Life on the 30/31E Bus

I try to be sustainable – not just talk about it but live it too. My mantra is the three R’s – Recycle, Reuse, Reduce. One of the things I do is take public transportation whenever and wherever I can. Given where I live, it is sometimes easier said than done. The bus service out to Estacada is at best, limited. The bus doesn’t run on Sundays and only for a few hours on Saturday. That leaves the weekdays – hours for catching a bus to downtown Portland are from 4:43 AM to 7:17 AM. Don’t be late!!!! And to get home from downtown Portland, you can catch the bus from 3:17 PM to 6:09 PM. Hope you don’t have to work any overtime ‘cuz it’s a long walk home! What happens during the day? Well, you can take the bus, but it’s going to take a couple of bus transfers and at least two hours to get anywhere.

That being said, the bus I usually ride is the 30/31E and we are a close group. It’s the commuter run – same peeps going to work and coming home. TriMet has dubbed us the "Party Bus" because we do celebrate holidays, birthdays, baby showers, and the miscellaneous occasions that come up. Hey, if you are gonna be stuck on a bus for an hour each way, you may as well party.

Yesterday on Thursday, we had our annual Halloween party. Decorations were courtesy of our driver Jim. Christy brought her trusty ukulele and, bus peeps provided the chorus. Kai got in the spirit and dressed up as a Star Wars storm trooper. A good time was had by all.

Rediscover Oregon City

Last Saturday, Regina and I went into Oregon City to find a really neat little hobby shop to buy a birthday present for our brother. We parked by the municipal elevator and took the elevator down to Main Street. We found the hobby shop (701 Main Street) but it wasn’t open yet so we walked over to a wonderful restaurant called Mi Famiglia and had a couple of nice garlicky salads and beer. Yum, smelly and boozy! By the time we finished our lunch, the hobby shop opened.

I don’t normally go to Oregon City any more. I used to work in the O.C. from 1979-1985 but had forgotten what an interesting town O.C. is! Lots of history, lots of old buildings and LOTS of fun little shops in the downtown area. Take a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and rediscover Oregon City. The municipal elevator is free. The original elevator was built in 1915 and ran on hydraulic power. In 1924 the hydraulic power was replaced by electricity which provided a faster (five minutes vs 30 seconds) and more reliable way to travel the 89 foot ascent. The old elevator was replaced by a sleek, modern elevator in 1955. The observation deck offers great views of the city. Here is a picture of the old elevator on the right and the new elevator on the left, temporarily bridged with a catwalk between them. And here is a picture of Regina in front of the "new" elevator!

Have lunch at Mi Famiglia and stuff yourself on garlicky pizza, lasagna and salad, washed down with a good beer. Then go for a walk down Main Street and pop in the many interesting little shops – be sure to include the little hobby shop next to Mi Famiglia. It is a trip back to your childhood!

Keeping Portland Weird

Here is why I love Portland! When it isn't raining, it is really a pretty city. Hawthorne Bridge is one of many on the Willamette River. The Willamette River divides Portland, east and west. I grew up on the southeast side of Portland and to me, that is home. The westside is sort of foreign territory to me. Funny how culture can differ in just one "little" city. Top left is the building where I work. I've worked for the company for over 33 years. Not in the same department or even same location - I've had the opportunity to work in many departments and many locations! Bottom left is a "pep rally" that held in Pioneer Square this afternoon. OSU plays U of W tomorrow. Go Beavs!

Change in the Weather

Isn't she lovely? This is one of two little fawns that a doe has decided our yard is ok to bring her babies - to eat, graze and rest. There are no guns here or dogs that will bother her fawns. It's relatively peaceful . . . if you don't count a little grey cat with homicidal tendacies. Oh well, I figure the fawns are big enough to fend off Behr. Maybe. The weather has changed from the past few days, definately fall is in the air. Today I woke up to rain steadly falling. Not cold yet, but gray and dark. Just another change in the seasons. It happens, I just deal with it. Kind of like our little mama-doe - find a quiet harbor and wait out the rain.

Fun Times at the Zoo

Went to the zoo last weekend, curtesy of Regina. Even though the weather was cloudy and threatened to rain, it was a lot of fun! Good times - saw my favorite - The Kitty Cats! OK, the polar bears were cool (no pun intended) and seeing the baby elephant, Sam was too cute! But my favorite has always been the big cats. In pix, Reg gets a big ROOOAR!