Rosa Parks Path, Springfield

When Eugene decided to name a big street after Martin Luther King Jr., spunky Springfield refused to comply and kept their own name for the street when it crosses the city boundary. So MLK Blvd becomes Centennial; yet another sign of the differences between our neighboring burgs. But the city padres did see fit to name this bike and ped path after another civil rights luminary, and there is even a little gazebo with a bench for resting, which I guess Rosa would have liked. The graffiti underscores the inner conflicts stirred up by such a monument in Springfield:  Rosa Parks was a commie.

Cat poop consumed: no

 

Willamette River Path

According to the graffiti at the end of the Knickerbocker Bridge, Sharal has aides. Lucky Sharal, to have assistants to help her! But why publicize it? To warn off those who clamor to offer support? She’s already got plenty, thank you very much.

Cat poop consumed: no

 

Whilamut Natural Area, Springene

“You are beautiful.” This tattooed in red onto the railing on Knickerbocker Bridge. And a few pylons down: “DenyMeAndBeDoomed.” Jeez, isn’t it enough to receive a positive assessment of one’s pulchritude? Must one deliver threatening ultimatums and demand more? On the other hand, we don’t know to whom these statements are directed. Since they are on a bridge that spans the mighty Willamette, perhaps they are meant for it, the river. It is beautiful. And perhaps a kayaker considered bullying the way to master the rapids under the bridge: You better let me paddle here, you river, or else!

Cat poop consumed: no