Some of Astoria's interesting facades

The top photo is, of course, a residential building, and the rest of the architectural details on this page are all commercial. I didn't plan the day. It was cold and sunny and nice out, with, for the most part, blue skies. I couldn't help taking a lot of pictures as I walked first up to Polk Riley's graphic art and print shop to pick up my new batch of cards, then later walked to the post office and back along Commercial street. I'll let most of the pix speak for themselves. I love architectural detail. The first time I took a lot of photos in Europe, nobody was interested in looking at them, and it was then I realized they were mostly architectural detail and not "scenic." Nothing gave the big picture. I've tried to change that somewhat over the years, taking pix of the detail, of course, but remembering to give it a setting (sometimes!). Anyway, here's some detail of Astoria without much setting until you get to the bottom.

The Purple Cow (above) is a landmark and much-loved toy store in Astoria. Here you can see it in relation to 14th Street, which leads to the River Walk one block away.

The Fort George Brewery and Blue Scorcher Bakery and Cafe are in the historic Fort George Building. It was empty with broken-out windows for most of my time in Astoria from 2001 until a year or two ago. I mainly took the pic because I like the tree in autumn plumage. I'm not sure what the history is behind the building, but I'm sure it can be found online. This photo telescopes the distance. In the foreground is the Area Properties parking lot with the AP moving truck visible, then there's Duane Street, which you can't see, and Fort George fronting on Duane. The streets in Astoria are alphabetical parallelling the river, with Astor being short and cut off by the way the town sits, then Bond Street (also short). Marine Drive (not alphabetical) is the wide artery through town along the river, then Commercial with most of the businesses on it, Duane up from that with a number of businesses, but fewer, and and Exchange next, then solidly into the residential area with Franklin, etc.

A conference in Vancouver, Washington

This is my brother, Gary. No, he's not in jail. Nor is he in the zoo. Actually, the bars reminded me of the back area of a zoo, where the keepers work near the animals but need protection - which is why I took it. I've enjoyed going behind the scenes at various zoos in my life. But in this case, it's only the parking garage in downtown Vancouver, Washington. Gary and I attended a NutraMetrix conference there for three days from October 3 to 5. I took these pix on the 4th. It was educational and enjoyable - some parts were spectacular. I just hate sitting in a room like that for so long.

Here's the Hilton, where the conference was held.

This is the park across the street from the Hilton. A couple of years ago, Lee and I saw Bo Diddley play a concert there. It was totally memorable. What a master he was! I took more pix of the salmon bell tower, which was fun. I love whimsical public sculptures and fountains and such, and a lot of the ones around here have salmon in them.

Above is one of the several lecture rooms we used at the Hilton. This is during break, of course. The rooms were packed.

Across the street from the Hilton. I don't know what the building is, but it's fun to look at and I love the sky. I don't love the power lines. I know it's expensive for cities, but if they're going to make nice things to look at, could we ditch the obstacles? Thanks.

Nice colors - again, across the street from the Hilton (above and below). Architectural detail again. Some of my favorite things to look at.

August 7, Astoria: River Walk, waterfront, flowers, ships, and more

Here's the old ferry dock in the foreground at the 14th Street Pier. It's a nice day and everything seems picturesque. But looking back at this photo, I think, "Isn't it amazing how crooked I could get the horizon line without even noticing?" It must be a learning curve with digital cameras. I don't remember this happening so much with the old SLRs.

The old bundles of pilings at 14th Street remind me of asparagus with all the green mossy stuff on them.

Here's another veiw of the ruins of the old ferry with Englund Marine's building on the right and Tongue Point in the background.

I really like this detail of the old sign and siding of the Knappton Towboat Company's building. It says:

KNAPPTON

TOWBOAT

PARKING

ONLY

Now as I write this in 2010, it's gone. The building remains, but nothing of this image. I'll compare it sometime on my Astoria, Oregon, Daily Photo blog.

Baked Alaska on the left.

Here's the seafood building next to Pier 11. I love the boats docked in front of it. The Wet Dog Cafe is on the waterfront to the left.

More boats. I fall more in love with my new town every time I see scenes like this one.

From the dock at Doc's on 12th (Baked Alaska), looking back at Sears and The Wet Dog.

Windows next to Sears on the River Walk. Not kept up, but photogenic.

Doc's on 12th Street.

Here's where the pilot boat docks. To the right is a platform, and to the right of that is where I took the picture of the Knappton sign.

Yes, here you can see what I just described above. The Knappton sign is along the River Walk to the right.

At the foot of the 14th Street Pier, and just across the River Walk (on the corner of 14th and Marine Drive) is this lovely patch of flowers. I got several pix today that I liked, and here they are:

I love this blue flower. It looks like they came from one of those wildflower seed packet assortments. It's not on anyone's property except the City's as far as I know, and I'm grateful each time I see this corner that someone bothered to plant it.

Going up 14th Street back toward downtown, it's nice to come across historical markers like this. I love learning the history, and it makes me happy that someone cared to take note. I've lived in several towns with a lot of preserved history; I'd find it hard to live somewhere without roots.

Back at my apartment, here's a wonderful cargo ship passing. The pic is from my back deck.

Here's my deck where the ship photo was taken. I go up a few steps from my back door and end up on this landing. The structure is really a fire escape, but each landing is made big enough to use for a deck. This adds such aesthetic value to my apartment, I just love it, especially because it's a long way around to get to the water. At least I can see it, even though the walking/driving route isn't direct.

From the deck looking upriver. Too bad about that condo, though they have an incredible view I'd like to see someday.

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