Day 831

If you haven't taken a road trip lately I highly recommend it. Such pretty sights are out there! All pictures were taken on the Marsing to Seattle to Portland to Marsing road.

Day 830

We have tried growing rhododendrons more than once. They love that moist, cool, acidic soil. Unfortunately we live in a dry, hot, alkali area so despite how hard we work at trying to make them grow, they always die on us. Thank goodness we take vacations and stop at Oregon rest areas that have such pretty foliage.

Can you spot the bumblebees and caterpillar?

Day 829

Last year I conquered my fear of heights. This year I didn't really have any plans of conquering any other fears. Until my daughter reminded me, as we were walking in the zoo, that they had a bat exhibit.

I remember the bat exhibit from last time. I may have had a bum knee back then but it didn't stop me from getting out of there as quickly as possible. I think I only snapped one picture then (being that I was terrified to take any others). It's not like they were out to get me, it was just that they were gross, disgusting, icky, and nasty.

So this time I was determined to stay in that area and study those bats. Sit and just be with them. Even though there again was glass separating them from me it still made me a bit squeamish. But I stayed. Stayed and got some amazing pictures of feeding time. I still don't like bats, but now I'm fascinated with the pictures - and excited about my bravery.

Day 828

I'm not big into zoos but daughter loves them. She remembers going to the Portland Zoo several years ago and was desperate to return. Last time around I hadn't yet had my knee replaced so I didn't wander around the joint with her. But this time she insisted I go with. Thanks to Scooter, I did. And thanks to my new digital camera I was able to capture some good pictures. Here are my five favorite.

I might be wrong but it looks like the frog is throwing gang signs at me.

One of these birds wet on me, Scooter, and my camera. Not fun.

This flamingo never moved from this position.

Looks kind of scary to me.

Aww...

Day 827

Ever heard of Voodoo Doughnuts? If you've watched the Food Network or Travel Channel you probably have. A crazy place in Portland, Oregon offering crazy doughnut concoctions. We had to wait in a snaking line out the door in the middle of the afternoon to snag our choices.

As you can see in the picture the chocolate on the voodoo dolls melted a bit before we got to the hotel. We also got grape, Fruit Loops, Oreos, rice krispies/chocolate/peanut butter, and a few others.  My favorite was the one topped with powdered Tang and hubby's was the Bacon Maple Bar. Can you believe a maple bar with bacon on top?!