The Chicken Coops of PDX (#2 in a series)
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July 31, 2006
July 30, 2006
The Chicken Coops of PDX (#1 in a series)
In the world of the future, we're not going to be zooming in flying cars and ascending space elevators. Nope, as the oil runs out, we're going to be tending backyard gardens and raising chickens.
Our family recently participated in the PDX "Tour de Coops" (click here for link) exploring the backyard chicken coops of PDX.
Here is a nice A-frame design beneath a bright puffy cloud sky in a beatiful little backyard garden in North Portland's Kenton neighborhood. The owners explain that "the coop is an A frame tractor which moves throughout our 10 raised garden beds. It has an open bottom to allow the chickens to till, poop, and work the bed beneath. Many doors and windows provide easy access for the humans, and the girls like to look out the windows...."
July 29, 2006
Building hard by the Morrison bridge ramp
July 28, 2006
Bike Store at 57th and Fremont
July 27, 2006
We Buy Levis 501 Jeans, 57th and Fremont, view to south
July 26, 2006
Camel Cigarettes, Gas Prices, Garage Sale, 57th and Fremont Intersection
July 24, 2006
Outside In in the Sun
July 23, 2006
A neighborhood theater
July 22, 2006
Vista Viaduct, Max Train, View east toward Downtown
July 21, 2006
Corner store on 39th in the Fall
I am told that this was originally a Fred Meyer grocery store. (I had thought it was an apartment over a store... but apparently this was incorrect.)
This picture dates to the fall (November) of 2005.
July 20, 2006
Autoworks, 5th Ave and Everett St.
Water Tower, Chawn Sign, Antiques, Cafe
July 19, 2006
Royal Hotel Sign: Inner Eastside Industrial District
July 18, 2006
Family gets ready for Sunday drive in Zem Human Powered Vehicle
This picture and the previous one have been getting lots of national attention, and an incredible amount of completely undeserved snark. So if you see the beauty in it, more power to you. This is directed to the other folks.
First, this is not "child labor." The kids are loving it. It's a family outing. And as already noted, there is an electric assist motor for when the children behave like children and choose not to pedal.
Second, Rachel and Dean are not doing this with two athletic adult friends. Nope. They are hauling their entire family of four children, two of whom can't pedal, and two of whom do so only sometimes, along with a 300 pound vehicle and a Burley trailer. How about a little respect for athletic parenting? That's where the jokes about child labor have it exactly backwards, and that's why an electric assist motor is a good thing to have.
Third, when I consider all the overweight donut eating 'Mericans driving their lard asses around in planet-destroying SUVs I get just a little peeved when folks (and there are apparently a lot of you) make fun of the appearance of a family that is actually getting exercise, having fun together (family values anyone?) and doing something for the planet.
Fourth, a vehicle like this may very well be in your future and could be a lot of fun. This family is having a great time together. This family has found a unique transportation solution that some (not all) families might enjoy trying themselves.
Why is it that people mock something that is different?
"First they mock you, then they fight you... then they show up in the human powered vehicle show room."
I'm proud to live in Portland where people are actually thinking about the planet and changing the way they live. As for the rest of you, go read www.energybulletin.net for a week if you are up to the challenge, and then come back and laugh at the Mullin family and their vehicle if you still can do so.
Go in peace.
ORIGINAL PRE-SNARK TEXT (below)
With an SUV in the background, the Mullins get ready for a trip.
Their Zem is human powered, but Dean installed a small electric assist motor because children don't always want to pedal uphill.
The Mullins routinely travel with four children, one in the trailer, one in a sling, and two pedaling (when they feel like it) in the front.
Dean says his motto is "Burn fat, not oil."
As the oil begins to run out will you find yourself driving your family around in an electric assisted Human Powered Vehicle?
July 17, 2006
Family in Irvington out for a Sunday drive in their Zem Human Powered Vehicle
This picture and the next one have been getting lots of national attention, and an incredible amount of completely undeserved snark. So if you see the beauty in it, more power to you. This is directed to the other folks.
First, this is not "child labor." The kids are loving it. It's a family outing. And as already noted, there is an electric assist motor for when the children behave like children and choose not to pedal.
Second, Rachel and Dean are not doing this with two athletic adult friends. Nope. They are hauling their entire family of four children, two of whom can't pedal, and two of whom do so only sometimes, along with a 300 pound vehicle and a burley trailer. How about a little respect for athletic parenting? That's where the jokes about child labor have it exactly backwards, and that's why an electric assist motor is a good thing to have.
Third, when I consider all the overweight donut eating 'Mericans driving their lard asses around in planet-destroying SUVs I get just a little peeved when folks (and there are apparently a lot of you) make fun of the appearance of a family that is actually getting exercise, having fun together (family values anyone?) and doing something for the planet.
Fourth, a vehicle like this may very well be in your future and could be a lot of fun. This family is having a great time together. This family has found a unique transportation solution that some (not all) families might enjoy trying themselves.
Why is it that people mock something that is different?
"First they mock you, then they fight you... then they show up in the human powered vehicle show room."
I'm proud to live in Portland where people are actually thinking about the planet and changing the way they live. As for the rest of you, go read www.energybulletin.net for a week if you are up to the challenge, and then come back and laugh at the Mullin family and their vehicle if you still can do so.
Go in peace.
ORIGINAL PRE-SNARK TEXT
Dean and Rachel Mullin are towing a Burley trailer with their 2nd youngest child in back. Rachel is carrying her baby in a sling. Their two older children are pedaling in front. And when the hills get steep, Dean activiates the small electrical assist motor that he installed. Children don't always want to pedal!
It's not their only car, but they like to take it out together on the weekends. For example, this weekend they drove down to the river, 25 blocks away.
Dean says it's a great vehicle, but now about 10 years old and no longer manufactured. He expects that the next generation of this kind of vehicle will be closer to 200 pounds than the 300 pounds that this one weighs.
If you'd like to ask Dean about life with a four person Human Powered Vehicle in the garage he can be reached at drmullin [AT] mac.com.
July 15, 2006
Suicide Counseling, Speed Limit, Height, Broadway Bridge
July 14, 2006
Goose Hollow homes from viaduct
July 13, 2006
Max enters tunnel beneath West Hills
July 12, 2006
Standpipe #3, Triple Design, Oregon Brass Works, Goose Hollow
You'll find it on the east side of SW 23rd as you walk up the hill from Burnside into Goose Hollow.
To see other Portland standpipes, search for "standpipe" above.
As for whether 3 pictures of standpipes on one blog constitutes an obsession in need of explanation... well I don't know. Every time I see one it speaks to me. I can't explain it.
July 11, 2006
Vendor at Hollywood Farmers' Market
I'm so made. Not fooling anyone here.
July 10, 2006
Plastic horse tied to curb horse tie ring
As in days of yore hearty PDX horsefolk all across the great rainy metropolis tie their noble steads to rings in curbstones that were laid as late as the 1920s. Of course nowadays the horses are made of petrochemicals and are only 6 inches tall. But still, it's basically just like days of yore.
Taken while riding my bike home from work, at Couch and 9th.
I'm guessing that this is someone's art project, and it appears to be an ongoing effort because horses come and go, disappear and are then replaced.
Update: My guess was correct. Here's the website of the person responsible for this herd: http://horseproject.home.comcast.net
July 09, 2006
Burnside, view to east in the morning
July 08, 2006
PGE Park
July 07, 2006
Pearl Warehouse, Black and White
July 06, 2006
Pearl Warehouse
July 05, 2006
Northeast Community Center: Boy takes his best shot
July 04, 2006
Northeast Community Center in Hollywood
Formerly a YMCA, the Northeast Community Center is now reorganized as a local community run non-profit located in a classic old style gymnasium building. Web site here: Northeast Community Center.
July 03, 2006
Who Would Jesus Bomb? Bumper Sticker
July 02, 2006
Window reflections and graffiti on 12th Avenue
July 01, 2006
Very Large Silver Duck at Twist, off Northwest 23rd Ave.
