Trip Map
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Yosemite
Too tired to blog tonight from walking around Yosemite all day. It was beautiful!!! Will blog tomorrow morning.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Discovering What Sacramento Has To Offer
This morning we started out with a tour of the Governor's Mansion. The current California govern does not reside here, the last was Ronald Regan who only stayed there for three months. The mansion was build in the mid 1800's as a private residence. Thirteen governors lived in the mansion as they governed California. The mansion was a large Victorian house with fourteen foot high ceilings and six floors.
We then walked to the capital building and grabbed lunch a few blocks away. Then we walked to the Stanford Mansion. Mr. Stanford, who was responsible for the inception of Stanford University, had purchased a residence on this site. As his wealth grew with the continental rail line, so did the house. The mansion went through many expansions and additions including being raised twelve feet off the ground to add a basement for flood protection. The end result was astounding and the beauty of the residence was breathtaking.
Following the Standford Mansion, we walked down to Old Sacramento which was a recreated 19th century Sacramento. In the 1950's the state was going to allow the construction of I-5 right through the middle of this section as it was a skid row. Through the efforts of preservationist, the area was declared historical and therefore the highway was curved around it. It was then that it was restored into a replica of its 19th century state. However, the highway segregates the area from the rest of the city and is a very visible barrier. While here, we went to a huge candy store (with free samples!!!!!) the Sacramento History Museum, and the Railroad Museum. We then had dinner at Ten 22, a restaurant in Old Sacramento. It was warm out and we were able to eat outside, it was so nice!
It was a TON of walking today and we are very sore. Tomorrow we are getting up early so we have time to drive to and explore Yosemite. Going to bed early tonight because we have a long day tomorrow so good night!
We then walked to the capital building and grabbed lunch a few blocks away. Then we walked to the Stanford Mansion. Mr. Stanford, who was responsible for the inception of Stanford University, had purchased a residence on this site. As his wealth grew with the continental rail line, so did the house. The mansion went through many expansions and additions including being raised twelve feet off the ground to add a basement for flood protection. The end result was astounding and the beauty of the residence was breathtaking.
Following the Standford Mansion, we walked down to Old Sacramento which was a recreated 19th century Sacramento. In the 1950's the state was going to allow the construction of I-5 right through the middle of this section as it was a skid row. Through the efforts of preservationist, the area was declared historical and therefore the highway was curved around it. It was then that it was restored into a replica of its 19th century state. However, the highway segregates the area from the rest of the city and is a very visible barrier. While here, we went to a huge candy store (with free samples!!!!!) the Sacramento History Museum, and the Railroad Museum. We then had dinner at Ten 22, a restaurant in Old Sacramento. It was warm out and we were able to eat outside, it was so nice!
It was a TON of walking today and we are very sore. Tomorrow we are getting up early so we have time to drive to and explore Yosemite. Going to bed early tonight because we have a long day tomorrow so good night!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
The Long Drive
Today we drove for 9.5 hours, 587 miles, and ONLY 18 gallons of gas!!!! We left Portland, Oregon around 9:30 am this morning heading south on Interstate 5. We stayed on Interstate 5 for our entire trip; winding through the mountains of southern Oregon and northern California. It was extremely interesting how when we reached the border between the two states you could see a vast difference in the terrain. Oregon was fkat and green, while California was mountainous and a reddish orange. The mountains were beautiful and we saw SNOW on their peaks. At points in our trip we were over 5,000 feet in elevation while other points were less than 500 feet and the temperature changed drastically from in the 70's to in the high 40's.
The drive really was not bad. As we approached Sacramento the plains and farmlands opened up revealing beautiful marshes of rice patties and fields of crops and fruit trees. We got to Downtown Sacramento at 7pm and ate dinner at Outback. Tomorrow we will explore Sacramento. Good Night.
The drive really was not bad. As we approached Sacramento the plains and farmlands opened up revealing beautiful marshes of rice patties and fields of crops and fruit trees. We got to Downtown Sacramento at 7pm and ate dinner at Outback. Tomorrow we will explore Sacramento. Good Night.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Saturday Market
Today we went to the Market that is held every Saturday in Portland. The weather was gorgeous at 85 degrees (no humidity so nothing like NJ's 85) The market was much larger than we thought and we spent most of the day walking around the booths and people watching. There are some really weird people here covered in tattoos with crazy spiky, multicolored hair. Pretty interesting to watch haha! Most of the booths were people selling their homemade items such as wood carvings, jewelry, food, paintings and much more. We had pierogies and cucumber salad for lunch and orange juice lemonade which was amazing! We also bought Bailey a homemade toy. (We miss him so much!) It was so relaxing sitting in the sun, watching all the people walk by.
We then went back to the hotel, rested, changed and went to dinner in the Pearl District of Portland. We went to Henry's Pub where we sat outside and enjoyed dinner. All in all we had a very relaxing day in the sun with good food and great company. Tomorrow we make a 10 hour drive to Sacramento! Good night!
We then went back to the hotel, rested, changed and went to dinner in the Pearl District of Portland. We went to Henry's Pub where we sat outside and enjoyed dinner. All in all we had a very relaxing day in the sun with good food and great company. Tomorrow we make a 10 hour drive to Sacramento! Good night!
Friday, June 3, 2011
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!
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!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
China, in Portland?
We woke up today and headed down town on the MAX, the Portland light rail system. We arrived in Pioneer Square and went to see a spectacular flower display. In the square, a map of the entire world was laid out in flowers. Each of the countries were in different types of flowers.
After walking around the area for a little, we ate lunch at Paradise Bakery. We then went to the visitor center to get a map of the city and ran into a couple from New Jersey. We talked to them a little and they told us we had to visit the Chinese Garden. As we were already planning on going there, we headed off to Old Town Chinatown to see the Gardens.
As we waited for the tour to begin, we visited Union Station. After we RAN back to the gardens (Jacqueline had to use the facilities) the tour began. It really is impossible to describe the beauty of the garden. We were able to get a real sense of why Jacquelines' mother's appreciates this culture so much. She really would have loved the garden. It was so mind stimulating to listen to all of the detail that went into building one of the most authentic Chinese Gardens outside of China. The garden engaged all of your senses and brought a sense of peace and tranquility over you. The tour guide told us stories about yin, yang and qi which were very interesting. After the informative tour, we then had tea in the tea house. Michael had a rose tea and Jacqueline had a peach tea. We also shared Mangos and a bean pastry (the beans were not Michael's favorite).
Next we took the MAX streetcar to the Oregon History Museum. The exhibit about the history of the state as well as the present day challenges that Oregon faces was especially interesting. In Oregon they do not have a sales tax, which makes education funding a bit dicey. They also have extremely stringent urban growth laws that limit urban sprawl, something NJ should have learned a long time ago. There is also a distinct competition between rural and urban, with 80% of the Oregon population living within a city. However with a significant culture linked to their farm and expedition heritage, the rural aspect is not lost but does add controversy.
After the museum we headed towards Michael Graves' Portland Public Service Building (had to add some architecture just for Jordan :)). As we walked we stopped into a quaint Irish Specialty shop. Again another stop Jacqueline's Mom would have loved. Amazingly enough, the owner's best friend has a sister shop in Denville on Broadway. New Jersey connections are everywhere!!!
We took pictures of the Graves Building and headed to Chipotle for a cheap dinner. Then on to the MAX back to the hotel.
See you tomorrow for more Portland fun!
After walking around the area for a little, we ate lunch at Paradise Bakery. We then went to the visitor center to get a map of the city and ran into a couple from New Jersey. We talked to them a little and they told us we had to visit the Chinese Garden. As we were already planning on going there, we headed off to Old Town Chinatown to see the Gardens.
As we waited for the tour to begin, we visited Union Station. After we RAN back to the gardens (Jacqueline had to use the facilities) the tour began. It really is impossible to describe the beauty of the garden. We were able to get a real sense of why Jacquelines' mother's appreciates this culture so much. She really would have loved the garden. It was so mind stimulating to listen to all of the detail that went into building one of the most authentic Chinese Gardens outside of China. The garden engaged all of your senses and brought a sense of peace and tranquility over you. The tour guide told us stories about yin, yang and qi which were very interesting. After the informative tour, we then had tea in the tea house. Michael had a rose tea and Jacqueline had a peach tea. We also shared Mangos and a bean pastry (the beans were not Michael's favorite).
Next we took the MAX streetcar to the Oregon History Museum. The exhibit about the history of the state as well as the present day challenges that Oregon faces was especially interesting. In Oregon they do not have a sales tax, which makes education funding a bit dicey. They also have extremely stringent urban growth laws that limit urban sprawl, something NJ should have learned a long time ago. There is also a distinct competition between rural and urban, with 80% of the Oregon population living within a city. However with a significant culture linked to their farm and expedition heritage, the rural aspect is not lost but does add controversy.
After the museum we headed towards Michael Graves' Portland Public Service Building (had to add some architecture just for Jordan :)). As we walked we stopped into a quaint Irish Specialty shop. Again another stop Jacqueline's Mom would have loved. Amazingly enough, the owner's best friend has a sister shop in Denville on Broadway. New Jersey connections are everywhere!!!
We took pictures of the Graves Building and headed to Chipotle for a cheap dinner. Then on to the MAX back to the hotel.
See you tomorrow for more Portland fun!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Fun in the Sun at the BEACH!
Today we drove from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR... the long way. We drove along the Washington and Oregon coast, stopping at Astoria, Seaside and Cannon Beach. The drive was beautiful and the sun came out turning our gloomy start into a wonderful day.
In Astoria, we crossed the Columbia River where Lewis and Clark first saw the Pacific Ocean. We stopped and got lunch and took pictures of the Jail House that was the opening scene in the Goonies and a few other Victorian houses (Just for Jordan ;) ).
As we continued down Route 101, the Scenic Oregon Coastal Byway, we stopped in Seaside where we touched the Pacific Ocean for the first time on our trip and goofed off to waste some of our pent up energy. (Well, Jacqueline goofed off...) The town was just like Seaside, NJ except for the fact that it was extremely clean. They seemed to be gearing up for the summer season.
After Seaside, we then went a little further to see Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. It was breathtaking! We walked along the beach for two hours taking pictures and enjoying the sunshine. After a long walk and some fruit and crepes at a small shop in Cannon Beach, we set off of Portland.
Once at the hotel, the receptionist recommended a small place called Old Wives Tales on the outskirts of Portland for dinner. Dinner was great; Michael had a chicken BLT and Jacqueline had a burrito.
Tomorrow we will venture into the downtown part of the city. Goodnight!
P.S. Here is a picture of a lighthouse we found at Cannon Beach for Michael's Mom! :)
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