I've been thoroughly enjoying your bus trip stories, and it's time I use my bus pass to explore again. With a backpack, searching for fun places to visit that also serve coffee! The places you go, the things you can see! Thanks for that.
I just found a really nice coffee place tucked into the NW District of Portland. It’s called Electrica, and is in the Schoolhouse electric building at NW Nikolai and 21st.
For some reason that furled construction sign really infuriates me. Lots of pedestrians would find that a hazard. Great post and yes the disabled = wheelchair mindset is very common. The Albina library looks lovely.
Insightful words Fran! You are an inspiration and I can see why you find joy in bus therapy. Albina library looks like a gem. I have never been, but now I want to visit. I recently stumbled upon the 'seed library' at the Milwaukie Ledding Library. Seeds for sharing...yes! Also, my favorite coffee shop is Stacks. It is on N Killingsworth and accessible by line 72. May your day be filled with new adventures and wonder✨️
Your writing never fails to make me look with keener attention at the city we’re lucky to call home and I’ll never pass by another lime scooter left in the middle of the sidewalk without moving it!
A friend of mine with MS also pointed out the threshhholds into public buildings often cause problems getting over them. My quadraplegic nephew served as a community liaison for construction companies and city planners. As a geographer, he toured various sites (parking lots, etc.) to assess their accessibilities and whether they were completed to spec. These things are below the radar for most people. It's good you pointed out many of them in today's post. Portland seems to have paid attention to bus access, but there's still a lot of work to do elsewhere.
Exactly right, Sue. Portland has made great strides. A few years ago, I petition the city to fix the intersections in my neighborhood, and they put curb cuts in about a dozen places. One replaced a curb that was nearly a foot deep.
A foot deep??? That's even hard for people who don't use wheelchairs. For pete's sake. It's more like a mounting block for a horse. They did have such structures back in the day.
Fran, I loved this, thank you for writing about access, for letting me see the world through your eyes, through your gifts of writing and close observation, captured in photos. I wish there weren’t those impediments on the sidewalks for you, and glad you are advocating the city for better solutions (even if it doesn’t always work). How fun you’re writing poems for people, too! I especially loved this: ‘We never know what surprise in a day will move us this way.
And then comes tomorrow.
Every day has its wonders. We open our eyes and enjoy.’ Words to live by!
There are streets Terri won’t go down with me because of the lack of curbs cuts, it means we sometimes have to take longer routes to where we’re going. 35 years ago, I wrote postcards with preschoolers about the need for more curb cuts for people in wheelchairs and strollers - it’s good to begin the activism early! The situation has improved somewhat since then, but there’s still much work to do around creating more accessible environments.
Thanks Fran. I can walk. I say that with hope and optimism. I’m down for now. Seems a passing affliction. Just a small flare. Yet with care it’s only a sciatic tear. Bi lateral lumbar osteoporosis.
I’m so glad you report from streets and neighborhoods. I look forward to reading your words.
Thank you for sharing your obstacles and making it to your trap line of coffee shops. And "wing beats of November"!!! Wow, that tops "atmospheric river" for November-ness now. Beautiful writing Fran!
I've been thoroughly enjoying your bus trip stories, and it's time I use my bus pass to explore again. With a backpack, searching for fun places to visit that also serve coffee! The places you go, the things you can see! Thanks for that.
I just found a really nice coffee place tucked into the NW District of Portland. It’s called Electrica, and is in the Schoolhouse electric building at NW Nikolai and 21st.
For some reason that furled construction sign really infuriates me. Lots of pedestrians would find that a hazard. Great post and yes the disabled = wheelchair mindset is very common. The Albina library looks lovely.
Insightful words Fran! You are an inspiration and I can see why you find joy in bus therapy. Albina library looks like a gem. I have never been, but now I want to visit. I recently stumbled upon the 'seed library' at the Milwaukie Ledding Library. Seeds for sharing...yes! Also, my favorite coffee shop is Stacks. It is on N Killingsworth and accessible by line 72. May your day be filled with new adventures and wonder✨️
Oh, good to know about Stacks. Trip planner wants me to take MAX to Killingsworth. I’m not sure how to get to the 72.
I think you will like the Albina Library. On the 6 line, but you know that.
Wish I could plant a garden, but it’s beyond me now and Robert is not interested in gardening.
Your writing never fails to make me look with keener attention at the city we’re lucky to call home and I’ll never pass by another lime scooter left in the middle of the sidewalk without moving it!
Thank you so much! I do encounter one from time to time and if I can’t push it out of the way, I have to find a driveway and go around on the street.
A friend of mine with MS also pointed out the threshhholds into public buildings often cause problems getting over them. My quadraplegic nephew served as a community liaison for construction companies and city planners. As a geographer, he toured various sites (parking lots, etc.) to assess their accessibilities and whether they were completed to spec. These things are below the radar for most people. It's good you pointed out many of them in today's post. Portland seems to have paid attention to bus access, but there's still a lot of work to do elsewhere.
Exactly right, Sue. Portland has made great strides. A few years ago, I petition the city to fix the intersections in my neighborhood, and they put curb cuts in about a dozen places. One replaced a curb that was nearly a foot deep.
A foot deep??? That's even hard for people who don't use wheelchairs. For pete's sake. It's more like a mounting block for a horse. They did have such structures back in the day.
Yes, it was like a mounting block. Can't think why.
Fran, I loved this, thank you for writing about access, for letting me see the world through your eyes, through your gifts of writing and close observation, captured in photos. I wish there weren’t those impediments on the sidewalks for you, and glad you are advocating the city for better solutions (even if it doesn’t always work). How fun you’re writing poems for people, too! I especially loved this: ‘We never know what surprise in a day will move us this way.
And then comes tomorrow.
Every day has its wonders. We open our eyes and enjoy.’ Words to live by!
There are streets Terri won’t go down with me because of the lack of curbs cuts, it means we sometimes have to take longer routes to where we’re going. 35 years ago, I wrote postcards with preschoolers about the need for more curb cuts for people in wheelchairs and strollers - it’s good to begin the activism early! The situation has improved somewhat since then, but there’s still much work to do around creating more accessible environments.
I so treasure your posts, Fran. I feel like I'm right alongside you on your travels as I read. 🙏🏻
Has the issue of insufficient curb cuts and other barriers to access been covered in the local press? If not, you’d be the perfect person to do it!!!
Eye-opening to hear about the obstacles on the routes. Tragic about poor access to marvelous Powell's Books! They need to do something about that…
I can visit Powell’s if I don’t try to approach it from the north side of Burnside. To the south there’s this new plaza the city built. . . .
Thanks Fran. I can walk. I say that with hope and optimism. I’m down for now. Seems a passing affliction. Just a small flare. Yet with care it’s only a sciatic tear. Bi lateral lumbar osteoporosis.
I’m so glad you report from streets and neighborhoods. I look forward to reading your words.
I hope your pain eases soon.
Than you Fran.
Thank you for sharing your obstacles and making it to your trap line of coffee shops. And "wing beats of November"!!! Wow, that tops "atmospheric river" for November-ness now. Beautiful writing Fran!