Gothic Revival on 11th Street?

I've always found this building at the corner of 11th and Harrison to have an interesting and oddly charming facade. My imagination puts it on the English moors in a novel by one of the Brontë sisters. In looking up styles online, it seems to be Gothic Revival, which began in England and became popular in the United States. The sign on the door says, "Astoria Conservatory of Music," but I believe that the building began life as part of the First Presbyterian Church next door, which has more ornate elements of the Gothic Revival style.

Here's the Harrison Street side of the building, which happened to be in sunlight for a few minutes yesterday morning.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Fishing in the Rain

At least someone here seems to like our summer weather.

This great blue heron is gray on gray today partly because of the weather, and partly because my vantage point was through a spattered window. I did not go outside because the birds here don't like being stalked. Go figure.

The tide was nearly out, which made for good hunting and fishing grounds this morning. Great blue herons inhabit the western part of Oregon and the Columbia River's full lengh along the northern part of the state year round.

I talk about the weather here so much that I've added a weather bug to the sidebar.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Where the Views Are

March 12, 2010

In Astoria, there are so many terrific views that nobody counts them. This resting and viewing bench is on the River Walk in front of the Wet Dog Cafe between 11th and 12th Streets. The building on the pier contains a number of shops and businesses. Downstairs is the well-known Baked Alaska Restaurant and Lounge along with a kitchen store and more. Upstairs are dentist's offices, hair dressers, lawyers (I think).

Although I took this on March 12th, the view is almost identical today, with low clouds and light fog on the river. One difference is that you'd see water on the sidewalk this morning. The summer of 2010 may come to be called, "The Summer that Never Was," although when the sun does come out it's beautiful and the air temperature delightful - unless you're one of those creatures who likes hot sun to bask in like a lizard. (Jacob, you're right. It doesn't get very cold in the winter. We get a few days of snow per year, if that. The rest of the time you can tell the season only because of the ceaseless rain.)

Next to the bench is a light post so the walk can be used at night, and one of the several interpretive signs along the river. I don't recall whether this sign is about the fishing industry, history, boats, ships, or wildlife. There are some of each.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Because Things Change

June 2002

One reason for snapping photos everywhere you go is to save images for the "memory book." We do this with photos of ourselves, our friends, our pets, and events. When I look back through my photos of Astoria, I often see things that have changed over the short nine years I've been here. This dumpster on the 6th Street Pier - whimsically painted by Diane Beeston - disappeared a number of years ago. This dumpster actually had a sentimental meaning for me, because when I planned to move to Astoria in 2001, it was one of my first glimpses of the town. When I decided to move here I had never been to Astoria. I did what research I could using travel books and the Internet, but there were many fewer photos online at that time, and one rare web site (gone now, I think) showed this dumpster (from the other side) and a seal poking its head out of the water. These were some of the strange pieces that helped determine my direction. A town with painted dumpsters and seals at the edge of town seemed welcoming.

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Salmon for All

July 17, 2010

When you have coffee on the back deck at Coffee Girl on Pier 39, you get a view of the river and boats in three directions. But you also get to see the inside and back of what was once a productive, working cannery. Not much has changed in terms of the building. Most of the equipment is gone and the workers aren't there any more. But the building has not been turned into an historic reproduction. You can experience quietly the feel of the place and imagine the history.

Here's the full view of the back of the building, and here are more posts about Pier 39.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Remembrance

This gazebo at Lighthouse Park in Warrenton, its sculpture, and its sponsored bricks in the pavement honor local people who have died on the river and sea.

"This Gazebo Donated by the Family of Edwin Nicholas"

Praying hands rise out of the bronze waves.

" . . . claimed by the deep. Their spirits sheltered in the arms. . . ."

REMEMBRANCE

Artist

Ken Dugan

Hopefully someone can comment on either Ken Dugan or Edwin Nicholas, because I was not able to find either on a search of the Web.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

A Glance through the Glass

April 10, 2010

Flavel House

If you glance through the glass of the east door in yesterday's post, you will see the ground floor hallway. The elaborate Queen Anne style home was built in 1885 and is now a museum. I've been inside one time shortly after I moved to Astoria in 2001.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Ornate Entry

April 10, 2010

East Door, Flavel House

I love the wood, but I think the checkerboard glazed or painted tile is a bit much. What do you think? I don't know if the checkerboard is the original design or a later addition. I did not go back to see exactly how it was made, but there are a few cracks and chips on the tile, and the color is on the surface. You don't notice the pattern at all from street level, because it's quite a few feet up a hill from the street.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Can You Guess?

July 7, 2010

Today's reflection on the river is not as elegant as Saturday's reflection (the photos taken on the same day), but I do like what the water did to the light-colored object in question. Can you guess what it is? I won't make you wait. It's just a power pole, and it's completely transformed. For some reason there were spots of oily stuff on the water that day, which is unusual here.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Theme Day: Bright Colors

July 14, 2010

I don't think I have ever seen a ship come through here as brightly colored as the aptly-named Cardinal.

Click here to view thumbnails for all CDP Theme Day participants.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.