out yourself (from a respectful distance, of course) it's between 17th and 18th on Lincoln St.

Oregon Country Fair

2007-07-15T08:10:00.001-07:00

Full disclosure: I haven't been to the Country Fair for about six years, and I'm just fine with that. It's changed a lot in the last decade, and so have I. In truth, I think I like the idea of the OCF a lot more than the experience itself. But that's just me. I decided to include this very old photo (from 1999) because so many people in Eugene consider the OCF to be one of the town's defining elements (the site is actually in Veneta, west of Eugene).

Defazio Bridge

2007-07-14T10:26:00.001-07:00

This cyclist and pedestrian bridge, named for current Oregon congressman Peter Defazio, affords a beautiful view of the Willamette River, as well as an opportunity to escape the bustling, high-traffic Coburg Rd area.

OnThe River

2007-07-13T07:43:00.001-07:00

Cooling off in the Willamette River near the Eugene Water and Electric Board site.

C'est La Vie

2007-07-12T06:18:00.001-07:00

My soon-to-be-in-laws will be visiting from New England in a couple of weeks and this Eugene B & B, C'est La Vie, will serve as home base for them for at least one night while they're in the area. Having never previously heard of this B & B, which is apparently a Victorian house of rich history, I decided to take a walk yesterday afternoon to check it out. I would have loved to have snapped a lot more photos--it's a stunning place. But there were several people out in the side yard and I didn't want to disturb them by poking my camera at them. One of my favorite aspects of the landscaping? Like an arboretum, most of the landscape plants had accompanying botanical identification signs. Very nice.

Lily

2007-07-11T14:56:00.000-07:00

This beautiful, plush creature is my rabbit Lily. I snapped this photo yesterday evening while we were both outside on the back patio trying to get some air. Why a photo of my rabbit, you ask? Well, it was around 102 degrees yesterday and I decided to play it safe by sticking close to home. Besides, she's pretty cute, yes?

Beautiful Morning Jog

2007-07-10T20:24:00.001-07:00

I'm posting this pretty late today. Until now I haven't been able to bring myself to be around anything that generates heat. It's ridiculously hot in Eugene today and I'm baking in my skin. Sunday morning, when this photo was snapped, was, conversely, beautiful and temperate.

Art & The Vineyard III: Misc. Scenes

2007-07-09T18:29:00.001-07:00

Eugene's Alton Baker Park, home of the Art & The Vinyard festival. It's also one of my favorite spots for photographing ducks and geese.

Big chair. 'Nuff said.

When he's not overcome by the cleaver in his head, Mr. Spoonman crafts a wide array of interesting metalworks, most of which began as spoons.

A beauty from the Cascade Raptor Center booth.

Art & The Vineyard II: Hip Chicks Do Wine

2007-07-08T08:42:00.001-07:00

The booth for Hip Chicks Do Wine, an enterprise out of Portland offering some very intriguing varieties. That's my friend Julie wearing the mochila (backpack).

Ummm. Sangria.

Unfortunately, in this photo it's not easy to see the logos on these glasses. My favorite was "Wine Hottie."

Art & The Vineyard I

2007-07-07T05:19:00.001-07:00

The dragon that awaits, just inside the gate.

Okay, so I know I haven't exactly been adhering to the rule of one photo-a-day on this blog lately. Sometimes I find that one photo just isn't enough. Take this dragon, for instance. A single photo simply wouldn't do him justice. So, from time to time, I intend to break the one photo-a-day rule.

I attended Eugene's Art & The Vinyard yesterday and snapped a shed load of pictures. So, for the next few days I'll be featuring a few of the resulting images. Happy 7-7-07 everyone!

Koopa

2007-07-06T08:01:00.001-07:00

He's a dog. He's a dad. He's Koopa, enjoying some love from one of his favorite humans.

Independence Day

2007-07-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

Peaceful patriots. This image was snapped on Park St. just west of River Road yesterday evening.

Independence Day punch. My friend Kate made this yummy vanilla/orange punch, as well as a delicious spice cake, for her party guests.

In yesterday's heat, many of us retired to one of Kate's porches, to chat and to listen to music.

Our local treasure and espoused hobo, Mark Ross, treating us to some music.

Foliage...

2007-07-04T07:23:00.000-07:00

...we grow a lot of it around here. A scene just outside of Dot Dotson's photo shop as I look NE on Willamette St. I'll admit that this shot was snapped a few weeks ago. These flowers have probably completely wilted by now in the summer heat. I haven't been out with my camera for several days. I hope to remedy that today and--hopefully--to have some Independence Day-inspired shots for you tomorrow.

Hunter

2007-07-03T12:28:00.000-07:00

I spied this dog hunting a family of Nutria while I was out for a walk recently. I didn't stick around to find out if the dog succeeded in catching any of them. Does anyone know what the plural of Nutria is?

Gardener's Bliss

2007-07-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

A joyful gardener. Is she enjoying the fruits of her labor or just basking in the warm sun and quiet green surroundings?

Corner Meeting Place

2007-07-01T07:29:00.000-07:00

This charming corner somewhere on Garfield St. between 18th and 23rd (next to Eugene Zendo) appears to be a neighborhood public meeting place, complete with an announcement board. A wonderful idea. The chalk board says something like "We're all in this together."

Broadway Bricks

2007-06-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

The intersection of Broadway and Willamette streets in the heart of downtown Eugene. As you can see, there aren't a lot of tall buildings in the area. Most aren't more than 3 stories.

Fence Face

2007-06-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

This was recently painted on the fence surrounding the New Apostolic Church near 16th and Polk streets.

Looking Toward The Kiva

2007-06-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

A street scene from a recent Saturday morning. This picture looks south on Olive St. toward The Kiva, one of my favorite locally-owned grocery stores. It's situated downtown, directly across from the bus transit station.

Slowin' Things Down

2007-06-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

A road crew hard at work building a crossing area for pedestrians and cyclists in west Eugene.

Meals for Hungry Families

2007-06-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

This is the Food for Lane County Dining Room, a project of the county food bank that prepares and serves hot meals to area families from food insecure households in a very pleasant, "dining out" setting. This is just one of many wonderful projects that FFLC operates to address hunger, which is a significant problem in this state.

B & B

2007-06-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

Images of the Oval Door, a downtown bed and breakfast on Lawrence street (I've forgotten the cross street--maybe Broadway?). Eugene has several B & Bs, but this is one of only a couple that really interest me.

Nice Little Park

2007-06-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite parks in Eugene. Small, centrally-located, with swings and quite a bit of turf for frisbee, catch and kickball.

Eugene Eats

2007-06-23T07:24:00.000-07:00

Cornucopia restaurant and bar at 17th and Lincoln streets. A favorite watering hole of many. Tasty sandwiches!

Home Improvement

2007-06-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

I snapped this photo on Monday while out for a bike ride. There were actually four people at work on various parts of the property. There was also a dog just outside of the frame, to the left, who was drowsily supervising the whole affair.

Evening Trees

2007-06-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

Another photo snapped while on an evening walk. These trees line a section of Arthur St. between 18th and 13th streets.

Yard Egg

2007-06-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

I spied this brick yard ornament while walking with my partner last evening, just south of W. 18th.

Eugene Healing

2007-06-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

Permanent tent revival or unrelated business venture? This church at 17th, between Lincoln and Charnelton streets, intrigues me.

Some Scenes

2007-06-18T13:21:00.001-07:00

This is a lush, well-loved garden plot in one of the community gardens. I was taken with the beautiful hand-made trellis. Those are pepper plants under the plastic.

My old neighborhood. I like the clean lines of the simple white house, the grass and the crow. Unfortunately I used to live in that monstrosity in the background.

11th Floor View

2007-06-18T07:54:00.001-07:00

The street running diagonally from right to left is W. 13th Avenue. This photo was snapped from the 11th floor of a high rise at 13th and Lincoln streets.

Market Scenes

2007-06-17T07:49:00.001-07:00

Petite busquer.

Freckled lily.

The creamy color and texture of these lilies reminds me of a delicious custard.

Archived Geese

2007-06-16T07:47:00.001-07:00

Today we're getting ready for our house warming party and so I won't have time to take any photographs. These images were taken in Eugene two summers ago at Alton Baker Park while on a photo excursion with my friend Kate.

Setting Up

2007-06-15T11:03:00.001-07:00

Vendors and artisans setting up for last weekend's Saturday Market.

Rain Bird

2007-06-15T10:57:00.001-07:00

Looking for handouts downtown last weekend.

Green Thumbs

2007-06-15T08:47:00.001-07:00

Gardeners from all over the community taking a few moments to tend their plots.

Cycling Eastward

2007-06-14T08:48:00.001-07:00

Another photo from my bike path series. It may have occurred to some of you that I spend a lot of my time bicycle commuting. Well, it's true. I do.

Softball Practice

2007-06-13T08:35:00.001-07:00

This photo was snapped at a field near Westmoreland.

Dandelion Potential

2007-06-12T09:21:00.001-07:00

All of these lovely seeds mean that I'll be digging up a whole new crop of dandelions in the coming weeks. Alas. Dandelion greens salad anyone?

Field Sports

2007-06-11T08:53:00.001-07:00

I snapped this photo of what appeared, from a distance, to be a soccer tournament in progress near Roosevelt Middle School. That's the Spencer View university family housing complex in the background.

Rainy Plaza

2007-06-10T08:17:00.001-07:00

The nearly deserted and rainy Broadway Plaza at the intersection of Willamette and Broadway streets downtown.

Down to Earth

2007-06-09T07:13:00.001-07:00

The south side of the Down to Earth store--my favorite home and garden center and one of the best places to buy compost tea locally.

Sunning Students

2007-06-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

University of Oregon students enjoying a rather warm, humid afternoon in view of the student union building.

Local Enterprise

2007-06-07T08:58:00.001-07:00

Near the corner of Jefferson and 15th streets, and at the East end of the Fern Ridge path there is a homegrown plant nursery called Bike Path Botanicals. I've been meaning for some time to stop and peruse their plants. They also offer fresh cut floral bouquets.

Reprieve from Rain

2007-06-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

There was a break in the rain and overcast sky last evening so I took a walk and snapped this photo. This was around 12th and Cityview, looking West.