Portland...You Dirty Funky City you.

We landed at Rover's Rest campground just outside Portland in a fog of smoke.  Forest fires have been raging since we were in Wyoming...but this was different.  We got lucky on our way into Portland because as we were driving down route 84 we could actually see the fires burning!  They literally closed the highway hours after we traversed it.  The fire ultimately crossed the road and jumped the Columbia River!  Mind blowing.  Sad thing is the reason the fire is burning is a fifteen year old threw a firework into the woods...  Due to the fire situation we ended up staying four nights instead of the intended two in the city campground.  Scott realized heading back into the woods was not wise.  I was happy.  I have been dying to see Portland.  My feelings are mixed.  Great city, super funky vibe, anything goes attitude...but the strung-out homeless contingent was a bit extreme for me. I have never in my life seen so many homeless people.  This was my first experience seeing tent cities.  There appears to be no rule as to where you can simply fall down and sleep.  Outside the famous book store,  in front of a coffee shop, completely across the sidewalk...where ever your feet stop working.  My guess is that those who live in Portland must be so used to it that it no longer phases them.  Not sure if I could get past it though...  We did however enjoy the Museum of Science and Industry.  I also insisted that we take advantage of the free Thursday evening at the Museum of Art.  No regrets.  Portland is a great place, and I would have explored more happily.  BUT we have moved on to Seattle!  Tomorrow we head back into a state park, but for the last two nights have been enjoying Seattle city camping.  (City camping just means close proximity to other campers, full hook-up and urban setting RV parks.)  Today we enjoyed a Mariner's game.  They played the Angels...and lost.  The fans here are so quiet!  VERY different from a Fenway or Astro's game.  Plus Scott and I marveled at the fact that we were able to get sushi and a vegetarian sandwich in the ball park!  We are all getting excited to visit our friends in Port Angeles in a few days.  Should be nice to eat a meal in a dining room, and hang out in a house that doesn't wiggle when you walk!

Great interactive science museum!

Family heat sensitive selfie.

Yay! Together we can build an arch.

This series speaks for itself.

Lots of fun contemporary art.

Ethan: "Hey buddy, not only do you not have a shoe to tie, but you're also missing undies.  Just sayin."

Fiona working on her assignment.

Did you think I was going to just let them walk through the museum and not do some work?

I am just in love with the woods here in Washington.

Neat little marsh hike near Mount St. Helen's.

The trees amaze me.

We squeaked in a fantastic mountain bike ride.

Go Mariner's! (Say that in a whisper if your from Seattle).

Checking out the city skyline from the stadium.

They had awesome photo opportunities!

Look at this pro-baller in the dug-out.

A little walk Scott and I took this evening.