Photo Contest: "Net Shed"

Astoria, Oregon ~ September 5, 2010

Guest Photographer: Kim Taylor

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

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?

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

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!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

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!"

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

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

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

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

 

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

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.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.