Hiking, Treks and Updates
The new mixtape is up for download and listening over on the sidebar. It is more or less inspired by the things that I think about while I’m out on whatever walk. I talk a lot about the benefits walk friendly cities can have on communities. Additionally, one of my favorite benefits is being able to clear my mind and find new things. Any one of my various hikes has led to discovering something I had never seen before. It gives me a chance to put a different spin on life. Hiking and getting fresh air can do a bunch to benefit mood and reduce stress caused by the challenges of day to day life.
On Monday I took the bus up to the bottom of OHSU, to take an unplanned hike through Maquam Nature Park. I never knew this trail system existed up until Sunday when I was searching for a way to get out of the urban environment, but still be close to a bus line. When I arrived at the trail head I set my sites on the 4T trail that leads up to Council Crest, then over to Washington Park. After about an hour I arrived at Washington Park I moved off the 4T trail and on up to Hoyt Arboretum. I spent over an hour walking through the Arboretum soaking in the trees, sun and fresh air. I wandered through a few of the trails and learned to identify some of the trees I see around the Northwest. I got onto the Wildwood trail and followed that over to the Pittock Mansion and then down into Forest Park where I ended my journey at MacLeay Park.
It was a fantastic day, and I really needed to get out of the house. The thing that I really enjoyed about it was being able to get away from of all the noise and stress of the city, but still be close to home. When you don’t have a car, and are limited to public transit and foot travel, park systems like what I experienced are a wonderful way to connect with nature. I didn’t spend a single dollar, and had more fun than I would at any bar, movie theatre or most other entertainment sources. Here is a rough route of my adventure, click on it to make it bigger.
Next week I plan on setting out on a much larger hike. I will take the Tillamook County Shuttle to Tillamook and then hike back to Forest Grove, where I will either walk home or take Trimet. Just depends on how I feel. My friend Andy might come along. We have been talking about going out for a walk while he is on his break from PCC. I just need to get my paperwork from OHSU, so I can sign the forms and send them back. And then I am free until my start date on the 28th. Below is my intended route, which is about 52 miles. Which should take 3 days. If the weather is nice, I might keep going and hike out to another destination. Looking forward to the freedom of the woods and open road.
Public Transit and Why a Zebra?
I’ve wondered for a few years now while contemplating being car-less, and now being car-less if it would be possible to travel to and from multiple cities via public transit. It turns out it is! Evan Siroky has assembled various routes to prove the point. You got to love the efforts people make to share points on just how realistic transportation is without a car.
This oil spill is incredibly awful, but in terms of its effect on the planet vs. our total consumption and demand for oil have. It does’t even come close. You may argue the point that man made climate change is a hoax, and this is just the natural cycle. Fine, I’m not going to argue that with anyone because I am not an expert. There are scientist and people seeing it first hand that are better suited to do so. But for what it is worth the difference I see between man made development vs. a balanced ecosystem is visually disturbing to me. If it weren’t for my student loans I would surly kiss this capitalistic resource hogging world behind, and live with less out on the road.
Ok, back on topic. I really like this idea of public transit being used to travel great distances. Think about it, I could get on Trimet then connect with other regional transit systems and in a matter of hours I am in Seattle. It may not be as convenient, but there is nothing convenient about sitting in your car all alone unable to share the experience with other people. We are social animals, and while some of the people you may encounter on the bus aren’t the type of people you want to buddy up to. If more people ditched their cars the chances are better that you could meet someone new on your commute to — for example, Seattle.
This is just another idea that a better planned urban area, that focuses resources on transit of the foot, pedal, and mass-transit systems could go a long way towards developing stronger communities. So what am I missing? I’m not sure human beings; despite our social nature are ready for that close of a community. Some people just don’t want to change, don’t want to listen, and don’t want to give up on what they have come to believe is the American Dream. I wish it were different. My inner hippy mellow is being harshend, haha.
California just banned plastic bags. Oregon, are you listening? Safeway, you are the worst offender. My Safeway store doesn’t even offer paper. So if I forget my reusable bag, I have to take plastic. Boo!
Oh, check out this great audio visual bliss of five New York neighborhoods captured in their full glory. No inserted outside music, just a great ambient soundtrack and neighborhood blips. Sources: Architects Newspaper Blog and Urban Omnibus
Daniel, stop being such a gloating flower power dude and show us a cool house. Ok, here you go.
This is the JD House. It is located in the forest of Mar Azul, in the Argentinian province of Buenos Aires. Minus the Zebra skin on the ground, I really love this. The Architecture is so inspiring. I also like the minimalism of the interior. Sure it could use some art and a bit of color, but that is really those personal touches that are made by the inhabitant. Here, have a look.
Sources: Contemporist and BAK Architects
Wow, New Acropolis Museum and Urban Farming
I love this. It encompasses a total grasp of classical concepts, with a conversion to modern architecture. Beautiful wraps of glass, stunning horizontal and vertical planes, and interesting angles. Looks like I found another reason to get myself to the Acropolis.
Architects: Bernard Tschumi Architects
Location: Athens, Greece
Associate Architect: ARSY
Bernard Tschumi Architects Team: Bernard Tschumi; Architect and Lead Designer Joel Rutten; Project Architect, Adam Dayem, Aristotelis Dimitrakopoulos, Jane Kim, Eva Sopeoglou, Kim Starr, Anne Save de Beaurecueil, Jonathan Chace, Robert Holton, Valentin Bontjes van Beek, Liz Kim, Daniel Holguin, Kriti Siderakis, Michaela Metcalfe, Justin Moore, Joel Aviles, Georgia Papadavid, Allis Chee, Thomas Goodwill, Véronique Descharrières, Christina Devizzi
ARSY Team: Michael Photiadis; Principal, George Kriparakos, Nikos Balkalbassis, Philippos Photiadis, Jaimie Peel, Niki Plevri, Maria Sarafidou, Makis Grivas, Elena Voutsina, Manoulis Economou, Anastassia Gianou, Miltiadis Lazaridis, Dimitris Kosmas
Structure: ADK and ARUP
Mechanical and Electrical: MMB Study Group S.A. and ARUP
Civil: Michanniki Geostatiki and ARUP
Acoustics: Theodore Timagenis
Lighting: ARUP, London
General Contractor: Aktor
Project Area: 21,000 sqm
Project Year: 2003–2009
Photographs: Courtesy of Bernard Tschumi Architects
via Archdaily.
URBAN FARMING: GOOD
I think GOOD is becoming one of my favorite information sources for all things I love. They have a really interesting article, written by Peter Smith on future farming. Urban farming was a topic I studied for an environmental science class while in school. It is an idea that I see totally viable for reclaiming vacant or unoccupied land in cities all over the globe. If you are interested and have a couple of minutes I suggest checking out the article. This idea could do a lot to decrease our dependence on oil and bring local jobs. Forward thinking my friends! I need to work on my green thumb.
Seedbombs and Walking in L.A.
Designed by L.A.’s Common Studio, the Seedbomb project has made it’s first installation in San Francisco. They use old gum ball machines, fill them with clay balls full of seeds to assist in spreading the gorilla guerilla gardening movement. This project helps to turn otherwise dead, grey, and vacant locations into colorful, life filled spaces.
This project needs support and you can help. For a minimum $1.00 pledge you can help fund this. Go here and help out. Find out more about this over at Inhabitat.
“Nobody walks in L.A.”, at least that’s what Missing Persons sang about. Over at GOOD, Ryan Bradley has started a series discussing walking in Los Angeles, and how to open the city to pedestrian friendly transportation. Narrow roads that are friendly to on-foot transportation are a staple for European cities. It brings neighbors closer together — which strengthens the bond of their inhabitants. It builds micro-economic markets and enriches culture. Both of which could use some help in my neighborhood.
I am a strong advocate for pedestrian friendly cities. It’s part of the reasons my friends have to put up with my biased love for Northwest Portland — my favorite and former neighborhood. I now live right on Cesar E Chavez Blvd; which is horrific for foot travel and keeps me from enjoying my neighborhood. I just don’t see the bond between people the way I did living in a close, walk friendly part of town. I’m glad someone is starting to ask these questions in Los Angeles. It could go a long way towards our continued efforts to build smarter transportation systems through better urban planning. It could also help small local based businesses open doors and thrive.
What’s Next?
I finished up work on the house restoration project I was working on. Everyone did a fantastic job, and it shows. I’ll post pictures as soon as I can. It was a tremendous learning experience, and I enjoyed every bit of it. Except for painting ceilings.
Walking is awesome! Now that I am carless/liberated I have come to enjoy Portland more than ever. There are so many great spots and neighborhoods that by car you will never see. I walk everywhere now, occasionally taking the bus for trips greater than 3–4 miles. Before, when I had a car the idea of walking more than 1/4 mile seeming daunting and inefficient. But really, I can walk 3 miles in less than an hour. So pretty much anything I need is within that scope. And I’ve lost 10lbs. I’ve been without wheels for 4 months now and I don’t miss it at all. Traffic is loud, really loud! We need to find a way to leave the automobile behind. I’m encouraged now it can be done.
I made a short video of the woods that are behind my childhood home. I spent whole summers in these acres and there are so many great memories of adventures had. It is the first video I’ve edited and the camera work is not up to par. But I think the sound does a good job of capturing what I remember about the years I spent in what we called “The Field”.
This is an aerial shot of the location of “The Field”. Now renamed Springwater. “A” is my old house.
Onward
I updated the portfolio and about pages with new content. Still working on getting all the images together from my printed portfolio to their future online home. That should be done tomorrow. I also added a paper I wrote my senior year about my role as a designer, which would be a good read for anyone that wants to know my perspective on design and how it integrates with the world.
Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and I am really looking forward to spending time with family. We are a small family group these days, but it’s still nice to catch up. I need to look up some recipes and start cooking soon. No Tofurky this year though, but I do have some of the gravy!
Friday I will drive down to Florence to spend some time with my Dad and see what he’s been up to. I am going to try and dig up the blueprints to the house down there, been wanting to do some design work with that house for a while — just for fun though.
I am now unemployed for a few days, next week I start some Sketchup work for CDS. This is really exciting! It is kind of my first shot at paid design work. Should be a nice challenge and a much needed change of scenery.
