We are mid-point through our time in Portland, Oregon, US of A, so I thought I better get a post up.
Last Monday we spent 6 hours with friends telling stories of Dubai and answering questions. I was so busy enjoying their company, I didn’t even think to take out my camera and take a picture or two.
We’ve been asked if there has been any culture shock in coming back. I don’t think we’ve been gone long enough for that. We are, however, enjoying the civilized driving here. The things that Oregon drivers do that used to annoy the heck out of Daddybird now seem so tame that he is just amused.
We’ve also noticed the striking evidence of the economic crisis. Oregon has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. The first day we went to our bank which is in a shopping area where the parking lot was always full and difficult to navigate, but at noontime the lot was about 50% empty, so we had no trouble getting a parking space within a few steps of the bank.
We went to one of our favorite restaurants and witnessed the same unusually empty parking lot.
We are also considering stopping in Ashland Oregon to attend a play at the Shakespearean Festival. Normally, one would have to buy tickets in February for the plays in July, but this year there are still seats available.
We already knew things were bad because we have friends who have been unemployed for six months. I didn’t mean to get on this negative narrative, but these are the things that are glaringly obvious to us.
On a lighter note, I took the following picture because I was amused by the justaposition of “Burger King Pet Clinic.” I am easily amused.
This is the view from my sister’s home north of Prineville, Oregon. Nice.
This is the Oregon/California border. Every car stops just long enough to answer the question “Do you have any plants or fresh produce?” The intent is to stop the spread of pests and plant diseases. It has been a long time since there has been an infestation, but they keep asking the question.
I think this is the Klamath River, taken at a rest stop/park near Yreka, California.
This oak tree had a large investation of mistletoe, a semi-parasitical plant. This is common in oak trees.
Living the Travel Channel 