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    • Privacy Policy
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    • The France Hopper Companies
  • Bio
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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.

15 Years of The France Hopper Network

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

Slow changes >>
Photo of yukizuri in the Flat Garden of the Portland Japanese Garden.

Happy Holidays 2025

A Decade In Portland

Read 2025's Letter >>
Video still from the scoring session for "Oath to Order".

Oath to Order / Calling of the Four Giants

Orchestra recording session video now steaming.

Watch the video >>
Photo of Portland Streetcar departing westbound from SW 3rd and Harrison.

Brookville: The $12 Million Mistake

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

More than teething issues >>

The Moon Has Fallen

"Concerning Clock Town" is now streaming.

Listen now >>
Photo of an exhibitor badge for Sakura-Con 2025.

So What Happened At Sakura-Con This Year?

No one ever wants a literal fire at con.

My recollection of events >>

Fair Winds & Following Seas feat. ATLYS

ZREO: Second Quest's first physical release.

Get your CD >>

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

by Stephen Weber
Published July 17, 2026
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

  • anniversary
  • annual update
  • milestone
by Stephen Weber
Published May 10, 2026
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

  • Christmas
  • Happy Holidays
  • holiday
  • letter
  • milestone
  • Portland
  • Year in Review
by Stephen Weber
Published December 25, 2025
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

  • Brookville Equipment Company
  • light rail
  • Portland
  • Portland Streetcar
  • public transport
by Stephen Weber
Published June 9, 2025

Taken on Oct 02, 2026 @ 14:34.

Picture Post

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

by Stephen Weber
Published October 2, 2026

Taken on Oct 02, 2026 @ 13:35.

Picture Post

Picture Post: Turtle pile!

by Stephen Weber
Published October 2, 2026

Taken on Oct 02, 2026 @ 13:35.

Picture Post

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

by Stephen Weber
Published October 2, 2026

Taken on Oct 02, 2026 @ 12:52.

Picture Post

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

by Stephen Weber
Published October 2, 2026

Taken on Oct 02, 2026 @ 12:18.

Picture Post

Picture Post: CAB OFF SCREENSAVER ON #gobystreetcar

by Stephen Weber
Published October 2, 2026

Taken on Oct 01, 2026 @ 23:25.

Picture Post

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

by Stephen Weber
Published October 1, 2026

Taken on Oct 01, 2026 @ 20:18.

Picture Post

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

by Stephen Weber
Published October 1, 2026

Taken on Oct 01, 2026 @ 20:15.

Picture Post

Picture Post: Actually enjoy the sunset. #gobytransit

by Stephen Weber
Published October 1, 2026

Taken on Oct 01, 2026 @ 16:58.

Picture Post

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

by Stephen Weber
Published October 1, 2026

Taken on Oct 01, 2026 @ 07:53.

Picture Post

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

by Stephen Weber
Published October 1, 2026
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.

Picture Post

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

  • Amtrak
  • Amtrak Airo
  • Amtrak Cascades
  • Eugene
  • public transport
  • Siemens
by Stephen Weber
Published September 30, 2026
Photo of a ginger ale and Ivar's Clam Chowder on the new Amtrak Airo fleet.

Taken on Sep 30, 2026 @ 11:39.

Picture Post

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

  • Amtrak
  • Amtrak Airo
  • Amtrak Cascades
  • Portland
  • public transport
  • Siemens
by Stephen Weber
Published September 30, 2026
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.

Picture Post

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

  • Amtrak
  • Amtrak Airo
  • Amtrak Cascades
  • Portland
  • public transport
  • Siemens
by Stephen Weber
Published September 30, 2026

Taken on Sep 29, 2026 @ 16:25.

Picture Post

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

by Stephen Weber
Published September 29, 2026
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.

Picture Post

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

  • Amtrak
  • Amtrak Cascades
  • Portland
  • public transport
by Stephen Weber
Published September 27, 2026
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.

Picture Post

Picture Post: See you on Wednesday, Airo.

  • Amtrak
  • Amtrak Airo
  • Amtrak Cascades
  • Portland
  • public transport
  • Siemens
by Stephen Weber
Published September 27, 2026
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.

Picture Post

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

  • Oregon Zoo
  • Portland
  • Washington Park
by Stephen Weber
Published September 26, 2026
Photo of a partially obscured moon through clouds seen from TriMet's North Terminal.

Taken on Sep 25, 2026 @ 23:32.

Picture Post

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

  • bus
  • downtown
  • Gillig
  • Portland
  • public transport
  • TriMet
by Stephen Weber
Published September 25, 2026
Photo of the sun shining through scattered clouds over Downtown Portland as seen from a TriMet MAX Red Line train crossing the Steel Bridge.

Taken on Sep 25, 2026 @ 23:30.

Picture Post

Picture Post: I’d argue Portland looks best with scattered clouds …

  • bus
  • downtown
  • Gillig
  • light rail
  • Portland
  • Portland Union Station
  • public transport
  • Steel Bridge
  • TriMet
by Stephen Weber
Published September 25, 2026
Photo of an autonomous research vehicle from GM on I-205 seen from a MAX Red Line train.

Taken on Sep 25, 2026 @ 23:24.

Picture Post

Picture Post: Spotted on the freeway from the MAX earlier …

  • Portland
by Stephen Weber
Published September 25, 2026
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