Zoo

The last week of my vacation! On Sunday I walked the dog and it was green and lovely. Plus I think that’s the afternoon I chatted with a very nice lady who is new to the area and looking for somewhere to walk her dog. Monday, I was getting ready to leave – it is pathetic but I am old and preparing for 3 days in Portland takes the same amount of planning, energy and packing that 2 weeks camping in the wilderness used to require – and anyway, I took one photo, which is to say, here’s Mr. Binks in the courtyard. Tuesday, we were at the Oregon Zoo and, pro tip, the Tuesday after the first day of school is THE day to go to the zoo. It was the least crowded we have ever seen it and that really, really helped. Also, baby elephant! Tula-Too! Also took the car in to the dealership for a software update and a recall thing and that was an experience: I am new to the luxury car dealership treatment. They were very nice even though I think they could tell that I am not, actually, in the correct tax bracket to drive an Acura, lol. And they loaned us a car while mine was being worked on! It is driving much better and I wish I’d done this months ago. I also dropped my Canon 5D at Advance Camera for a much needed cleaning and tuneup and had a lovely camera nerd conversation. Wednesday, it poured rain and we went shopping. As is required on every Portland trip, apparently, we all got hangry and overwhelmed by Powells, but this reflection was lovely. Thursday, it rained off and on and we drove and went food shopping, which also ended in hangry, sigh. Then we picked up our big box of salmon in the rain in Vancouver and drove on home. Friday, Five and I went down to the Riverwalk so she could scoot and I could run after her, far in the distance. And on Saturday Harvey and I took our regular walk and saw these ominous clouds apparently giving the river the finger.

So now, here I am. My vacation ends tomorrow and as per usual, I got none of the things done that I planned to do. The house is still trashed, the papers are still in a giant scary heap, the flea meds remain unpurchased, the art has not been created, there has not been much in the form of exercise and I’m still feeling cranky. But, books have been read, minecraft has been played – just found my first sulfur cave – wine has been drunk and, the big city errands have all been completed, even including buying way too much strange vegan ramen at Hong Phat. Got some film back as you can see in the previous post and all in all things could, of course, be much worse.

Also, we spent two nights in an absolutely incredible historic hotel which just might be haunted, although we saw nothing scarier than the decor in the Arcadian Garden, aka the downstairs bar/restaurant – see the center photo, because what says Garden better than astroturf and chunks of, uh, rock? Concrete? Moon rocks perchance? Nevertheless it was an awesome place to stay, with a gorgeous saltwater pool, free breakfast with made to order omelettes and two free drinks per person, not to mention wine tastings in the lobby. And the crows came flying by in the evening on their way to roost.

Below, ZOO! All from my trusty old Canon 5D Mark III. The cougar at the bottom became extremely interested in Five, clearly sizing her up as a possible lunch entree. As the internet says, if not friend, then why friend shape? Also, there were two fat, happy rats in the flamingo enclosure. I scoured the internet looking for details, and nothing. The zoo has clearly got a good communications department. As always, I like the seals and otters, but oh, I am so fond of giraffes and tortoises.