Portland Underground

The city of Portland has as sordid an underground history as my home city of Seattle does, and, like Seattle, it makes for a fun walking tour. There were plenty of nefarious deeds going on above ground, but the underground was where the really fun stuff was happening.  In the subterranean world of Chinatown, you can still see impressive architecture from years gone by, looking nothing like the modern city in the photo.  Below ground you’ll find the “Shanghai Tunnels.”  The tunnels originally connected the basements of most of the downtown hotels and bars to the Willamette waterfront, and were used to expeditiously move goods.  They later became the site of many kidnappings called “crimpings” and known to us today as shangaiing.  During the years of Prohibition, a different kind “goods” were moved through the tunnels, and many bars were set up […]

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Travelers' Century Club is for the Well Traveled

I heard about the Travelers’ Century Club from fellow blogger, Gadling, and had to check it out. Basically, it’s an organization whose membership is limited to people who have visited 100 or more countries of the world. It was founded in Los Angeles in 1954, and now has members throughout the world. “Countries” are defined pursuant to s specific list, and may be a little different than how you might typically think. For example, the United States has three different “country” classifications, continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. In addition to meetings, the TCC offers a variety of events and travel opportunities (including escorted trips) for the discerning traveler. The initiation fee is $100 for the member, and $100 to include a spouse. Yearly dues are $40/$30 for U.S. residents, and $50 each (member and spouse) for residents of other countries. […]

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Maine: The 23rd State

Today is Admission Day for Maine, our 23rd state, admitted to the Union on March 15, 1820. Maine is located in the northeastern part of the United States, in the New England area of the country, and joined the Union as part of the Missouri compromise.  It ranks 39th of the 50 states in geographical area, and 40th in population. Although the origin of the state’s name is debatable, the most probably theory is that it came from the English settlers who lived on islands off the coast.  They would talk about “going over to the mainland,” which soon became shortened to “going over to main.”  The name seems to have stuck. The state is probably best known for its scenery.  From rugged coastlines (charming fishing villages, lighthouses) to wooded interiors (nearly 90% of Maine is forested), from mountains to […]

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Visit Some Avian Friends at the World Parrot Refuge

Polly want a cracker? At the World Parrot Refuge on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, winged residents get lots more than a mere cracker. This non-profit, educational facility operated by FLOPRS (“For the Love of Parrots Refuge Society”) provides a “Home for Life” for previously owned pet parrots.  Parrots have a very long life span, so it is very likely that they will have a need for more than one owner over their lifetime.  Many parrot owners fail to foresee or plan for this, making it increasingly common to have parrots turn up in shelters.  The Refuge is a home for life for these parrots, and it does not adopt out. The estimated cost to care for a parrot in a good quality sanctuary is approximately $10/week.  This amount covers a healthy diet, shelter, warmth, light, safety, free-flight enclosures, and skilled […]

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Vermont: The 14th State

Today is Admission Day for Vermont, our 14th state, admitted to the Union on March 4th, 1791. Vermont is located in the northeastern part of the United States, an area typically referred to as New England.  With a colorful, independent-thinking history, Vermont was once an independent nation known as the Republic of Vermont.  Today, Vermont is a small state, both is total area, 45th of 50, and population, 49th of 50 (only Wyoming has less people). Vermont is frequently called the Green Mountain State, although it is unclear where the name comes from.  One theory is that it is called that because the state is more heavily forested than neighboring states.  Another theory is that the name came about because of the existence of green-hued shale.  Whatever the official explanation, fall brings about beautiful panoply of color.  The state capital […]

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Florida: The 27th State

Today is Admission Day for Florida, our 27th state, admitted to the Union on March 3rd, 1845. Florida is located in the southeastern part of the country, with the Atlantic Ocean flanking one side, and the Gulf of Mexico the other.  Ponce de Leon named it, and many believe that it was in Florida that he claimed to have found his fountain of youth. Before the formal declaration of Civil War, Florida seceded from the Union, and became a founding member of the Confederate States of America.  Full representation was restored in 1868. For much of its existence, Florida was the least populated southern state.  By the mid-20th century, however, many residents were leaving the frigid weather of the northeastern US, looking for the temperate climes found in Florida.  Today, Florida is the second most populated of the southern states […]

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Ohio: The 17th State

Today is Admission Day for Ohio, our 17th State, admitted to the union on March 1st, 1803.  The date of admission was actually determined retroactively, because no formal date of statehood was set by the original legislation.  It wasn’t until 1953 that the date of admission was set as March 1st, 1803, the date that Ohio’s first legislature convened.  (Photo above of Ohio Statehouse) Back in 1835, Ohio fought a war with Michigan, known as the Toledo War.  Somehow, my US History class missed this important battle, but as a result of it, Michigan got the western part of its Upper Peninsula as part of its state boundaries, and Ohio got the Toledo Strip.  Located in the Midwestern United States, and part of the Great Lakes region, Ohio is a heavily populated state (ranked 7th in population).  Its largest city is […]

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Nebraska: The 37th State

Today is Admission Day for Nebraska, our 37th state, admitted to the union on March 1st, 1867. Located in the middle of the United States, on the Great Plains, Nebraska has a history deeply rooted in farming.  In the 1860’s homesteaders arrived in Nebraska, claiming free land granted by the federal government.  These first settlers staked out their plot of land, and turned the Nebraska prairie into a land of ranches and farms. The state’s largest city is Omaha, followed by the capital city of Lincoln, but small cities and town’s dominate the landscape. I’ve not been to Nebraska, and must confess that prior to doing a little research about it, didn’t know much about the state other than it was located in the middle of the U.S., in an area called Tornado Alley.  I would guess, that unless you […]

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Photo: Napa Valley

Location:  Napa Valley Vineyard. One of my most enjoyable weekend trips is to spend time wine tasting in the Napa Valley (California).  While several large, major wineries are located in Napa, I’ve found that some of the most fun are the smaller, limited production, family wineries. Photo:  Aaron Logan ____________________________________________________________

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Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park was designated a national park on February 26, 1919, and is one of the oldest national parks in the United States.  It is located within Arizona, near Flagstaff, and within the parks lies the Grand Canyon, considered to be one of the major natural wonders of the world. Although the Grand Canyon is not the largest canyon in the world, it is spectacular in its combination of size and colorful layers of rock.  The National Park covers a little over 1.2 million acres, and is governed by the National Park Service.  Flying over the canyon always elicits lots of oooooh and aaaaaaaahs from passengers. The South Rim of the park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and services are available year round. The North Rim offers visitor services and facilities from mid-May to mid-October.  […]

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