McCleary archaeology

July 12, 2018

The City crew today unearthed two railroad spikes while repairing the portion of Oak St. where the Henry McCleary Timber Company's railroad once crossed.

McCleary's microclimates

July 11, 2018. Looking north at Oak and 5th. The fog totally obscures the view of the Simpson plant.

For a city this small McCleary appears to have definite climate zones. This becomes especially apparent with weather involving fog, ice, snow, and even rain. There are times when one stands on the crest of the hills on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and Main streets and can see the visual border between the zones.


The parking strip that gathers no moss

July 10, 2018

Found alongside the long vacant tavern. I'm sure this is a metaphor for something but I need more coffee this morning before I can invent one.

Safe Medication Disposal

July 10, 2018

At some point in the last month this safe medication disposal box showed up at the Police Station.

Old railroad bed

July 9, 2018

Looks like the City is about to perform some road work on these odd depressions in West Oak Street. By coincidence, or not, this particular swath is where the Henry McCleary Timber Company's  railroad was until the 1930s. The railway ran south between present day 4th and 5th streets and then turned east all the way to Mud Bay, more of less following what is now State Route 8. Vestiges of the old railway bed can still be seen in the empty lot in the background of this photo.

Although the photo has failed to really capture it, this road marking is an inadvertent and wonderful piece of abstract art.

Float cockpit

July 8, 2018

A peek inside the McCleary Bear Festival float cockpit reveals what appears to be a highly modified 1980s era Chevrolet Cavalier.

The Day After

July 8, 2018

A close-up view of the McCleary Bear Festival float the day after the parade. Lots of hard work and dedication behind these rolling displays that must be labors of love for the volunteers.