Today was the kick off of our end of summer fun spree! We have had a great summer and have done lots of fun things, but the realization that it would soon be over and school would be starting in just a few days really pushed us to try to squeeze a few more things in. We started the day with a trip to the zoo with our friend Sarah and her 4 kids. The place was completely empty when we got there, and I was shocked to be able to pull into the first parking spot right up front. That has NEVER happened before, in fact the last time we tried to go to the zoo with a friend, we ended up heading up to the Washington Park playground instead, because there was just no parking to be had. With the place to ourselves, and the animals just waking up we got to see quite a few of them out and about. One of my all time favorites is the polar bears. They are so massive, but have such a graceful quality about them. Often they are sleeping or hard to find, but not today this guy seemed content to sit and people watch:
We saw a few more animals before we stopped at the little playground near the elephants so the kids could run and play and Sarah and I could chat. After a while Killian came over and sat with us so that he could love on Sarah's littlest one:
Killian just could not get enough of him, he loves babies so much! It was really sweet to watch, and almost made me wish we were having more kids. Almost. ;)
We set up on the grassy area to eat a picnic lunch and catch the Wildlife Live birds of prey show. Its a cool sho that the zoo puts on to educate people about birds of prey and to help in their conservation and protection. They have all sorts of big birds on display, one of my favorites is this beautiful hawk. I didn't notice at the show, but looking at the picture it appears that he only has one eye:
They also have a big bald eagle, with an 7 foot wingspan, that comes flying down over the crowd. He is always so regal looking and garners many ooohs and ahhhs from the crowd:
After the bird show we walked through the new lion exhibit, but couldn't find the king (and queens) of the jungle anywhere. So we headed to the rest of the Africa exhibit, and got a surprise when we found the hippo's up and walking around. I don't think I have ever seen them doing anything but sleeping before, so it was cool to watch them move around, and eventually each make their way into the water:
By this time we had spent nearly 5 hours at the zoo and my kids were starting to get cranky about walking. We said goodbye to Sarah and her kids and headed off to do something a little less physical. I have been wanting to take the kids to the aerial tram that runs from the south waterfront up the hill to the Oregon Health and Science University hospital for a while. We see it all the time driving over the bridge through Portland, but have never stopped to ride it. I figured we were already over half way here by being at the zoo, so we drove into Portland and parked at the waterfront station. We bought ourselves some tickets and got in line to board the next tram:
Traveling at 22 mph, the tram rises 500 feet in the air while it travels 3,300 linear feet up the hill to OHSU's main campus. The trip takes about 3 minutes each way, and offers magnificent views of Portland:
From the top we could see Mt. St. Helens:
And Mt. Hood:
Its a little dizzying at the top....I found that if I looked up or down without holding onto something I would get a little sick feeling. Its *really* high up there! The kids were thrilled with it of course, and kept thinking of all the disastrous things that could happen at such a height. I think they scared themselves a little with all their imaginings! We also talked about what it would be like to work on the tram, climbing the ladders up to these big wheels that moves the cars up and down, and having to dangle off the edge to fix broken parts. Yikes. Its not a job that any of us thought we would want!
We walked around to all the viewing platforms and then headed inside the hospital to get the kids a cookie. We went back out to a different viewing deck to eat them, and found this neat sign (click on it to make bigger) that shows the difference in the waterfront landscape from 1867 to 2007:
Some pretty big changes! When we were done watching trams climb up and down the hill, we headed back for a return ride of our own. The only thing I really didn't like about it was how stuffy and warm the tram got after just a couple minutes. The last minute of the ride the air started to feel really hot and thick, and it made me just a teeny bit claustrophobic. But all in all it was really fun and the kids had a blast so I am glad we went.
We headed home for just a couple hours to wait for Matthew to get home from work so we could head out again. One of our favorite farms on Sauvies Island, Krugers, holds concerts on the farm all summer long. I went a couple years ago, but had totally forgotten about them until I saw a blurb about the last one being today in a local paper. We packed up dinner and drove out to the farm, getting there just before the band started playing. I couldn't believe how crowded it was! Ias great to see so many people come out to enjoy the weather and band, and support a local farmer. There was a great selection of food to purchase (or you could bring your own like we did), wine and delicious beer from a little local brewery we love called Captured By Porches. Also offered was the chance to sit down to dinner and watch hens and roosters strut past on their search for tasty treats!
Even though we had brought our own food, Rowan and I couldn't pass up each buying an ear of the delicious roasted corn, dipped in melted butter. Definitely one of my favorite summer treats!
This place has the most lovely vibe about it. Lots and lots of families and friends, all mingling about enjoying the things that truly matter...friendship, love, laughter and good beer. ;) There really was just the best peaceful energy...it made me immediately regret not remembering this place sooner. I wish we had spent all summer recharging ourselves here! Judging by the crowd, a lot of people must have felt the same:
The kids ran about and played, fueled by the Voodoo doughnuts that they consumed from the mobile doughnut truck (how awesome is that). They also spent a lot of time trying to get Rowan properly balanced on Killian's shoulders:
As the sun started setting, we packed our blanket and gear and went for a hayride around the farm:
We saw lots of pumpkins and corn in the field, getting ready for the festivities of Halloween. We passed by the huge old oak tree, and field after field filled with all sorts of vegetables and fruits. We watched as the sun sunk on the horizon, and as the beautiful sunset filled the sky with pinks and purples.
It was the perfect end to the day. As we drove away from the farm, I reflected on our many blessings and felt so extraordinarily lucky to have such wonderful family and friends in our lives. We are truly blessed!
We saw a few more animals before we stopped at the little playground near the elephants so the kids could run and play and Sarah and I could chat. After a while Killian came over and sat with us so that he could love on Sarah's littlest one:
Killian just could not get enough of him, he loves babies so much! It was really sweet to watch, and almost made me wish we were having more kids. Almost. ;)
We set up on the grassy area to eat a picnic lunch and catch the Wildlife Live birds of prey show. Its a cool sho that the zoo puts on to educate people about birds of prey and to help in their conservation and protection. They have all sorts of big birds on display, one of my favorites is this beautiful hawk. I didn't notice at the show, but looking at the picture it appears that he only has one eye:
They also have a big bald eagle, with an 7 foot wingspan, that comes flying down over the crowd. He is always so regal looking and garners many ooohs and ahhhs from the crowd:
After the bird show we walked through the new lion exhibit, but couldn't find the king (and queens) of the jungle anywhere. So we headed to the rest of the Africa exhibit, and got a surprise when we found the hippo's up and walking around. I don't think I have ever seen them doing anything but sleeping before, so it was cool to watch them move around, and eventually each make their way into the water:
By this time we had spent nearly 5 hours at the zoo and my kids were starting to get cranky about walking. We said goodbye to Sarah and her kids and headed off to do something a little less physical. I have been wanting to take the kids to the aerial tram that runs from the south waterfront up the hill to the Oregon Health and Science University hospital for a while. We see it all the time driving over the bridge through Portland, but have never stopped to ride it. I figured we were already over half way here by being at the zoo, so we drove into Portland and parked at the waterfront station. We bought ourselves some tickets and got in line to board the next tram:
Traveling at 22 mph, the tram rises 500 feet in the air while it travels 3,300 linear feet up the hill to OHSU's main campus. The trip takes about 3 minutes each way, and offers magnificent views of Portland:
From the top we could see Mt. St. Helens:
And Mt. Hood:
Its a little dizzying at the top....I found that if I looked up or down without holding onto something I would get a little sick feeling. Its *really* high up there! The kids were thrilled with it of course, and kept thinking of all the disastrous things that could happen at such a height. I think they scared themselves a little with all their imaginings! We also talked about what it would be like to work on the tram, climbing the ladders up to these big wheels that moves the cars up and down, and having to dangle off the edge to fix broken parts. Yikes. Its not a job that any of us thought we would want!
We walked around to all the viewing platforms and then headed inside the hospital to get the kids a cookie. We went back out to a different viewing deck to eat them, and found this neat sign (click on it to make bigger) that shows the difference in the waterfront landscape from 1867 to 2007:
Some pretty big changes! When we were done watching trams climb up and down the hill, we headed back for a return ride of our own. The only thing I really didn't like about it was how stuffy and warm the tram got after just a couple minutes. The last minute of the ride the air started to feel really hot and thick, and it made me just a teeny bit claustrophobic. But all in all it was really fun and the kids had a blast so I am glad we went.
We headed home for just a couple hours to wait for Matthew to get home from work so we could head out again. One of our favorite farms on Sauvies Island, Krugers, holds concerts on the farm all summer long. I went a couple years ago, but had totally forgotten about them until I saw a blurb about the last one being today in a local paper. We packed up dinner and drove out to the farm, getting there just before the band started playing. I couldn't believe how crowded it was! Ias great to see so many people come out to enjoy the weather and band, and support a local farmer. There was a great selection of food to purchase (or you could bring your own like we did), wine and delicious beer from a little local brewery we love called Captured By Porches. Also offered was the chance to sit down to dinner and watch hens and roosters strut past on their search for tasty treats!
Even though we had brought our own food, Rowan and I couldn't pass up each buying an ear of the delicious roasted corn, dipped in melted butter. Definitely one of my favorite summer treats!
This place has the most lovely vibe about it. Lots and lots of families and friends, all mingling about enjoying the things that truly matter...friendship, love, laughter and good beer. ;) There really was just the best peaceful energy...it made me immediately regret not remembering this place sooner. I wish we had spent all summer recharging ourselves here! Judging by the crowd, a lot of people must have felt the same:
The kids ran about and played, fueled by the Voodoo doughnuts that they consumed from the mobile doughnut truck (how awesome is that). They also spent a lot of time trying to get Rowan properly balanced on Killian's shoulders:
As the sun started setting, we packed our blanket and gear and went for a hayride around the farm:
We saw lots of pumpkins and corn in the field, getting ready for the festivities of Halloween. We passed by the huge old oak tree, and field after field filled with all sorts of vegetables and fruits. We watched as the sun sunk on the horizon, and as the beautiful sunset filled the sky with pinks and purples.
It was the perfect end to the day. As we drove away from the farm, I reflected on our many blessings and felt so extraordinarily lucky to have such wonderful family and friends in our lives. We are truly blessed!