The France Hopper Network

As of 7pm Pacific on July 17, 2026, the blog is finally on a VPS.

Site Updates

Welcome to a [Hopefully] Dramatically Faster France Hopper Network

Photo of a cluster of large rock formations in the middle of the Pacific Ocean seen from the Cape Meares Lighthouse. One of the formations has a tunnel passing through it. Short Beach can be seen on the left.

A milestone year for the blog and for finally exploring Oregon.

Life in Portland Special Thoughts

15 Years of The France Hopper Network

Photo of yukizuri in the Flat Garden of the Portland Japanese Garden.

After a record amount of December rainfall, I’m dreaming of a dry Christmas.

Life in Portland Special

Happy Holidays 2025: A Decade In Portland

Photo of Portland Streetcar departing westbound from SW 3rd and Harrison.

While Brookville looked immensely promising in 2017, Portland was not delivered the train that was ordered in 2018.

Life in Portland Thoughts

Brookville: The $12 Million Mistake

Photo of a Futel Free Phone in the St. Johns neighborhood. The phone is a working, preserved payphone with free national calling. An operator and other services are also available.

Taken on Oct 03, 2026 @ 15:02.

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Picture Post: Good news: it is possible to still exit …

Photo of a Bali Myna eating from a bowl in the aviary in the Oregon Zoo.

Taken on Oct 02, 2026 @ 15:01.

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Picture Post: I hate digital zoom, but sometimes you don’t …

Photo of a rock hyrax sitting on a perch in its habitat at the Oregon Zoo.

Taken on Oct 02, 2026 @ 14:34.

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Picture Post: The rock hyrax are slowly becoming more social.

Photo of two turtles piled on top of each other at the Oregon Zoo.

Taken on Oct 02, 2026 @ 13:35.

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Picture Post: Turtle pile!

Photo of goats (from left to right) Biscuit, Jam, and Jelly laying in bedding spread around their habitat in the Family Farm at the Oregon Zoo.

Taken on Oct 02, 2026 @ 13:35.

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Picture Post: Biscuit, Jam, and Jelly decided to snuggle today.

Photo of the exterior of Kokoro by Kiriko at SW 10th & Morrison. The store has grown over time from one unit to three.

Taken on Oct 02, 2026 @ 12:52.

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Picture Post: Downtown Portland isn’t dead. Kokoro is expanding for …

Taken on Oct 02, 2026 @ 12:18.

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Picture Post: CAB OFF SCREENSAVER ON #gobystreetcar

Photo of Portland Streetcar 007 getting ready to depart S Moody and Meade for the yard as the second to last train of the night. The destination shows, "NW 18th & Lovejoy". The wrap on the train reads, "Love, Portland".

Taken on Oct 01, 2026 @ 23:25.

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Picture Post: “Last stop: 18th and Lovejoy.” Love, Portland. #gobystreetcar

Photo of a sunset over Gresham Central TC seen from the top level of the Park & Ride garage.

Taken on Oct 01, 2026 @ 20:18.

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Picture Post: Not Sunset TC, but still a good sunset …

Photo of a sunset and TriMet line 21 bus at the intersection of SE Division and N Main in Gresham.

Taken on Oct 01, 2026 @ 20:15.

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Picture Post: Actually enjoy the sunset. #gobytransit

Photo of several engraved bricks in Pioneer Square in Downtown Portland.

Taken on Oct 01, 2026 @ 16:58.

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Picture Post: A little over a year ago, I decided …

Photo of Amtrak Cascades 509 waiting to depart Portland, OR for Seattle, WA as the first Airo trainset to enter revenue service.

Taken on Oct 01, 2026 @ 07:53.

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Picture Post: Yes, there will be a trip report for …

Photo of seat 10A on the new Amtrak Airo. The coat hook can be seen in use (left) with the mobile device table flipped down, exposing a wood grain design.

Taken on Sep 30, 2026 @ 16:30.

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Picture Post: Round two time. Back up to Portland. Overall, …

Photo of a ginger ale and Ivar's Clam Chowder on the new Amtrak Airo fleet.

Taken on Sep 30, 2026 @ 11:39.

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Picture Post: Welcome back, chowder. I’ve missed you. #amtrakairo #gobytrain …

Photo of a Business Class seat on the new Amtrak Airo while waiting to depart Portland for Eugene on train 503. An Amtrak Cascades badge can be seen in the seat back while the platform of Portland Union Station is visible out a window to the right.

Taken on Sep 30, 2026 @ 11:15.

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Picture Post: All aboard the Airo! A new chapter for …

Photo of an installation in the Sealife Room at Chihuly Garden and Glass.

Taken on Sep 29, 2026 @ 16:25.

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Picture Post: Latergram: Made a trip up to Seattle for …

Photo of a sunrise over Mt. Hood as seen from onboard Amtrak Cascades train 500 to Seattle from Portland.

Taken on Sep 27, 2026 @ 06:58.

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Picture Post: Sunrise from the train just hits different. #gobytransit …

Photo of the interior of a Coach Class car on an Amtrak Cascades Airo car as seen from Business Class on Amtrak 500.

Taken on Sep 27, 2026 @ 06:44.

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Picture Post: See you on Wednesday, Airo.

Photo of two rock hyraxes sitting on top of ledges in their new habitat at the Oregon Zoo.

Taken on Sep 26, 2026 @ 12:54.

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Picture Post: The rock hyrax are out today. They’re quite …

Photo of a partially obscured moon through clouds seen from TriMet's North Terminal.

Taken on Sep 25, 2026 @ 23:32.

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15 Years of The France Hopper Network

A milestone year for the blog and for finally exploring Oregon.

Happy Holidays 2025

A Decade In Portland

Oath to Order / Calling of the Four Giants

Orchestra recording session video now steaming.

Brookville: The $12 Million Mistake

While Brookville looked immensely promising in 2017, Portland was not delivered the train that was ordered in 2018.

The Moon Has Fallen

"Concerning Clock Town" is now streaming.

So What Happened At Sakura-Con This Year?

No one ever wants a literal fire at con.

Fair Winds & Following Seas feat. ATLYS

ZREO: Second Quest's first physical release.

Welcome to a [Hopefully] Dramatically Faster France Hopper Network

15 Years of The France Hopper Network

Happy Holidays 2025: A Decade In Portland

Brookville: The $12 Million Mistake

Picture Post: Good news: it is possible to still exit …

Picture Post: I hate digital zoom, but sometimes you don’t …

Picture Post: The rock hyrax are slowly becoming more social.

Picture Post: Turtle pile!

Picture Post: Biscuit, Jam, and Jelly decided to snuggle today.

Picture Post: Downtown Portland isn’t dead. Kokoro is expanding for …

Picture Post: CAB OFF SCREENSAVER ON #gobystreetcar

Picture Post: “Last stop: 18th and Lovejoy.” Love, Portland. #gobystreetcar

Picture Post: Not Sunset TC, but still a good sunset …

Picture Post: Actually enjoy the sunset. #gobytransit

Picture Post: A little over a year ago, I decided …

Picture Post: Yes, there will be a trip report for …

Picture Post: Round two time. Back up to Portland. Overall, …

Picture Post: Welcome back, chowder. I’ve missed you. #amtrakairo #gobytrain …

Picture Post: All aboard the Airo! A new chapter for …

Picture Post: Latergram: Made a trip up to Seattle for …

Picture Post: Sunrise from the train just hits different. #gobytransit …

Picture Post: See you on Wednesday, Airo.

Picture Post: The rock hyrax are out today. They’re quite …

Picture Post: The clouds really were something over North Terminal …