Dust & Echoes: Lost in the Grey of Oakhaven
okay, so, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. 5324477 and 1840019223 - don’t ask. it’s just… a thing. i landed in Oakhaven yesterday, and honestly, it’s like stepping into a faded photograph. the air smells like wet concrete and something vaguely floral, like a forgotten garden. the humidity’s clinging to everything, 20.54 feels like 21.93, and the pressure’s sitting at 1014. it’s…there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.
I’m staying in this tiny Airbnb - seriously, it’s basically a glorified closet - but the location is killer. right on Elm Street, which is, predictably, lined with antique shops and places that sell taxidermied squirrels. which is…a vibe. i spent the afternoon wandering around, trying to get a feel for the place. the locals are…interesting. they mostly just stare. and grunt. i overheard a conversation at the diner - the ‘Grey Spoon’ - about a missing shipment of pickled onions. apparently, it’s a big deal. someone told me that the owner, Mr. Silas, has a penchant for wearing a monocle and arguing with pigeons. wild.
I checked TripAdvisor - yeah, yeah, it’s always a gamble - and the reviews are…mixed. mostly complaining about the pigeons. and the smell. and Mr. Silas. one guy said the coffee was ‘aggressively bitter.’ which, honestly, is a win in my book. i’m aiming for a solid 8/10 on my review, but i’m not promising anything. you can find more info here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g33656-Oakhaven_Oregon-Vacations.html.
Spent the evening exploring the ‘Pixel Forest’ - a weird little park with these massive, moss-covered sculptures. it’s like a forgotten video game level. i snapped a bunch of photos. i’m thinking of trying to sell them on Etsy. maybe. if i can figure out how to upload them to the internet without completely frying my laptop. it’s a struggle, let me tell you.
I found a local board with some recommendations: https://www.oakhavencommunity.org/events. Apparently, there’s a ‘Squirrel Appreciation Society’ meeting next week. i’m… intrigued.
Speaking of locals, if you get bored, Portland is just a short drive away. I heard that the food trucks there are legendary. and the rain is… consistent. i’m not complaining. much.
Here’s my gear list, because someone always asks:
Camera (obviously)
Notebook (for capturing all the weirdness)
Portable charger (because i’m perpetually out of battery)
Rain jacket (it’s always raining)
A healthy dose of cynicism
A slightly concerning amount of dark chocolate
I stumbled across this amazing vintage shop - ‘The Rusty Cog’ - down a side street. they had the coolest collection of old records and leather jackets. i almost bought a fedora. almost.
I’m heading to the ‘Grey Spoon’ for breakfast tomorrow. i’m hoping to get a glimpse of Mr. Silas and his pigeon nemesis. wish me luck.
Oh, and one last thing: i heard that the best place to get coffee is ‘Brew & Bloom.’ but someone also said it’s haunted. i’m not sure which to believe. i’m going with Brew & Bloom.
Seriously, the light here is insane. it’s like everything is filtered through a sepia tone. it’s beautiful and depressing all at once. i need to find a decent wifi signal to upload these photos. this is a nightmare.
I’m going to go lie down now. my brain feels like scrambled eggs. and i think i saw a pigeon staring at me.
Check out Yelp for more local spots: https://www.yelp.com/directory/Oakhaven-Oregon-Restaurants
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/lost-in-the-labyrinth-exploring-yerevan-armenia
- https://votoris.com/post/macap-brazil-my-weird-humid-yogafilled-detour
- https://votoris.com/post/maring-through-the-lens-of-a-wandering-photographer
- https://votoris.com/post/kathmandu-chaos-my-brain-my-boots-and-a-whole-lot-of-momo
- https://votoris.com/post/mystic-cove-where-the-heat-is-a-state-of-mind