Today’s Walk: Wildfire Impacts Go Beyond the Fire

We had some residual wildfire smoke in the air as Baxter and I began this morning’s walk and it got me thinking. Wildfires throughout the west continue to spread devastation to the lives and property of those in their path. The impacts also reach beyond the actual flames and into neighboring communities. We have new …

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Today’s Auto Tour: Tualatin Valley Quilt Barn Trail

I’m always looking for new experiences, especially ones that involve public art. Yesterday my sisters and I were chauffeured around by our Uncle as we followed Trail # 3 of the Tualatin Valley Quilt Barn Trail just west of Portland, Oregon. We had a blast! Highlighting historic barns and buildings with hand painted quilt patterns …

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Today’s Walk: Thinking About Independence Day and my Immigrant Grandparents

With the recent death of my father, family history is on my mind. Three of my grandparents were immigrants; two arrived at Ellis Island from Eastern Europe as 18 year olds, one was a 4 year old Irish child brought here to become a son for a childless Aunt & Uncle. Coming to America changed …

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Yesterday’s Walk: the Relevance of Landmarks

While visiting San Francisco, I have learned that one of our family’s favorite Sutro Historical District landmarks, The Cliff House, closed its doors permanently on Dec. 31, 2020. This 157 year old establishment survived multiple ownerships and renovations before falling victim to the COVID-19 pandemic and failed contract negotiations with the National Park Service. In …

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