Closeup at the Oregon Zoo

I adore the Oregon Zoo.  I've been to zoos in several cities across the United States, including the San Francisco Zoo, the Nashville Zoo, the Toledo (Ohio) Zoo, Zoo Boise (Idaho), and Woodland Park Zoo (Seattle), and the Oregon Zoo is actually my favourite.  The only exception to this is perhaps the San Diego Zoo, but I can't be certain about that since the last time I was there I was about seven years old. 

On this particular day we saw an amazing collection of animals right up near the glass!  It was a phenomenal visit to the zoo.  Here is one example - the polar bear.  You can see how enormous he is there next to my 3-year-old daughter.  During this visit we also saw right up at the window a crocodile, python, porcupines, monkeys, monitor, and some things I know I'm forgetting.  It was incredible and we had a great time.

Seasonal Confetti

The leaves are just about gone on the trees around our house, but a few trees across the city still cling to their autumn gowns.  One thing I absolutely LOVE about this area is the length of fall.  I adore the fall season and everything that comes with it, so I'm thrilled to live in a place that has an autumn that lasts longer than a week. 

Street Art

Okay, so this isn't a picture, but I think you'll enjoy it anyway.  While out on a walk in downtown Portland with some girlfriends we came across this gentleman playing a digeridoo...and beatboxing at the same time.  I loved it.  One thing I love about the big city is the corner street performers and the variety of interesting people you discover.

Thatcher's

This is Thatcher's.  My favourite coffee shop in Vancouver (and Portland, so far).  I love the atmosphere, I love the coffee, I love the comfy chairs...and I love that it's so close to where I work so I can run there on a break or over lunch.

It's a locally owned business with a passion for sustainability and community.  They use coffee from a local roaster, and make their own goodies (above).  And, like many places in this part of the country, they provide a little corner for the little ones with toys and books, with comfy seating for the parents, too.

The big window in the far right corner of the image below opens like a garage door and in the warmer months, the shop is extended onto a cement patio with additional seating and simple landscaping.