A few notes from our sojourn thus far in the Beaver State . . .
Oregon is a beautiful state. Lush, pine-filled hills and mountains, deep river-cut valleys, and a climate that can't be beat, it would be hard to argue for a more scenic place to live. Add no sales taxes to the mix, and there are some economic benefits as well.
However, every state has its little quirks . . .
My first experience with Oregon's quirkiness came one day while I was out driving in downtown Grants Pass. Talking to my wife on the phone, I was surprised to see flashing police lights in my rear view mirror. After pulling over in a local taco stand parking lot, I was politely informed by the officer that it was against the law in Oregon to text or use a cell phone while driving. In addition, the fine for said malfeasance was $142.00. Suddenly, the economics of having no sales tax made sense . . .
Regardless of economics, or perhaps because of it, there was no way I wished to pay $142.00. Seeking to channel all of my mental dexterity and verbal skills into a reversal of my plight - in short, I was preparing to beg for forgiveness - I opted instead for the old "ignorance is bliss" standby. With Virginia license plates still on my car and my newly-minted (legitimate) Oregon driver's license now in the officer's hands, I pleaded true ignorance of the law. I am forever grateful for the reprieve that resulted from my plea.
Of course, on the drive home, I spotted at least seven or eight drivers all happily discussing some aspect of their lives on a cell phone. Those particular violations and flaunting of the law I could handle. However, about a mile from home on a less busy thoroughfare, I witnessed a more flagrant violation of the "no texting or cell phone use while driving" law. Seems there was a young girl riding her horse down the road and calmly texting with both hands at the same time. A first for me I have to admit, and had I received a ticket for my violation, you can be certain I would have reported this young girl's flaunting of the law. There's something about seeing a horse and its rider pulled over by the police that appeals to my darker side . . .
Though some would say that witnessing the congruence of horse-driven transportation and cell phone technology is a significant enough experience for anyone, there have been other notable events during our time here . . .
While relaxing with my oldest daughter recently outside a local coffee house, three locals showed up to enjoy some java as well. After getting their coffee, the three settled down to an animated discussion about a truck in front of the local courthouse that was prominently displaying a mysterious flag. Mexican? Iraqi? No one seemed to know. Suddenly, two of the men got up, reached into their car, and one of them retrieved a pistol and strapped it to his leg. Fully armed, both men set off down the street to determine the flag's origins and I assume, the owner's intent.
New to this wild west implementation of the second amendment, we decided to drive by the courthouse on our way home. Turns out there was indeed a mystery flag planted in a truck in front of the courthouse. Standing there as well, pistol fully in view, was our NRA man in an apparently friendly discussion with a man and his wife protesting the plight of the Palestinians. Hard to say which piece of the tableau was more jarring - the citizen walking down the street with the pistol or the fact that someone would choose to protest the plight of the Palestinians in front of the Josephine County courthouse in Grants Pass, Oregon. Putting them together couldn't help but tilt the earth just a bit off its axis . . .
Finally, while homelessness is a serious issue in this country, Oregon and especially Josephine county, offers numerous well-funded programs and shelter opportunities for those who seek assistance. Despite this, there are a significant number of individuals who opt for some of the more time-honored methods of asking for money, food, or work in different locations around the area. Usually at the bottom of freeway off ramps, major intersections, or even outside the local Wal-Mart, many have developed a type of niche marketing or signature brand to make themselves stand out and thus increase their opportunities for receiving assistance.
Signage seems important no matter where the location. One gentleman, known affectionately as the "Sandwich Man", has been at the same intersection for months with a simple sign asking for 25 cents for a sandwich. Not a bad request when you think about it - not too much, not too little, who could argue? Another's sign seems more to the point: "I take anything green!" Even more direct was one gentlemen on the corner outside a local Taco Bell: "I need a burrito!" Some don't request anything for themselves directly. Instead, I've noticed several signs that request money for food for their dogs - an ingenious request, particularly if the dog or dogs are obediently seated or prostrate at their side.
The most clever system for raising funds however, has to go to the people I have named the "tag team group". Located at a freeway off ramp, this group parks a car under the nearby overpass, and while two of them sit in the car and read the paper, the other solicits funds at the stop sign. Often, there would be a dog available to complete the picture. While I was not aware of the exact length of each shift, they alternated people and perhaps dogs, several times each day. Not a bad strategy - especially in the hot summer months.
Equestrian texting, Palestinian protesters meeting the NRA, and Madison Avenue marketing for the homeless - never a dull moment in the Pacific Northwest. Perhaps it can all best be summed up by the city of Grants Pass' time worn theme emblazoned on a sign over main street - "It's the Climate!" . . .
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