Portland Fieldtrip day 2: The Gratto, Omsi, End of the Trail

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel,plenty of sugar and carbs, we headed to The Grotto. Dedicated to Mother Mary, The Gratto is a Catholic Garden retreat and shrine. This was my first time enjoying this Portland Treasure. The girls were dressed in yellow ponchos to keep off the rain. We wandered along trails under beautiful trees enjoying the surprise as we found different statues hidden thought the garden.

Mr. March got us tickets to the elevator so we could travel the 110 feet up to the raised gardens. There is a monetary, two chapels and several other shrines tucked among winding garden paths. After this tranquil moment the girls expressed their desire to "get with the program" and it was off to Omsi.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry aka Omsi is a family favorite. Dinosaurs Invade Portland is the current theme. The girls enjoyed seeing several dinosaur skeletons. They also dug for fossils in sand pits. I had a moment of practicing my good manners as I watched a teacher with her group of students at an exhibit. Beth had been patiently standing in line, when this woman physically moved her out of the way so "her students" could go through the exhibit. How can we pick on public school kids, when the TEACHERS are showing them how to be RUDE!!!! (Don't worry, a group of teenage ninjas will be encouraging her to attend manners classes.)

After Omsi, we went to The End of the Oregon Trail Museum. The Miss Marches had a lot of fun dressing up as Pioneer women and packing the wagon. They also played school and store. We enjoyed a movie following four pioneers as they traveled to Oregon. According to the film the addition of chlorine to drinking water has saved more lives then any other medical breakthrough. While flipping through a book on fashion at the museum I found some interesting information on the damage corsets could do. The things women do in the name of fashion!

Near the End of the Oregon Trail Museum, Mr. March found an art store. We decided to wander through and he found a tea tray for the tea house. Happy Father's Day! I'm off the hook for a father's day present now.

We finally headed back to the hotel for some swimming time then bed. Tomorrow's going to be a big day.