33/52 and 34/52 - Photo Project 2013

Week 33:

A quintessential urban decay shot:



Close runners up:

       

Week 34:

My brief attempt at a blue moon from my front portch:

30-32/52 - Photo Project 2013

Major catch-up post!!

Week 30: I couldn't resist this flowering artichoke:



Close second, Oregon blueberries:



Week 31:

There were FAR too many photos to choose from. I was really pleased with a lot of my shots but this is one of my favorites:



Close runners up:

       

Week 32:

Again, a tough one. This one encompasses a lot:



Close second,



Weeks 33 and 34 coming soon! And then, I think I will be all caught up.

Exploring Downtown St Louis - Through New Eyes

One of our latest photo floods (with Photo Flood STL) was in downtown St. Louis. We have set map borders but I didn't fully pay attention to where we were going. I usually hang with the group's creator and his wife, so I kind of just followed them. We actually ended up in one of my favorite places in St. Louis. It's where urban decay beauty abounds.

I've obviously been there before, but I captured some great images that late afternoon/evening:

And my favorite!

You'll be seeing this one again soon...

Road Trip, Day -1: Portland, OR

The two days before L and I embarked on our road trip adventure, I spent a little time in Portland.

A high school classmate and friend of mine, D has lived there and while we've kept up a bit on Facebook, we hadn't spent any amount of time together in a long while. I spent a majority of the day with her - getting to know her again, playing with her two adorable children. D is the mom I'd like to be when I grow up. I've always been a fan of D, but I renewed my membership this trip! But we had a great time just hanging out and playing with the kids but broke away for an AMAZING dinner at Pok Pok for fish sauce wings which are out-of-this-world amazing. I didn't break out my camera at all because I was having such a good time that it didn't occur to me.

The next day, I spent with W & G. W, G & I met in Houston and we've maintained the friendship ever since. I definitely count W as one of my best friends. We started out the day at the Beaverton Farmers market where I tried beer flavored from matzo (no kidding) as well as admiring all the wonderful goodies. I didn't get to try it until later, but I had my first taste of Rainier (yellow) cherries and I'm hopelessly addicted. They are honey sweet in comparison to the tartness of the more familiar bing cherry.

But look at all the beauty found here:

These must be from another planet:

Did you know that artichokes flowered?

I wanted to buy everything in sight!

I clearly need to hit up farmer's markets more often... I'm so glad they're popular again!

From there, we headed to Seaside Beach where I learned that Pacific Northwest Oceans can turn you into an ice block within seconds! Brrrrr! 

Jellyfish were scattered on the beach - puzzling:

As well as sand dollars:

And crab bits:

Later, we explored Cathedral Park where we happened upon, but didn't stay for,  a free orchestra concert:

W&G have turned their patio into a beautiful hanging garden and they have a hummingbird feeder. One came to visit:

I wish my time there had been longer - so I'll have to return when I can really stay and play! 

Road Trip, Day 8/9 - Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market opened in 1907 and is one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers' markets in the United States. It is far younger than it's smaller but older counterpart in St. Louis - Soulard Market. I love Soulard Market and don't go as often as I should - but I am forever glad that Soulard isn't a tourist destination like Pike Place is in Seattle.

That being said, if I lived in Seattle - despite the tourists, I would be there often. The flower bouquets are out of this world and ridiculously cheap:

And the fish, the famous fish place was a lot of fun. This is the one where they throw their fish at each other. It's a little stage-y but they are certainly entertaining:

There's a smaller one down the way, which looks similar but without the fun:

There's tons of tasty looking fruit:

Including this amazingness that I was introduced to in Oregon: Rainier cherries:

On the second day, N & I had a delicious lunch here:

I highly recommend it - it reminded me of a great food truck here in St. Louis called Seoul Taco.  I had bi bim bap with bulgogi and the fried rice underneath was the best I'd had in a long time.

Here are more pictures of the market in general:

Because I can't get to Seattle soon, I will be getting my happy self over to Soulard and hoping that Rainier cherry season will come again soon. I had no idea how delightful those cherries were. Thanks W & G!!