The Walk

Today's photo is of my teenage niece walking along the fence outside the elementary school. She was lost in her own little world, listening to her iPod, as we were on our way to a movie.

2007 Santiam SummerFest Car Show

Part of the Saturday's SummerFest (see yesterday's post) was a car show with well over 100 cars on display. I wasn't able to stay for more than a few minutes, but I did get some pictures of the automotive beauties. Check out my Flickr photoset of the event.

Also, be sure to look at the photos Dave of StaytonEvents.com took of the SummerFest.

2007 Santiam SummerFest

Yesterday was the annual Santiam SummerFest, a popular street fair held in downtown Stayton. The adorable girl above was having fun at the petting zoo.

I've posted a Flickr photoset of the event, where you'll find photos of babies, dogs, people, cows, a giant red key, cheerleaders, and random other things.

One of the photos is of Dave from StaytonEvents.com, who was standing in the back of a truck taking pictures of folks trying to dunk some cheerleaders. It's a tough job.

UPDATED: Dave has posted his photos from the SummerFest (including the cheerleaders). Check 'em out.

Cemetery At Dusk

Today's photo is a view of St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery looking towards 3rd Ave. It sits right next to Lone Oak Cemetery. It's a peaceful place to honor those who've passed, and it's a great place to watch the sunset or the city's fireworks show on the 4th of July.

GO

I was given a bit of a challenge yesterday by Mark (check out the guest photographers section for some of his awesome photos). I posted a photo of a stop sign yesterday, and Mark responded with:

How come you didn't post a pic of a "Go" sign for contrast? ;)

Well, the photo above isn't a sign, but I think it's close enough. It's the front of a soda/cola/pop machine outside of the Safeway grocery store.

Mark, I have but one last thing to say: pfffffffffffffffffft. ;)

STOP

... Okay, now start again.

:)

For those who care (not that such folks exist), this was taken in the Bi-Mart parking lot on Shaff Rd.

A Field Of Queens

Queen Anne's Lace has started popping up in various locations around town. It grows wild here and in great abundance.

Two more views:

 

Red Truck

This is a red truck. A big red truck. I don't know what kind of truck it is or what it's being used for in the photo. Don't ask me, I just take pictures. I don't actually know what I'm taking pictures of most of the time. As I've probably said before, I tend to just point the camera at whatever is in front of me and press the shutter. Sometimes I even remember to turn on the camera first.

Field & Trees

Wilco Rd. is mostly industrial, but at the north end (across from the requisite McDonald's) there is a big ol' field with some big ol' trees. I like big ol' fields and trees. They make me happy. Anywhere there's a patch of land without a bunch of houses or businesses on it is all good in my book.

Oh, and for those who may care (and since I mentioned it yesterday) -- I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It rocked. A great ending to a great series. I can't believe I managed to read a 759 page book that quickly, though. Sleep? Who needs sleep?

Blue Swing

I didn't get a chance to go out and take photos yesterday. I'm reading the new Harry Potter book, which has effectively trapped me until I finish its 12 bazillion or so pages, so here's a photo I took a little over a week ago at Northslope Park.

Now back to reading. ;)

Eruption

Today's photo (not that I would spend time here describing a photo from, say, yesterday or last week) is of an automated sprinkler in the landscaped area of a parking lot. Not that the landscaped area has anything but dirt to water at the moment, but automated sprinklers don't care about that. They just do their job.

I know a lot of people like that, come to think of it.

Arched

This is the back part of a dirt and gravel driveway on Fern Ridge Rd. I love how the trees have created an archway leading to the field beyond. But, then again, I am easily amused. ;)

Iron

Today's photo is of part of some iron drainage grating on the side of a road down the street from where I live. The full text reads 'Salem Iron Works'... Salem being our state capitol and about 15 miles NW of Stayton.

Radioactive Fish

A Tale of Two Radioactive Fish in Love

I had no idea this big fella was hanging over my head when I was downtown yesterday until I stopped and really looked at the sign. A pink and yellow fish. Who knew?

The sign is above a Chinese restaurant on 1st Ave. I like the radioactive look. The fish has definite style. It's not afraid to swim upstream, to find its own path in life.

Lest you think it's one of a kind, there is another pink and yellow fish on the other end of the sign. But, alas, they're separated by an ocean of words... "Daily Buffet"... "Chinese and American Food"... maybe someday they'll finally reach each other and they'll live forever in a sea of love.

Yes, someday they'll be each other's catch of the day. Currently, though, they're anchored in place, left only to gaze at each other, while the rest of us go about our lives, unable fathom the turmoil these two fish are in.

Good luck, pink and yellow fish. Good luck.

Fuzzy Wuzzies

Yesterday I posted a photo of a small wetland enhancement area in north Stayton. Today's photo is a closer view of part of what's being preserved. I don't have the faintest idea what they are, but I think they're nifty.

Wetland Enhancement Area

This area used to be a large field with trees, bushes, grasses, and flowers. But development took over, with houses and businesses moving in. Now there are only narrow areas such as this one where the natural state is preserved. This one is between a street with houses and a park.

I won't go into how I feel about the whole thing here, since I covered it last August, when I posted a photo of some of the houses. The very small areas between the houses such as this are beautiful, so I hope at least those are preserved, as the sign says.

Climb

Today's photo is of a climbing toy thing at Northslope Park. Don't tell anybody, but my niece, who is 15, climbed up onto the large toy structure to which this climbing thing was attached. That's bad, because a sign at the playground says it's for ages 5-12. Shhhh.

Beautiful Sunset

Guest photographer Ronda Faught has provided us with two gorgeous views of the sunset over the Stayton/Sublimity area two nights ago.

Click on both images to see them full-size.

Thanks, as always, to Ronda for her beautiful photos.

Photos are copyright © Ronda Faught. All rights reserved. Do not copy or reproduce in any way without permission of photographer.

Summit

Happy Friday the 13th! Sorry I don't have a black cat to cross your path (to honor the superstitious nature of the day)... guess this black crow will have to do instead. I spotted it on the roof of the Dairy Queen yesterday. Maybe it was looking for some ice cream to cool it down on a hot summer day like I was. I hope it was as successful as me. :)

What Fortunes They Will Hold

Did you know it's almost physically painful for me to go anywhere without my camera? I feel like I'm missing a vital part of my being when I'm without it.

That's why today's photo is of a bunch of shopping carts at the Safeway grocery store. They were there, I was there, and my camera was there. So there.

Waiting For Harry

I just got back from the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and thought I'd post a photo of the hearty souls waiting in line outside the theater. They were very kind to pose for me. :)

For the record, both my niece and I loved the movie. It was awesome.

Blue & Orange

Just a sunset for today. I set out last night to take some photos, but my scooter decided to behave badly, so this is as far as I made it.

Minor rant time... feel free to skip it:

To those folks in two separate cars on 3rd Ave. who parked right near where my scooter was broken down last night and I was attempting to change the spark plug -- I appreciate you not asking if I need help. That really made my night.

On The Prowl...

... And nobody got hurt. Really.

I had stopped to take a picture of the cat, and didn't realize at first he was stalking what appears to be a crow. It was harmless in the end, as the bird flew away after I took this picture.

This was taken in the West Town area of Stayton. Unless it's spelled Westtown. It just occurred to me I really don't know. And here I call myself a Staytonite.

Unless it's Staytonian. No, no, it's definitely Staytonite. Or maybe not.

Oh, forget it.

Ladder

Today's photo is of an extension ladder a fire truck which was at the library dedication I attended on Friday evening. It looked rather pretty against the blue sky.

Of course, I tend to think everything looks pretty when backdropped by the sky, so I'm probably not the best judge. ;)

Scenes From A Library

Check out my Flickr photoset for more photos from the event.

Last night was the official dedication of the newly expanded public library. A lot of people came to the ceremony so it was a bit tough to get photos of the folks doing the talking, so instead I focused on the quieter aspects of what was going on.

The boy pictured above was happily reading a book about Hawaii in a corner while the grownups did their thing. He didn't even seem to notice what was going on around him.

The other photos are from the children's section of the library, which is much larger than before and has all kinds of books, reading areas, stuffed animals, games, etc. The smaller picture at right is of a sign out in front of the library, showing how much money has been raised, all via private donations.

It's rather nifty to live in a town where people came together to make their library bigger and better than before.

2007 Independence Day Parade

It was a hot one here in Stayton on the 4th... a reader board on 1st Ave. said it was 91 during the parade. But it was worth it.

One of the co-grand marshals, Brunk Conley, was a student-teacher of mine when I was 9th grade, and teaches at the high school when he's not off in the middle east. Hats off to both grand marshals and anyone else who have or are serving in our military.

For more photos from the parade, please visit the Flickr photoset I've created. It has giant frogs, smoking airplanes, Marines, cute children, a guy stuck upside-down in a washing machine, and much more.

Fireworks On Display

Stayton put on a beautiful fireworks display last night. I took several long exposure photos and put them in a Flickr photoset. Hope you like them.

Tomorrow I'll post some photos from the parade, but for now I'm going to go to sleep. I'm bushed.

Happy 4th of July - Be Safe!

Happy Independence Day to everyone here in the United States. I hope those who will be playing with fireworks today will do what the sign says and be safe.

That goes for everyone else, as well, no matter how you spend the day today. :)

Merry-Go-Round

Today's photo is just a little fun with the merry-go-round at Pioneer Park. The bottom part of the merry-go-round is really colorful. So, tilt your head 45 degrees to the right and enjoy. ;)

Around The Bend

A set of train tracks run alongside part of Locust St. near the industrial area of town. This is a photo of part of the tracks. The end.

Click on the thumbnail at right for a close up view of some of the rust on the tracks. You know you want to.

DP Theme Day: The Color Red

It's that time again... the City Daily Photo theme day. This month's theme is "the color red."

My photo is of a balloon, but you probably already knew that. The balloon was whipping around outside Postal Connections. I did a "cutout" and made the background black and white so the red of the balloon would stand out.

A whole bunch of other DP bloggers are also doin' the red, so give 'em a look:

Shanghai, China - Mumbai, India - New York City (NY), USA - Manila, Philippines - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Hamburg, Germany - Stayton (OR), USA - Los Angeles (CA), USA - Hyde, UK - Oslo, Norway - Brookville (OH), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Stavanger, Norway - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Joplin (MO), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Selma (AL), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Seattle (WA), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Arradon, France - Evry, France - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Boston (MA), USA - Grenoble, France - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Hilo (HI), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - La Antigua, Guatemala - Brisbane (QLD), Australia - Singapore, Singapore - Tel Aviv, Israel - Hong Kong, China - Sequim (WA), USA - Paderborn, Germany - Saarbrücken, Germany - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Tenerife, Spain - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Sydney, Australia - Naples (FL), USA - Cologne (NRW), Germany - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Mainz, Germany - Toruń, Poland - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Singapore, Singapore - North Bay (ON), Canada - Jakarta, Indonesia - Montréal (QC), Canada - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Baziège, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - New York (NY), USA - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Sharon (CT), USA - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Nottingham, UK - Villigen, Switzerland - Chicago (IL), USA - Torquay, UK - Brussels, Belgium - San Diego (CA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Paris, France - Seoul, Korea - Manila, Philippines - Milano, Italy - Austin (TX), USA - Chennai, India - Madrid, Spain - Seoul, South Korea - Wailea (HI), USA - Toronto (ON), Canada - Ajaccio, France - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Zurich, Switzerland - Sydney, Australia - Budapest, Hungary - Moscow, Russia - Auckland, New Zealand - Torino, Italy