Public Stairs

(First of an intermittent series)

Like small, steep, narrow parks,
public stairs cut interesting cross sections
through Portland hill neighborhoods.

http://www.portlandhillwalks.com

Hitching Ring

The curb, like all boundary conditions, is a zone in flux.
These little plastic horses come and go, but the charming intervention has
re-animated long obsolete rings all around town:

www.horseproject.net

(side view)

Even at the turn of the last century, who among the urban
population knew how to properly hitch a horse to a ring?

Graffiti Caboose

The vandalism is perhaps redeemed by the abstract complexity,
softened and harmonized by weather and rust.

NW St. Helens Rd., near NW 35th Ave.

Standpipe

Has this 4 coupling manifold ever been used in earnest,
or is its variegated patina the product of a century of quiet neglect?

Standpipe at SW Taylor and SW 2nd