City of Roses

The Portland Rose Festival is in full swing. From the end of May to the second week of June Portland celebrates roses and we get to enjoy the festivities.

Last Saturday we had a perfect, beautiful, sunshiny day after weeks of gloomy weather, so I had to get outside. We headed to the waterfront to walk around the Waterfront Village and get a glimpse of the Sling Shot, but this year that's all we did, get a glimpse. I included a picture of the riders at the highest point anyways since last year I didn't have my camera.

(Look up to the left side of the picture. They look like ants in the sky.)

Later that night we traveled downtown again to watch the Starlight Run, where people are not only running for the best time, but also for the best costume. My favorite was the group of sychronized swimmers. I so wish I had taken a picture of them. It was 5 men wearing one piece women's swimsuits, goggles and a swimming cap. At certain points along the run they would perform a sychronized routine. Loved it!

Waiting for the parade to start.

After the race we stayed to watch the Starlight Parade. People came out in droves to watch the Parade and I decided that seeing it one time was enough. It ain't no Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade if you know what I mean.

Just smelling the roses. Ahhhh.

This weekend we didn't do a whole lot. Friday night we attempted to stop by First Friday in SE Portland which is when a bunch of art galleries stay open late so people can tour through them. Note to self: SE Portland does not know real art. I don't consider drawings of aliens to be art, nor do I consider creepy one-eyed devil looking creatures to be art. Maybe I don't have an eye for it, but come on, really? We could tell from the moment we walked up the street that we were definitely not going to appreciate this type of "art". Let's just say we probably looked like the Clever family compared to the rest of the crowd. In a couple of weeks we'll try the First Friday in a different part of Portland. We'll let you know how it turns out.

Sunday we went with some friends to the Rose Gardens. We have been here a few times because it's free and it's right in the middle of Washington Park. This time of year is the Rose Festival and everything is in bloom. It is beautiful.

(I was told that you have to close your eyes when smelling the roses.)

Unfortunately we did not take a picture of the grossest looking rose I have ever seen. Honestly it was flesh colored and just looking at it along with the names that we were coming up with for it could have made me vomit.