Why did you come to Oregon?

[Cool Texan]

Just a fun poll to lighten the mood going into the weekend.

[Straydog]

I'm betting a pitcher of beer that I am in the minority on this one too, I was born here.

[OceanBlue]

Hey... can only choose one... There's a lot of reasons I moved here. The beauty AND the weather. Perhaps the most compelling reasons were that Oregon was my favorite vacation destination and Portland felt more like home than home ever did!

[Albacore Tuna Captain]

Moved here in 1964 with the family. Had no choice in the matter. Grew up in Los Angeles. Came back in 1969 after serving in the Navy because I remembered all the trees, mountains, streams and rivers, the fishing, the clean air, the great people, the fishing, the relaxed life style, fishing, the lack of traffic, fishing and did I mention fishing?!!

[GutshotApe]

Although I was born & raised within 2 miles of the Columbia River, the view out my parent's picture window is the Oregon hills, grew up reading The Oregonian, a trip to the city meant Portland, TV and radio came from Portland, etc, etc, I am not a "true" native Oregonian due to not having the sense to be born on the other side of the crik...I was later reminded of that deficiency regularily by a Coos Bay native who knew virtually nothing of Oregon outside Coos County.

I lived the first 1/2 of my life as a Washingtonian and moved across the river for what at the time seemed like a sure thing...a good job with a large timber company that had the proper, long-term, forest-stewardship attitude. Figured it was a lifetime job/career. Didn't figure on the environmental juggernaut gutting the industry and throwing me and most of my friends out of work :shocked: . Also, Oregon had (has) half the population of WA and three times the area in public lands.

I'm staying in Oregon because its home...although it is getting harder & harder to recognize it. :depressed:

[OceanBlue]

Hey Mike! What part of LA did you grow up in? I was born and raised there, too. :tongue:

[Straydog]

Originally posted by GutshotApe:
"Also, Oregon had (has) half the population of WA and three times the area in public lands."


And it is the quality of life (lands) that did and still is drawing people to Oregon. Might there be a correlation between what is attractive about Oregon and it's protected public lands?? [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

[ 04-04-2003, 09:49 AM: Message edited by: Straydog ]

[blackdog]

Native, so by law I believe you're required to just let me go - you can't bonk me!

[Straydog]

Blackdog,

Why do you think I haven't been bonked?? :grin:

Natives gotta be released!

[pdxkevin]

I am a transplant. I moved to Oregon from Minnesota via New Mexico.

Ya just can't beat the weather, fishin', huntin', camping, and stuff availible so close out here (that and my wife is an Oregon Native).

[Lured In]

I had a choice of Houston, Denver or Portland for my job promotion.

I have lived in Boulder, CO. Didn't really feel like living in the great state of texas. But I was a rabid hunter/fisherman with family in Southern OR.

Actually I really didn't have to think about it. They gave me the list and I said Portland! :grin:

[Corkie Monster]

Native here. Born and Dallas OR. and raised on the coast till I was about 16. Moved to Mt.Hood area, and also have lived at every corner of OR except the South East corner. I would say I know the state well.

[WaterDog]

So what happens if you were born at a Naval Air Station in another country then 3 months later you land in Oregon and have been here ever since?

It that like being an offspring of a spawning hatchery fish? Looks like a nate, got a fin like a nate, so it must be a nate! :grin:

(BRAT! - crabbait)

[ 04-04-2003, 05:54 PM: Message edited by: crabbait ]

[greenbuttskunk]

I'm as native as you can get. Relatives came over on the trail. I moved away when I was 9 to live all over the country and alaska. I used to come back here to visit relatives while I was living in NJ. I would make that approach into PDX over hood and on lucky occasions the sun would be setting and the mountia would be cast in the most perfect color my eyes had ever seen. Landing back in NJ, I would approach over oil refineries and
landfills. I found it all very depressing.
I vowed that I would return here to finish out the best part of my life. I've been back for 9 years now and am always reminded why I chose to return. Just drive over the 1-205 bridge and look at hood, St.Helens. Grapple with the decision to flyfish, boat, ski, windsurf. Hang out at waterfront park in your boat listening to live Jazz. Look up and see a bald eagle fly overthe tewilliger curves. Of all the places I've lived, Portland has some of most decent souls I've had the priviledge to know. Let's not forget the amazing beer!
I for one can say we live in the most blessed piece of america that I know of, all things considered. I take stock in portland whenever I can. Hope most of you feel the same way.

[Kruechief]

My mom and dad were living in Cascadia, Oregon and had sex.

Krue

[GutshotApe]

Originally posted by WaterDog:
So what happens if you were born at a Naval Air Station in another country then 3 months later you land in Oregon and have been here ever since?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">That would make you an Airdale-Oregonian... another hyphenated ethnic group although one not yet recognized by the federal govt. for special dispensations. :tongue:

[Rod Holder]

I just come to Oregon to visit the cash Bermuda Triangle (West, Joes & FMS)then I beat a hasty retreat back home before some wacko Oregoon driver runs me off the road. :smile:

[Jennie@ifish]

When it was time for me to be born, I begged, pleaded and kicked to be born somewhere else, but my Mother insisted that she didn't have time to go anywhere but to the hospital.

Jen

[Stratocaster]

Some of us are from the evergreen state.

[fishin]

My fin has been clipped, but I'm a native. [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img] :grin:

[True]

Born in Long Beach...California...I'm sorry! But I made up for it by marrying a native (she still has her fin).

True

[tag-a-long]

I met my wife on the internet five years ago, and moved on out west. This is alot better than Indiana... Used to call myself the hoosier transplant...

[Albacore Tuna Captain]

Originally posted by Pilar's Mate:
Hey Mike! What part of LA did you grow up in? I was born and raised there, too. :tongue:

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">

[Albacore Tuna Captain]

Originally posted by Pilar's Mate:
Hey Mike! What part of LA did you grow up in? I was born and raised there, too. :tongue:

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Oops! Replied without replying. Anyway, I was born in LA and grew up mostly Long Beach but lived also in Torrance, San Pedro, Belflower, Compton and Paramount. Got all over really. How's the quitting going?

[Fish_N_Russ]

I had a great-great-great grandpa shot by Jessie James........the whole family moved west after that

[fishbane]

Born here
My family came here with the first wagon train in the very early 1800's. My great grandfather was proud to have been an indian fighter as I recall.

[GutshotApe]

Originally posted by Straydog:
Might there be a correlation between what is attractive about Oregon and it's protected public lands?? [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">You're absolutely right, SD...but there's more than one way to "protect" public lands. One thing people like about Oregon is the opportunity for large numbers of Joe Q. Publics to go deer & elk hunting on public land...their land. There is a direct correlation between increasing wilderness designations and spotted owl setasides (and the cessation of logging) and the decline of deer and elk in those national forest and BLM areas.

You really, really should go on the Tillamook forest tour, SD.

[Washington Hunter]

I've lived in Washington my whole life, but plan on moving to Oregon someday, probably in 20 years when I retire, that is IF I can retire at the age of 55 like I want to.

[RvW]

I grasp my hair firmly with both hands, pulling feircly and ask myself the same question over and over.

[Straydog]

COTR,

None of my business but if you find yourself asking over and over why you came, it would seem you would, at some point, start asking yourself why you stay? :whazzup:

Maybe because you are so busy trying change that which it sounds as if you do not love............?

[timinthegorge]

I don't. But I do visit quite often. :grin:

Tim

[BuKuBass]

My great great grand-father brot his family out in 1852. Corkie Monster...one of his sons established the mercantile in Jordan Valley. The house he built two miles to the east (still standing) stradles the state line. Drunk buckaroos who wanted to get married would ride out to his house, step into Idaho (no waiting period) and get hitched, then go back to town to celebrate.
When asked if I've lived in Oregon all my life, I reply, "Not yet!"

[Bankbound]

Half of us are natives!!! Feel free to bonk the rest!

My dads family moved to Oregon in the 1840's.

[lost_sailor]

I was born here. That's why.

[Born to be Wild]

I wanted web feet? Guess I got tired of 80 degrees on Christmas day and all the rivers that didn't have trout in them or water.

Kruechief,

Pilars Mate,

What area did you live in down there?

[Born to be Wild]

Straydogie,

Looks like you are buying the pitchers!

[RvW]

Stray.. I love Oregon. I have a list of positives a mile long, and I have been fortunate enough to have spent a fair amount of time all over this great state. Unfortunately I have also been subject to a couple of serious injustices that would have anyone of the toughest I know pulling thier own hair out, one more recent I wont even bore you with, but can tell you it will have a lifelong effect starting 2 months ago.

I was born and raised in New England, very rich history, very beautiful, but very rude people. After a bitter divorce, and a need for a change, I visited my father who had been here for about ten years after getting married to a native and transplanting himself, his wife, and my sister.

I instantly fell in love with the coast, and considered it my new home. I purchased a home and 3 months later it burned to the ground, inadequate insurance from a shoddy mortgage company left me in a camper for 6 months. I bounced back, started a business and then
I Married a canadian, moved to Canada, and 4 years later she was treated for cancer, divorced me, took our son to another country so I ended up back here again. A short time later I lost an infant daughter.

I landed a job with MCI/Worldcom/QWest/AT&T as a contractor, and travelled the nation for some good bucks. The effects of 9-11 and all the layoffs brought me back yet again.

This time around, I lost my Dad, to some very painful circumstances.

Sure, you've got a fine state here, but Im not sure I want to call it home anymore stray, is this the answer you were looking for?

[Straydog]

Dan,

You're right.......... I am suprised! But I can think of worse pay offs.

COTR,

Well I guess........

Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

[RvW]

Stray, that was a bit extreme and I apologize. At my wits end lately. Its simple reality though, and I guess I felt compelled to offer an explaination after your comment. I dont intend to leave...just hope my luck changes soon.

One positive thing that stands out, the people here in Oregon are awesome...Ive met some unbelievably tollerant, compasionate unselfish friendly people here who I wouldnt expect to ever find anywhere else. A few from IFish believe it or not.

Cheers.

[Dipnet]

Born in McMinnville, lived in Willamina 'til I was 18, got married and moved to Yamhill and have lived here ever since(35 yrs.)!! I am a native Oregonion and Yamhill Countian.(Is that a word?) :whazzup: My husband was born in Minnesota and moved to Oregon when he was 4 .

Dipnet :grin:

[Snapset]

Well the reason I came to Oregon is, my Mom and Dad told me "get in the car, we are moving". I was 6 so I had few alternatives.

[Born to be Wild]

Cheers Cirosis. Hope things get better! Get together with some of the ifisher's! You're not far from the April 12th jetty gig and springer clipping.

As for you Straydog, I'm holding you to that one :grin:

[greenbuttskunk]

COTR,
Sorry to hear of your circumstances. I really hope better times are to follow.