I'm not gonna let vacation slow me down, y'all.

I'm posting this photo today in honor of my departure from Portland's international airport, known as PDX. I'm off to England and Scotland for a Trafalgar tour, a dream trip with my friend Juliet who moved to Portland from Minneapolis. She found me through this blog! So cool!

Don't be fooled, though. This is not the air traffic control tower seen from the airplane. I took this photo on October 5, 2013, from a TriMet bus window as we crossed the Morrison Bridge. The bridge operator works in there and raises the bridge as necessitated by Willamette River traffic. I've actually been on a tour of that bridge and got to go down into the support, which I call the leg, of the bridge through the door on the tower. After we walked down the stairs, the bridge operator raised the bridge and we got to hear and see all of the works move--Spielberg woulda loved that sound!--as well as a huge concrete section which eventually opened enough that we could see the sky!

Seen at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, No. 19, July 3, 2014 - spangled star?

Next colors that caught my eye--this blue and white star on one of the boats out on the Willamette. I didn't even notice the flag or the red lamp thing beside the man until I had uploaded the photo. I like watching the lights on the star change, but this is my favorite configuration of those which I photographed, so I'm sharing it with y'all. Enjoy! Oh, I forgot. How much money do you think is floating there as their owners enjoy the music--I assume the boats are all personal property, unless someone leased or rented a boat for the blues festival. And this is only a small section of the boats gathered there--they start showing up a week or so before the blues festival begins. I wonder how the music sounds out there, behind the stages and speakers?

Seen at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, No. 15, July 3, 2014 - blues on the river with a Delta Music Experience Blues Cruise

Not my cup of tea--yet. Maybe one of these years I'll get brave enough to go on a Blues Cruise during the blues fest. Looks like a lot of fun, but I'm not too sure about being on the water when someone I do not know personally is in charge of the vessel. I think that's the Portland Spirit heading south on the Willamette River. 713 p.m. Folks board just north of the Hawthorne Bridge, a portion of which you can see on the left of the photo. That brick building in the distance, visible above I-5, is the Multnomah Building--I work on the third floor facing the river.

Of sunshine and shade and stringed instruments

She pedaled through the sunshine, one musical instrument on her back, one behind her in the bicycle's basket--at least that case appears to hold another stringed musical instrument.



She pedaled into the shade, on her way west across the Hawthorne Bridge over the Willamette River. Does the green instrument in the purple backpack make you think of a banjo? To me, there seems to be a circle-ness in its shape hidden inside the backpack.

The chartreuse-colored pavement marks a dedicated bike lane.

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 10

I hope you're not too tired of seeing these photos of the blooming cherry trees bathed in sunlight. I can't quit looking at them myself, amazed at the impact those blossoms have on the views. We've not had much sunshine like this since that weekend about three weeks ago. However, we Portlanders know that it will return, the middle of next week in fact! I especially like how blossoms enhance the look of the trunks and branches on these two rows of trees.



Here's another photo of the same spot, taken looking a bit more to the east. I'm sharing it with you because I like the two photographers with their phones. One stands at the left side of the photo where the sun lights up her spring green jacket as she takes a photo. The other takes a giant step into the photo from the right. She wears a sweater with stripes the same green and a matching headband. While she's not taking a photo, the fact that she has phone in hand and is looking up makes me certain that she's on the search for the perfect place to take the next beautiful photo.

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 9

Not everyone at Tom McCall Waterfront Park took photos while I was there. A few minutes after I took this photo, he stood up from what looked to have been a comfortable nap, picked up his bag and walked away. I took this photo at 6:36 p.m. on Friday, March 21, looking northeast towards the Steel Bridge. You can see part of it over the tops of the trees. Notice that gray roof with the shadow beneath it, above the blooming cherry trees, top right corner of the photo? That's the Moda Center where the Portland Trail Blazers play their home games. It is on the east side of the Willamette River. The other roofline is on a grain elevator along the east bank of the Willamette River. I have a season ticket to the Blazers' games and am looking forward to the rest of the season, then the playoffs. Go, Blazers!

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 8

Looking north, toward the Steel Bridge over the Willamette, in a photo that I took at 5:52 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014. The fly over across the river is involved with I-5. I haven't driven on it enough to remember for sure, but I think it is where you can exit I-5 and get onto I-84. Y'all correct me, Portlanders, please. I like the three checking a photograph, no doubt. And their shadows stretching to the river.



Looking south, toward the Burnside Bridge, in a photo that I took at 5:57 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014. The supports you see on the left are on the section of the bridge that crossed the Willamette. I like the little girl dancing in pink chiffon on the green grass, as well as the number of folks visible in this particular shot.

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 7

Found another redhead in a gray hat enjoying the green grass and sunshine and cherry blossoms. The blurry white spots are petals in flight. Double serendipity, to get her and the falling petals in the same shot. I took this photo at 6:22 p.m. on Friday, March 21.

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 6

Wait! There in the distance past the in-focus single Benson Bubbler I couldn't resist photographing because the plume of water resembled a giant cut diamond. Is that someone squatted beside the redhead in the gray hat?



Yep, he's checking out the screen on his phone. She's turned towards him. He photographed her at the same time I did, from a straight-on perspective, I imagine. He's wearing a darker gray hat and has a red fu manchu mustache and goatee. Serendipity!

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 5

Surely someone is taking her photo, other than me. Surely. In this perspective, sunshine and shadow treated her just right. I think her red hair peeking out from the brim of her gray hat and catching the sunlight next to her cheek make this photo special. What do you think? I'm very curious to know your opinion. I took this photo at 6:21 p.m. on Friday, March 21. Right above her head, cherry blossoms. But, I'm happy that I zoomed in and got this photo.

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 3

I heard the lady in the maroon jacket say, as they approached the single bubbler while I leaned over and took the photograph, "What's she doing?" The man in the jacket with the green stripes answered, "She taking a photo of the water fountain."



Little did they know that I'd also taken a photo with them in focus. I stood up as they came abreast and asked, "Do you want to see the photo of the water fountain?" They stopped and looked and gave their approval. We agreed that it was a beautiful early evening to be out for a walk, enjoying the sunshine and the cherry blossoms. I chickened out and only showed them the top photo where the two of them are not in focus. One of these days, I'll be brave enough when I make eye contact with the subject of a photograph to say something along the lines of, "I've taken this great photo of you and plan to put it on my blog soon. Here's my card with the blog's address so that you can check it out, if you'd like." What do you other photo bloggers think about my plan? OK? Pitiful? Unnecessary? What would you do? What do you do?

By the way, how about that man with the purposeful stride, balancing his brimmed, cloth hat on his right fingertips? I caught him there in the center of the photo in mid-step, the entire sole of his left shoe visible. I love it! And I love that tiny bit of the sky visible between parts of the Steel Bridge, there in the distance. The tiny bit I'm talking about touches the top of the striding man's hat and looks as if it's a feather coming out of the hat, practically the exact color!

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 2

Here's the jumping girl from yesterday's post, with her dad, mom, and little sister. Sweet to see a family out making memories in the sunshine on the first weekend that the cherry trees bloomed. The way the weather changes around here, sometimes these flowers depart quickly, so it is imperative to get on out there and take advantage of the best conditions, as soon as they occur. That's why I went over between the Burnside and the Steel Bridges Friday, March, 21, after work. I had no idea if I could get back to Tom McCall Waterfront Park on Saturday or Sunday, so I put a reminder on my iPhone 5 and made it happen. The reminder's necessary because on Friday I tend to be on autopilot for home, unless the Blazers are playing.

Along the west bank of the Willamette River, No. 1

Friday after work at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, lots of people came out to enjoy the sunshine and the blooming cherry trees. I took this photo at 5:45 p.m. on March 21.

See what prompted me to get off the 20 bus on East Burnside last Saturday

An enclosed tricycle. What do you think of it? While I think it is so cute, I myself cannot imagine being out in regular traffic in it--even with bike lanes--mainly because I cannot imagine riding a bicycle or a tricycle in traffic, period. Someone parked it here, beside the bike rack--that blue bar--so someone rode in it.



Once I walked across East Burnside onto NE 16th, I stopped to take this photo. Now I see that the enclosed trike is in between two bike racks; I wonder why it is not locked to one of them? Hmmm. Look ahead on the sidewalk and you'll see a bicycle waiting for its rider. I wonder if it is locked to a bike rack? Oh, one more thing to notice in this photo that I took in Northeast Portland. Beyond the green street sign and the yellow one with the arrow on it, see what looks like a tall building? That is the Big Pink which is on the west side of the Willamette, a mile and three tenths away! So cool to find the unexpected in a photograph!



Closer view of the back of the trike. It's an interesting piece of machinery.

While cold and blustery weather lingers, I'm dreaming and knowing this too will come, No. 9

I took this photo on July 7, 2013, at 3:11 p.m. My first time to attend the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival went so well that I'm hoping to have much the same sort of blast this July. And I'm already praying for perfect weather on and before all festival days. The Blues Stage you see is the second-largest stage at the festival, one of four stages, all of which were loaded with talented performers for the crowd's enjoyment. That's the Hawthorne Bridge, raised to allow passage of a vessel pushed north and downstream by the tugboat you can see beyond the crowd. The tall building the background is in Southeast Portland, the Weatherly Building on the corner of SE Morrison and SE Grand, just a few blocks north of where I work. One of these days I want to ride an elevator to the top floor and look out at Portland and the Willamette River which divides the city into west and east.

I cannot wait to find out what the Blues Benefactor Pass costs this year--I'm saving up for it because having one last year was absolutely perfect.

Info from the festival Web site: 2014 Blues Fest Highlights Many more to be announced! 
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014
LOS LOBOS
LOS LONELY BOYS
Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials
Blind Boy Paxton
Hoodoo Moon Cruise: Blind Boy Paxton, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials

FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014
JOHN NEMETH & THE BO-KEYS
The Soul of John Black
Chris O’Leary Band
Home Made Jamz
Bill Rhoades’ Harmonica Blow-Off: Chris O’Leary, John Nemeth
Journey to Memphis Competition
Fireworks
After Hours Allstars: Bo-Keys Soul Jam: TBA

SATURDAY, JULY 5, 2014
MACEO PARKER
Sugaray Rayford
Leo Bud Welch
Zydeco Swamp Romp: Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas
Rock the Boat Dance Cruise: Chris Bergson Band, Sugaray Rayford After Hours Allstars: Maceo Parker • Lee Fields & the Expressions

SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2014
GREGG ALLMAN BAND
Lee Fields & The Expressions
Chris Bergson Band
Zydeco Swamp Romp: Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas

Sky-writing jets, #2

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Once I got on the MAX Yellow Line, I sat in the sunny light rail car enjoying the view. In this photo the train is on the Steel Bridge just about to cross over the Willamette River. The two sets of tracks you see are for the MAX Red Line and the MAX Blue Line. The MAX Green Line approaches the bridge on the same tracks as the MAX Yellow Line. All four cross the river on the Steel Bridge, then branch out to serve various places in the greater metropolitan area on both the east and west sides of the river. It wasn't until I uploaded the photos to iPhone that I noticed a bit of jet trail in the photo. For more serendipity, there's the Big Pink on the skyline.
 

I like the blue sky reflected in the Willamette River. And look at all the jet trails!

Seen on the Hawthorne Bridge

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On January 8, I stood on the westbound approach of the Hawthorne Bridge and looked towards downtown, admiring the night sky and the lights, the bridges and the traffic--vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Intrigued by the various views, I noticed some of the  of the Hawthorne Bridge's truss spans between the upper and lower decks of the Marquam Bridge (which is also Interstate 5). Since I liked what I saw, I picked up the Nikon D50 hanging around my neck and took this photo.

An 18-wheeler zooms south on the lower Marquam Bridge deck. On the upper deck, a light-colored van or SUV heads north. The Willamette River ripples and shines between the Hawthorne Bridge supports, reflecting the well-lit Willamette River. The cone-shaped top of the KOIN Tower and the upper floors of the Wells Fargo Building stand tall in downtown. At the western end of the street with the cars parked along its north side, there's a single story building with a sort of patio in front of it, a low railing at the edge of the patio to keep folks from falling into the Willamette, and a very tall evergreen tree right across the patio from the building. That building is a fire station. The firefighters serve Portlanders on dry land and river water. 

About the Hawthorne Bridge, from the Multnomah County Web site:

Hawthorne Bridge 

Originally constructed in 1910, the Hawthorne Bridge is the oldest operating vertical lift bridge in the United States. The 1,383-foot long Hawthorne Bridge is one of Portland’s busiest bridges, safely carrying approximately 30,000 vehicles and untold pedestrians and cyclists across the Willamette River. Vertical clearance for river traffic is limited and approximately 200 openings per month are required for this vertical lift bridge.

Like other vertical lift bridges, the Hawthorne Bridge uses a system of counterweights and cables to move the lift span straight up and down. The operating system is mostly original, but the electrical power and control systems—which were installed in 1975—were upgraded in 1999. Hawthorne’s counterweights each weigh 450 tons and are supported by the bridge’s two towers, which rise 165 feet above the bridge deck. The Hawthorne Bridge’s main span can be raised 110 feet to allow vessels to pass underneath. On average, an opening of the Hawthorne Bridge is 8 minutes long.

Major structural modifications on the truss spans have included: 

• Removal of the original timber deck and sidewalk.
• Installation of open steel grating deck and concrete and aluminum sidewalks. 
• Widening the sidewalks from 6 feet to 10 feet to allow greater room for pedestrians and cyclists. This resulted in the overall deck width extending out to 72 feet.

The Hawthorne Bridge was designed by Waddell and Harrington, Consulting Engineers from Kansas City, MO and constructed by the Pennsylvania Steel Co and United Engineering and Construction and Robert Wakefield. It opened to traffic on December 19, 1910. 

Hawthorne Bridge statistics

• Year built: 1910
• Overall structure length (main span, approaches and ramps): 3,552 ft
• Width: 73 ft Center height above water: 49 ft
• Designed by: Waddell and Harrington, Kansas City, MO
• Constructed by: Pennsylvania Steel Co., United Engineering and Construction, and Robert Wakefield.
• Main river span: The main river span is made up of six spans for a total length of 1,383 ft. The three spans east of the lift span section are each 209’3” long; the lift span is about 477 ft long; the tower spans (which flank the lift span) are each 244’3.5” long. The towers rise 165 ft above the bridge deck and support the bridge’s two counterweights, which each weigh 450 tons. 
• East approach: Consists of three separate ramps: the Madison Street Viaduct, the Hawthorne Street Viaduct, and the Water Avenue Ramp. The Madison Street Viaduct is 1,290 ft long, carries two lanes of westbound traffic toward the bridge and is constructed of simple-span steel girders supporting a concrete deck on reinforced concrete columns and caps. The Hawthorne Street Viaduct is 1,250 ft long, has construction similar to the Madison Street Viaduct and carries two lanes of eastbound traffic away from the bridge. The 549-ft Water Avenue Ramp is a two-lane, two-way ramp built in 1992 that allows eastbound traffic to exit the bridge to Water Avenue, and allows westbound traffic access to the bridge from Water Avenue.
• West approach: Approximately 330 ft long, the west approach is made up of a series of short ramps that connect the bridge with SW Naito Parkway and SW 1st Avenue. The structure is made up of reinforced concrete columns and caps supporting a concrete deck and prestressed concrete beams. In 1999 sidewalks and ramps were added to the west approached to improve access for the handicapped, pedestrians, and cyclists.