Multnomah Falls, Oregon

About an hour's drive East of my house, in the heart of the Columbia Gorge, are the fantastic Multnomah Falls.
With a total drop of 620 feet, Multnomah Falls is the second-tallest year-round waterfall in the nation.

Just past the lower falls, there is a wonderful footbridge where intrepid tourists find themselves covered in a misty fog generated by the water cascading down from the upper falls.

There is a trail to the top, which takes several hours and a lot of energy to hike. Few people venture that far.

Except, of course, a teenaged ME (okay, this was a looooonnnng time ago) and a bunch of friends one fine summer day. We found that at the very top of the falls was a wooden platform from which we could stand and take in the view. Cars in the parking lot below became tiny toys, and people became ants.

Jutting out over the edge of the falls was a single flat stone, water slowly cascading from either side, down into the abyss below. With the lower intelligence exhibited by many teenagers, we climbed out onto this rock. I guess we couldn't read either, because there were signs everywhere warning against this type of behavior.

I sat down on the wet stone and slowly inched my way forward ... swinging my legs over the edge. The ever-present Gorge winds swept misty gusts through my hair as I came as close to flight as I will probably ever be.

A wonderful feeling ... but I would never do it again.

Schloss Neuschwanstein Postcard

During our three year stay in Germany, we made the trek to Bavaria to see the famous Schloss Neuschwanstein.

It was late winter and we had to trek up a narrow steep path, slogging through a foot of snow ... only to find MOST people had taken a perfectly good road that wound up the other side. Sigh.

One of the most vivid memories of the tour involved steep narrow staircases that bypassed entire floors with the tour guide's remark of "Ludwig II was declared insane and died before finishing this part of the castle. It remains unfinished, and is not part of the tour".

Of the "finished" rooms (there are only 14 or so), I was most impressed with the master bathroom - all of the modern conveniences, including running hot and cold water ... and indoor plumbing - unheard of for that time.

I like the hand stamped "Schloss Neuschwanstein". I think it means this is an official postcard, purchased at the castle itself.

Happy PFF Friday - We Aren't in Montana Anymore

The Gallatin River near Bozeman, Montana.

I love the first hand written line, however.
"Hi Dan, We aren't in Montana anymore".

Another postcard found in the recycle bin at my storage unit several years ago.

Salzburg postcard

Salzburg - birthplace of Mozart.

Another postcard sent by a German co-worker, Frau Schaefer, on holiday back in 1988. I lived and worked in Germany for 3 years - from 1986 to 1989.

This card, along with several others, was going to be thrown away, and I asked if I could keep them. I'm glad I did!

Happy PFF Friday! I'm Baaaack!

Costa Dorada, Tarragona, Spain.
Sun, beaches, monuments, beaches, museums, beaches ...

I'm glad I saved this card that my one-time coworker, Herr Schneidmueller, sent from Spain to taunt those of us working in cold, cold Germany (1986 through 1989).

Happy PFF Friday - Jenny's Birthday

I found this wonderful birthday postcard in Grammie's papers. Since this card was obviously hand delivered, I am pretty sure it was from Grammie's best friend, Martha. I'm not sure who Bonnie was, but apparently she was one of Grammie's teachers (probably at church). It looks like Martha's name may have been added later, as it is in ink instead of pencil.

I'm not sure when this card would have been printed, but I am impressed by the bright, vivid colors used.

1950 Cherry Blossoms

This scene appears (to me) to be a classic picture of cherry blossoms in Hood River, Oregon. I think the mountain seen in the background is the east flank of Mount Hood.

I have seen many, more modern, renditions of this particular view. I think I like this one the best, though.

This wonderful card is written, in 1950, by someone in Roseburg, Oregon and sent to Jerry Parker in Portland, Oregon. I love that it was used to represent a bouquet that could be sent through the mail.

Christmas, "The New Sled"

I love the artwork on this old card.
It came from Ivor and Mildred's collection.

Hawaiian Sunset Postcard, 1984

Beautiful Hawaiian Sunset - 1984

Another beautiful card - rescued from Goodwill Surplus Store!

Happy PFF Friday - Sunday School

I found stacks of old Sunday School postcards in a bin at the Goodwill. There were several different pictures.

My favorite, however, is this adorable puppy.

Happy PFF Friday - Great Aunt Tillie, 1950's

I wonder if the post office had much trouble locating the intended recipient of this postal card - with just a first initial, last name, and city of residence.

This Postal Card was sent in the 1950's from my great aunt Aggie to her sister, my great aunt Tillie. "Dean" was getting married, and Aunt Aggie sounded a little insulted that everyone (except Aunt Tillie) bought their gifts without consulting her!

Both of these great aunts have been gone for years, but I have vivid memories of their close sisterly bonds, as well as their wonderful personalities. They would stand for hours, nose to nose, talking about anything and everything. They were delightful.

Another Hubbard Christmas, 1948

I love the way the door is flung wide open to show the heart of the home within (complete with beautiful green house plant). What makes this card special to me, however, is the way the outside tree is decorated with beautiful flowers that seem to be glowing!

Hubbard Oregon Christmas

I don't know the date of this adorable card. I found it taped to a piece of paper in Uncle Ivor's stuff. I love the simple and quaint artwork.
The stamp cancellation reads "Hubbard Oregon", but does not have a date.

Happy PFF Friday - 1983 Desert In Bloom

Uncle Dale longed to travel the United States and the world. He had a handicap, however, that prevented him from finishing school past the 3rd grade, and made it impossible to ever drive a car. He mostly stayed home and took care of Grammie.

But they had wonderful friends. Sometimes their friends took Uncle Dale with them on their adventures ... at other times, they shared their own travels with him - to help him fulfill his dreams.

Happy PFF Friday - Portland City Park, 1935

This beautiful postcard depicts Portland, Oregon's "City Park".

City Park was renamed in 1909 to Washington Park, and today is home to the International Rose Test Gardens, Washington Park Zoo, Japanese Gardens, the forestry center, and much more.

This card was postmarked to my grandparents in 1935, apparently from a friend of theirs - concerned that they had missed church.

I don't know why the postcard, dated 1935, is labeled as "City Park". I think most likely it was a card that had been lying around in someone's house for years before they sent it to my grandparents.

1971 Lola Montez Postcard

Grammie's sister did tend to see the flaws in life - but kept a grand humor about them.

I'm not sure who Lola Montez was. I guess I will have to do some research on her, because it sounds like she had a very fabulous life.

Harvey Picks a Postcard - Happy PFF!

Today is the last day of Harvey the Gnome's visit with me. He usually lives with Michelle, but he has gone walk-about this summer, on a trip around the world.

I asked him to pick his favorite postcard out of my collection and wouldn't you know it ... he somehow managed to find the only one I have that features Mickey Mouse!

This is a card I found in the recycle bin at my storage unit. I thought it was too cute to be garbage, so it became part of my collection.

Yummy Postcard!

I was going through my old trunk when I came upon this yummy postcard.

I don't remember where or when I got it (it was printed in 1984), or who I intended it for. I guess it was meant for ME! I thank myself very kindly! A wonderful treat for today.

1945 Valentine Card

The discoloration around the heart comes from the silky material insert.

Your heart is mine, my heart is yours.

Postmark date 1945. Ivor and Mildred were separated by his time in the US Navy. How tough that must have been! It touches MY heart, though, to see the love they still shared.

Early 1930's Congratulations Card

This Congratulations card is to Mildred prior to her marriage to Ivor (1932). It is made of very heavy paper. The print of the buildings on the card makes me think the occasion may have been Mildred's high school graduation.

Happy PFF Friday - Car care reminder, 1969

Do they still send out delightful postcards when it's time for your car to be serviced?
They did in May of 1969!

Ivor always drove Fords, always bought them from Lynn Kirby Ford on Union Avenue (now MLK) in Portland, Oregon ... and always had them served at the same dealership.

I also have a postcard from June of 1969 that says (of course) -- "Thank you for thinking of us when your car needed service."
Hmmmm I wonder what made him think of using them???

1950 Bridal Shower

I love the sweet innocence of this beautiful blushing bride.

I'm not sure who these people are ... the envelope was too faded. The only thing readable was the 1950 postmark.

1954 Christmas

Another cheerful Christmas card from 1954. I appreciate the muted greens set off by the vibrant red background and bright yellow flames.
I didn't notice until I was posting this that the postmark year is again upside down!

Happy PFF Friday - Mt. St. Helens and Portland, Oregon

This card of "home" has traveled all over the world with me. It shows Mount St. Helens in the background, and the Fremont Bridge and Portland (Oregon) in the foreground. It appears to have been taken at the Rose Test Gardens up in the West Hills.

Since the Fremont Bridge was opened in 1973 and Mt. St. Helen's catastrophic eruption that blew the top off the mountain happened in 1980, this picture was taken sometime between those two dates.

I do know that I kept this postcard with me for many years and many miles. Now I get to actually "send" it!

Twin Peaks

I found this "Twin Peaks" card years ago - one of my first Goodwill Surplus Store purchases. I never watched the show, but knew it was filmed in Washington state.

1928 Birthday Card

This tiny little card (appr. 2x3") is so joyful. These brilliant little birds look so at home with their cute little red house in the background ...

This quaint little card was tucked away amongst some photos I found in the garbage at my storage unit. Which I promptly tucked away in my car and brought home.

1954 Seasons Greetings

A beautiful palet of winter.

From Charles and Margaret

To Ivor and Mildred.
Note how the postmark year is upside down!