Month: August 2020

Armchair photo tours: Fort Hoskins Historical Park near Philomath, Oregon

~ Cheryl ~ Leave a comment

Fort Hoskins Historical Park near Philomath, Oregon Photos by Cheryl Landes Fort Hoskins was built by the U.S. Army in 1856 to maintain peace between the settlers and the Native Americans and to quell anti-Union Southern sympathizers. The military fort overlooked the Luckiamute River Valley, where 200 to 300 troops served. Treaty discussions, formation of … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Fort Hoskins Historical Park near Philomath, Oregon

2020 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books moves online in October

~ Cheryl ~ 3 Comments

Photos by Cheryl Landes Usually, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is held at the University of Southern California (USC) campus two days in April, but COVID-19 interfered this year. The festival was postponed, but now it's moving online for four weeks in October. When the festival launches on Sunday, October 18, it will … Continue reading 2020 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books moves online in October

Deschutes County residents can spend a night at the world’s last BLOCKBUSTER store in September

~ Cheryl ~ Leave a comment

The world's last BLOCKBUSTER store in Bend, Oregon (photo by Cheryl Landes) Since 2004, manager Sandi Harding has kept the world's last BLOCKBUSTER store in Bend, Oregon, running smoothly while retaining a 1990s flavor. This month, in appreciation for her loyal customers in Deschutes County, where the store is located, she listed the store on … Continue reading Deschutes County residents can spend a night at the world’s last BLOCKBUSTER store in September

Watch the last leg of the Mayflower II’s voyage home to Plymouth, Massachusetts

~ Cheryl ~ Leave a comment

Photos by Cheryl Landes The Mayflower II returned home to Plymouth, Massachusetts, this week after a major renovation. The ship is a replica of the original Mayflower that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth Rock in 1620. The three-year project at the shipyards in Mystic, Connecticut, cost $11.2 million, according to the Boston Globe. The Mayflower … Continue reading Watch the last leg of the Mayflower II’s voyage home to Plymouth, Massachusetts

Armchair photo tours: Rock O’ the Range Bridge near Bend, Oregon

~ Cheryl ~ Leave a comment

Photos by Cheryl Landes Rock O' the Range Bridge is the only covered bridge east of the Oregon Cascades. It was built in 1963, when William Bowen needed an access road across Swalley Canal, north of Bend, to the property he was developing. He decided that the bridge crossing the canal should be covered. Bowen … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: Rock O’ the Range Bridge near Bend, Oregon

Armchair photo tours: The world’s tallest barber pole in Forest Grove, Oregon

~ Cheryl ~ Leave a comment

Photos by Cheryl Landes In 1973, San Antonio, Texas, claimed the world's tallest barber pole at 40 feet. But when Chuck Olson saw it during a barbershop music convention, he knew he could make a bigger one in Oregon. After all, Oregon is famous for its tall trees. The timing was perfect, because a group … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: The world’s tallest barber pole in Forest Grove, Oregon

Multnomah Falls, Multnomah Falls Lodge, and historic Columbia River Highway reopen today

~ Cheryl ~ Leave a comment

Multnomah Falls in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge Photos by Cheryl Landes Effective today, Multnomah Falls and Multnomah Falls Lodge in the Columbia River Gorge reopen with restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For the first phase, which is expected to last two weeks, the site will be open to 300 visitors at a time. … Continue reading Multnomah Falls, Multnomah Falls Lodge, and historic Columbia River Highway reopen today

Armchair photo tours: A summer stroll in The Grotto’s gardens in Portland

~ Cheryl ~ 1 Comment

A waterfall in the lower garden at The Grotto in Portland, Oregon Photos by Cheryl Landes The Grotto, a 62-acre shrine and botanical garden in northeast Portland, is a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of Oregon's largest city. Although it's near busy Interstate 205, you can't even hear the traffic. Trails pass tall … Continue reading Armchair photo tours: A summer stroll in The Grotto’s gardens in Portland

Oregon Coast Aquarium reopens outdoor exhibits August 10

~ Cheryl ~ Leave a comment

Photos by Cheryl Landes On Monday, August 10, the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport reopens its outdoor exhibits to one-hour guided tours by reservation only. The tours feature these five exhibits: Vultures, otters, seals and sea lions, seabirds aviary, and the rocky habitat. Visitors must wear masks and keep a minimum six-foot distance. Admission is … Continue reading Oregon Coast Aquarium reopens outdoor exhibits August 10