We have an Oregon Zoo membership, which we've tried to get our money's worth out of. It's hard to get down there though, as usually when we've wanted to go, it's pouring rain or there's heavy traffic between our house and there. We have gotten there a good amount of times, so that makes me happy, as well as our children. They have a new "Predators of the Serengeti" area that the kids love, so we always make a trek through there each trip while focusing on the other areas as well.
This time we ended up going in the summer (since it is now summer!) and couldn't find a parking spot anywhere in the 3 lots we meandered through. Instead of being frustrated, we decided to head further up the road to Washington Park and check that out instead. Well, low and behold there was a train that would take us right back to the zoo for the day, and there was a plethora of parking spots available. And we'd get to see a bird's-eye view of the zoo as we passed through it, so got to see elk, wolves and elephants from a totally different angle.
So, we hopped aboard and whizzed through the beautiful park back to the zoo. The zoo has 3 trains, so we rode the Oregon Express to the zoo that morning (which these pictures show us on, as well as a picture of the silver Zooliner which we met on the way).
When we got there, we decided to see the insect house and the Lorakeet Landing (2 areas we hadn't been before). The birds are so cute and chirpy, so the kids liked seeing those close up. Also seeing the walking sticks (they'd seen them in books, but didn't believe such a thing existed) as well as tarantulas and other bugs. Then we headed over to get an elephant ear (you can't leave the zoo without one, you know!) and eat our lunch. Then to see the lions, cheetahs, painted dogs, hippos, "giraffe eating hay" (James' request), zebras (we joke about them each time as Luke dropped his water bottle in their pen last summer which was quite a disaster to a 4 yr old), etc.
By then it was time to get going home, so we went back to the train station. The Zooliner was there waiting for us, but the line was long. When they loaded up, we didn't make it on it, as it was full up. So, we thought we'd be getting back on the Oregon Express, but low and behold up pulls the Steam Engine (which the boys had really wanted initially, and they only bring out on special occasions or super busy days). Well, today classified as a busy day, so they brought it out. We were the first riders of the day (in the first coach car, so we were able to see the firebox and all the workings), so got to be part of their engine checks and watch them fuel up and all. The boys just loved it!!
We then headed home on the Oregon side on Hwy 30, since the I-405 was totally backed up, and we knew we'd be in traffic for many hours if we headed home the usual way. After a stop at Sauvie Island for some fresh produce (yum, yum), we got home tired and happy! Well, Greg and I were tired, but the kids were ready to keep going since they slept the whole way home!
This time we ended up going in the summer (since it is now summer!) and couldn't find a parking spot anywhere in the 3 lots we meandered through. Instead of being frustrated, we decided to head further up the road to Washington Park and check that out instead. Well, low and behold there was a train that would take us right back to the zoo for the day, and there was a plethora of parking spots available. And we'd get to see a bird's-eye view of the zoo as we passed through it, so got to see elk, wolves and elephants from a totally different angle.
So, we hopped aboard and whizzed through the beautiful park back to the zoo. The zoo has 3 trains, so we rode the Oregon Express to the zoo that morning (which these pictures show us on, as well as a picture of the silver Zooliner which we met on the way).
When we got there, we decided to see the insect house and the Lorakeet Landing (2 areas we hadn't been before). The birds are so cute and chirpy, so the kids liked seeing those close up. Also seeing the walking sticks (they'd seen them in books, but didn't believe such a thing existed) as well as tarantulas and other bugs. Then we headed over to get an elephant ear (you can't leave the zoo without one, you know!) and eat our lunch. Then to see the lions, cheetahs, painted dogs, hippos, "giraffe eating hay" (James' request), zebras (we joke about them each time as Luke dropped his water bottle in their pen last summer which was quite a disaster to a 4 yr old), etc.
By then it was time to get going home, so we went back to the train station. The Zooliner was there waiting for us, but the line was long. When they loaded up, we didn't make it on it, as it was full up. So, we thought we'd be getting back on the Oregon Express, but low and behold up pulls the Steam Engine (which the boys had really wanted initially, and they only bring out on special occasions or super busy days). Well, today classified as a busy day, so they brought it out. We were the first riders of the day (in the first coach car, so we were able to see the firebox and all the workings), so got to be part of their engine checks and watch them fuel up and all. The boys just loved it!!
We then headed home on the Oregon side on Hwy 30, since the I-405 was totally backed up, and we knew we'd be in traffic for many hours if we headed home the usual way. After a stop at Sauvie Island for some fresh produce (yum, yum), we got home tired and happy! Well, Greg and I were tired, but the kids were ready to keep going since they slept the whole way home!
