Demolition of the southwest Portland home known as the Canterbury Castle started back in May of 2009. We made a quick trip out to see it one last time.
Haven’t been back there since that time, so unsure where they are in that whole process.
And not much on the web about the progress. Guess the process of tearing it down is not as big news as the decision to start.
Time for another road trip.
Early Sunday morning I found myself deep in NW Portland, with my bike. I had no set schedule, and no required route, which gave me the chance to just ride in any direction that seemed interesting. Soon I found myself at the Union Station train-yards where I discovered the Union Station pedestrian bridge. Nice looking bridge, going over the tracks. But for what purpose I wondered.
There is a nice elevator at each side, but I was a little surprised that for a newer Portland bridge, it really didn’t have any bicycle friendly access. Other than the elevators. I took the elevator.
A very similar design to the Springwater trail bridge over McLoughlin Blvd.
Apparently, this bridge was built to get people from the train yard area, over the tracks, and into the courtyards of “The Yards” apartment complex. Oh, and once you get down and around all the steps of the courtyard, it will put you out on to Naito Parkway. It doesn’t seem like a real heavy traffic flow need, but perhaps I am not aware of the needs of the residents of The Pearl district.
Once down to Naito I ran into The Race for the Cure in progress. 40,000 women walking the streets of Portland. Time to move on.
Then, on to Sellwood, to ride out onto the Sellwood bridge during another one of its regular closings. Last Sunday they closed it to replace the asphalt that had broken away from all the joints. This week they were sealing all the seams, and using their lift truck to inspect the underside.
Honey thinks that one day soon they may close it for the day and just decide not to re-open it. She may be right.
By the way, September 30, 2009 is the next open house for the Sellwood Bridge Project.
The goal for this meeting is to share information revisions made to the preferred alternative that have been made since the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) was published. These revisions were made to comply with various agency policies and regulations. They include:
We were out at Stoller Vineyard to do a race/walk up and down the hillside vineyard outside of Dayton, and I saw this bike rack. A simple design, but the bike on top adds some artistic design while at the same time, helping label what the structure is to be used for.
While riding into the Pearl district for some errands, I found this at 13th and Lovejoy.
Portlanders should recognize what it is in an instant.
But others may not really know all that it really is.
Its even got little cars on it!
Our most regular bike route to and from Portland takes us by “Sherrett Square” at 9th and Sherrett, in Sellwood. They have repainted the pavement in the intersection since the last time we have been through. It looks great.  At this intersection there was the most amazing park bench made of earthen materials. After a few years it deteriorated and was replaced. The replacement is very impressive, but I dont think it is as good as the original. Plus a covered gazebo has been added to help preserve the work. We do love to ride through the area. It has a warm community feel to it.
Sherrett square is sponsored by Community Rejuvenation Project. The northeast corner houses a community bulletin board and a structure for dropping off/picking up free items. The southeast has a bookshelf sharing shelf; the southwest corner has a tea stand complete with mugs and tea, though we arent interested in taking part in that. And finally, the northwest houses a child’s playhouse constructed of cob and recycled windows.
Our bike commute to work goes along Old River Road, then taking a paved path along the river, that opens up to the lower end of George Rogers Park, where the old iron furnace sits, still and forgotten. Until now. Looks like there is a restoration effort underway.
An early industry of the Oswego area was iron foundaries. The hill known as “Iron Mountain” is (or at least was) reasonably rich in iron ore, and the furnace and foundry complex was constructed south of what is now Lake Oswego. Today, in a corner of George Rogers Park, other than the stone furnace walls, little remains of this early Oregon industrial effort. This city has always seemed to to have the funds to do things like this.
A walk through the Japanese Gardens in the west hills of Washington Park can be a tranquil experience. Its a chance to center yourself and to let go of the stress of everyday life……..Provided you can avoid the irritating and obnoxious tourists.
Leverage has made my Tivo Season Pass list.  Honey didn’t think much of it at first passing it off as simplistic and formulaic. And, maybe it is a bit of that, but it is also a lively, entertaining continuing story dramatic/comedy, filled with unpredictiable twists. It isn’t near the top of our watch lists, but with Tivo, it doesn’t have to be. Anyway its going to film in Oregon? That’s a bit of a stretch given its slant towards exotic locales, but maybe with next years plot line of the gang splitting and perhaps lying low, then rural Oregon may be just the thing. It will be fun to see.
‘Leverage’ with Timothy Hutton coming to film in Oregon
SALEM, Ore. — A TNT crime drama is coming to Oregon.
That’s the word from Governor Ted Kulongoski who announced Thursday the hit television series, “Leverage†is coming to the state and many Oregonians will be hired as cast and crew.
“The decision to locate in Oregon is a clear indication that our incentive programs are working. State support for film and television creates jobs and brings a big return on investment for Oregon taxpayers,†Kulongoski said.
The show starring Timothy Hutton is to start its second season. Creators describe it as “a team of thieves, hackers and grifters who join forces to take revenge against those who use power and wealth to victimize others.â€
“We’re delighted to be bringing ‘Leverage’ to Oregon,†Electric Entertainment Founder and ‘Leverage’ Executive Producer, Dean Devlin said.
“From our initial scouting of locations to making the final decision to move the production, we have found the cooperation and assistance from everyone at the Governor’s Office of Film & Television to be extraordinary. The officials from the city of Portland and those at the state level have also been outstanding. We are so impressed by the wide variety of locations available to us,†Devlin said.
Shooting will begin in late spring at locations across the state.
Wow, how did we miss the new bridge in this plan?
Apparently, the design drawing of Gibbs Street bike and pedestrian bridge, been fast-tracked by Mayor Adams to help Portland’s economy. The City of Portland announced a $503 million economic stimulus plan. Within that plan, is $52 million in Bureau of Transportation projects — at least four of which include bike-related facilities.
We will be keeping a close eye on the development of these projects. The first step will be to visit the sites to get an idea of how it looks and works, prior to any work started. In that way we can really understand what the improvement really means to us.
See an current bridge design for the Gibbs Street bridge here.
For more information see MayorSamAdams.com.
This summer we picked up a copy of “Walk There!”, 50 treks in and around Portland, jointly sponsored by Metro and Kaiser Permante. A great little book with all sorts of ideas for some good walking around town. It is in that book that we discovered the Mt. Talbert Park walk. A mountain top hike through the forest, located just a mile off I-205. Too many days spent hanging close to home due to the snow, had created a need for us to get out, and this hike was just the thing.  About 4 miles of trails encircle and climb this extinct 750 foot volcanic butte, just SE of Clackamas Town Center. On trail follows the ridge to the top and other seem to up and down as you walk around, what I am guessing is a park of about 1/2 mile in diameter. All that climbing was a perfect complement to the 35 degree day, where there was still snow at the top.
On a clear day, there is likely some nice views. This winter afternoon, the sky was cold and, well, very gray.
There is a nice trail head parking area on SE Mather road, complete with restrooms, covered picnic area, signs, and bike racks!
Next time we come, we will ride there.
At the top, it is very natural, no real signs of intrusion. Views of the city arent as good as other similar vantage points such as Mt. Tabor, or Rocky Butte, but it was kind of hard to tell on this day.
All the trails are well marked, and it was very easy to tell where we were and what were our options.
Each intersection had one of these great markers. There are at least 6 exit/entrance options here.
The trails are easy to follow and not at all technical, although they are not wheelchair accessible. We couldnt tell if you could bike them. Didnt see any signage either way. Most the trails are dirt, with only a few short sections of gravel. Those gravel sections are apparently there due to erosion issues. The large snowfall, followed by heavy rains, did cause some washout damage to the fine work someone has done in creating these trails. Nothing to cause a problem in walking them, but they will likely need to be repaired.
We are in a unique time where we can decide upon the design of two new bridges in Portland. Not new really, as they are replacements, but we have the opportunity to make them new, and interesting, and useful for many years to come. It has been 30 years since a our last significant bridge project (Sauvie Island bridge doesnt count as significant) and I hope we don’t let it slip by and build some nondescript flat deck concrete structure. Dylan Rivera wrote a great article in the Oregonian, titled “Can we afford pretty?” It is my hope that our new bridges add to the beauty of our area, like the St. Johns, not add to the web of concrete like the Marquam, and George Abernathy. And of course, I want the bridges to be traversable by bikes. Dylan’s article also included nice drawings of all the bridges that connect Oregon and Washington, and, as I looked at them, I began to think about which bridges can be crossed with a bike.
I dont have the graphics, but I can list them.
I guess we will have to find out if riding a bike over these remaining bridge are at all possible.
Bike traffic is going to continue to increase in the years to come. It would seem such a mistake if they are not adequately planned for with our new bridges.
On our recent ride in Gladstone and out Springwater corridor we found three bridges you cant yet use.
The first one is the still closed Park Place bridge in Gladstone, over the Clackamas River. My last post on this bridge was back in February, other than this festive looking banner, I cant see any sign of activity related to fixing this bridge since that time. But, according to the site, www.riverhealth.org, ” Repair work on the 82nd Drive Bridge over the Clackamas River near High Rocks is expected to start in late July or early August. The bridge will reopen for public use by the end of 2008.” Hmmm, ok I gues I will have to go ride by again.
Then, we were out the Springwater, it was a clear and calm day, perfect for a ride. And we came across a construction project that has closed this bridge. Apparently the work is to repair the bridge, although it seems odd that the bridge would need maintenance repairs so soon. Anyway there is a good detour that is well signed and really kind of a nice ride, and not an area you would normally ever see, so that was a good detour.
Also on the Springwater corridor, you can ride under the new light rail overpass just west of where you also ride under I-105. Ok, this bridge isn’t closed as much as it is not yet finished and open. And, you can only ride over it if you are using the light rail, but still…..
On a recent weekend bike ride running errands, towing our wonderful burly cargo trailer we cruising up Belmont street. At about 33rd and Belmont, we came upon this bike parking area on the street. Completely cordoned off from traffic, here is a spot that once allowed for two parked cars, and at that time was accommodating 12 bicycles. What an increased space efficiency that is! And, I am sure that it has held more bikes that that at some time. Still, it never held more than 2 cars. More info on the bike parking from bikeportland.org
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