Salem, Oregon

After our stop in Forks, the WINs moved on to Ocean Shores, but it was cold and rainy so I didn't stay long. I decided to start my journey south. My first big stop was Salem, Oregon, where I first went to see the Capitol. It's an Art Deco design, one of only 5 Art Deco state capitols in the US.

There are relief sculptures on both sides of the stairs. I liked this one of Lewis and Clark led by Sacagawea. (I'm a big Lewis and Clark fan...)

And inside the Capitol is a mural of Lewis and Clark arriving at Celilo Falls on their way to the Pacific in 1805.

I went on a tour to the top of the rotunda to see the 23-foot tall gold-leaf statue of the Oregon Pioneer.

From the top you get a good view of the city and the neighboring college campus.

I then went to see the Carousel.

They are continually carving new animals for the Carousel.

And they were also doing painting that day.

I happened to be in town when the State Fair was going on. What a deal! $1 for seniors, and it includes the evening concert.

There were the usual animal competitions.

This goat was a winner! But he's not posing very well for the camera...

There were some very cute chickens -

And rabbits.

Even the Clydesdales were there!

It was a huge fair. There was one building just for Oregon authors. Imagine my surprise when the first one I see is William Sullivan - I love his hiking books of Oregon, and have all 5 of his regional books. He has hiked every trail there is in Oregon!

While in Salem, I stayed at the Elks Lodge - a very nice place, and even had a great sunset.