Oregon Aquarium

We went to both the Oregon Aquarium and the Undersea Gardens. The Aquarium was AMAZING! The Undersea Gardens (similar to the one in Victoria) was super disappointing and super expensive.

Joel liked the touch tank at the Undersea Gardens, mostly for the water, not for the fish.

At the Aquarium, there was an underwater walkway where you could walk through and see the fish.

There was even sharks inside the tunnel.

We spent literally an hour in there watching the fish swim around and taking photos.

Can you find the sharks?

Joel LOVED watching the fish swim by. Micah even got in on the action, staring at the fish.

 

AHHHHH!!!! A SHARK!

They had a puffin exhibit as well. We also saw Auks (similar to a penguin) in that exhibit.

Joel did eventually touch an actual starfish....rather than just playing in the water.

 

 

 

 

 

Joel caught his first fish! Yes, it was fake..but at least he practised catch and release!

Giant Sitka Sprucs

Another one of Dan's infamous GIANT roadside attractions.

This was one of the largest trees in Oregon, until a windstorm took it out of the running.

Now, its the biggest stump in Oregon.

Tillamook County Smoker

Home of the Two Foot long pepperoni. We tried three flavours: beef, hunter and teriyaki. By far the best pepperoni we have EVER eaten!

Astoria Column

The Astoria Column was probably the most surprising thing that we found on the trip. We heard there was a large pole somewhere in Astoria. After travelling "up," we eventually found the pole. From a distance, it looked like a rusty pillar. But as we got closer, we could see images on the pillar.

168 steps later, we climbed the pole to the the top. It was windy and a bit cold.

But the view was incredible. Climbing the stairs carrying children, not so much.

At the top, we noticed people throwing balsa wood airplanes and parachute men from the top.

We enjoyed watching them soar through the air, sometimes catching an updraft, and eventually land in the bushes.

At the bottom of the pillar, we found remnants of airplanes. We pieced a few together to create a working airplane for Joel.

He loved every minute of it.

We threw the Balsa wood airplanes from the ground

where they eventually landed in the bushes below.

All in all, a wonderful surprise!

Plus, the journey "down" from the pillar was exciting too. The streets grade was over 20 degrees and it was straight down to the bottom!

Have you heard...

???????

It's Cody's Birthday!

Okay, okay. Its not really today, its tomorrow....the 4th of September.

But with the time change from here to the Philippines, its actually tomorrow there....

making it Cody's Birthday today!

Joel really wanted to celebrate Cody's birthday,

so we made a sign for him!

He carefully carried the sign around, making us take pictures of him with it. He also placed it in bushes, on the ground and in our hands.

So from all us here in the McCrimmon family....
Happy Birthday Cody!

Chasing Birds

Watch out birdies!

Joel is coming for you!

Come back Joel!!!

Gotcha!

Back at his old tricks. Poor birds. They never had a moments peace.

Sunset Walk on the Promenade

Seaside has a beautiful promenade stretching for 1.5 miles (2.4 km) which we would walk twice each evening.

 

 

Both boys passed out during our walk-but who could blame them? It was after 9pm!