September, 2009

Scott and couple other dads took the kids out for another hike. They went to a local wetland/wilderness area called Smith and Bybee Lakes. The kids have a lot of fun and come home really tired.

With all of the sitting, holding, bottle feeding, around the house Reed and I needed to get out on some open terrain. So I lead him and some of his friends (and their dads) out for the first of a series called Toddler Trails.  Much of time was spent coaxing them down the trail because they would frequently plop down to play in the gravel path.  But the prospect of blackberries, a bridge, and throwing rocks into the water kept them motivated.

Our destination was a bird blind sculpture designed by Maya Line (the one who designed the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC).  It’s one of several to commemorate the confluence of different people  and species at the Columbia River.  Laser cut into the wood are the names of species identified by Lewis and Clark.  The wood itself is Black Locust which is an invasive species up here so it’s use appropriately removes it from growing the in wild.  And its a particularly suitable wood for untreated outdoor exposure.

The bird watching was not so good, a group of 4 toddlers aren’t about to sneak up on anything.  But Reed did like to play with the binoculars.

Look for more blog entries from the wild lands in Portland’s backyard.

From left: Anouk, Reed, Nate, and Dean

bridge to bird blind

Reed up the ramp

Nate up the ramp

The louvers are laser-cut with species identified by Lewis & Clark, then their modern name as we know them, and then their status: endangered, thriving, extinct, etc