Raptor Ridge Winery

After lunch in McMinnville, we drove up into the Chehalem Mountains bordering Oregon's Willamette Valley, to Raptor Ridge Winery. The Chehalem Mountains AVA (American Viticulture Area) produces some fine Pinot Noir, but we were mainly in search of Grüner Veltliner, a refreshing white wine mainly associated with Austria. Raptor Ridge is currently one of three Oregon wineries that produces it. As is the case with most Willamette wineries, Raptor Ridge is very scenic.

Old Times

Last Sunday we drove out to McMinnville in the Willamette Valley, and had lunch with a friend at The Barberry. This brick wall, reminiscent of earlier times, faced the outdoor dining area.

USS Jackson

These photos of the USS Jackson, a littoral (close to shore) combat ship, were taken from the Burnside Bridge looking north along the Willamette River. The angular contours are striking.

The Steel Bridge is in the background. In the second photo, the MODA Center and the glass spires of the Convention Center can be seen on the east bank.

Protesting a Lurking Menace

Most of the people viewing the US Navy ships docked along the west bank of the Willamette River in Portland seemed favorably disposed, but there were some committed protesters of the military presence. The last two pictures are intended to dramatize the mostly hidden presence of these warships.

Superstructure

The superstructure of the guided missile cruiser USS Bull Run, which presumably contains most of its guidance and communications facilities, is seriously impressive. The last picture shows the Steel Bridge in the background.

Fleet Week in Portland

This past weekend in Portland celebrated both the Rose Festival and Fleet Week. This latter event involves several US Navy ships sailing up the Willamette River and docking on the west side waterfront near downtown, where they can be boarded by the public for guided tours. (The sailors get some shore leave to boot.) The ships this year were the USS Bunker Hill, a guided missile cruiser, and the USS Jackson, a littoral combat ship, docked between the Steel Bridge and the Broadway Bridge. These photos, taken facing south from the Steel Bridge, show the Bunker Hill, with the Jackson in the background.

Closing the Gate

The gates along the fire lanes in Forest Park are as unobtrusive as possible.