Out and About - Pacific Northwest

[BFD1054 1,552]

Hey everyone. My wife and i love to travel and when possible, i try to get some buffy pictures. We usually find ourselves traveling to the Carribean or other beach destinations. However, we have both come to the conclusion that there are soo many places here in the States that we'd like to explore. With that said, we spent the last week of July vacationing through Oregon and Washington State. We flew into Portland, Oregon and spent 2 days there. We then drove our rental car into Washington and up the Coast, where we stopped off at some destinations. We spent one night in Port Townsend, a cool little Port City. Early the next morning we hoped on the ferry and over to the Orcas Island where we spent 2 days. Orcas Island is part of the San Juan Islands off of the Washington State coast, which is absolutely beautiful. We then left the Islands and drove into Seattle, Washington. We were only there for a night, so i wasnt able to photo hunt.

Anyway, i will share some pictures that i had taken. Ill try and include some non-buff shots as well lol.

Hope you enjoy them.

First up: City of Portland Heavy Rescue-1. We were lucky enough to meet these guys in the coffee shop attatched to our Hotels lobby.

Edited August 28, 2011 by BFD1054

[BFD1054 1,552]

While out and about exploring Portland, we happened upon Portland FD's HQ. The Heavy Rescue is stationed there and its crew was starting to think we were following them lol.

Heres a shot of their Station patch.

Here is their Dive Truck, which will be replaced shortly.

[BFD1054 1,552]

[BFD1054 1,552]

Bare with me as it takes me a little while to upload my pics.

Also, i apologize for the quality of the pics, as some of the rigs were not readily accesible.

[x129K 1,393]

WOw...Got Pride?

They obviously do! Immaculate firehouse!

[BFD1054 1,552]

These photos i took while on the way to Mount Hood, Oregon. Sorry, nobody was at these firehouses for me to get apparatus pictures.

Edited August 26, 2011 by BFD1054

[BFD1054 1,552]

WOw...Got Pride?

They obviously do! Immaculate firehouse!

Dan, good eye bro. Yes, this Firehouse was beautiful, very well maintained. The guys there were some of the nicest, easy going guys. They were soo friendly and accomodating.

[BFD1054 1,552]

These shots are of Multnomah Falls in Oregon.

These shots are of Mount Hood, Oregon and yes, that is snow. Kind of crazy to throw a snowaball at my wife in late July when it was 80 degrees!

This is a shot of the Lodge at Mount Hood. The outside of this Lodge was used in the filming of the horror movie "The Shining."

Edited August 26, 2011 by BFD1054

[JBE 328]

Nice shots..

[BFD1054 1,552]

Nice shots..

Thanks JBE, much appreciated.

I have a bunch more to add, but our friends just showed up for a hurricane party lol.

[SteveOFD 176]

I like the attire on the Mack Bulldog on the bell of the Rescue.

[BFD1054 1,552]

These first two shots are of a small VFD we happened to pass outside of Mount Hood, Oregon.

This next set of pictures is of the Cannon Beach, Oregon, Fire department. They are somewhat of a combination department with very minimal career staffing. This is due to the influx of tourists during the summer months. On the day i stopped, i met with the career FF/EMT who happened to be on duty. The on-duty FF was a great guy and welcomed me into his firehouse to take pictures and BS. Before i left he said, "hold on, let me give ya something." With that, he produced one of their FD tee-shirts, which was an awesome gesture.

[BFD1054 1,552]

This is a picture of a fire station in Astoria, Oregon. This was taken from our car and unfortunatley, there was nobody there, so i didnt stop. The only reason i included this shot is because Astoria was the town where "The Goonies" was based/filmed. I looked for Chunk and the gang, but no luck lol.

This next set is of the Orcas Island Fire Department. Again, Orcas Island is psrt of the San Juan Islands off of the Washington coast. This is a full service Fire/Rescue/EMS agency, which is combination department. Im not sure of the exact numbers, but they do have several career FFs, as well as EMTs and Paramedics.

There are many times when a patient has to be Airlifted off the Island and an OIFR Medic will ride on the Helo. The on-duty Medic told me of one instance where she was on one call for 24 hours. It was a trauma patient who had to be airlifted off the Isalnd, but they were grouned due to weather. Along with the flight crew, she had to continue patient care the entire time until they could safely land at the trauma center.

Orcas Island Fire Rescue has several stations throughout the Island. They are unique in that they are on an Island and there is really no mutual-aid. If mutual-aid was needed, it would have to come from the mainland and be ferried in.

Again, the members of this Department were very welcoming. The on-duty Career Capt. was all about emergency services and was great to talk to him. He was also all about the Brotherhood and gave me 3 patches, including a 9/11 memorial patch to add to my collection.

Here are the pictures of some of their apparatus. They had received the 2 B.R.A.T.s within the past few months and they love them. Shortly after they took delivery, a member was out training on one of them and came accross a car fire. They were actually able to knock-down the fire using its bumper mounted touret.

[x129K 1,393]

I would have walked around the station yelling, "HEY YOU GUYYSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!"

[BFD1054 1,552]

LOL too funny Dan! Im a product of the 80's and a huge Goonies fan, so i had to stop once i knew it was filmed there.

I have more to come, imcluding some more non-buff shots. But im exhausted and awaiting the OT call, so off to bed i go for now.

[x635 4,066]

Great shots! I actually stayed in Cannon Beach for a couple of nights at this amazing "mountain lodge" style hotel right on the beach, by that big rock. The room was right on the beach. In fact, I have a photo of myself checking in on EMTBravo while I was away.

We spent a night in Portland too, I LOVE Powell's books. It is gigantic, and has every book imginable, both new and used. I found and bought a copy of Fire Engineering's Firemans Handbook from 1910 there.

Also visited family in Bend, didn't realize it was such a drive from Portland! And there was NOTHING in between. And I never knew that once you got over the mountains in Oregon going east, it's desert.

Looks like you had a great time, saw some cool rigs (I like that Ford Mini Pumper Black Over Red). Thanks again for sharing!

[BFD1054 1,552]

Seth, Portland is definately a cool City. The people of Portland can be ecentric and they love that about their City. But it is a fun City with plenty to do.

As for Cannon Beach; unfortunately it was only a stopping point for us. In the future, i would love to stay there for a few days.

My wifes boss is a very well-versed traveler and she is the one who suggested and planned our itinerary. Im glad she did because we had a blast.

This is painted on a building in Portland...pretty much sum's up how they feel about their City. This is near "Voodoo Donuts," a must-visit place while in Portland. They make all sorts of donuts, many of which are vulger and/or obscene lol. We waited in line for 30 minutes or so, but well worth it.

Seth, this picture is for you: Powell's Books in Portland

Just a cool sign in Portland.

These next two shots are of the rock that Seth mentioned in Cannon Beach, Oregon. If i had to guess, id say this is where the last scene of the Goonies was filmed.

Ahh, just one picture of one of my favorite destinations on our Portland trip: the Rouge Ales Public House.

Ok, ok, i will now try and get back to Fire related pictures.

Edited August 28, 2011 by BFD1054

[BFD1054 1,552]

A small fire station on Orcas Island.

Town of Friday Harbor Fire Department. Friday Harbor is part of the San Juan Islands.

Town of Friday Harbor EMS Station. A new, larger facility is being built just up the road.

Orcas Island's old Fire Station #4

Orcas Island's new Fire Station #4. This Station is being built on the same lot as the old station. They were putting finishing touches on this station while we were there, but will be in-service shortly.

This was an 18-wheeler that was online for the Ferry in Friday Harbor. Im not sure what it was all about and unfortunately, i could not locate the driver to ask.

[IzzyEng4 427]

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!! More Tap Room pictures!!!!!!

[BFD1054 1,552]

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!! More Tap Room pictures!!!!!!

Ok, ok....just a few non-fire pic's for Joe's viewing pleasure lol. One of the coolest brew-pub's we've ever been to (and we've been to a few lol).

[BFD1054 1,552]

A shot of the Ferry Landing at Orcas Island as we leave for our next destination.

The next set of shots are of the City of Anacortes Fire Department. Anacortes is the City where you would catch the Ferry to Orcas Island.

[efdcapt115 1,511]

Yes really nice shots Brother. And in the meantime you got me running around down here looking for a house for you guys! Glad you finally let me know you're not coming.......by posting these photos! LOL

Kidding aside, beautiful part of the country you chose, glad you had a great time.

[BFD1054 1,552]

Yes really nice shots Brother. And in the meantime you got me running around down here looking for a house for you guys! Glad you finally let me know you're not coming.......by posting these photos! LOL

Kidding aside, beautiful part of the country you chose, glad you had a great time.

Hey George! Got me feeling real bad, i thought i had told you we werent going to make it down there? Hope its your sarcasim lol.

The wife and i are thinking of making a long weekend trip to the Key's in January or February, but ill let ya know.

Glad you liked my pic's.

[efdcapt115 1,511]

Hey George! Got me feeling real bad, i thought i had told you we werent going to make it down there? Hope its your sarcasim lol.

The wife and i are thinking of making a long weekend trip to the Key's in January or February, but ill let ya know.

Glad you liked my pic's.

:P

[BFD1054 1,552]

We ended our trip in Seattle. Unfortunately, we only had 1 evening/night there. Here are some pictures of the sights in Seattle.

The famous Pike Place Market.

Some shots of our visit to Seattle's Space Needle.

And the last picture to share of my Pacific Northwest trip; a shot of a Seattle Fire Station. Again, there was nobody there to talk to or to get apparatus shots.

This is the most pictures i have ever shared on this site lol. Thanks for looking and i hope you enjoyed at least some of them.

[efdcapt115 1,511]

Mt. Rainier, amazing. With the fog that settles in, it often looks like it's floating in the air, just like your photo. I have two sisters that live in Seattle, and have spent quite a bit of time there myself.

Did you order a fish at the market and watch them throw it around? lol

Nice shots Mike, thanks for sharing.

[MoFire390 118]

nice shots mike!!! hope u and the wife had a good time!!!

[firedude 985]

Great Shots!!! Thanks for sharing them!

[BFD1054 1,552]

Mt. Rainier, amazing. With the fog that settles in, it often looks like it's floating in the air, just like your photo. I have two sisters that live in Seattle, and have spent quite a bit of time there myself.

Did you order a fish at the market and watch them throw it around? lol

Nice shots Mike, thanks for sharing.

George, Mt. Rainier is absolutely amazing. Seattle is a beautiful City and i would love to spend some more time out there for sure. We were too pressed for time, so we didnt order any fish unfortunately. However, we did watch others order fish and what a show lol. Think my better half may have gotten pics and/or video of the flying fish, ill have to check.

nice shots mike!!! hope u and the wife had a good time!!!

Thanks Ken, much appreciated! Yes, we had a blast. As with any vacation, it ended too soon.

Great Shots!!! Thanks for sharing them!

Thanks Kyle, thanks for looking. I also bought my wife a flight lesson in R.I. for our anniversary. I see youre a Pilot; maybe ill dig some of those shots up to share, you may appreciate them.

[NJMedic 96]

Great photos. My wife freaks when I stop to take a photo of something public safety related. I yell back at her saying its 10 seconds out of her life. I didn't know the Sun was visable from Seattle. I spent 5 days in Seattle a couple of years ago. I've had better weather in Ireland. Overcast and foggy for 5 days straight. The Sub cam out on my drive to the airport, figures.