On Sunday, I went on a nice day trip to Champoeg State Park. It’s really nice this time of year. The crowds are gone, and the fall colors are resplendent.

Old street sign from town destroyed by flooding

Oregon’s first provisional government was formed there in 1843. In addition to the Native Americans, there were only a handful of European trappers and burly mountain men in the area at that time. They knew that a large influx of people would soon be arriving from back East, and that unless they formed a government, their claims to the land could be at risk. The town thrived until 1861, when a large flood on the Willamette River inundated the settlement.

I wandered the trails, stared at the historical sites, and just enjoyed the scenery. I saw a blue heron, a kestrel, and a red-tailed hawk. The park also features a museum, visitor center, disc golf, boat dock, and camping facilities (including yurts).

What are some of your favorite places to visit around Portland this time of year?

And so sayeth the Star Wars fans, the great anniversary of the blessed day that our Lord Lucas bequeathed unto the earth the … err… gift of what shall forever be known as “That Star Wars Holiday Special” is upon us!

Or whatever…

That’s right folks! If you’re old enough or geek enough to remember, it was 30 years ago (no! surely not!?) that George Lucas let loose the Star Wars Holiday Special -  November 17, 1978. Hot on the heels, even, of the 501st invasion of Portland (which happened last weekend, or so sayeth the pdxpipeline)! There are those here in Portland that will be watching it today to commemorate (I supposed someone HAD to dig up this piece of … ummm… history to prove that it existed/ was as bad as people said it was) and then there’s everyone else who might have had no idea what I was going on about had it not been for this post. Of course, there might be another group that just does not wish to remember it at all.  Which ever one you are, I just thought I’d let you know what day in …history this was. (I’m grounded so, unfortunately the drinking and watching with my friends will be sans me… boo!)

Ah, Portland! Thank you for keeping every Holiday tradition… alive!

Happy 30th!

Lately, the dark rainy commute has been getting me down.

Not today though. I was in a superbly good mood. I was smiling from ear to ear. The election results have given me hope. I can’t help but get a little teary-eyed at this historic event. Congratulations, President-elect Obama.

Who else is in a great mood today?

I love Union Station. I have a bit of a weakness for historical buildings, but especially for old buildings that have been in use, not mothballed, wrapped in cellophane, and forgotten. I think beloved old buildings have souls, or maybe they retain an echo of the people that have passed through them. Standing under that high ceiling, you can almost feel the presence of the thousands and thousands of travelers that have passed through those doors, on their way to destinations all over the world; people leaving home, people going home, people going to war, perhaps never to return.

This evening I was at Union Station to pick up my sister, who was returning from a trip to the Seattle area. When I arrived the clock tower was lit up by the setting sun. You used to be able to see the clock tower from all over the north end of downtown. Now the lofts and apartments and new construction hem in on all sides, depriving us of a landmark.

The station was hopping on this unusually warm Sunday evening, with lines of passengers waiting to board, and people anxiously awaiting arriving trains. But above the chaos of floor level, the beautiful design of the building itself soared; the decorative panels on the ceiling, the towering archways, the bronze lettering affixed to the marble walls. It’s like being in an old cathedral.

If you haven’t had a reason to visit Union Station, make one. Go have dinner at Wilf’s, or just wander in and soak up the ambiance. It’s something special.

Longtime local music buffs know Seafood Mama was the first incarnation of Quarterflash. I’m old enough to have seen them under both monikers. My favorite show was when Quarterflash played Neighborfair, a daylong music festival held in Waterfront Park. By the time the sun went down and they took the stage, the crowd was 100,000 strong and Rindy’s saxophone wailed long and loud into the night.

Tonight, Quarterflash will headline the 2nd Annual Induction Ceremony for the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. There is a silent auction held beforehand at 6 PM, and you can see a list of items up for grabs here.

Also appearing will be Crazy 8s, who I’ve seen as an opening act for national touring bands too many times to count. Bring your dancing shoes; your feet will be tapping more furiously than Larry Craig in a Minneapolis bathroom!

For blues fans, Curtis Salgado will be playing. I can’t tell you anything about Curtis you don’t already know. Maybe, if we’re lucky, Terry Robb will join him on his set. (That’s pure fantasy on my part, FYI. No mention of Terry Robb on the website or handbill.) Terry is a shoe-in for the OMHOF; in fact, he was the opening act at the aforementioned Neighborfair.

So, if you over-21ers want to revisit the 80s for an evening, get on down to the Roseland Theater. Doors and auction start at 6; music starts around 7.