Playing in Portland's Parks

One thing (among many) that i admired about Portland is that they really take care of their public spaces. They landscape them incredibly well and they always look beautiful! In fact, I took the kiddo out of the jogger at one point during our run for a Kodak moment:

(a bit overexposed due to the Sunrise but you get the gist!)

We first hit Washington Park, which quickly became my favorite. I loved exploring it on a run the next day and knew that if I lived in Portland, that would be part of my daily routine. So gorgeous!

Washington Park is home to the Oregon Zoo, Children's Museum, Arboretum, Rose Gardens, and the Japanese Garden.

After our morning run, we decided make a trip out of our visit to Washington Park. We stopped at Trader Joe's for some picnic food and continued on our way, stopping once we reached a great kids playground area

There was another family there and Cutie Face loved to people watch:

After getting our fill, we headed to the Rose Gardens. I'm usually not a sucker for roses but these were GORGEOUS.

Despite fighting fatigue, we decided to head to the Japanese Gardens, too, and we're so glad we did! It was restful, peaceful, and rejuvenating!

The obligatory self-portrait that J and I find ourselves taking everywhere:



then a nice woman offered to take a family portrait
(still can't figure out this overexposure issue)



Cutie Face got into the waterfall, too (and, no, thankfully not literally!)

She was also intrigued by these creatures:

We loved exploring Portland's parks but they sure did wipe us out!



On Friday night, we hit Jamison Square Park and Cutie Face had the time of her life playing in the fountains!











City parks done well are so awesome! Way to go, Portland!