un Voyageur

on the briges in portland as described by chatgpt, part 2

Part 2:  Again, I wanted to know what the recent artificial intelligence chat bots could do, I wanted to try one; so I joined ChatGPT.  I asked it to write an essay on the many bridges found in Portland, Oregon.  The following is what it wrote; I did not change anything.

Portland, Oregon is a city known for its natural beauty, progressive values, and vibrant arts and culture scene. However, one of the most striking features of Portland’s urban landscape is its collection of bridges, which span the Willamette River and connect the city’s east and west sides. These bridges, which range from elegant suspension structures to massive steel trusses, are not only functional transportation infrastructure but also works of art and symbols of the city’s identity. In this essay, I will explore the history, design, and significance of the bridges of Portland, Oregon.

Portland is situated on the Willamette River, a major waterway in the Pacific Northwest that runs from the Cascade Range to the Columbia River. The river divides the city into east and west sections and is an essential transportation route for commerce and trade. In the early days of Portland’s history, crossing the river was a challenge, as there were no bridges, and ferries were the primary means of transportation. As the city grew and transportation needs increased, bridges became a necessity.

The first bridge to span the Willamette River in Portland was the Hawthorne Bridge, which opened in 1910 and remains one of the most recognizable and beloved structures in the city. Designed by John Alexander Low Waddell, the Hawthorne Bridge is a vertical-lift bridge that allows boats to pass underneath by lifting a central section of the bridge deck. With its graceful arches and distinctive green color, the Hawthorne Bridge is not only a functional transportation link but also a visual icon that has come to symbolize Portland’s spirit of innovation and creativity.  (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail. Cliquez sur une vignette pour l’agrandir.)

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on the trees in portland as described by chatgpt, part 1

I wanted to know what the recent artificial intelligence chat bots could do, I wanted to try one; so I joined ChatGPT.  I asked it to write an essay on the trees found in Portland, Oregon.  The following is what it wrote; I did not change anything.

Portland, Oregon is known for its lush greenery and towering trees that dot its landscape. These trees not only add to the aesthetic beauty of the city but also play an essential role in the ecosystem and the overall well-being of the city’s residents. In this essay, we will explore the various types of trees in Portland, their significance, and the challenges they face.

Portland’s location in the Pacific Northwest region provides a conducive environment for the growth of various types of trees. The city boasts of several tree species, including conifers, deciduous, and evergreen trees. One of the most iconic tree species in Portland is the Douglas Fir, which is also the official state tree of Oregon. Douglas Firs can grow up to 330 feet tall and 14 feet wide, making them one of the tallest and largest trees in the Pacific Northwest region. They are popularly used as Christmas trees and are also a source of timber for the logging industry. Other conifers in Portland include Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, and Sitka Spruce.

Portland is also home to several deciduous trees such as the Bigleaf Maple, Oregon White Oak, and Pacific Dogwood. The Bigleaf Maple is a common tree in Portland, and its leaves can grow up to 12 inches wide. They are known for their beautiful yellow and orange hues during the fall season. The Oregon White Oak, on the other hand, is the only native oak species in the Pacific Northwest region. It is a slow-growing tree that can live up to 500 years. Its acorns are a source of food for several wildlife species, including squirrels and deer.  (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail. Cliquez sur une vignette pour l’agrandir.)

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on hanging out in portland as seen in kodak tri-x 400 black and white

PORTLAND, OREGON has pizza and wine and artisan coffee and artisan breweries and a cheese monger who took the national title once upon a time and there are many food carts and many many ethnic restaurants and cocktail bars and lots of wine. After all Portland sits between the vineyards of Washington state to the north and the vineyards in Sonoma county, California to the south and let’s not forget the many vineyards that dot the Willamette Valley and southern Oregon.

PORTLAND, OREGON has a large river—the Willamette—and nearby it has a humongous river—the Columbia. Not too far is a large mountain with skiing and hiking—Mt Hood—and nearby, sort of, are several other mountains, some larger and some smaller but still big, along the Cascade Range.

PORTLAND, OREGON is a short drive to the Pacific Ocean. One can drive straight west across Oregon along the Columbia River to Astoria. Or, one can drive south and west from Portland to Lincoln City. Or, one can take I-5 south toward Corvallis and cut west to Newport Beach. Further south are other ways to go to the beach from Interstate 5.

No wonder the population continues to grow. The admonition years ago to Californians “to visit but not stay” has not worked. Apartment buildings pop up regularly. Leave your neighborhood for three months and return to find a new building under construction or one finished already and is advertising for new tenants.  (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail. Cliquez sur une vignette pour l’agrandir.)

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on the homeless in portland, oregon

PORTLAND, OREGON, like many American cities, is not doing well. Many streets are lined with tents. Grass parking strips have tents. Vacant areas, around freeways, where grass needs to be mowed, have small towns of tents.

Portland is not alone. Other cities, larger and smaller than Portland, continue to struggle with the same issue. When someone cannot pay the rent, because the rent is too high or because the initial costs of moving into an apartment or a house—the deposit, the guarantee, the insurance, the month-in-advance, in addition cost of the utilities—is impossible to pay, what is to be done?

(The images in this post are in a black and white style called 1930’s Grainy BlackMag. It is a look found in magazines and newspapers of the early 1930’s. This post tries to capture in part the harsh reality of the early years of the Depression.)

Oregon governor Kate Brown cannot seek re-election in November, 2022. Three candidates, all women, a Republican, a Democrat, and an Independent, are wanting the voters to give them a chance to resolve the homeless issues.

On homelessness, all three candidates have argued that they would bring urgency to “an unacceptable humanitarian crisis.”

Two of the candidates, the Republican and the Independent, who speaks like a Republican on many issues, want a harder line approach and have suggested that “they’d force accountability on houseless Oregonians and reduce public camping.”

Legally, I am not sure they can “sweep” Oregon public places, the streets and other public places, if that is what they intend to do, of people who have no where to go.  (Click on any photo to see it larger and in more detail. Cliquez sur une vignette pour l’agrandir.)

Once upon a time, Portland and Oregon towns and cities did not have a “problem” with homelessness. We did not ever see the homeless.

Once upon a time, Portland and Oregon towns and cities did not have a “problem” with people with mental and medical difficulties. We did not see them either. They did not exist.

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