Fort Stevens and Fort Clatsop

The past few months, we've been learning about the Lewis and Clark expedition in school.  How lucky that we now live in Oregon and can go see the Lewis and Clark museum.  A couple of weekends ago, we did just that.

First, we stopped in Fort Stevens State Park, home to many fun things.

On the beach you have the wreck of the Peter Iredale.  The Peter Iredale was an English four-mast steel bark coming from a stop in Mexico to pick up some cargo in Portland in the winter of 1906.  While waiting at the mouth of the Columbia River, it was whisked away suddenly by strong winds and currents and crashed so hard into the beach it broke three masts on impact.  This is all that remains:

It was definitely a cold day on the beach, but we always find plenty to look at regardless of the weather.

Next we made our way over to the Battery Russell, built 1903-1904 by the US Army Corps of Engineers to help protect the mouth of the Columbia River.  I was surprised at how much the kids loved the Battery Russell.  They had so much fun poking around the old building, walking into the old, dark rooms.  Maria's mind was racing with story ideas as she explored.  Click on this link if you would like more information about the Battery Russell and to see the layout of the building.

Finally we made it over to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Park.  The kids had a lot of fun walking through the museum, seeing things that we've learned about in school and learning new things.  The museum also had a junior ranger program that the kids loved doing.  They all certified as a junior ranger, they even got a badge which they proudly wore around the park.

The kids have loved learning about Lewis and Clark, but especially Seaman, the newfoundland dog that went with them.

After the museum, we walked over to Fort Clatsop.  It was fun to look around see what their fort looked like as they spent the winter of 1805 here in Coastal Oregon.  It was even raining for us, as it was for them so many years ago.  Poor guys, they reported that in the three months they lived in Fort Clatsop, the rain fell all but 12 days.  It was a tough winter for them.

What a fun day it was to travel around and see so many historic sites.  We had such a great time, we didn't even make it to all the sites we wanted to see.  We definitely want to go back again.

A Favorite Hike

Little Zig Zag Falls is such a great hike for kids.  It's short with no elevation change.  And you can't help but feel like you are in an enchanted forest while you are there.

Little Crater Lake

If you are ever in the Mt. Hood National Forest you ought to visit Little Crater Lake.  It's a short walk through beautiful meadows from the parking lot to the pond.  

Little Crater Lake is really a small pond.  It's a spring full of super clear water.  You can see right to the bottom.  It's about 45 feet deep and stays a constant 34 degrees in temperature.

From there it's a short drive over to Timothy Lake.

I don't know what it is about mountains that I love so much.  Maybe it's because I grew up with mountains towering all around me.  Maybe it just feels like home.  Whatever the reasons, mountains are calming.  I do love a day at the beach, but a day in the mountains is so renewing for me.

More Beaching

Maria recently said that we've been going to the beach so much that she's almost getting sick of it.  She says that jokingly, of course, because, really, who could get tired of the beach?

We went back to Nehalem Bay State Park.  

We had to wait in the car for about an hour an a half due to an accident on the road.  Luckily, I have patient kids!  Especially when they know the beach is coming.

The kids love this beach because of the huge sand dunes.  They love sliding down the sand!  I don't particularly love cleaning up their sandy bums when we finally make it back to the car but I guess that's the price you pay for a fun day at the beach.

No, I don't think we'll ever truly get sick of the beach, but there are definitely times when I'd rather be in the mountains.  Don't worry.  We get over there too.

Rose Garden I

In June we were able to go visit the Portland Rose Garden.  It's official name is the International Rose Test Garden and, according to online resources, is the "oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States. Currently, the garden features over 10,000 rose bushes representing over 650 rose varieties". We were definitely not disappointed.  I was worried the kids, especially the boys, would get bored, but they all loved it and had a great time. 

There were so many beautiful roses that I couldn't decided which ones to include in a post so I made three posts.  I hope you like roses!

If I know the name of a particular rose I will post it below the picture.  Some of the pictures have been adjusted for brightness or contrast because it was a pretty overcast day when I took the pictures, but the colors are true.  They really were breathtaking!

I love this climbing rose.  It really was one of my favorites.  It's called "Super Dorothy Perkins Climber".

Maria really loved the deep red colors.  Even before we went, she already talked of having her own rose garden someday.  This visit to the Rose Garden really solidified that desire.  

Fame! Grandiflora

Twilight Zone Grandiflora

Huge, beautiful hosts with my cute girl who goes crazy over all things flower.  She was in heaven.  Her skirt was full of fallen petals that she'd picked up.

Not sure about the variety.  I remember something about "Shakespeare rose" but I'm not certain.

Didn't get the name of this one but I loved all the peachy-orangey colored roses.

Rose Garden II

More beautiful roses!

I really wish I'd gotten a name for this one.  I love the peppermint look.

I think these ones are my all time absolute favorites.  I love this color.  Sadly, I didn't get the name.  Oh well, I guess that means I have to go back next year to get it!

I love the look of this one with fewer petals.  Beautiful!

Isn't this pale purple color wonderful?

So many amazing roses to look at!

Rose Garden III

The last of my favorite roses.

Lagerfeld Grandiflora

Sorry I didn't get all the names of the roses.  Each variety had a sign posted with the name of the rose on it but it didn't occur to me to take pictures of those signs until we were about a third of the way through.  I just might take detailed notes next time I go!

There were many, many more beautiful roses, but three posts is probably enough dedicated to roses, don't you think?  

I definitely want to go back next summer.  And I definitely recommend you go if you ever get the chance.  I was amazed at how fun it was for all the kids.  But, I guess, who can't get excited when in the midst of thousands of world class roses?