One of the many ways to spot a sure Oregonian is by his or her possession of a blue tarp. You see them in lots of places serving lots of uses. I just can't imagine people in Southern California own as many blue tarps as we do. And are all tarps blue?
The word "tarp" is short for "tarpaulin" which refers to a canvas covering that campers used in the old days. They used them for various camping needs such as quick shelters, ground covers and, in some instances, probably to hide shady backwoods activities. They really were made out of canvas and I can remember references to such coverings in either Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books.
Today's tarps are plastic and come equipped with handy drawstrings. You can hardly miss them when you're out searching for good photo opportunites in the natural world. They cover woodpiles, usually messy ones. Proud Oregonians stack their wood in almost symmetrical stacks that are a wonder to see and are usually uncovered just for the visual appeal. You also see them covering old house trailers. Rusty drips along the sides of them are only barely out of sight. I'm always puzzled by the many blue tarps thrown over blackberry bushes. I don't get that one. Is it the lazy Oregonian's final attempt to hold back the growth of these prickly, pesty vines? You can also use them to cover boats, make a fort, carry out old Christmas trees, or to strap over the whatever load you may have in your pickup.
I remember following our friend Lonny's pickup to Black Butte one year for vacation. Much of our combined stuff was in the back of that gigantic vehicle and pieces of the old blue tarp were flying every which way as we made our way out Highway 22. Needless to say, that tarp didn't make the return trip.
So next time you're in southern California, do me a favor and watch for blue tarps. I bet you won't see many. And if you do, I'll bet they're a lovely shade of sunset orange.
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Remember the blue tarp that dangled from the tip-top of a tall tree along Division Street after a huge wind storm years ago? I kept thinking that surely someone would hoist themselves up there and take the tarp down, but no. It showed up mostly in the winter when the leaves were gone, flapping around in the breezes. Year after year, each year a little smaller, until one year it was finally gone. I suppose it got small enough that it flapped itself down to the ground.
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