PDX

 Portland is an interesting city to me.  There are so many areas of Portland that seem to be a whole other world.  I have yet to venture to all, with my camera at least, but intend to get there soon.  On this trip I visited the Eastbank Esplanade of the Willamette River.

Here is a link for more information on the Eastbank Esplanade, http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/finder/index.cfm?PropertyID=105&action=ViewPark

If  you have never visited the Esplanade, it is a 1.5 mile long path on the bank of the river for walking, running, biking and breathtaking views of downtown Portland.  Above is my skyline picture.  Below is another skyline, framed by the underside of a freeway overpass.

Burnside Bridge: Originally opened in 1894 and replaced with the current bridge in 1926

Burnside Bridge's Italian Renaissance towers

Morrison Bridge: Originally opened in 1887 and replaced with current bridge in 1958.  When built in 1887 it was the longest bridge West of the Mississippi and was a toll bridge (rates: horse drawn rig - $0.15, team of horses - $0.20, pedestrian - $0.05)  The large concrete pillars are illuminated by large flood lights and colors can be requested by the public for a fee.  These are often purchased during Civil War football week by an alumni of either Oregon State or Oregon and the colors represent their school!!

You never know when you might need to do some business down by the river!

Just a glimpse of the some of the great art, sculptures and lines that you will find on the Eastbank

This was my favorite picture of the day.  This is the water level, floating walkway and I was lucky enough to get here when it was empty and begging to be photographed!

World renowned OHSU and the trolley car.  OHSU is on the Southwest side of Portland is one of the leading hospitals in the world.  It is also the future home of one Drew Krieg!

An awesome view of the KOIN tower. Built in 1984 and named after its highest profile occupant, KOIN television, a CBS affiliate.  The KOIN Tower is 35 stories tall.

Portland Oregon/Old Town Sign: This sign is a historic landmark in Portland, designated in 1977.  Originally constructed in 1940 atop the White Stag Sportswear building, reading White Stag in large letters.  This sign has had numerous names over the years including; White Stag Sportswear, White Satin Sugar, Made in Oregon and currently Portland Oregon. Pictures below are courtesy of Wikipedia and Google

                               

 My trip to the Eastbank Esplanade was time well spent.  The views were amazing, the people were interesting, and the pictures were awesome.  As I looked back through my pictures I started to realize how much history I was looking at.  After looking into the stories of the bridges, buildings and signs, I have a much better understanding and appreciation of where Portland came from.  There is so much more to see in Portland and so much more to learn.  Keep checking back to see where I end up next!!

Burnside Skate Park

 Burnside Skate Park is one of the most popular skate parks in the country.  Not county, COUNTRY!  This place is legit.  Skaters come from all over to shred cement.  I took it upon myself to cruise to the underworld of the Burnside Bridge to check it out.  I posted up on the top side of the park and began shooting as a few skaters worked it out.  After shooting from the bird's eye view I decided to venture down to ground level.  This proved to get real interesting...

Bird's eye view

Might as well ride UP the pillar

No shirt? It's cool!

Sacred Ground

Skater rippin' a heel slide

 After having a great time and getting some good shots I was just about to finish my time at Burnside when things got real dicey.  The skater in the above picture approached me and said, "hey bro, you wanna make a donation for concrete?"  I was totally thrown off and not quite sure what was going on.  I responded, "no man, I'm good."  He said, "why don't you run up to the market and get us some beer then."  Again I responded, "nah, I'm just about to take off."  The skater says," yeah you better, cause your kinda like a soul thief right now.  You wanna be a soul thief?"  I'm lookin' at this guy like, what is happening right now?!  I replied, "I'm not trying to be a soul thief.  I'll just pack up and take off."  Finally he says, "yeah you better do that."  The whole time I'm thinking, I have got over $1000 in camera gear and am way out of my element right now.  I hope I can get outta here in one piece!!  Luckily things were fine upon my exit and I got out of there with some great pictures and an even better story!!!

No Trespassing!!

 From time to time you set out for a photo shoot just to get there and realize that it's not going to be quite as easy as you thought.  That happened to me as I set out to shoot our new Jeep down by the railroad tracks and an old barn.  Each morning while on my way to work I pass this old barn with graffiti all over it and think, "that would look cool in a picture".  Well...make it happen!  Make it happen I did.  However the plans changed slightly as I pulled into the driveway to find the road chained off and NO TRESPASSING posted everywhere.  I guess the Jeep wasn't gonna have it's day in the spotlight.  However, I was there, had my camera and two healthy legs.  I took full advantage of the dilapidated building and it's surroundings and began shooting.

 This barn was sweet.  Graffiti on one end, rusted metal siding on the other.  I was a little sketched out as I ventured inside to see what was up.  It ended up being vacant and empty, which was a relief! Kind of boring in there, but a huge relief.  While I was shooting the barn, two cars pulled into the driveway.  This is when I was trying to size them up to see if I could out run them.  As they got out of the car I then noticed they were dressed too nice to be the redneck owner of this old shanty and one of them had a giant camera around her neck.  She was there for the same reason I was.  Yet another relief!

While spending time wondering the property and madly snapping pictures, two trains passed by.  This was exciting, since I was standing about 10 feet from the track and my brand new Jeep was even closer.  We all made it out unscathed, again a huge relief!

 As I made my way back down the tracks towards the car I stumbled upon this little hut.  Now this was a photographers heaven.  Great on its own but brought to life with someone in it.  The only problem was, I was by myself.  Well...in order to test out the new site I better get a few "Senior Pics" of myself!!  I set up my tripod, adjusted my settings, and set up my new Nikon wireless remote control.  Here we go!!

 

 Oh boy, there it is.  The Money Shot!!  If that's not a runway worthy shot I don't know what is!  I felt a little awkward taking self portraits, but hey, someone's gotta do it!

Finally, I continued my hike back to the car but not without a few more pit stops.  The train trestle that I had to RUN across was pretty cool.  From different angles this thing was pretty sweet through the viewfinder.

 I loved these lines, and the moss jumps off of those old boards.

 These old bolts were cool.  I wanted to bring some home but didn't think that Union Pacific would be too thrilled!

 Well, there you have it.  Just a few hours out on the tracks, just me and my camera.  It was a nice little getaway.  Even though I sought out to get award winning pictures of the Jeep and didn't, I still felt successful. many times when you go out to shoot a certain subject, the best pictures you come home with are something totally different.  Keep an open mind, open eye and an open shutter!!