Sisters

Sisters seems like an odd name for a town - until you actually go through it and look to the south. There, rising above, are the majestic Three Sisters peaks along with suitor Mt. Bachelor and, perhaps the victim of a fight with the sisters, Broken Top.  All are volcanic peaks that are part of the Cascades "ring of fire," although the last big eruption of any of them occurred about 2,000 years ago. The area where the town is located is on the east side of the Santiam Pass, so it was settled by Native Americans and early European pioneers. The town site is flat, so this 2.3 mile walk has no significant ups and downs. The city is rapidly growing, increasing from 959 to 2,038 between 2000 and 2010. The nice little downtown, rustic looking residential neighborhoods, and spectacular scenery are worth a visit!

The walk starts at Sisters Creekside Park, located at the intersection of Locust Street and Jefferson Avenue. If you cross the grassy area near the intersection you will come to this covered park bridge over Whychus Creek which leads to the Sisters Municipal Campground. After looking at the bridge turn around and head back to the intersection of Jefferson and Locust.

Go north on Jefferson one block and then turn left onto Washington Avenue. After three blocks on Washington turn right onto Spruce Street. This part of Sisters is a mixture of eclective residential architecture, such as this residence which includes a perch.

Continue three blocks on Spruce Street, crossing Cascade Avenue. This is Sisters' "main street," but it also serves as State Route 20, the route to and over the Santiam Pass. The city and the Oregon Department of Transportation have worked mightily to reconcile the fact that is roadway serves two very different purposes. Perhaps fortunately, the "main street" has won out, and traffic through the town slows and stops so as not to ruin the street atmosphere.

At Spruce and Main Avenue, to the right is The Belfry. This 1914 church building has been repurposed as an event venue for concerts and other occasions. It's a great example of adaptive reuse.

Turn left on Main Avenue. On the left is Fir Street Park, which just opened in 2014. The small wooden bandstand is a contrast to a large controversial city amphitheater project elsewhere in town that was dropped in 2014.

Turn left on Fir Street and head back toward Cascade Avenue. On the corner of Fir and Cascade, to the right is Bronco Billy's Saloon, located in the old Sisters Hotel Building constructed in 1912. After many years as a community fixture, the saloon abruptly closed in 2015, for reasons that remain mysterious.

Cross Cascade Avenue and turn right for three blocks on the south side of the street. In the middle of this stretch is a nice little rest area to the left with some interesting statuary. There is also a public restroom off to the left beyond the statuary.

Turn left on Oak Street to leave the Sisters "main drag" and after one block turn right onto Hood Avenue. This is the "secondary" Main Street of Sisters, with some more shops. One of the shops, on the right, is Miss Sew-it-all, in this funky building.

After one block on Hood Avenue turn left onto Pine Street, after one block on Pine turn right on Washington Avenue, after one block on Washington turn left onto Cottonwood Street, and then after one block on Cottonwood turn right onto Jefferson Avenue. All of these streets contain older, more modest homes, but Jefferson Avenue provides a transition to a newer and much more luxurious section of the city. The trees that predominate in the old part of town are much scarcer here, the better to enhance the views of the mountain peaks to the south and west.

Continue on Jefferson to Pine Meadow Street. At the end of Jefferson there is a direct view of Mt. Washington. This peak is more than 7,800 feet high and last erupted about 1,300 years ago.

Turn left on Pine Meadow and walk to the end of the street, where it meets Hope Avenue. Ahead is a beautiful view of the Three Sisters, for which this town is named. The three mountains are also unofficially known as "Hope," "Faith," and "Charity," They are all slightly taller than 10,000 feet.

Turn left onto Hope Avenue and then turn left again onto Cottonwood Street. Along with the beautiful mountain views this neighborhood of town includes some impressive-looking homes, of which this is one example on Cottonwood.

Turn right on St. Helens Avenue and head back into the older, wooded part of Sisters. After three blocks turn left on Ash Street, and then after one block right on Jefferson Avenue. At the corner of Jefferson and Elm is the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District station, an imposing structure built in 1980, and an important institution in this community.

On the next block to the left is Village Green Park, a pleasant space that has been a centerpiece for the community for quite a while. Among other events it hosts the Sisters Folk Festival every September.

Continue east on Jefferson. The rustic neighborhood includes a few vacation rental homes, such as this one, the Fish Inn Bike Inn, on the left.

Continue on Jefferson to Locust Street and Sisters Creekside Park, where the walk began.

Seattle Churches - First Hill

First Hill is appropriately named. It rose above the small shelf of land along Elliott Bay (since augmented with a significant amount of fill into the original bay) where Seattle began in the 1850's. The hill has seen a lot of phases and changes since then. This walk highlights the religious institutions - including the Roman Catholic Seattle University - that cover the northern part of First Hill. The 2.8 mile route has lots of ups and downs, but the payoff comes in the form of panoramic views of downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay to the west.

Our walk begins at the corner of 8th Avenue and James Street. Proceed north on 8th Avenue. To the left is the Trinity Episcopal Parish. The Gothic Revival building was constructed in 1892, replaced a wooden predecessor which burned in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. The interior burned again in 1902, but the exterior was retained and augmented. More details of the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, can be found here. The church is entered through red doors, an Episcopal Church tradition. The parish has remained in the Episcopal mainstream during the various controversies which roiled the national church during the 2000's, and welcomes all Christians to its altar. It's space is also used for a lot of classical music concerts.

After one block on 8th Avenue turn left onto Cherry Street. Go underneath noisy Interstate 5 and then turn right onto 5th Avenue. Go two blocks north on 5th. On the left, at the corner of 5th and Marion, is the former First United Methodist Church. This Beaux Arts style building was opened in 1910. When the Methodists moved to a smaller building to the north in 2001 the building was the subject of a prolonged battle over historic preservation, which ended with the church being spared and "air rights" above going toward permitting of a large office tower right next to it, which has yet to be built. Meanwhile, the building served for a few years as a concert hall before being purchased by the Mars Hill Church, a growing non-denominational congregation, and opening in early 2013. Less than two years later the church closed its doors at this location, and at the end of 2014 dissolved as a result of massive controversy surrounding its founder, Mark Driscoll. The beautiful old church building has a big "for sale" sign on its front, and its future is uncertain once again.

Continue north on Fifth Avenue. At the intersection of Fifth and Madison, to the left, is the striking Seattle Public Library, opened in 2004.

At Spring Street turn right and go east for three blocks, crossing Interstate 5 again. At the corner of Spring and 7th Avenue, to the right, is Seattle's First Presbyterian Church, a "mainstream" Protestant congregation. The current building was constructed in 1962, replacing its 1907 predecessor. The architecture is typical of "modern" church designs of that era. The church's original founder in the 19th century was Dr. George Whitworth, a Washington State pioneer who also founded Whitworth College, originally in Tacoma and now in Spokane.

At 8th Avenue turn left and proceed one block to Seneca Street. At the corner of 8th and Seneca, to the left, is Town Hall Seattle. While the building has served as a public meeting hall and music venue since 1999, as you might guess it is featured on this walk because it used to be a church. The Roman Revival structure was finished in 1922 as the home of the Fourth Church of Christ Scientist, Seattle. The story of the Christian Science church, founded by Mary Baker Eddy and most known for its belief in faith healing instead of medicine, is well-known. Christian Science has suffered major declines in national membership, and many of its very grand edifices have been adapted to new uses around the nation.

At Seneca Street turn left and go back over the I-5 freeway to Sixth Avenue. At Sixth and Seneca is the Plymouth Church, a United Church of Christ (UCC) congregation. As with most UCC congregations, the congregation welcomes all people to its services and events. The UCC is the descendant of the congregational churches of early American New England Puritanism, though it's hard to imagine the Massachusetts Puritans of the 17th century agreeing with the theological positions of the church today. But that's the point of congregational churches - they are mostly autonomous from each other and free to adopt positions on theology, liturgy, and most other church functions that fit the needs of the congregation. The 1910 church building at this location was damaged in the 1965 Olympia Earthquake, and this modern building replaced it.

After viewing Plymouth Church turn around and face the I-5 freeway. To your left will be a trail veering away from Seneca and into Seattle's Freeway Park. The park is built on a massive platform over Interstate 5, and includes features such as this fountain, visible soon after you enter the park. The park opened in 1976. Take the path that goes to the left around the fountain and then curves to the left.

This path leads eventually to the upper entrance of the Washington State Convention Center, a massive facility with its main entrance down below on Pike Street.

At the doors to the convention center entrance turn right to continue through Freeway Park. You will soon come to this whimsical sculpture, which is called the Seattle George Monument, created by noted Seattle public artist Buster Simpson. A weathervane at the top portrays profiles of George Washington and Chief Seattle.

Right beyond the Seattle George Monument, you will see this stairway plunging down and out of Freeway Park. Proceed down the stairway.

At the bottom of the stairway turn left onto 9th Avenue, and after a block you will see this set of long stairs back up the hill to the right. Take the stairway and trudge back up.

At the top of the stairway you will find yourself at the corner of Union and Terry Streets. Walk straight ahead on Union Street - the street veers slightly to the right at Minor Avenue. After three blocks you will see this Mission Revival building at the corner of Union and Summit. It is the Summit School, a former Seattle public school built in 1905, and now home to the private Northwest School. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The best façade of this building is actually down Summit Street, to the left.

At Harvard Avenue turn right. Go through a complicated intersection with Seneca Street and continue on Harvard. On your right will be Seattle's First Baptist Church. This monumental Gothic revival structure was completed in 1912. First Baptist is definitely a part of America's "liberal" Baptist tradition - it welcomes all potential parishioners regardless of, among other things, their sexual orientation, and is also proud of its history as a "peace" church.

At Madison Street turn left, and you will be soon entering the campus of Seattle University, a Roman Catholic school administered by the Jesuits. The first campus building on view is the administration building on the right, with a distinctive bell tower. The building includes a small chapel.

After passing the administration building you will see a pedestrian entrance onto the campus to the right. Take the entrance, and then quickly take the campus driveway to the left, which skirts the Union Green. At the east end of the green space take a right. On your left is the Chapel of St. Ignatius. This innovative worship space, with its striking modern design, was dedicated in 1997.

The chapel is open during most daylight hours, so go ahead and respectfully view the interior spaces as well, which also exemplify the striking modern design. The lawn area, with a single row of trees to the south of the Chapel, is known as the "Thinking Field," and is part of the overall design concept for the chapel.

Continue to the south end of the campus green and then past the Albers School of Business, then turn right. Continue on the campus roadway past the Quad, then turn left. In the middle of the Quad is this striking fountain, designed by famous artist George Tsutakawa. The plaza and the fountain date from the late 1980's. For sports fans, Seattle University is best known for the college career of this famous NBA player.

Continue past the quad, and then another block along the campus driveway. Turn right after you pass this structure which is the Arrupe Jesuit House. This building serves as home to many of the Jesuit priests that work on campus. It contains 16 bedrooms and various offices.

Continue on the campus driveway to the intersection of Broadway and Cherry Street. Continue straight on Cherry and then turn right onto Minor Avenue. To your right is the massive Swedish Medical Center complex, located here since 1912 (though obviously not in these buildings). The Swedish Hospital complex is one of three on First Hill, which is sometimes known as "Pill Hill."

Continue on Minor Avenue to Marion Street, then turn left. After two blocks, at the corner of Terry Avenue and Marion, to the right is the Chancery Building, so named because it was the administrative headquarters for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle. The administration has moved across the street and this building is now the Archdiocese youth and young adult center.

Turn left on Terry Avenue. On your left is O'Dea High School, an all-male Roman Catholic institution with about 400 students. It has been on this site since 1923, and is named for an early 20th century archbishop.

On your right is the imposing St. James Cathedral, spiritual home of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle. Completed in 1907, the cathedral was originally graced with a large dome. However it collapsed under a heavy snowfall in 1916, and was not replaced.

Continue one block on Terry to Columbia Street, then turn right. If you were to continue on Terry you would come to the Frye Art Museum, in a distinctive modern structure. After one block on Columbia turn left onto Ninth Avenue. At the corner of 9th and Columbia is Skyline at First Hill, a luxurious new (opened in 2009) retirement community owned and managed by Presbyterian Retirement Communities Northwest, a non-profit organization affiliated with Seattle's Presbyterian churches.


Proceed two blocks on Ninth Avenue to James Street, enjoying (especially on a sunny day) the panoramic views downhill to the west of downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay. Turn right on James Street, and after one block you will be back to the starting point of this walk.

Goose Hollow and Vista Ridge - SW Portland

This Southwest Portland walk is a short 1.7 miles, but packs a lot of up-and-down punch in that distance!  The highlight is a walk across the Vista Bridge, a Portland landmark. Also of note are panoramic views of downtown Portland and beyond, many historic mansions, and some long public (and, in one case, quasi-public) stairways.

The walk starts at the corner of SW 20th Ave. and Salmon St. in front of the Multnomah Athletic Club, a Portland institution. Among its most notable accomplishments - the original construction in 1926 of what is now Providence Park, home of the Portland Timbers, immediately to the north of the club. The club retains "end zone" seating for use of its members to watch Timbers matches and other events in the stadium.

Across 20th Avenue from the Multnomah Athletic Club is one of several high-rise apartment and condominium buildings in the Goose Hollow neighborhood. This one, the 2020 building, consists of apartments for rent. It was built in 1963.

Go west on Salmon Street to King Avenue, then turn left. On the left, at the corner of Salmon and King, is the Durham-Jacobs House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. This Queen-Anne style home was built in 1890.

Continue on King Avenue into the King's Hill Historic District, full of old Portland mansions. This Federal style three-story home is located to the left, after the Durham-Jacobs House. It was built in 1896.

Continue on King Avenue. To the right, on the up-hill side of the street at the corner of King Avenue and King's Court, is the W.R. Mackenzie home, on the National Register of Historic Places, constructed in the 1890's.

Looking straight ahead, at the end of King Avenue, is this beautiful 1909 mansion.

Turn right onto Kings Court, a narrow street, but with very little traffic. Four houses down, this 1905 home is located on the down-hill (left) side of the street.

On the right  side of the street is this odd forest of bamboo trees. It's unclear whether the garden is associated with the next building on the right, at the corner of Kings Court and Vista Avenue, the Portland Garden Club.

Turn left onto Vista Avenue. Straight ahead is the Vista Avenue Viaduct, popularly known as the Vista Bridge, which was constructed in 1926. This bridge replaced an earlier streetcar bridge, which replaced a cable car along 18th Street. The sign in the foreground of this picture attempts to dissuade would-be-suicide jumpers from the bridge - 13 people jumped to their deaths from 2004 to 2011.

As you cross the bridge, your panoramic views of downtown Portland to the east and the Portland West Hills to the west are marred by a large chain-link fence. While taking away from the view, the fence has also greatly reduced suicide jumping from the bridge since its installation in 2011.

Continue over the bridge on Vista Avenue, and follow the roadway as it winds into the West Hills. After the Market Street intersection, on the right, is this trail up the hill. Take the trail.

The trail ends at Prospect Drive. Turn right and then follow Prospect as it loops to the left. The street has very attractive houses and also panoramic views of downtown Portland and beyond.

Continuing on Prospect, this modern house on the right stands out among the more traditional styles prevalent in the neighborhood. Also of note is that this home is directly above the Vista Ridge Tunnel, which has carried vehicles on the State Route 26 freeway to and from downtown Portland since 1969.

Across the street from the modern house shown above is this grand English Tudor mansion, built in 1924. After viewing this home make a sharp right onto Montgomery Drive. Follow Montgomery past more beautiful homes to Carter Lane, where you will take a left.

Carter Lane tees into Vista Avenue, where you will turn left. Continue down Vista as it curves around. This mansion on the uphill (left) side of the street was constructed in 1908.

Eventually you will come to this stairway down the hill on the right. Take the stairway and head down.

Eventually the public stairway ends. You will see this sign, indicating that the continuation of the stairway is on private property, but you are welcome to continue at your own risk. Continue down the stairs, being mindful that you are crossing somebody's yard.

The private stairway eventually empties onto Mill Street Terrace. From this street you can view the east portals of the Vista Ridge Tunnel, carrying Highway 26 traffic to and from downtown Portland. Look back up the hill at this hillside home towering above you.

Turn left on Mill Street Terrace and continue down yet another stairway. This one is public.

This stairway includes some more panoramic views of downtown Portland, and also some more spectacularly precarious hillside homes!

The bottom of the stairway dumps onto Market Street. Turn left and walk for a couple hundred feet along Market. There is quite a variety of hillside architecture on display, both old and new.

On the right you will come to yet another stairway down the hill. Take the stairway, which connects Market Street with SW 20th Avenue at the bottom. In the Summer of 2015 a "notice of proposed development sign" was located to the left of the stairway on a very steep slope, indicating a future multi-family residential development was being considered for approval by the city.

At the bottom of the steps, on the left, is this imposing home. It is the Kamm Mansion, one of Portland's oldest remaining structures. This French Empire-style home was built in 1871 on SW 14th Street. In 1950 it was moved to this location to make room for the construction of Lincoln High School. After many years of neglect it has been restored and is presently home to Alliance Francaise, best described as a French language school and cultural center.

Continue down SW 20th to Jefferson Street, then turn right after crossing the street. Across the street is the Goose Hollow MAX station, on the light rail line to Hillsboro and Beaverton. Goose Hollow got its name from the practice early residents had of letting their geese run free here and in the canyon to the west, which is now home to Highway 26 and the Oregon Zoo.

Turn left onto 19th Avenue and proceed north for two blocks. After one block, on the right, is the Legends Condominium building, constructed in 1997.

On the left side of this block is vacant land owned by the Multnomah Athletic Club. Originally containing houses, it was bought up by the club and turned into a surface parking lot in the 1960's. The lot was removed when the Club built its parking structure on the next block over. It is now the site of a controversial housing development that includes more parking for the club.

Turn left on SW Main Street, then right on 20th Avenue to return to the starting point for the walk.