Things That are Different are Not the Same 6

 Legal Drugs.

It's not the only state that has voted in recreational drugs, 
but it is the first one that we have lived in.

It is common to see the dispensary symbol (a green cross) around the area.

There are at least 5 dispensaries in our little town.

Things That Are Different Are Not the Same 5

Pedestrians Always Seem to Have the Right of Way

Since we now live within town limits, we definitely do A LOT of walking.

I often walk to town for small "in-between" shopping trips.

We like to walk to lunch every Saturday.

We like to wind down on Sunday night with a stroll 

(especially during this season with the Christmas lights aglow).

It has been a learning experience that people actually stop for pedestrians here.

I suppose that it happens in many busier cities and town,

but it is new to us.

What is odd to us is that if you even approach a road,

on-coming traffic will stop - crosswalk or not!

So we have learned to hold back if we don't want to cause a pile up😀

The town also provides frequent crosswalks in the middle of main roads - 

all you have to do is push a button, lights flash, and traffic stops!

Things That Are Different Are Not the Same 4

While not different from my years in NY,

this is a difference from FL, WA, and NC.

We are back in a state where we have to pay for our bottles and cans.

 - 10 cents for each bottle or can -

We have to save them and return them to a Bottle Drop location.

I have returned one load already for $5.10

and need to make another run soon.

Things That Are Different Are Not the Same 3

I had forgotten this fun difference from our days in WA,

but butter sticks are different in the West.

They are shorter - squattier.

Same amount of butter per stick,

just different!

Things That Are Different Are Not The Same 2

Early in our time in OR,

we decided to visit a neighboring town to check out a Walmart Neighborhood Market.

(While we shop Walmart Super Centers all the time, we wondered what the differences were).

We were impressed with the amount of products that they carried in the little store

and even found some items that we had not seen since moving.

As we went to check out,

we were surprised that there were no plastic bags at the U-Scan.

"Wow!  they need to encourage their workers to restock!"

And as we checked out our order,

we were asked how many brown paper bags we wanted to purchase.

We only had one item,

so we just carried it out without a bag.

After doing some research,

we discovered that plastic bags were banned in this little town.

And if you wanted a bag, you had to pay for it!

I am sure that this is not the only town with this law,

but was our first run-in with it.

This is my last grocery run.

Yes, I carry my own reusable bags now.

Though they are not banned in our little town,

the state has legislation to ban them throughout the state.

So I am prepared if/when the law passes.

The bags are also more sturdy when carrying groceries home on foot :)

Things that are different are not the same.

Things That Are Different Are Not the Same 1

As we left NC,

a friend mentioned that she wanted to hear of some things that were different for us when we arrived in OR.

What an easy thread of blog posts?

One of the biggest difference in OR ...

you can't pump your own gas.

Yes - it is illegal to pump your own gas.

While it is nice to stay in a nice warm car,

I also have to think to allow the time for someone else to get to my car,

to take my request,

to come back to my car to end the service,

to print my receipt.