A Few of FR's Finest...Every Day...02-20-04...Oregon - "She Flies With Her Own Wings"

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

Please join us as we make a cyber-visit to another great state in this Union of ours.

Over the past few months each "Finest" hostess has profiled her home state and I will be presenting the other states in random order. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would love to have your input on what you would like to see highlighted.

These are the states we have presented to date:

05-23-03 Alabama 06-27-03 Maryland 07-11-03 Vermont 07-25-03 Utah 08-05-03 Texas 08-22-03 Nevada 08-26-03 Wash DC 09-05-03 Tennessee 09-17-03 Florida

09-19-03 Minnesota 10-03-03 New Mexico 10-14-03 Georgia 10-17-03 Louisiana 10-22-03 Michigan 11-04-03 South Dakota 11-14-03 California 01-09-04 South Carolina 02-06-04 West Virginia

As we present each of our 50 states we also salute the proud FReepers who call their state 'home'.

Today we are traveling to the great
state Oregon, "The Beaver State".

One hundred and fifty years ago,
this cry was heard throughout
the east and midwest....

"Free land in Oregon!"



The 2,000 mile long route that stretched from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City pointed the way west for an estimated 300,000 pioneers and settlers in the middle of the 19th century. What turned out to be the largest voluntary peacetime mass migration in human history was critical to America's history as it sought to become a nation that stretched from "sea to shining sea".

Tens of thousands of wagons in every description, rumbled along this dusty trail. Still visible in many places, the ruts remain as a silent testimony to those who struggled, suffered and died in pursuit of their dreams.

An Oregon-bound airline, in 1849? Don't laugh--it almost happened. Rufus Porter, founder of Scientific American, planned to fly pioneers to Oregon on propeller-driven balloons powered by steam engines. He advertised the endeavor, and 200 brave souls signed up for the trip. But the "airline" never got off the ground.

Then there was the wind wagon, a cross between a sailboat and a wagon. Because it can be very windy in the West, it seemed like a good idea on paper. A prototype was built, and for a brief moment it barreled across the plains at the advertised 15 miles per hour. Then it went out of control and crashed. The inventor, "Wind-Wagon Thomas," kept trying for years, but never succeeded.

Others took a more low-tech approach, making the trip with only a simple wheelbarrow. It's hard to imagine pushing a fully loaded wheelbarrow for 2,000 miles, but several dozen people tried. For a time, they could outpace everything on the Trail, but human endurance has its limits. It is uncertain whether any of them made it all the way.

Mormon handcarts were somewhat more sophisticated. Like wheelbarrows, they were human-powered, but handcarts were pulled, not pushed. Thousands of handcarts made it to Salt Lake City, Utah, but there is no record of anyone taking a handcart further west.

***Oregon State Facts and Trivia***

• Oregon's state flag pictures a beaver on its reverse side. It is the only state flag to carry two separate designs.
  
  
   
• Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state.
   
• Oregon and New Jersey are the only states without self-serve gas stations.
   
• Eugene was the first city to have one-way streets.
   
• Pilot Butte, a cinder cone volcano, exists within the city limits of Bend.
   
• At 329 feet the Coast Douglas-Fir in Oregon is considered the tallest tree in the state.
   
• At 8,000 feet deep Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America.
   
• The Columbia River gorge is considered by many to be the best place in the world for windsurfing.
  
  
   
• The hazelnut is Oregon's official state nut. Oregon is the only state that has an official state nut. The hazelnut is also known as the filbert.
   
• Oregon's state birthday is on February 14, Valentine's Day.
   
• The "Oregon Pioneer" statue that tops the capitol building in Salem is a work by Ulric Ellerhusen. This heroic figure represents the spirit of Oregon's early settlers.
  
  
   
• In 1858 the richest gold find in the Cascade Mountains was discovered in the Bohemia Mining District at Sharp's Creek near Cottage Grove.
   
• In 1876 the University of Oregon opened in Eugene. Deady Hall was the first building on campus and still exists.
   
• In 1880 a sea cave was discovered near what is now known as Florence. Sea Lion Caves is known to be the largest sea cave in the world.
   
• The nation's most photographed lighthouse is the Heceta Head Lighthouse located in Lane County.
  
  
   
• Oregon's second highest waterfall is Salt Creek Falls in the Cascade Mountain range. It drops 286 feet.
   
• Eugene is rated by "Bicycling Magazine" as one of the top ten cycling communities in the United States.
   
• There are nine lighthouses standing along the coastline. Five are still being used; the others are designated historic monuments.
   
• Portland is considered an example of outstanding urban planning. The city is known as The City of Roses.
   
• Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and is formed in the remains of an ancient volcano.
  
  
   
• High above the city of Portland the International Rose Test Garden features more than 500 varieties of roses cultivated continuously since 1917.
   
• At 11,239 feet Mount Hood stands as the tallest peak in Oregon. Mount Hood is a dormant volcano.
   
• Silver Falls State Park is the Oregon's largest state park. It features 10 waterfalls and contains a wide variety of forested hiking trails.
   
• Discovered in 1874 the caves located in Oregon Caves National Monument are carved within solid marble.
   
• Fort Clatsop National Memorial contains a replica of Lewis and Clark's 1805-1806 winter outpost.
   
• In 1905 the largest long cabin in the world was built in Portland to honor the Lewis and Clark expedition.
   
• A treaty between the United States and Spain established the current southern border between Oregon and California. The treaty was signed in 1819.
   
• The Oregon Trail is the longest of the overland routes used in the westward expansion of the United States.
   
• Haystack Rock off Cannon Beach is 235 feet high and is the third largest coastal monolith in the world.
  
  
   
• The Seaside Aquarium was the first facility in the world to successfully breed harbor seals in captivity.
  
  
  

There is much to see and do in this interesting state,
not the least of which is exploring the beautiful
and rugged Oregon coastline.

The following websites provided
historical information and graphics....
"Oregon - The Facts"
"The Oregon Trail"

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 02-16-04...Military Monday 02-17-04...Random Acts Of Kindness 02-18-04...An Observation From Fred The Cat 02-19-04...JohnHuang2 - John's Two Cents

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45MAN danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[WVNan]

Give me a few minutes.

[Mama_Bear]

I think we need a cross country BBQ

Well, I think you all need to come to our next Fresno FR Rally and BBQ. Seriously, wouldn't that be fun? You have several months to work it into your schedule. ;-)

[dutchess]

Many of our family and friend are doing Adkins and doing GREAT. My secretary started it in prep. for her wedding...we both only need to lose about 20 lbs. I am a major meat and protein lover so thought it would be perfect...BUT....I CRAVED fruit so much.....I don't do desserts...but GOD I almost dived at piece of cantelope!

I give my hubby Mr. D. credit...he was always overweight, did the hiding binging stuff and then about 12 years ago the doctor said his sugar was elevated....first time I ever let go...he went on a diet...(his was from the diabetes association...fruit a BIG thing) He did all the major group stuff with very little meat. Lost 100 lbs. and has kept it off for 14 years. Bread was a big part of his diet but it was all in the interaction. Only 6 oz. of meat or protein a day total....4 slices of bread a day...all the lettuces you wanted, and fresh fruit 4 times a day..

[Mama_Bear]

but GOD I almost dived at piece of cantelope!

LOL!! My problem with the Atkins diet is giving up starches. I LOVE potatoes and bread. Dessert is not a problem at all for me, but I just can't do with out bread. How do you make a sandwich without bread, for Pete's sake?

[WVNan]

Okay, finally found it. This is carlo's recipe of course. I use the canned pizza sauce instead of making my own. Can't get too involved you know. LOL.

Low Carb Deep Dish Meat Crust Pizza I don't believe anything can exactly replace a bread crust, however, in this case the flavor is pretty damned good.. Ha!

CRUST

3 lbs lean ground beef
1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, freshly grated
3 large eggs
1 med. onion, finely chopped, or 1/2 cup dried minced onion
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped, or substitute 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbs. salt
3/4 tsp. black pepper
3/4 tsp. fennel seed
SAUCE
2 1/4 cups plum tomatoes, chopped and drained , or 2 x 8 oz cans of tomato sauce
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper seed
1 tsp. dried oregano, or 1 Tbls. fresh
2 Tbs. fresh basil, or 2 teaspoons dry
salt & pepper to taste
TOPPING
1/2 lb. mozzarella cheese, shredded, or Provolone
sausage or pepperoni (optional)
oregano
3 Tbs. Parmigiano-Reggiano, freshly grated

Preheat oven to 375.
1) Mix all crust ingredients. Separate into 2 pieces and flatten them onto cookie sheets.
Each should be approx. 1/2" thick when finished.
2) Bake for 20 min. Drain off accumulated liquids. Return to oven for 10 additional mins.,
drain again if necessary.
3) Meanwhile, blend sauce ingredients. Spread over both crusts.
4) Spread toppings evenly and place back in the oven for about 15 min, or until cheese is lightly browned.
Remove and let sit about a minute, slice and serve.

[WVNan]

Caveat: That "d" word is carlo's, not mine.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you for the recipe. I'm with you, canned pizza sauce works for me too. ;-)

[Mama_Bear]

Caveat: That "d" word is carlo's, not mine.

Well, boy am I relieved! I was wondering about that!! LOL. (You're so funny!)

[WVNan]

MB, nobody loves bread more than I do. I was a dedicated carboholic. The secret of Atkins is that it kills the desire for carbs. You never feel hungry because the protein you eat keeps you so full you don't crave food all the time. I think the diet is the best for those who have trouble losing weight, or low metabolism. You have to be determined enough to last for two weeks. It takes that long for your body to switch over from carb burning to fat burning. You should drink a lot of water too. At the end of two weeks you realize that you are no longer thinking about starchy foods. I can put a hot homemade roll in front of me and not even be tempted. I've learned to love creamed Cauliflower to replace mashed potatoes. Steam it and put it in the blender with butter, cream and cheese. Yummy. The best part is the way the weight comes off. I've slowed down and am losing slower now, but that's good because I don't wrinkle as much ha. On that pizza recipe, you can put all your favorite pizza toppings. I put sausage, pepperoni, green peppers, mushrooms and lots of cheese.

[Mama_Bear]

I almost missed your post. Thanks for coming by today. I thoroughly enjoyed presenting your beautiful state.

Yes, I know that lots of things were left out, that's why I depend upon the residents of their state to come and help fill in the blanks. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you all, especially the Oregonians who joined us today, for helping us celebrate the Fine state of Oregon.

Have a great weekend everyone!

[WVNan]

Good night Mama_Bear. Thanks for a lovely thread today. You work pretty good under pressure. Ha.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Nite Mama_Bear!

[LadyX]

Just coming back and see it is time for the East Coast to go to bed.

Nite, Nan and Mama.

Nite, and hugs for ya, Tonk!

[Igraine]

Thank you for this tribute to my beautiful home state. I hope soon to return.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you for this tribute to my beautiful home state. I hope soon to return.

It was my pleasure. Sorry everyone was gone by the time you arrived this evening.

Gosh, you are a LONG way from home, Igraine! I also hope you are able to return to your Oregon soon. We can use all the right-thinking people that we can get out here on the left coast. ;-)

[Mama_Bear]

We missed you today. I had thought you were going to take our Friday cyber-tour with us. Hope everything is okay with you.

[Igraine]

I am a long way from home and you're making my homesick. I'm about to tuck in for the night but thanks again for all the beautiful photos. Best Wishes.

[Mama_Bear]

The weekend starts
HERE,
C'mon over!

[WaterDragon]

We can use all the right-thinking people that we can get out here on the left coast. ;-)

That is sure the truth! But, how thankful I am for all the wonderful folks we DO have!

Thanks again, MamaBear!