Here is a sample street sign (Walnut and Broad). I love it because it has a little Liberty Bell on it. My sister commented that she'd never even noticed that before. Guess sometimes it takes a tourist to notice certain everyday details.
Broad Street view of City Hall
Here's the window washer! He has one of those cool handle grippy things that spies use in the movies when they cut through windows or climb down glass walls. The best part is, this guy probably goes rock climbing and repelling on weekends, both popular sports out here.
This isn't a sign you see everyday! Outside my morning Starbucks I saw this under where the window washers were working. Now they are working on my building, but haven't gotten to my floor's windows yet. Stay tuned for exciting pics of the repelling washers tomorrow!
You can find these water fountains, called the Benson Bubblers, all over downtown. Fresh water, always great after coming from a workout at the gym and waiting on my bus...Soon thereafter, Benson proudly noted that saloon sales dropped nearly 40%—a trend more likely attributed to the growing temperance movement than to free water fountains. Still, the Bubblers have remained famous, functional Portland landmarks, and on hot summer afternoons they are especially appreciated by all."
I like this mural in O'Brien Park because it really embodies the initial feelings towards Oregon while pulling in the modern day. Oregon City, which is the oldest city west of the Mississippi river, is only 10 minutes drive from Portland. The phrase "Pack up your dreams" hits home for me as well because I packed up and moved from Florida last year out here. A lot of local Portlanders and Oregonians in general complain about all the new people coming into the city in the past decade, but really it's sort of like back in the covered wagon days with people heading west to try their luck.
City of Roses! :) This is a mural on a building next to the 405 painted in 1995. I'm not sure if Mary Lou Fendall is the name of the rose or who it's in honor of (or both).
Just an old advertisement on a building downtown. While not the case here, oftentimes these old ads are actually still relevant to the business inside the building they're painted on.
Near Chinatown, this all you can eat Chinese buffet is no longer. Now it's a used book and magazine shop, so it says anyway. Actually, it's nothing. Another vacant space.
