5th and 6th generation Oregonian on both sides of my family. Many came to Oregon on the Oregon Trail and have been in Oregon since the 1860's! I am lucky enough to have decended also from an "Old Portland Family". My great-great grandfather was one of the first fire-chiefs in Old Town Portland. I am currently a student studying to be a Historian/Anthro/Archaeologist- (technical term: Ethnohistorian under the heading of Sociocultural Anthropology)and am pursuing a PhD. Area of study: Native Americans of the Northwest Coast- more specifically the Chinook and Clastop tribes that surround the mouth of the Columbia River and Willapa Bay. They impact Oregon and Washington's history more than people really think! Early shipwrecks in the "Pacific Graveyard" (Where the Columbia River flows into the Pacific Ocean) Studying the Indian language of Chinook, (which is what the above sentance is in) and trying to preserve a facinating and rich culture that was nearly completely wiped out by the 1830s. Loves: hiking, camping, swimming in natural watersheds, bodyboarding- [but I really want to learn how to surf this summer!] going to the coast (big suprise) fishing (i'm a catch and release kind of gal) love old things, collect clothes from 1860's to 1940's (with emphasis on victorian and 20s style) history, old coastal military forts, video games (old school NES and SNES) haunted or abandoned (historical) places, photography with FILM, music, good beers, animal rights, Native American/Indian rights, historical preservation...

I have always had a weird obsession with Africa and I want to go there in 2-3 years.  I am especially interested in the Gabon area, but any "southernish, westernish"  region I am facinated by.  I am now addicted to this website, and want a monitor in my bedroom that is on one of the cameras 24/7.  I think the audio is just as amazing as the video.  I love it!!!!