Photo Contest: "Halloween Scary 365 Days a Year"

Astoria, Oregon

Guest Photographer: Alex (aka B.G. Owens)

Alex wrote, "The old Flavel House is Halloween scary 365 days a year."

That's right, folks. We did not make this up for Halloween. It sits right in one of Astoria's hilly residential neighborhoods all year round! I know a lot of you out there have stories about this place. . . .

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Photo Contest: "Memorial and Bridge"

Astoria, Oregon ~ September 25, 2009

Guest Photographer: Robbie Mattson

Weekend Reflections

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Photo Contest: "The Old Ice House/Cold Storage"

Guest Photographer: Jean B

This is one of my favorite buildings in Astoria. It is totally unique, and I've never posted a photo of it because there are so many cool things to take pictures of around here, and I didn't know what to call the building. So, thanks, Jean, for sending this in for the contest and mentioning what it is! It's intriguing for sure. Located between the River Walk and the water, it's also between 3rd and 4th Streets.

To reply to a comment, the outside of the building is plaster or stucco. It's solid enough, its just ripply from being applied by hand (at least, that's my guess). I'd love to hear more. I think it's totally charming. I have some close-ups that I'll post one of these days after the contest is finished. ~ S.

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Photo Contest: "Under the Bridge"

Astoria, Oregon ~ June 17, 2010

Guest Photographer: John Nordquist

This photo is eye-catching, and it's a vew of Astoria's bridge we don't see every day. For a breathtaking experience, a person should really go and stand under the bridge in real life. It feels so monumental and awesome, and it's impossible to get the full effect in any photo. If you do, come on back and post a comment, OK?  :) 

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Photo Contest: "Parallel Lines"

Astoria, Oregon ~ June 26, 2009

Guest Photographer: Debbie Loyd

I believe this is the section between Astoria proper and Alderbrook. Someone please let me know if that's not so.

Debbie Loyd can be found on the web via the links below:

. Web site

. Blog

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Photo Contest: "Car at the Cannery Pier Hotel"

Guest Photographer: Carrie Schwartzenberger

Today's entry comes in two styles: tweaked and original. Which is your favorite?

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Photo Contest: "Fire in the Sky"

Astoria, Oregon ~ July 1, 2010

Guest Photographer: Mike Duncan, aka "Midnite Mike"

Mike wrote,

Here's one of my favorite pictures that I've ever taken. It was taken behind Astoria Warehousing on the 1st of July this year. For obvious reasons, I call it "Fire in the Sky".

This is another reason we love Astoria! Thanks, Mike!

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Photo Contest: "Kids at the Peter Iredale"

Warrenton, Oregon/Ft. Stevens State Park

Guest Photographer: Merri Padgett

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Photo Contest: "In a Window"

Astoria, Oregon ~ July 10, 2010

Guest Photographer: Robbie Mattson

I'm not sure where this enigmatic photo was taken, but maybe Robbie can fill us in. It seems there is always music happening somewhere in Astoria, so the sign seems appropriate any time. By the way, if you wonder who painted the blue fish from yesterday's post, the owners of The Silver Salmon made a comment. . . .

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Photo Contest: "Silver Salmon Saloon"

Astoria, Oregon

Guest Photographer: Jean B

One of the fun things about Astoria is that there are quirky or just plain unique things on virtually every street corner (and between the corners, too). This is the side entrance to the Silver Salmon Grille. Maybe the sign says, "Silver Salmon Saloon" because this is the side of the restaurant where the bar is located. The "fine dining" area is on the other side. I believe that local artist Vern Wilson made the metal salmon with the chef's hat, but I don't know who painted the welcoming blue fish. Maybe someone will tell us.

Thanks for the photo, Jean. This is another scene I'd shot several times, but had never posted on "Astoria Daily."

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Photo Contest: "A Sunset View from the Maritime Museum"

Guest Photographer: John Nordquist

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Photo Contest: "A Room with a Very Affordable View"

Astoria, Oregon, Upstairs in Pier 11

Guest Photographer: Riki

Riki calls this place "A Little Piece of Heaven on Pier 11." One might also call it, "A Little Bit of Hawaii in Astoria," although it doesn't sound as poetic. I've always wondered what it looked like from the top of the Pier 11 Building. Here's the view across the river to Washington and to the fishing operation on the next pier. And the inside looks sooooo inviting! Has anyone noticed the weather report? It seems our beautiful fall weather is coming to an end very soon. This would certainly be a comfy place to watch one of our winter storms!

I learned that Malama Day Spa is one of Astoria's newest businesses - if not THE newest, having opened on October 8th. I have not been to visit yet, but I expect to soon! Riki and her mom (who still lives in Hawaii) spent hours at the beginning of the month getting the place ready to open. Here are a few particulars. Check out the links:

"Malama Day Spa is on Pier 11, in Astoria and is currently offering 20% off your first service. See their blog at http://riki-malamadayspa.blogspot.com/ or visit their website at http://www.malamadayspa.qwestoffice.net/. Phone: 503-325-8233. This is not your average spa. Prepare to RELAX and be pampered affordably. Mahalo!"

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Photo Contest: "Sunday Market in front of the Liberty Theatre"

Astoria, Oregon ~ May 18, 2008

Guest Photo: Sara Absher

Hello again! I'm sorry, I needed to be out of town for a few days. Everything is OK, and I'm back at the computer. Our interrupted contest postings are back on track with this lovely photo filled with flowers from a beautiful day in May in front of Astoria's historic and accoustically-acclaimed refurbished Liberty Theatre.

Up tomorrow is a brand new business in Astoria with a great view and services many of you will want to know about! Stay tuned. . . .

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Photo Contest: "Maverick"

Astoria, Oregon ~ September 19, 2009

Guest Photographer: Danielle Ruegg

Danielle wrote, "The F/V Maverick (made famous by "Deadliest Catch"), in it's home port of Astoria. I took this photo last year at the Fisherman's Festival. (Far better weather than what we had this year.)

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Photo Contest: "Overview"

Astoria, Oregon ~ July 14, 2005

Guest Photographer: Debbie Loyd

This gorgeous view from the bridge (you can see its shadow on the water) gives about as good an overview of the Astoria waterfront as you're going to get. For those who know the town, I don't need to point out the landmarks, but this blog has readers from around the world and across the country, so . . . here are just a few of them. (I've left the photo large, so when you click on the image and then click on it again in a new window, you'll be able to "walk through" the picture.)

At the top of the hill is the Astoria Column. The teeny little bit of red along the water at the far left is Pier 39, with Coffee Girl, kayak rentals, Rogue Ales Pub, and much more (it used to be the Bumblebee Cannery). Just to the right out of the picture is the Holiday Inn Express, where I took a number of pictures last June. The white buildings in front are warehouses, and The River Walk and Riverfront Trolley run right along the water. The cluster of buildings in the middle of the photo is downtown Astoria.

Thanks to Debbie Loyd for this grand submission. She can be found at the following links, where you can also learn about one of the businesses (or services) that helps make Astoria about its special people:

. Web site

. Blog

Thanks to Jan for the following comment:

FYI, Pier 39 used to be Bumble Bee Cold Storage. The Cannery was much farther west, across the street from the Pig ‘n Pancake. In the 1950s and 1960s, you used to see trucks driving from the cold storage plant through town to the canary with these huge “things” sticking straight up in the beds of the trucks. Those “things” were yellow fin tuna that had been kept frozen at the cold storage plant until the canary was ready for them. I was one of the first two guides hired by Bumble Bee to take visitors on tours of the canary, and I worked there the summers of 1960 and 1961. Tourists often asked me about the strange looking “trees” they saw on trucks around town.

Jan

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Photo Contest: "Keeper of the Dock"

Astoria, Oregon

Guest Photographer: Carrie Schwartzenberger

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Photo Contest: "Net Shed"

Astoria, Oregon ~ September 5, 2010

Guest Photographer: Kim Taylor

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Photo Contest: "How about a Title?"

Warrenton, Oregon ~ December 5, 2008, 5:01 pm

Guest Photographer: Mike Duncan, aka Midnite Mike

The Peter Iredale at Ft. Stevens

I couldn't think of a good title for this one. Mike said, "I love this abstract photo of the shipwreck with the beautiful sunset behind it." It's very striking and beautifully abstract. Anyone up for helping with a name?

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Installing the Pilot Boat "Peacock" at the Martime Museum

October 7, 2010

It was a dark and drizzly afternoon when the pilot boat Peacock was installed at the Maritime Museum along Marine Drive in Astoria - not that we ever have dark and drizzly days in Astoria. Today I am interrupting our photo contest posts to bring you an historic Astoria event.

Thanks to Laurel and her friend Kelly for letting me know this was happening. After a quick and essential trip to the post office, I swung by to see the action. The boat had already been lowered by crane. I didn't see the transfer, but I hear that it wasn't ALL that high above the ground. I hope someone else got pix of the earlier part of the transfer.

It may be hard to tell here, but the Peacock is a LOT bigger than it appears when you see it on the water. I was lucky enough to be in the right spot at the right time with my camera to catch one of its last trips on the river going past Astoria. You can also see from the photo that the Peacock has somewhat changed its paint design.

Securing the hull. I had no idea how one would install a big boat on land, did you?

The Peacock now flies the blue flag of the Maritime Museum. The Flag has a three-masted ship on it.

This is a good opportunity to look at the exhaust pipes and the lights. What caught my attention was the gauge inside the pipe opening. I have no clue what this is about.

Working to make sure the anchor is installed right. The brown building in the background is the old train station, which I think also belongs to the Maritime Museum now, but I'm not sure.

Beautiful black letters stand out from the side of hte boat. I wonder if the use of raised metal letters is new - for display only? They look nice, but I would think it would have been a hazard for anyone unlucky enough to wash up against them on the tossing waves.

Getting it just right.

The Peacock's cabin against the sky.

This image tells volumes. I don't imagine all those crinkles were designed with the boat. Does it look like this boat has seen some intense moments crossing the bar? Maybe a few encounters with logs in the river?

Head on.

Just about done.

Lines against the sky. It seems the huge crane came all the way from Portland.

Parting shot. This is going to be quite a sight for any of us entering Astoria on Highway 30, or driving around town for that matter. There will be brighter days for better photos but never another Installation Day. Happy Installation, Peacock!

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Photo Contest: "Jewell Garage"

Jewell, Oregon ~ June 9, 2007

Guest Photographer: Robbie Mattson

Robbie wrote, "One day on my ride from Portland into Astoria I decided to take the back roads through Jewell....always a good idea to do that once in a while!"

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Photo Contest: "Golden Sunset"

Astoria, Oregon ~ June 18, 2005

Guest Photographer: Merri Padgett

Beautiful! Merri also sent us this photo last July.

There are also some interesting new comments about the demise of the local fishing industry on the post of West Mooring Basin.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Photo Contest: "Unofficial Outdoor Museum"

Astoria, Oregon ~ September 25, 2009

Guest Photographer: Robbie Mattson

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Photo Contest: "Life, Beauty, Family, Love"

Astoria, Oregon

Guest Photographer: Kristen Thomas

Kristen wrote the following to go with her photo. I know that many of us can relate to this:

I hadn't seen or known the whereabouts of a friend for over 20 years. I was able to reconnect through a family member and found that he was residing in Astoria, Oregon. Shortly thereafter I was invited to come to Astoria for a celebration for his mother. I didn't hesitate a second, as my vacation time had already been scheduled for the same time as the party.

The picture is from the backyard of my host's home, capturing the immediate surroundings of "home" as well as the Columbia River in the background.

After staying a week and more than 200 pictures later, I have to ask my self...what does Astoria mean to me?

I chose this picture because it spoke of life, beauty, family and love.

The party was a celebration of "life," the "beauty" is in the amazing serene surroundings, the "family" is friends that never grow apart even after decades of separation and "love" is what I found for a few days in Astoria this spring.

Kris Thomas

 

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Photo Contest: "An Astoria Icon Lost to Progress"

Astoria, Oregon ~ Early 2000s

Guest Photographer: Jean B

Port of Astoria Tower, near Port Docks

Jean wrote, "I took this pic shortly before they dismantled it, early 2000's. It was close to the West Marina in the vicinity of the new England Marine bldg. You can see the blue bldg where Papa jack's use to be."

Please check out the contest info linked above and send in those photos!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Photo Contest: "Boats"

Astoria, Oregon ~ March 27-28, 2008

Guest Photographer: Karl Erickson

Karl wrote, "This photo was taken during a bad weather spring break visit our family made on March 27-28, 2008. I might share a more cheerful photo, or two, later." It looks like Karl's photo shows West Mooring Basin and the bridge, and it seems to have been taken from upstairs in the Red Lion Inn.

Yes! I forgot to mention in my initial announcement of the photo contest, please feel free to send any number of images at any time throughout the month of October. See the page linked at the top of the blog for more contest details.

Karl said, "By the way, I'm trying to promote my children's book set in Astoria, which will be released next month. If you have any creative suggestions for your community, I'd be interested!" Anyone who has good suggestions for Karl, please follow the links below and let him know, OK? I looked at the illustration, and it seems like a charming book. Our Asoria Bridge is featured, and I'm waiting to see what else is inside the cover. 

Karl Erickson is the author of "Tristan's Travels" (coming fall/winter 2010), as well as a published essayist.

. http://www.tristanstravels.com/

. http://www.karlerickson.com/

. New Flyer: http://tristanstravels.com/TristansTravelsSellSheet.aspx

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Inside the Captain's Plunder Trove

September 19, 2010

Captain Fishhead will tell you he painted all the walls himself. I have to say, I like his colors.

Hats hang overhead . . . and there's lots more. Yesterday I posted the outside of the store, and someone asked for a better description of the location. The address is 311 Marine Drive. If you're coming from the direction of Warrenton, it's just past the turn onto the Astoria-Megler Bridge and just on the west side of Uniontown. In this case, it will be on your right as you enter Astoria.

The jeweled lady has a story. I was too busy looking around me to hear it. She has tiled legs and garters.

An eclectic mix. (I hit the wrong key and typed "eclectic ox." That could also be correct.

One of Fishhead's namesakes. I asked where the tapestry came from, and the captain said he didn't know. He chooses pieces because he likes them. You probably will, too. I also asked what he called such a collection of stuff. It's not an antique store. It's hard to call it a "junk store," one of my old favorite terms, and it's not a thrift store. He said people seemed to like the word "plunder," so unless someone comes up with a better description, I think I'll refer to it as Captain Fishhead's Plunder Trove.

You can see the lion on the front porch on one of my other blogs.

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