Exploring Portland

Today was exhausting and our feet hurt! We traveled to Washington Park which overlooks downtown Portland where the zoo, gardens and Pittock House are located. We first visited the Rose Garden and from the pictures we saw it was really pretty. Since the roses had not bloomed yet, we really did not get to see much of the garden.

We next went to the Japanese Gardens. The combination of the waterfalls, mossy rocks, and flowers made the garden so serene and peaceful. It was very different than the Chinese Garden which was more focused on the people's emotions as they walked through. The Japanese Garden was more focused on creating beauty through nature. Following the Japanese Garden, we then headed to lunch at a Zeus cafe in the Pearl District.

After a very nice lunch outside in the 75 degree sun, we went back to Washington Park and visited the Pittock Mansion. The mansion was a historical preservation of a mansion from the early 1900's. Through a tour of the house, we learned about the family who built it and culture of historical Portland.

We then went to the Oregon Zoo. Little did we know, the zoo was huge! We walked around the zoo for over two hours. Exhausted, we grabbed dinner at an upscale diner. Michael got a Dutch Baby. It was just like a HUGE popover! It was amazing! Tomorrow we are going to the Portland Rose Festival at the river front. It should be fun!