Two suns on the Willamette River — one above the horizon, the other in the water — on Dec. 23.
This image of the Willamette River struck me about right for the Christmas season — a little green from the grass on the bank, a flash of red from refraction in the lens, and shimmering light supplied by our home star itself.
On the days before Christmas, the bike took me around the Albany riverfront as usual, and as I often do I looked in on the river at Bowman Park. On Monday the river level was up a little, but not much, not nearly as much as the Weather Service had forecast a few days before.
And as it often does in winter, the end of the floating dock had trapped all kinds of branches from downed trees and other debris. If the stuff doesn’t come loose before long, the Albany parks crew or someone will probably get out there and pry it off so it can float downstream and foul some other obstruction in the stream.
On Monday afternoon, though, the day before Christmas Eve, the flotsam didn’t bother anyone because, as you can see, no launching of boats was going on.
You may have noticed that on bike rides and otherwise I am often drawn to Bowman Park. Why is that? Because the park offers easy and close access to the Willamette River.
The Willamette is one of the many upsides of life in the mid-valley. My advice, for what it’s worth: We should take care of it as best we can and make use of it as often as possible — preferably in boats as recommended by J.J. Cale (“Ride the River”), or just by looking at it the way old Sam Simpson did 150 years ago in his famous verse. (hh)
Well composed photo… Thank you for all you do –and Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and extended family!
Yes….we ought to good stewards & take care of our length of riverbank. Clear aging trees, pesky brush & debris that collects. But Geez, not to the tune of some proposed $20 million from CARA for beautification. It’s not gonna be the Riviera and any improvements we make ‘ole man river will still have his way.
Great shot, Hasso – the river at it’s best! Thank you for all you do for us. I know more about what is happening in Albany and environs by your reporting, insights, and some humor on the way! Merry Christmas. See you in 2020.
Beautiful pictures. I’m spending the Christmas season in San Antonio with the daughter and family. Nice to see pictures of home. Thank you. Always enjoy your writings. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
I am glad you are keeping an eye on the river level for us. Having lived on the high side of the river for over 50 years it does seem to rise a little faster than in the past. It could be there is more pavement to drain up river than before or the river is more shallow but then who knows. Hopefully we don’t see anymore flooding like last April.