We left the hotel early and got to the Portland Zoo at 8:00am. It was cloudy and cold but had not started to rain yet. The Zoo was practically empty. We saw several zoo staff but no other visitors. It was great. The Sea Lions were swimming in intricate patterns in the water. It always amazes me to see Sea Lions under the water. They are so graceful and beautiful. Totally unlike how they look on land.
Two of the Polar bears were out playing with toys. They had put a giant brush from a street sweeper into the cage. The Polar bears were rubbing against it "brushing" their fur. It was funny to watch.
The Sun bear was eating its breakfast. The girls were amazed at it's twelve inch long tongue.
Then it was time to see the dinosaurs. Walking along the forest path, surrounded in trees and blooming rhododendron bushes you suddenly come upon a dilophosaurs! Further along the trail you meet stegosauras, ramphorinkus, and several other dinosaur friends! Having experienced the robot dinosaurs at the Seattle Science Center and at Omsi, I have to say, the Portland Zoo's exhibit was my favorite. It was fascinating to see them outside in a "natural" setting! I enjoyed talking to one of the zoo staff near T-Rex. Apparently they had to turn her roar down because it was upsetting the male elephant. If your wondering how I know T-Rex is a she...well, the three baby T-Rex's hidden in the bush were a pretty good hint. The girls all got a fossilized shark's tooth from the zoo keeper.
We were beginning to see more people but remanded ahead of most of the crowd as we worked our way through the rest of the exhibits. The girls enjoyed riding the 3D dinosaur ride. The last time we went on it Beth was terrified. This time she was the one who kept begging to go on it. All four of the girls bravely entered the ride and buckled up. Amy sat by Mr. March, Meg and Jo sat together, and Beth sat by me. Less then thirty seconds into the ride Beth was saying she needed to throw up! Luckily she didn't and we got out with no major trauma. Jo, Beth and Amy all said that they didn't like the ride. (After an hour of listening to them beg to go on it I was not in the most comforting of moods.)
We got onto the zoo train and enjoyed seeing the different parts of the zoo. I think the train gives the girls a chance to settle down and rest their legs for a while. We stopped at the Zoo Grill for lunch on our way out. I took the girls to the Children's Museum and Mr. March went to the Japanese Garden.
The Children's Museum was the highlight of the trip for Amy, Beth and Jo. Meg seemed to enjoy herself as well. The girls enjoyed playing dress up in the doctor's office. They made delicious meals for me to enjoy at Butterfly Bistro. The Hannigan's joined us and the fun intensified. The ten girls had a blast putting on a play in the Theater room. Mr. Hannigan showed off his artistic ability in the Art room making clay sculptures. Mrs. H thought he had made a Trojan warrior, but he correcter her, pointing out that it was an Indian! By the time the girls were done painting each other's faces they were no longer recognizable. If I find my phone and figure out how to down load pictures I'll post some of them.
Mr. March meanwhile was enjoying the Japanese garden. He was able to get in with a guided tour. The 45 minute lecture ended up being over two hours. He really enjoyed the information that he learned. He was able to ask the guide lots of questions that he hopes he will be able to implement in his garden.
On the search for dinner we ended up at Seven Dees a Japanese influenced garden store. Mr. March found a rain chain for his garden. Yea! now I don't have to get him a birthday present!
We headed back to the hotel where the girls enjoyed a short swim. Unfortunately someone forgot their swim diaper and the pool ended up being closed for the rest of our trip. I was thankful that we are past that stage of life!
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