44 Degrees Latitude North~Oregon
Welcome back to “As I See It”.
It was back in November of 2011 that I made my first trip to Oregon, to shoot on the 44th parallel. I had recently come up with the idea for that photo series. It just appeared in my brain box.
I had been a photographer for many years prior. I had countless images of sunsets over the Pacific and beautiful landscape images, thought I had reached a point were shooting those same shots were not blowing my skirt up anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I love beautiful sunsets over the Pacific and beautiful landscapes, but I knew there must be more. I thought about what an art exhibit with my images might look like, and it felt flat, lacking depth. If you’ll be so kind as to let me make up a word, and use it, it felt ununique. I know, there are so many words already in the dictionary that I could have used, but I like the unique way that the word “ununique” looks. Sometimes it’s the little things. Ok, now back to the initial topic of conversation.
In 2008 I started a fine art certificate program at Santa Rosa Junior College. One of the many things that I learned in that program was the concept of shooting in photo series. Images that all spoke to a singular concept or subject matter. It was a creative rebirth for me.
Now again, back to November 2011. I came up with the idea of a photo series shooting on the 44th parallel north. I immediately loved the idea, but first things first. Where the heck was the 44th parallel north?
As I looked into just that, I realized that the 44th parallel north was personal for me, for several reasons. First of all, I had already shot images on the 44th parallel north. In Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Many years before that, I had a calling, a draw, if you will, to go to that part of the world. Northern New England. At that point, I had visited the area twice, and had many photos to document those trips.
The 44th parallel north was also the home to my father, in Bend, Oregon. It was where he was living when he passed.
When my mother was 75 years old, she moved to a little town in Italy, Reggio Emilia. She lived there for two years, and yes, it’s on the 44th parallel north.
A port city on the Black Sea, Sevastopol, is also on the 44th parallel. The town in Northern California were I was living at the time and where I raised my boys, was Sebastopol, named after the port town of Sevastopol. I’m not sure of the exact status in this moment, but Sevastopol was in Crimea, which was ruled by Ukraine, though it has been annexed by Russia in 2014. I think it will be a minute before I go there to shoot for this photo series, but again, I digress.
Let’s make our way back to Oregon, 2011. On that trip I drove Highway 20 west, from Bend, over the Santium Pass, out to Newport, on the coast. It was a short trip, but I was pleased with the photos that I had taken.
All of the above information, and more, can be found in my blog titled 44 Degrees Latitude North, dated November 10, 2021. I reiterated it here so you would be prepared for the pop quiz.
This most recent adventure in Oregon started when my dear friend, Val, picked me up at the Portland airport. I had not seen Val since my last trip to Oregon, 15 years prior, though we do have regular phone dates.
We both needed some ocean time, so we chose to stay in Lincoln City. Of course on the 44th parallel.
Add some butter and garlic, and you have a delicious dinner, that you and the kids rounded up yourself.
It took approximately two and a half hours to drive from the airport to our hotel, where the Siletz Bay meets the Pacific Ocean. We settled into our room, which is located in the historic Taft district of Lincoln City.
We made our way next door to Mo’s restaurant. Mo’s is a favorite on the Oregon coast, having opened 80 years prior, in 1946.
I had the bouillabaisse. It was too peppery for my liking, but the ocean view and great company made up for that, and more.
The next day was spent with my brother, Dave, and his wife, Terri. They came down from just outside of Portland to make a day of it. Val chose to enjoy the peace of some oceanside solitude.
Our first stop of the day was the beach right outside our door. Not that I ever need a reason to walk on the beach, but this seven mile stretch of beach, (no, we didn’t walk the full seven miles), held the possibility of a delightful surprise.
For over 25 years, Lincoln City has had a program called Finders Keepers. Every year, “float fairies” place over 3,000 glass orbs along that stretch of beach. The orbs, or floats, as they are called, are made by local glass blowing artisans. They are not hidden, but are placed in open view, above the high tide line. A treat indeed, that unfortunately, I was not able to partake in. But the walk and company was excellent. So much driftwood. More than I’ve ever seen.
We headed south down the coast. Along the way we stopped at Otter Creek Scenic Viewpoint, where we visited The Lookout on Cape Foulweather, a small gift shop and whale watching location.
Further south we stopped at the Yaquina Head Interpretation Center, where, in the gift shop I found Latitude 44 Pet, a brand of pet bandanas.
Down the road is the Yaquina Head lighthouse.
Our trip southwards culminated at Agate Beach. My expectation was of a pebbly and gemstone rich beach. What I found was a sandy beach, with not an agate, or other gemstone in sight. Though I imagine that some of that sand was minuscule pieces of agate and other gemstones. Definitely nothing to make a piece of jewelry with.
An interesting characteristic that I found was what I call sand canyons, as far as my eyes could see. There may be another, more accurate name for this phenomenon, but I don’t know it. It was the opposite of a sand dune, more like an inverted sand dune. Or maybe they are sand dunes, with flattened dunes. Obviously I don’t know, but I do know that I’ve never seen anything like them.
Upon my return that afternoon, Val and I went to the Snug Harbor Bar and Grill for dinner. A cozy and friendly vibe awaited us in the oldest bar on the Oregon Coast. In continuous business since 1927. Best of all, they serve 44* North Mountain Huckleberry flavored vodka. I’m not an imbiber, though if I was, you bet I’d be imbibing that vodka.
The next day Val and I went on a drive about. A stop in the Nelscott District of Lincoln City for some photo opportunities for me.
The Nelscott District was founded in the mid 1920's, by Charles P. Nelson and Dr. W. G. Scott. Hence the name, Nelscott. Mr. Nelson and Dr. Scott wanted a wholesome family environment, and to that end, taverns and public halls were outlawed. Some of that vibe can still be found in these here modern times.
There was also a stop at the Christmas Cottage, where Seth, the ever so happy Christmas elf, adorned the Christmas ornament that I bought for my grandkids, with their names.
We made our way south to Depoe Bay, which is the home to the smallest harbor in the world. Let’s not forget the many places to buy a Depoe Bay tshirt, or sweat shirt, or key chain, or shot glass, or ice cream, or any other number of standard tourist souvenirs.
We continued on to Newport, Oregon, spending our time walking around the historic Bayfront district. Newport is the home of an active duty coast guard station. There is also a large commercial and recreational fishing industry in the area.
The next day was departure day, as it was time for Val to get home, and for me to continue my adventure on the 44th parallel. We did stop in the northern part of Lincoln City, so I could get a photo of the sign for the “D” River. The world’s shortest river.
Val dropped me back at the Portland airport, where I rented a car. My destination was Gateway, Oregon to visit my dear friend of 50 years, Lou Ann. Gateway is in Central Oregon, east of Mt. Hood. I had visited Lou Ann at her home in Gateway on my trip in 2011. Gateway is an unincorporated community near Madras, Oregon. The elevation in Gateway is almost 2000 ft above sea level, making it a high desert. It was the first time that I ever saw tumble weed rolling across the road, as though I had time traveled into The Old West.
The high desert is not on my list of environments that I am drawn to live in, but Lou Ann has lived there over 20 years and loves it. There are a few neighbors, but mostly agricultural land, and in the distance, a train regularly makes it way through the area.
There still are more places to photograph on the 44th parallel in Oregon. East of Bend are the John Day fossil beds and the Painted Hills. That will bring me close to the Idaho border.
Still so many places to document in Oregon, the US, and the rest of the world. Exciting adventures await.
Till then..
Be Well….