The alley

Today we have a guest photographer! The great image above and description below were submitted by Gr8ful Ted at the Gr8ful Grind.

The night was cold but clear. She said to meet her in this bar next
to the alley in northwest corner of the city and she'd bring the
evidence I needed to get the goods my client was looking for. I
needed to be careful as not to get taken by any thugs she had set up
to waylay me before we made the switch. I arrived early and was just
watching the street to see where I might be ambushed. There it was,
the alley. Why did I choose to be a private dick when there's so much
more money to be made in oil? Of course I knew: Oil money and
democracy don't mix. I got outta the car and began to cross the
street....(Salem, OR; February, 2006)

If anyone would like to contribute a Stayton or Willamette Valley area photo, please see the 'contribute' section of the right-hand menu on this page. Thanks!

Rack 'em up

These are some very lonely bike racks from the elementary school in Stayton. School's out, children and their bicycles are elsewhere, and here these bike racks sit, unused, unwanted... unloved.

But, still, they wait patiently for the next school year, for the bustling activity that it will bring. Mostly, thought, they await that one thing which brings them joy: bicycles once again being entrusted to their care. They will do their duty with vigilance, with determination. They will stand tall... well, okay, they'll stand short, but stand they will. Fear not, bicycle riders, for these bike racks have got your back. Or at least your bicycles.

I might also mention the racks and their shadows look like bent paper clips. Then again, I might not.

Streakin'

A contrail (a vapor trail left by an aircraft) streaks through the evening sky over Lone Oak Cemetery in Stayton, located on 3rd Ave. You can make out the tops of some of the tombstones in the cemetery.

You may be wondering whether Lone Oak does indeed have one singular oak tree. I'm pretty sure there are at least two or three oaks in the cemetery nowadays, but let's not be picky.

There are some interesting stones in the cemetery. One of these days when I'm feeling industrious (which doesn't happen often), I'll take photos of some of them and share them here... provided they don't suck, as did the pictures of the tombstones I took the other day.

Going to the movies

The Star Cinema is Stayton's sole movie theater, with one screen. It's run by a family who has made it very community driven, holding fund raisers, concerts, old movie night, local sports on the big screen, etc. They get first-run movies as a matter of course, which is pretty darned nifty for a small town movie theater.

The theater has quite the history, having been around for most of a century in one form or another. If you're interested, head on over to the Star Cinema's web site.

Not exactly important and vaguely related fact: I saw the midnight showing of Star Wars Episode III at the Star last year. You haven't really lived until you've been in a theater in the middle of the night with 300 somewhat groggy strangers singing along with Weird Al Yankovic's "The Saga Begins," which was played before the movie started.

Other views of the theater: at night, matinee sign

Flags on display

This was taken inside the lobby area of Stayton's City Hall. It looks out on 3rd Ave. The flag on the right is the Oregon state flag, and the one on the left, obviously, is the United States flag.

If you have really good eyes (and click on the picture to get the big version), you might notice the window across the street, between the two flags, has a Blazers (Oregon's basketball team) window covering.

You might also notice my purple scooter on the left side of the photo. It's affectionately known as the Purple Plaything. It says to tell you "hello."

Roses in bloom

I spotted these pretty little things growing across the street from the high school in Stayton, on W. Locust St. I hope the people in the house didn't see me taking pictures of their yard. There's nothing like standing outside someone's house taking pictures to make the neighbor folk a might suspicious.

A terribly (un)interesting Stayton fact: The town has several streets named 'North' something or other, along with 'East' and 'West,' but there are no 'South' streets. No, I don't know why. Do other towns do this? If so, whatever on earth for?

Future Christmas trees

These are a whole bunch of baby Christmas trees, growing in a field at the corner of 10th Ave. and E. Pine St. in Stayton. One day they'll be harvested and stuck in random parking lots, waiting for random folks to take them home and stick random objects and lights on them. It's a time honored tradition.

There are a lot of Christmas tree farms in Oregon. Doing a search on StateofOregon.com for 'Christmas trees' in the business directory brings up 174 listings. That's quite a few.

The picture was taken from 10th Ave., looking across the field towards E. Pine St. The field sits across the street from Santiam Memorial Hospital, which is also on 10th Ave.

Kiddie swings

These kiddie swings are at the Stayton Community Center Park. The building directly behind them in the picture is the Stayton Public Library.

I want to be a kid again. I want to go swing and play and laugh and run and just... be. Either that or they should make playgrounds to fit adult-sized bodies, especially intended for adults, with the very magical feature of giving said adults the energy and carefree attitude of children so we can play like kids do. 'Cause I would so be there.

Classic car show

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, Stayton has a "cruise in" for classic car enthusiasts twice a month. I happened by the one last night, and I snapped a few photos from the street. I wasn't able to get a closer look, but I'm going to try again next month.

This was taken at the A&W restaurant on Washington St. in Stayton.

Here are a few bonus shots (click on each thumbnail for a bigger view):

Tall, tall trees

There's nothing like looking up at trees which have been around for years to decades, and will probably still be there when I'm gone. It keeps things in perspective.

I'm terrible at identified trees, plants, flowers, etc., but I know at least part of these are douglas firs. Look for the branches with dark green needles. Or don't. Don't worry, there won't be a quiz later.

This is yet another photo taken at Pioneer Park in Stayton. You might have guessed this, but I adore this park. It's very photogenic, and just a peaceful place. It's tucked back in the corner of town, in a residential area, so there's very little traffic.

Not that Stayton is a high traffic area, anyway. Heck, most of the folks in town actually stop their cars to let pedestrians cross the street at crosswalks. I know, that's truly fascinating.

Hey, what was today's photo topic again? I seem to have wandered away from it. Oh, well.

Classic cars on parade

This was taken on 3rd St. in Stayton a few years back, during the annual 4th of July parade. I won't attempt to identify the makes and models of the cars, because I simply have no clue. I do love the colors and the styles, and the obvious pride the cars' owners take in their vehicles.

There are a lot of classic car enthusiasts in the area, and it's pretty common to see one or more driving down the road in a classic car on any given day. Stro's Tire Factory holds cruise-ins and other related activities throughout the year.

Sign of the times

This city center sign (look for the red rectangle above, or click the photo to view the bigger version), on the corner of 1st Ave. and E. Marion St. in Stayton, is a recent, yet old, addition to the town.

This sign stood for many years, until it was taken down in 1980 due to deterioration. Some local folks saved it from the scrap heap and, with community support, were able to restore it and put it back up earlier this year. It's a great piece of Stayton's history.

Information source: The April 2006 newsletter of the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce. Look in the 'past newsletters' section and click on April's newsletter for the full story of the sign.

Fair weather, friends

This picture was taken at the Oregon State Fair in Salem a few years ago. The State Fair is held every year in late August/early September at the Salem Fairgrounds.

I'm fairly certain one or more of my relatives were on the ride at right in the photo. I don't really remember. Ah, heck, let's just pretend, shall we? In the grand scheme of things, aren't we all brothers and sisters? So, in a sense, aren't I related to everyone on the ride? Even you, dear reader? Aren't we all?

This has been your pointlessly pseudo-philosophical daily photo post, brought to you by a pointless pseudo-philosopher.

A bench in the woods

It's a bench. In the woods. Well, actually, it's at the edge of a wooded area, on a path. Close enough.

This was taken at Pioneer Park in Stayton. I like the spotty and faded paint on the bench. I think at one time the bench was blue, but it's been mostly worn off over the years.

I've gone by this bench any number of times, but I can't remember actually sitting on it. I should do that sometime, just so I can say I did. Not that I'd actually tell anyone that, because that's kind of an odd thing to say. "Hey, see that bench? I sat on it once." See? Weird.

Apparently, though, I'm okay writing about it.

Side note: There are now over 100 city daily photo blogs! Visit the links to the right (under 'daily photo') to take trip around the world, every single day. I'm proud to be a part of this amazing community.

Holm Building

This pretty building looks old and historic, but was actually built fairly recently... within the last 10 years or so, if I remember right. It's called the Holm Building, and houses Holm Collectables, and possibly some offices. I've never been inside, so I'm not sure what all is in there. I'm always afraid to go anywhere where there are a lot of breakable things, since I am a klutz. It's just safer for everyone involved.

It's located on 2nd Ave in Stayton. At Christmas time they drape the building in icicle lights, and the effect is beautiful. I'll try to get a good picture of it come December.

Inside a ferris wheel

This picture looks up and inside a ferris wheel. It was taken at night (but you've probably already noticed that), while sitting on the ride, a few summers back at the Oregon State Fair in Salem.

That was my first time on a ferris wheel. I was in my late 20's at the time. Rides tend to make me very dizzy, so I had avoided even the tame ones. I happily found out I can tolerate and even enjoy this one.

I know, I lead a terribly exciting life.

Field of dreams

This is a field in the Stayton Community Center complex. The building at the back left is the Community Center, and at the back right sits the library.

Let's all take a moment and admire the smooth, slightly curved lines in the field left by a riding lawn mower. Don't you want to grab a ball and run and play in the field? No, no, don't wait for me... I'll just sit under the tree and watch. And maybe take a nap. Wake me when it's over.

Book learnin'

The library, located on 1st Ave., in Stayton sits next to the Brown House (see the How Now Brown House entry). Funds are currently being raised to expand the library.

This is actually the town's second library. The first one was about the size of an average hall closet. The current library sits where the old fire department was. The old library location was turned into a museum. I think it was a ladies' clubhouse before it was the library.

That's Stayton -- a municipal game of musical chairs.

Amusing note: as I recall, not long after the sign was installed, someone stole the 'L' in 'public.' It was replaced fairly quickly, for whatever reason.

To be kind, to care... to believe

This is part of a mural on the elementary school grounds in Stayton. It's part of a small amphitheater, with the various parts of the mural covering the back.

In case you noticed the lack of diversity in the children on this part -- if you could see the whole wall, you'd see many types of kids represented. I chose this part of it to post because of the writing at the top.

How now Brown House

The above is called the Brown House, or more precisely, the Historic Charles and Martha Brown House, located on 1st Ave. in Stayton. It's probably the most unique and historic home or building in the area. It has quite the history, including being Stayton's first hospital in the 1930's.

The house, which is next to the town library, is presently being restored by the Santiam Heritage Foundation, and they hope to eventually use it for community purposes, which would be rather nifty. Whatever they end up using it for, I just want to go inside and take pictures.

On a cloudy day...

This picture was taken at Hilltop Cemetery in Independence in 2002. And, in case you were wondering (and I know you were), it does indeed sit on top of a hill. Visitors are treated to a spectacular sight when looking out over the area, no matter which direction they're facing.

This cemetery has a lot of graves decorated with a wide variety of things in addition to flowers -- windmills, fences, planted flowers, etc. You can view one such grave here.

You'll see more cemetery photos over time. My mother runs a cemetery in Portland and sometimes helps people with genealogy, so I see some nice cemeteries from time to time. I tag along as the 'official' photographer.

Playing till the sun goes down

A new park with a playground has just been built in a new-ish area of Stayton, off of 3rd Ave. This picture was taken just before sunset, looking towards 3rd Ave.

Even though the playground isn't officially open yet (there is still yellow tape around it to keep out visitors), there were a couple of boys playing on the toys and having a good time.

Wheel in the sky

It's fair and carnival season again. The above photo was taken in Scio a few years ago, at the Linn County Lamb & Wool Fair.

I personally don't ride carnival rides (they make me ill), but I do like the ferris wheel... they're great to take pictures from. Look for a few such photos over the course of the summer, as well as other carnival/fair themed photos.

Technorati tags: county fair / carnival / scio oregon / ferris wheel / willamette valley / oregon

The cooler

Here in the USA, we're gearing up for summer. That means warmer weather, lots of sun (yes, it does get sunny here in Oregon, contrary to popular belief), and me staying indoors because I'm not all that fond of the heat.

So here's a picture from winter 2004 to remind us of cooler times so maybe the heat won't seem so bad. For those of you heading into your winter months now, then, um... well, never mind. Forget I said anything. But isn't the tree pretty?

A dog's life

This is Sniffles, my brother's dog. I'm sitting here trying to remember the various dog breeds which comprise her heritage -- black lab, arctic wolf, Syberian husky, chow chow, bull mastif, and quite possibly the kitchen sink. She is truly a dog of many makes and models.

This was taken in South Salem, last 4th of July (the USA's Independence Day). That was the day my brother learned, if he tried hard enough, he could light his firepit on fire using a projectile from a firework. Surprisingly, no one was hurt as a result.

Sunset over Stayton

This (unaltered) picture was taken during one of those sunsets you wish would never end. At least, I wouldn't. Your mileage may vary. We don't have to agree. I won't be hurt, honest.

This picture was taken from Stayton, looking out towards the bustling metropolis of Sublimity. If you look closely, you might see some car headlights going down Highway 22. But, then again, you might not.

An oh so pheasant feeling

This lovely creature, a pheasant of some sort (is there more than one kind of pheasant? I have no idea), came a callin' in the neighborhood last year. I named him Freddie. Freddie the Pheasant.

This was taken in Stayton, on the fence lining my backyard. The little fella (and here I'm assuming as to gender) was kind enough to pose for some pictures before he tootled on his merry way.

I haven't seen him since, but I like to think he has pleasant pheasant memories of our encounter.

Giant watering can

This is a friendly neighborhood water tower, located in beautiful residential Stayton, on East Regis St. But, then, you might have figured that out, what with the big 'STAYTON' written on the side of the tower and all. It's located on the tallest hill in Stayton, right next to a cemetery.

This picture was taken before the city added a cell phone thingy to the top. I apologize if you were eager to see that exciting feature.

The 'S' and star shapes at the top are lighted during the winter holidays. The star stays on through Christmas, and the 'S' stays on until New Year's. Unless it's the other way around. I forget.

A horse (of course)

Well, I don't know, but I been told, a horse could talk on old TV shows...

The horse pictured above didn't talk (when I was around, anyway... who knows what happened after I left), but it was darned cute. This was taken on a farm a little bit south of Salem. It lives with a handful of other horses and various other animals. I don't remember his/her name. I feel terrible about that. Really.

Sun-Benched

A couple of folks take a respite from the sun by sitting in the shade at -- you guessed it -- Pioneer Park in Stayton, Oregon. They are facing Jordan Bridge.

I'll be posting pictures of the non-Pioneer Park variety shortly, as I go through my many photos to pull some favorites.