38. Newport Aquarium, 3/20/11

I know, most, if not all of you, have already visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium (OCA) at some point in your life, but I have not. I truly regret that I never took my boys when Keiko was still there. Today, though, I was able to experience personal encounters with sea life found on, under, and over the ocean – close to our Oregon shores. Natural animal habitats provided viewing opportunities, above ground and through underwater windows, enabling visitors to gaze into seldom seen worlds.


The Aquarium’s Passages of the Deep exhibit allows the visitor to literally immerse themselves in the ocean realm that exists right off the Oregon coast. A series of underwater walkways leads the visitor from the dark, quiet canyons of the Orford Reef, through the sparkling and teeming waters of Halibut Flats, and finally into the vast blue expanse of the Open Sea. As you pass through these three ecosystems, you symbolically move further into the Pacific Ocean, encountering vastly different animals along the way.


Sometimes known as a Musky Caiman, this is the smallest of the crocodilian reptiles (large males rarely grow longer than 5.2 feet) and can be found in the northern and central parts of South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, and Colombia. Like most crocodilians, the caiman has a heavily armored skin. Its head is narrower than other species, however, which is probably an adaptation that better enables the animal to burrow.

When visiting this habitat, you must linger for a moment and consider this fact: you are looking at the largest population of sea otters in the state of Oregon. This species was hunted to extinction in the Oregon wild over a century ago, with the last known individual being killed just off the Newport Beach in 1907. The economic value of the Sea Otter extends back to the very beginning of our nation. Today, this marine mammal is the focus of many different conservation and recovery efforts, particularly in California and Alaska.

There are many species exhibited in the Seabird Aviary. Some species, like the tufted puffin, sport breeding plumage or skin coloration that includes vivid colors and striking markings. The birds molt again in the early fall and replace their feathers with more drab colors for the rest of the year. Black oystercatchers are a shorebird species and live in rocky intertidal areas. They do not dive for fish, but chisel limpets, crabs, and mussels from tidepool rocks and break them open with their beaks. They are more graceful flyers than the relatively heavy-boned, diving seabirds, and are very vocal, using a series of shrill whistles and calls to communicate with each other.

A shoreline is how most human beings experience the ocean. Standing with your feet in the sand and staring out at the waves has inspired everything from epic poems to artistic masterpieces. It is from this vantage point that we can first experience the awe and mystery of the ocean. The Sandy Shores exhibit helps us not only recreate that awe-inspired feeling, but to understand the complexity of this teeming but narrow ecosystem where the land meets the water. Here, much of the life is hidden beneath the sand or in the cracks between rocks. Many surf zone animals bury themselves to escape the drying sun and the sharp eyes of shorebirds and marine predators. The animals of the Sandy Shores can also be so tiny they almost escape observation, but even the smallest still play a vital role in nature’s constant cycle of life.

At first glance, jellyfish may be so alien-looking to the human eye that it is hard for us to even think of them as animals. Jellyfish (or "jellies" for short) are an exceptionally old species. Surprisingly, they have changed relatively little in all that time. The Moon Jellyfish is one of ten nearly identical jellies in the genus Aurelia. In fact, the Moon Jellyfish and its relatives are so similar that you cannot tell them apart without taking a sample of their DNA. All of these jellies measure approximately 10 to 16 inches in diameter with thin tentacles that hang from below their nearly translucent bodies. Like other jellyfish, the Moon Jellyfish have the ability to deliver a sting through these tentacles, a feature which allows it to immobilize its prey such as plankton and mollusks. The sting causes little discomfort to humans, however, aside from producing a slight rash that will disappear after a few hours. If you wander the Oregon beaches after a storm, you will often find Moon Jellyfish washed up on shore.

When you visit our Coastal Waters exhibit, you may have to wait a moment or two to get close to the Sea Nettle display. Perhaps one of the most popular habitats in the gallery, these large jellyfish seem to have the ability to hypnotize us with their rhythmic undulations and the graceful spread of their lacy tentacles. Although jellyfish like the Sea Nettle can propel themselves using a form of jet propulsion where they squeeze water through the bells of their bodies, they cannot move quickly or pursue other animals. They must feed as they drift on the ocean’s currents, spreading their tentacles out like nets to catch fish and other unsuspecting prey. Once an animal has been immobilized by the Sea Nettle’s sting, special tentacles called “oral arms” begin digesting it even before it has reached the jellyfish’s mouth. Despite this potent sting, Sea Nettles present no real danger to human beings and are often eaten by seabirds and large fish. This by far was my favorite exhibit of the day.

Of course, what trip to the beach is complete without a stop at Dory Cover for some clam chowder as well as Halibut fish and chips. I have to say thanks to Jan for spending the day with me; I had a great time!

37. The Kennedy School, 3/12/11

McMenamins Kennedy School has been the center of its Northeast Portland neighborhood since 1915. When class was not in session, the school served the community as a flood-relief shelter, meeting hall, and playground. The 1969-70 school year marked the start of busing in Portland, ending Kennedy's 54-year as a neighborhood school. Beginning this year, students were transported from other areas of the city to attend school at Kennedy, which brought about a significant diversification of the school's student body. It also marked the creation of the middle school system in Portland, resulting in the removal of grades 6-9 from Kennedy and other elementary schools. Kennedy Elementary closed in June 1975. Reasons for its closure included the school district's declining enrollment and the school's deteriorated condition (it was one of the district's oldest active schools by then). Beginning in the late 1975-76 school year, Kennedy was reopened as a temporary facility for other Portland schools undergoing renovation. After the 1979-80 school year, Kennedy School closed completely. Between 1981 and 1994, alumni and neighbors waged a battle against the school district to prevent Kennedy's School demolition. New uses considered for the school ranged from housing for the elderly to an indoor soccer facility; in 1994, McMenamins agreed to undertake renovation of the school.

The 35 guestrooms, formerly the school's classrooms, feature king and queen beds, abundant natural light, and original chalkboards and cloakrooms and start at $115 per night. While steeped in vintage charm, each room includes a phone and private bathroom. Your overnight stay also includes admission to the movie theater and soaking pool. The soaking pool is filled with gently heated saltwater and surrounded by gardens in an outdoor courtyard. The pool is open to overnight guests as part of their stay and to the public for a nominal fee. Recent run films are shown daily in the school's old auditorium, where guests relax on couches and chairs. Here you can freshly baked pizza and calzone as well as other menu items along with ales, wines, and spirits. They will even bring your order to your seat. The Principal's office has been turned into a gift shop. No space goes unused, the boiler room, formerly the custodians' lair, offers three TVs, pool tables and shuffleboard, along with a full bar, pizza, calzone, panini sandwiches, and more.

Once the school cafeteria, the Courtyard Restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can enjoy burgers, sandwiches, fresh salads, seasonal specials, and more, paired with handcrafted ales, wines, and spirits. On nice days, head to the outdoor courtyard, where the fireplace and gardens make it a great spot for relaxed meals and conversation.

Original paintings, wood panels, and other artistry decorate every room, fashioned from former classrooms, the library, auditorium, and gymnasium. You can rent space for everything from weddings to workshops.

It is a fun place to just go for dinner and enjoy some of Portland's "history," or it would be a great place to go for the night and take advantage of all The Kennedy School has to offer. I wish I would have taken my real camera instead of my phone, maybe the pictures would have done the facility justice, but I think you get the idea.

36. Vista House, 3/12/11

Majestic – It is the only word to describe Crown Point and the vulnerable Vista House. While the weather certainly did not cooperate with us, Jess and I did not let that stop us. After all, we do live in Oregon and have found that if you wait for “good” weather, you would miss out on a lot of wonderful opportunities. It was cold and wet when we arrived AND there was an unplanned wedding about to take place when we arrived. While it is a public building, out of respect for the couple, we waited outside and snapped a few pictures. When we were totally soaked, we moved our waiting to the car. The wait was certainly worth it. The building is fantastic. I can certainly understand why a couple would want to marry inside the building. The lighting is amazing, the history compelling, and the view…stunning.

Vista House serves as a gateway to the adventures awaiting you at the many Oregon State Park properties that dot the south side of the mighty Columbia River. The vista from Crown Point affords a breathtaking display of the Columbia River Gorge, even more so on a clear day. The Historic Columbia River Highway unfolds below: a graceful ribbon of gentle curves that belies the sophisticated engineering and painstaking design of this, The Kind of Roads, as it was known.

Since 1918, this regal sight has enthralled millions of travelers. From its surrounding vantage point 733 feet above the Columbia River, sightseers and photographers have enjoyed one of Oregon’s most inspiring views.

Few places combine nature’s wonders and human architectural brilliance so majestically. Crown Point is a promontory shaped by the same volcanic lava flows, floods, and winds that created the Columbia River Gorge. The site was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1971. It has been protected as a state park property since 1938 when Multnomah County and the city of Portland gave the building and adjacent land to the state for park purposes.

The Vista House was built as a rest stop observatory for travelers on the old Columbia River Gorge Highway and as a memorial honoring Oregon’s pioneer—particularly those who made their way down the Columbia River. It has been described by its architect as “a temple to the natural beauty of the Gorge.”

Financing the building of the Vista House was challenging. No state dollars were available, leaving the project dependent on funds from Multnomah County and donations from private parties. The total cost of construction—completed on May 1, 1918—was about $100,000. The structure is 44 feet in diameter and 55 feet high. The roof, which for many years was topped with a copper crown, has been restored to its original surface of matte-glazed green tiles.

I can see why this amazing spot is photographed so often; it truly is majestic. I only hope that some day I can revisit the site in “good” weather only so I can do it justice in my photography. Thanks Jess for sharing this with me.

35. Surprise, 3/11/11

I am going to be a grandparent! That announcement can come in many different ways. It may come as a phone call, an email, or a surprise visit. You may hear the news at home, in your office, or during dinner in a restaurant. However you receive the news, one thing is certain: Nothing will ever be the same again. Those words, while they represent a very joyous occasion in our family, are also very bittersweet. Those of you who knew Joe, my husband and Josh’s father, knew that he LOVED kids more than life itself. From the time our boys were very young, Joe dreamt of the day we would become grandparents and oh how he longed for that day.

I believe that being a grandmother is an honor which, if you are fortunate, time bestows. Unlike almost every other reward in life, you do not have to work for it, or even deserve it. We may have disagreed over the years about many things - marriage, parenthood, work - but this new factor in our lives always produces the same response, a sort of rejuvenating glow.

A friend of mine recently became a grandmother for the first time while still raising a family of small children. Since she still had children at home she was rather underwhelmed by the event, slightly depressed, in fact. I was rather surprised by her first reaction, but I should have understood. By the time my first grandchildren arrive into this world I will have had a decade of carefree childlessness, have grown used to the empty nest, and am more than ready for a new, exciting factor in my life. I could pursue my own career and travel without worrying about teenagers trashing the house in my absence, but I do miss the day-to-day warmth and involvement of family life.

Old age commands no respect in our society. On the contrary, particularly for women, it is usually regarded as something shameful, to be lied about and disguised as long as possible. Maybe that is why I have resisted the thought of becoming a grandmother (not that I had any choice in the timing). You do not have to do anything to be a grandmother, you just have to be. Grandmotherhood, unlike parenthood, is not a job description, but a state of being, immutable as the sun in the sky. The title "granny" confers a fixed status in the child's universe as the ancestral head of the family. Your age, usually such a handicap in the 21st century, is suddenly an asset. As far as the children are concerned, you are almost as old as time itself, and your age still brings with it the traditional attributes of respect and wisdom, reinforced by fairy tales and storybooks. But the status of being a grandmother is not entirely based on fairytale stereotypes. It also has roots in everyday reality. Small children soon find out that their parents are fallible, that they tell fibs, lose their temper, quarrel from time to time, and do not always have time to give the attention the children may need at a particular moment. A grandmother is usually different. She has time to give her undivided attention, is not in a hurry when the children come round. On the contrary, she is likely to be totally at the children's disposal. She has time to play games, read stories and, most important of all, to listen. If something is troubling the children, particularly something in the parental home, granny is entrusted with the secret.

There is an important, qualitative difference between being a mother and being a grandmother. The latter relationship is wonderfully conflict-free. As far as I am concerned, one of the joys of being a grandmother, apart from the obvious fact that the role is part-time and often optional, will be the lack of stress. Parenthood, like marriage, is hard work, a lifetime's commitment that brings pain as well as joy. Having grandchildren must be like being in love. I know our time together will be brief: the children will grow up, I will die. The very brevity of the relationship adds to its passion. I will see the children's beauty, which will hit me afresh each time, and I will have the privilege of sharing in its pristine innocence. Once my own children gave me that opportunity, but those days are long gone.

As an added bonus I think I will feel closer to my own offspring as they became parents. It is nice to be needed now and then, and to be understood a bit better now that they face the challenges I once had to cope with. Best of all, it is rewarding to be united by a common love, a shared concern.

Nobody looks forward to old age, but the gift of grandchildren brings an unexpected glow, like an Indian summer, to the winter season. The arrival of grandchildren signals the beginning of a new generation in a family. We are growing older and life no longer stretches endlessly ahead of us. If this is the price we pay for the joy of becoming grandparents, it is a bargain. For me, becoming a grandmother is filled with all of these emotions and more. While Joe will not be here to cuddle the babies, to read stories to them, or buy them chocolate bars and send them home to their parents (those of you who knew Joe will understand this), I know that a small part of him will live on in my sons’ children. Congratulations Josh and Sara and thank you for making me a grandmother!

Oh yea, it is TWINS!

34. Shanghai Tunnels, 3/5/11

Tonight, Dawn, Deb, Lynne, Karen, Jan, Kourtney, Katrena, Keri, and I decided to visit the shadier side of Portland and went to explore the Shanghai Tunnels. You will make your way down the dark, creaky staircase to this basement under the bar where you will find a unique piece of Portland history. Around the 1850's or so, the trapdoors and tunnels under this part of the city were used by the unscrupulous ship captains to "shanghai" people here.

Since the majority of the tour group voted for the Ghost Tour, there was a little fact vs fiction in the presentation. As the tour guide warns, it was only about 25% different, all the rest of the info given was the same. I learned some amazing and horrible dark things about the City of Portland. It was educational, and I am glad I went.

Portland, Oregon: A City's Shady Past - At one time, this great city that we know today as Portland, Oregon, was a river town whose beginnings we often look upon as being nothing more than a humble Victorian settlement. However, in reality, it was considered the most "dangerous port in the world" because of the "Shanghaiing Trade" that existed. Stopping for a drink in such notorious establishments as Erickson's Saloon, the Snug Harbor Saloon, and the Valhalla Saloon, people became unsuspecting victims who found themselves beneath the streets in tunnels and being carried out to the waterfront and sold for "blood money."

Portland, Oregon, the Victorian-refined "City of Roses" along the Willamette River, earned the reputation of being the "Shanghai Capital of the World" because of the uncontrolled shanghaiing of unsuspecting men. These men, primarily sailors, loggers, cowboys, sheepherders, those who worked on the river, and others that lived a wanderlust life, and who played just as hard as they worked, found themselves victims of the worst "skullduggery" imaginable. Thousands of them found themselves in the clutches of shanghaiers and crimps who either forcibly grabbed them off the streets or slipped them "knockout drops" in saloon, pool hall, and gambling parlor drinks. They were hauled out of opium dens and houses of prostitution, or cleverly dropped through "deadfalls" (trapdoors) that were conveniently situated in a wide array of vice establishments.

Women, in early Portland's history, had to also be cautious when venturing into certain areas of the city. They were warned not to go to dances and to stay out of restaurants, saloons, and other establishments of the evening. They, too, became victims of this shadowy part of the city's history, and found themselves being carried or dragged through this infamous "network" of wharfrat-dominated shanghai tunnels, and, unfortunately, sold into "white slavery." Like a "speck of dust," most of these women just seemed to vanish and were never heard from again.

The victims were held captive in small brick cells or makeshift wood and tin prisons until they were sold to the sea captains. A sea captain who needed additional men to fill his crew notified the shanghaiiers that he was ready to set sail in the early-morning hours, and would purchase the men for $50 to $55 a head. "Knock-out drops" were then slipped into the confined victim¹s food or water. The most eerie part was sticking your fingers through the bars of the holding/prison cells. The room behind it was completely dark. EEK!!!

Unconscious, they were then taken through a network of tunnels that "snaked" their way under the city all the way to the waterfront. They were placed aboard ships and did not awake until many hours later, after they had "crossed the bar" into the Pacific Ocean. It took many of these men as long as two full voyages - that is six years - to get back to Portland.

The remnants of Portland's infamous history of the "Shanghai Tunnels" and the "Portland Underground" are still with us. The stories have lingered, along with rubble, the trapdoors, the secret entrances, and the catacombs that still extend their presence beneath the sidewalks, streets, and buildings. While I was little disappointed that we did not get to see more the "shadier side" of Portland, I am glad I went and learned a little history of the great city I grew up in. I would suggest viewing the remnants of these infamous secret catacombs that earned Portland such a dubious reputation.

Thanks Dawn for thinking of this event, it was great!