OMSI -- Dinosaurs Revealed

 There is a fun dinosaur exhibit at Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

Due to construction, entry is by the planetarium. Despite timed entry, with the exhibit's popularity and the warm weather, social distancing was not well-observed within the line, though people were good about masks.

Once inside it got better, and there were clear markings leading you in the right direction.

Right at the entry (across from an ankylosaurus), there is a sign giving an idea of the times and sizes.

Then you go in for an informational film.

After that, the exhibit is self-explored.

Although the dinosaurs are animatronic, there is not constant movement. You forget, and then a tail waves or a head turns. It created a nice balance.

You could also see fossils and skeletons. I especially appreciated the maps showing the locations of various excavations, and pictures of the geological formations there now.

Although there is a lot of potential for over-stimulation, they do have hours designed for guests with sensory needs. You can find those times under the ticketing information.

This was the first exhibit I have seen to incorporate some of the new information on feathers.

I really appreciated that many of the displays had both adults and baby dinosaurs, making everything cuter.

Although we did not do it, the current Empirical Theater offering is Dinosaurs of Antarctica, which can make a nice pairing.

Dinosaurs Revealed is at OMSI through Labor Day, so in a little over two months...

...it will be extinct.

https://omsi.edu/dinosaurs-revealed

Candy Tyme at Clackamas Town Center

 Of course, Clackamas Town Center is actually in Happy Valley.

For a blog that focuses on places to go, a candy shop with multiple locations may seem like an odd choice. My sister really wanted to do it, and also, they are disappearing.

In the past, every mall had one, though the names were different. Fuzziwig's and Sweet Factory still exist, but not locally. Lolli and Pops has some crossover, but is pricier (and snootier).

So it seems worth appreciating that there is still a place in the Portland Metro area where you can fill a plastic bag with bulk candy while also finding interesting other sweets and toys nearby.

There have been some changes under the pandemic. They no longer sell bulk chocolate covered orange sticks, but you can still get those in the box.

Also, gloves are required now, but that is a good innovation. They should probably keep that one.

We got there early, so everything was clean and full. Actually, it was a little too full in the case of the chocolate covered cookie dough bites; they spilled as I put in the scoop, but no fuss was made.

They are also moving over to a cell phone based loyalty club, which can work through an app but does not need to. This may be preferable to having a wallet full of little cards with punch holes.

I know the phrase is "kid in a candy store", but the increased buying power and sovereignty that sometimes comes with adulthood can increase your good time in a candy store.

https://www.candytyme.com/

https://www.clackamastowncenter.com/en.html

Seaside, Oregon: Fultano's Pizza

We recently stopped for lunch at Fultano's Pizza in Seaside, Oregon.

Although it is its own entity, Fultano's is conveniently adjacent to the Funland Arcade.

That demographic may be a factor in their fast service. Wait times were not long and the food was good.

Prices were about what you would expect for a coastal resort town: not bad, but probably a little higher than you would pay inland.

Masks were still being required, and drinks are bottled instead of from a fountain. Tables are spaced apart, but another nice feature was that the window panels can open up, allowing for greater air circulation.

Staff was friendly and helpful, answering our questions and offering us some free samples.

We would go again.

https://www.fultanos.com/seaside-fultano-s.html

Portland, Oregon: Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

It took four attempts to make it to the Rhododendron Garden. 

There were definitely many rhododendrons, and many still in bloom, though some of the blossoms are starting to die. 

Obviously there are many other plants there. The garden refers to year-round beauty, which I am sure is true, but also mentions a more specific blooming period that covers January through early June.

There is a $5 admission that I think is very reasonable.

Currently groups are limited to no more than twelve people, and social distancing and masks are recommended, though not enforced.

Of course, it is outdoors. I would like to think that everyone I saw not wearing a mask was vaccinated, but I also saw a couple feeding geese right in front of a sign saying not to feed the animals, so I do not have complete confidence.

I did really appreciate this sign going over some of the birds. I had not seen any red-winged blackbirds, but I knew I was hearing them; this felt vindicating.

Regarding accessibility, while there are some steps, they can be avoided. Even when the paths are unpaved they are very smooth. However, there is often some steepness. One group overlapping with me had to leave one member behind for some areas.

The bigger issue for me was getting to the site in the first place. The previous three attempts -- occurring months apart, one during the off-season, were all thwarted by a lack of available parking. This may be helpful in keeping the garden from being overrun, but does not feel welcoming.

I got around that by using public transportation, but even the closest stops are some distance away, with buses having limited service and following oddly winding routes.

Across from Reed College, the garden is right in the middle of a large golf course. I can't help feeling that some of the limits to access are deliberate, as a way of keeping out the riffraff.

I got there anyway, but I'm stubborn. As it was, the lack of convenient transit kept me in the area longer, but it probably has some success as a deterrent. It's Lake Oswego all over again.

The gardens are pretty, but not spectacular, and require more effort than they should. I was delighted by some ducks and a squirrel, but I can see those lots of other places. And, there are other places to see rhododendrons.

Because of that, I cannot recommend.

https://www.crystalspringsgardenpdx.org/