learning is cool

Day two of the mini-trip to Portland for Kelly's birthday started with a morning walk with two of the ladies, Erin and Ashley, down to the river and around downtown.

We strolled by the Lan Su Chinese Garden... it was closed, but we peeked through the ornate windows to catch a glimpse of the lovely gardens inside.





One of these days I'd love to go back and walk through the garden... and also check out the Portland Japanese Garden that I've heard so much about!

We also passed by the famous (or infamous?) Voodoo Doughnuts... but there was already a line out the door so we just passed on by.



We made our way back to the hotel (via Starbucks, of course) to get ready for the day's adventure with the other ladies. Our next stop (after not being able to find a place for breakfast that wasn't closed or crazy busy) was a QFC and then a school playground for a picnic brunch!



I had wanted to go on a picnic all summer... a spontaneous one makes it even better.

Then, the main destination: the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). Awesome, awesome museum.



It was $2 admission that day... which is awesome, but also not so awesome because that meant EVERYONE was there.



We still had a good time despite the crowds and out of control children.

We got to wear goggles and do science.



Erin and I learned about chemiluminescence.



It glows!





Ashley and I played with mirrors.





And we learned about airplanes.





I would love to go back and explore the museum more... maybe during a weekday when it's not quite so crazy.

We ended the weekend with a yummy dinner at Ramblin Jacks in Olympia. So good! I had the citrus salmon salad with honey infused goat cheese.



Good times, good friends.