Crazy January Sunset

Cities

 

Sometimes you can go on an adventure without leaving your living room. I was on Facetime with my mom when I spotted this amazing sunset.  I went to grab my camera to get a few shots before this insane vibrant sunset ended.

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I loved logging on to instagram and seeing everyone posting up sunset photos from all over Portland. It was definitely a great way to kick off a new year!!

 

Kelly Point Park – A New Year Adventure

Urban Parks

How do you start off a new year? With a little adventuring of course! One of my instafriends is always posting amazing photos from Kelly Point Park in North Portland, and Sheri and I have been wanting to go for ages.

kellypoint2 Kelly Point Park is located where the Willamette River splits off from the Columbia. I learned by reading the information board in the park that Lewis & Clark missed the Willamette – twice!

As we parked we saw quite a few cars but it felt quite desolate. Walking onto the beach we spotted a man with his 3 dogs – two of which were frolicking in the icy water. We later spotted a group of people huddled around a beach fire pit after taking a plunge in the river too. Brr! They must have arrived just after us.

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Old pilings and docks loomed like ghosts in the fog. Children were building sand castles and nearly everyone had a dog with them.

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In addition to the beach, there is a treed area with paved walking paths, picnic tables, and fire pits. I’d love to go back in sunny weather where it must appear to be a totally different place. I definitely recommend Kelly Point Park on a foggy day though, where the silence and eerie fog is oddly peaceful.

 

 

Timbers Army – Reporting for Playoff Duty

Sporting Events

Early in November the Portland Timbers qualified for the MLS playoffs for the first time and I was lucky enough to score tickets in the Timbers Army. Their first game was against arch rival Seattle Sounders and the stadium was rocking.

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We couldn’t see this tifo, but thankfully I had friend who texted me a photo. It said “The Magic is Real”

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The crowd went nuts after we scored a goal.

Standing with the Timbers Army is really a can’t miss Portland experience. If you think you will get tired or bored standing for over 90 minutes you are wrong. Chanting, screaming, singing, and drinking beer makes time fly by.

If you are looking for tickets check out the Timbers Ticket Exchange group on Facebook.

Samurai at Portland Art Museum

Museums

The Portland Art Museum has a pretty amazing exhibit of Samurai armor that runs until January 12, 2014.  Recently Sheri and I decided we needed a culture day and met at the museum. The first thing you see when you get in the main lobby are 3 Samurai on full size horses. The backdrop is pretty sweet.

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Aside from armor, the exhibit features other objects used by samurai like this saddle lacquered with embedded abalone (mother of pearl) shells.  Totally bling!

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The details on the armor is amazing. I was particularly interested in some of the fancy knot work.

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A few unique items caught my eye – a crazy helmet made from paper mâché, a battle fan, and the firefighter uniform below.

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The Portland Art Museum is free the  fourth Friday of every month 5-8pm, and the first full weekend of every month for Bank of America Card Holders. I head that this exhibit had a 2-3 hour wait this past weekend.