Mystery Solved: Chinese Stones in Astoria

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 8, 2010

Yesterday's mystery photo was a gray, lumpy stone, looking for all the world like an ancient tree trunk, so imagine my surprise when the first guesser, cieldequimper, commented, "That has got to be a sleeping dragon, all curled up." Well, it wasn't, exactly, but it was part of a Chinese stone installation prominently featuring dragons. Lying within two or three feet of the mystery stone was the carved marble dragon shown above. Clytie and Jean B were both close with "some part of a statue." How did you guys do that? Both the natural stone and the dragon column can be seen outside of the old Englund Marine store at 15th Street on the River Walk as part of the Astoria Chinese Heritage Park project still in progress. The park is on the other side of town; I'll have to get over there and see if anything new has been done. Meanwhile, the rock art has been lying next door to my place since October.

Here is a more complete view of the column. I'm not sure how many columns were imported to Astoria, but it seemed like there may have been a dozen. I have photos of the day the crates were brought in and opened, but I'll have to find the right folder. I know I have them, but I can't locate them quickly.

This is the mystery rock from my photo. I took the picture standing on the other side looking over the ridges. The details in the rock are quite unusual.

Above is another of the stones.

And this description tells what they are and where they came from. I'm sorry, I don't know any more about the carved dragon columns at this time. I was out of town when the opening exhibition was held on October 16th.

The exhibition was held here in the old Englund Marine building, which also served as Goonies' Headquarters during Goonies Week last June. The banner says:

Astoria's Bicentennial LEGACY GIFT

The Garden of Surging Waves

Bronze & Stone Artwork from Xi'an

http://www.astoriachineseheritage.org/

Exhibit Opening October 16, 2010 

Mayor Willis Van Dusen can be seen talking about Astoria's Chinese heritage and the meaning of the park in this video by Ron Law. The Chinese Heritage Park also has a page on Facebook.

Here's what's left inside the building.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

A Lumpy, Gray Mystery

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 8, 2010

Here's another mystery photo for those of you who like mysteries. Does anyone know what and where it is? Hint: I'ts along the River Walk somewhere and it's not a tree root. Leave your comment, this could be fun!

By the way, I got a nice comment on the blog along with some possible information on the mystery building of December 8th. I also changed the title of the post!

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Downtown Astoria

Astoria, Oregon ~ December 8, 2010

Nobody I know calls it "Main Street," but that's what this street would have been named in many, many towns in the U.S. In Astoria, there is a naming system starting with A near the water and running through the alphabet. Numbered streets go the other direction. Aptly named Commercial Street (technically, "Commercial Avenue," but I gave up on the "Avenue" vs "Street" convention), Commercial and 12th is one of the main downtown intersection in Astoria, although there are a few other busy intersections that rate stoplights.

I initially took this photo for someone who wanted to see downtown Astoria dressed for Christmas. You can see a few of the decorations here, and I'll show more as the weeks go on. Notice the blue sky. It's just a teaser between downpours, and a very welcome one, too. I don't know any town that shimmers quite like Astoria in the sunlight between rains.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

The Old Ice House (Not)

Astoria, Oregon ~ April 5, 2009

I've always loved this old building on the River Walk between 3rd and 4th Streets - behind Burger King and the Employment Department. During our October photo contest, this picture of it was sent in by Jean B, who also identified it for me. I didn't know what it was, although it makes sense. It's on the docks and there are fish totes stored outside. Some of you asked about the ripply texture of the building, and here you can get a close-up look at the stucco. I think it looks more Southwest than Northwest. It stands out as a unique building here.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

CG 630 Comes Home

December 6, 2010

I happened to be on the 12th Street Pier yesterday when I saw Coast Guard ship 630 (Alert) coming in to dock at the Maritime Museum at the 19th Street Pier. Later I overheard someone in a store talking about the ship's homecoming, and it sounded like she'd been out for awhile. I don't know the story - maybe one of our readers will comment.

In this picture you can see all hands on deck, only a few short fathoms from home. You can read more about the Alert here and here.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Clouds of Winter

Warrenton, Oregon ~ November 2, 2010

I liked the sky over the highway and shopping center just on the other side of the Young's Bay Bridge. I also liked the seasonal banners hanging beside the parking lot. Whoever designs and chooses these does a nice job, I think. As Cieldequimper reminded me, November is still the fall season, but our November this year was so cold, I've been thinking of it already as winter.

Here's a better view of the banner.

I love the clouds, although looking at this photo makes me dizzy.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Yesterday's Windows

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 10, 2010

Here's the answer to yesterday's question. The windows are on the River Walk across from the river and from Doc's on 12th Street. In a way, it was a trick question, because the lighting made the whole building look very, very blue through the camera lens. I enjoy these windows in any light.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Cool Windows . . . Who Knows Where They Are?

Astoria, Oregon ~ November 10, 2010

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Glowing Ships on the Water

Yesterday afternoon Laurel called to tell me to get out and see the rainbow that was standing on end across the river. I saw it, but couldn't get it to come out with any color in my photo. The next instant I noticed what a change of lighting had done to the ships at anchor just up the river. 

The lighting was just amazing. The ships were glowing, throwing golden fire on the water.

Visit James to see more Weekend Reflections.

I would also like to introduce those on Facebook to a beautiful collection of photos by Kim Taylor called "Visually Hugging Astoria." She was our October contest winner, and she makes magic with her camera! Check it out.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Finding Colors on a Wet Day

October 30, 2010

I took this photo while sitting by the windows inside Astoria Coffee House and Bistro on 10th Street. Believe it or not, I'm facing away from the window taking the picture into the large mirror on the back wall. The mirror reflects the scene across the street as well as a few of the patrons, including Yours Truly. The table with the warm light and glasses is against the back wall. This is one of my favorite places to get out of the rain and enjoy a delicious hot lunch and coffee. If this weather keeps up, I'll definitely be posting more interior shots around town. Bon appetit!

By the way, I've posted Astoria Coffee House before: once in a rainy mood and once nice and bright.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.