Ninety- Fifth Stop: Sea Lion

As the week has progressed, we have been able to dive into the depths of the wonderful ocean.  We have learned about the different ocean zones, the animals, and the creatures that make up each one of them.

  

A highlight of today was getting to meet a lady who represents the Sea Lion Commissio.  All of the kiddos and staff got to see how they harvest a sea lion and gather different parts of the sea lion to be tested back in the lab to make sure that they continue to reproduce and are healthy.

Before the first cut takes place, there are many steps that have to happen first.  The sea lion has to be measured, whisker samples taken, and teeth samples have to be collected.  After that is completed, the first cut takes place.  Then they take the measurement of how much blubber is present .  Then they work to collect samples of the liver and stomach to look at what was consumed.

This specific sea lion was a female, approximately 2 years old , and had several inches of blubber.  When we looked at the contents of the stomach, needless to say there she did not get the best last meal.  She only had one piece of bull kelp. 

  

One of the best parts of this culture, though, is once all the scientific data and observations were completed, every single part of the seal is used.  They will use it for cooking, eating, clothing, and art work... Truly a special thing..to not only see the process, but get to partake in the rewards of the animal sacrifice. 

                                         

 

                                       

 

       

Ninety-Fourth Stop: Sea Week

Time is quickly winding down.  After being back from spring break and getting back in some what of a routine, here is the week I have been looking forward to all year… SEA WEEK!!! 

Today we got to go spend the morning on the reef.  I have to say that has become one of my most favorite places.  Taking a step on the reef, you walk into a completely different world.  It is as if you are walking into the movie "Finding Nemo"... Everything you may see in the aquarium on a much larger scale.

The kids were separated into groups and given a paper with different creatures, plants, and rocks to examine.  As the kids go on the reef and find one things after another on their paper,  they get so excited.  They get to pick it up, touch it, and poke it.  This giant reef is their backyard, but like most of them, they have awesome backyards  that they don’t frequent.    To watch them learn their environment that has played such a major role in their culture is truly magical.

Watching Mama Ann, the octopus, whisper on the reef and passing her knowledge on to the kids was an amazing moment to be apart of... To watch Mama Ann pass on her knowledge to the little kiddos and to watch them light up as the octopus finally surrenders and give himself up.  This knowledge that has been passed down from previous generations to Mama Ann and now she is passing it on to the future generations - Something that is truly a beautiful part of these kids' culture.   This is something they may not completely understand now, but I hope will one day look back and appreciate it.

  

Leg by leg.. struggle was real. 

Kir won the war!

Sacrifice is left to give thanks for the Octopus surrendering its life to us. 

Ninety-Third Stop: Back Country Roads

Still on a Garth Brooks high, our last day in Oregon is upon us, and we have no plans.  I asked Alyssa, "Do we head down town and walk around the city or do we jump in the car and head towards the beach?"

Needless to say that you can't keep two California girls away from the salty air and beautiful waves!

We jumped in the car, rolled down the windows, turned up the good ol country music and headed toward Cannon Beach enjoying the beautiful drive on Hwy 26.  We stopped at Camp 18 for breakfast in Seaside, OR.  It is just over an hour outside of Portland.  It is a super cute little pit stop with delicious food!  For anyone who has been to Black Bear it is similar to that.. only better!

Eventually getting on the Oregon Highway, 101... We made it to Cannon Beach and drove through the adorable little town.  It reminded me a lot of home.  So many great little "mom and pop" shops....So much better than most major chains.

We then jumped back on the 101 and drove South through many more adorable cities on our way to Tillamook Cheese Factory.  Some of the cities were Arch Cape, Nehalem, Wheeler, and Bay City.  Some of the National Forest were:  Hug Point State Park, and Oswald West State Park.

Come to find out, I was there several years ago, but unfortunately do not remember it.  But Alyssa and I had a great time learning and watching the process of how the delicious cheese goes from moo cow to shelf at the store.  There, of course, were then samples.. can't go wrong with that!  As our tour came to an end, we ordered some delicious Tillamook ice cream and headed outside to enjoy the beautiful weather.

After getting fat and happy we jumped back into the car and headed back to Cannon Beach.  We were going to explore a little more.  Before we got back,though, one of the State Parks I mentioned was Hug Point.  I noticed on our way through the first time and if I could catch it on the way back, thought it would be fun to stop.  We ended up pulling over and jumping out to enjoy the beautiful beach.  Much different than any beach I have been on before.  So much beautiful sand and waves consistently crashing one after the other.  It was so nice to sit with sand under my feet and the warm beautiful sun on my face with my best friend.  Can't beat that.  Before we jumped back in the car we took a hugging selfie at Hug Point.  Felt fitting.

Made it back to Cannon Beach and we were going to stop and explore, but then got the crazy idea that we should keep driving to Astoria.  It was also suggested to us.  Just a little over an hour North of Cannon Beach.  We ended up stopping at a cute little pup called Fort George upon arrival in Astoria.  We met some really awesome people that we had great conversations with.  After a few hours, we decided to hit the road and make our way back to Portland.

We ended up taking a different way back and jumped on Highway 30... Another beautiful drive.  This state is gorgeous and everyone was so great and helpful.  It was such a wonderful trip.

Here are some more pictures from the trip. 

Woke up to our very own Peter Rabbit.

 First stop: breakfast at Camp 18

                    

                          We made it and yes.. that cinnamon roll was HUGE and delicious!

Beautiful fireplace!

I see Big Foot!

Not a bad back yard to have!

"Only you can prevent forest fires!" Smokey. 

Second stop... Cannon Beach!

Third Stop: Tillamook!

Can't pass up samples...

Or ice cream!

  

Can't go wrong with ice cream. 

Fourth Stop: Hug Point

Fifth Stop: Astoria and found the Fort George Pub

Ninety- Second Stop: Dreams

This is the day that I have been looking forward to for 10 years. Tonight I will be sitting in the Moda Center watching THE Garth Brooks perform.  Garth was my first country artist that I listened to and fell in love with!  Since I started listening, I told myself that one day I would see him in concert.  That day is HERE!!

Before the concert, though, we took a drive and went to find some waterfalls.  We headed towards the Multnomah Falls, but before arriving there we stopped and did a short 3-mile hike around the Latourell Falls.  We started at the base and went all the way up to where we were on top of the falls and down around till we were behind it.  It was absolutely gorgeous!!

After the 3-mile jaunt, we didn't have much time to do the other hikes, but were able to walk up and see the Multnomah Fall.  It is huge!  We went up to the bridge that is located in the middle too. Such a powerful beauty.

After the falls and a quick snack, we got cleaned up and headed to a super cute little wine bar right down on the water called Thirst.  We were able to watch some of the dragon boaters practice too.  The ships were beautiful and the colors were popping amongst the yachts and other boats.

After a flight of wine, we walked down the way and enjoyed a fancy meal at McCormick and Schmidts.  It was, as it has been, a fabulous meal.  The lobster was amazing.  After all fat and happy, we headed to the concert!

As we made our way into the stadium it hit me... I am making my dream come true!   I am going to be inside watching "Garth fricken Brooks" !!  As we watched the opener Karyn Rochelle, who is also a fabulous singer and song writer, it starts to sink in. Then he takes the stage and I get goose bumps!  What an amazing entertainer!  The crowd was sold out and not one butt in the seat the entire concert!

Garth Brooks' concert was the first entertainer to sell out his shows and so quickly there in the Moda Center.  He then even added another date and I some how got lucky enough to get tickets.  Garth said several times how moved he was by the support he received from Portland.  You could tell other times too by his body language.  He would put his hand over his heart look around and would be speechless.  Seeing that passion and sincere feeling of gratefulness was very moving.  He got my eyes sweating.

There are not enough words to describe how blessed I am to have had this opportunity.  Making this dream of mine come true is one thing I will never forget.   I wish I could follow him around the world.

Beautiful reminder that the Grandpa is with me. An old school Mail truck!

                                 

 

                 

            

                  

 

                                

 

Breath taking beauty from Portland Women's Forum lookout. 

Dragon boat practice. Boats were beautiful. 

                  

Happy Birthday Sister!!! 

                                 

 

Making dreams come true is a powerful thing.. especially when they are your own. 

Opener and back up singer. She killed it!

Yup! That is Trisha. No big deal!

My eyes sweat a little bit... Unbelievably amazing!

We met Karyn. No big deal.