Today was another short ride to our next destination so for the second time in a week we had to luxury to sleep in and take our time getting ready in the morning. We were still hitched so it would be an easy departure. There was a junior ranger program at the Silver Falls State Park campground that started at 10:30am. As much as we wanted to stay for it we had to be on the road by 11. Instead, at around 10:15, we went over to see if the ranger would be able to check the girls jr. ranger books. We lucked out and she was there preparing for the program. She was very kind and took the time to review everything with them. Since we weren’t at the park very long there were a few questions they weren’t able to answer. She talked with them and told them information and stories to help them with what they needed to finish. Once all their work was complete she stamped their Oregon State Parks Passport books, swore them in as junior rangers and presented them with their badges.
And with that we headed back to the truck and were on our way at 11. It took us 2 hours to drive the 77 miles to Columbia River RV Resort in Portland, Oregon. We arrived shortly after 1pm, set up camp and unhitched as quickly as we could because we were all starving and more than ready for lunch.
After a quick search we found there was a coffee shop nearby. We drove over there and Adam ran in to check it out. He came back and told us they had no customers, it was just one guy working and all they served was burgers. With that information we decided to try to find somewhere else. Another quick search and we found the Cascade Grill was a short drive from the café and off we went. It turns out this restaurant was located at a historic truck stop. It was just ok in the end but we were all starving and it got the job done.
With our hunger pangs gone we headed to Washington Park so we could go to the Portland Japanese Garden. When we paid our admission the girls were each given a scavenger hunt to follow throughout our visit.
To get to the start of the gardens we had to walk up a winding, uphill pathway lined with trees and plants. Shortly after we arrived at the top the girls found the first item on the scavenger hunt, dog dragons.
For the most part the scavenger hunt dictated which direction we walked and also helped to draw our attention to several cool features within the gardens. At one point we turned the corner and came to a gorgeous lookout. We had a perfect view of Mount Hood in the distance.
We liked crossing the wooden footbridges. One of our favorite things to see here was the enormous koi fish in the large, narrow waterway. We also really enjoyed seeing the waterfall in the larger pond next to the koi fish. It wasn't a very high waterfall like we saw at Silver Falls State Park yesterday, but the sound of the water hitting the pond below and the sight of the waterfall along the back wall was very beautiful and serene. We finished walking around the gardens and found everything on the scavenger hunt.
We had a lovely visit here. We made our way back down the sloped, winding path to the exit. Directly across the street was the International Rose Test Garden. Adam and I could not believe it was free to see this magnificence. At the entrance was a catalog of the hundreds of varieties of roses. Just past that was rows and rows of sheer beauty. There were roses of every color, size and variety. Each rose was signed so the visitor always knew the type and name. The air was filled with the amazing scent of all the splendid roses. Adam and I walked around in awe and really studied the flowers while the girls ran through the rows together.
Once we finished at the rose garden we went back to the truck and drove into downtown Portland to get dinner and try Voodoo Doughnut. We walked around checking out the restaurants in this area. A few of them were bars and we were not allowed inside with the girls. We decided to eat at SuBe, a sushi restaurant directly across the street from Voodoo Doughnut. This choice worked for all of us because we could sit outside and it was the first time we went out for sushi on this trip. We really enjoyed this restaurant.
The slogan here is "Keep Portland Weird" and this area certainly did it's part to fulfill that. Sitting out here was an interesting experience for all four of us and made for some very unusual people watching. In front of the restaurants outdoor eating area was a large group of young homeless people singing and playing instruments in the street. A few of them had really good voices. There was lot's of other weird activity.
Once we finished we made the short walk to the Voodoo Doughnut line. We only had to wait about 20 minutes but were told the line can get as long as a 3 hour wait. The outside of the building glittered with gold sparkly bricks. Once we got close to the door we could see them baking the doughnuts inside. Just outside the door there was a sign listing all the varieties. While we waited we read through the choices.
After a few minutes we were able to get inside of the building. There was a huge doughnut hanging on the ceiling and doughnuts were painted on the floor. We waited until we were called forward. When you are at the counter you get to stand next to the turning display case and you tell the clerk what you want. One of the kinds we picked was viscous hibiscus and the clerk gave me that one at no charge because he said I was the first person all week to say it correctly. We tried to pick a good mix and we each helped in the selection process. Once we made our purchase we headed back to the RV with our sweet treats. Since it was so late we each took a tiny taste of the signature voodoo doll doughnut and saved the rest for the next day.
