Yesterday I was not able to walk for a variety or reasons. So what’s posted today is a collection of pictures I took over time along the waterfront, again and again fascinated by Portland’s bridges and developments on the waterfront.

There is an esplanade, a loop that surrounds the river on the west and east side. I usually start at the steel bridge and return via the Hawthorne bridge.

Some interesting public art graces the east side and the views across the river, particularly of Big Pink, my favorite building in town that has no right angles but beautifully light-reflecting surfaces, are spectacular.

From the west side you can see the sports arena and the convention center, both landmarks hidden behind the highway bridge.

 

Sometimes I walk at night, and that has become particularly intriguing with the light installation at the new Tillicum Bridge.

The lights change dependent on the strength of the river’s current – don’t ask me how that is technically possible, but they pulled it off.

The bridge is open to pedestrian and bike traffic and the streetcar as well.

Next to it is my second favorite building, the OHSU Life Sciences building, housing, among other things, the dentistry school. Here are some shots of the interior.

Just like in Roman times the geese guard the city

and those in it, asleep.

Few of the 12 bridges that cross the Willamette will be able to withstand a major earthquake, a point I was acutely aware of today when getting the news about the 6.9 earthquake in Guatemala, where progeny was about 20 km from the epicenter. No harm came to him, but one wonders what it does to the infrastructure of such a poor country.