New Life, New Coast.

Sun Bears and Waterfalls

We found a perfect solution to Ben's parents' opossum problem (they have one living under their house) -- a Sun Bear. As we witnessed yesterday at the zoo, they look cute and cuddly, but can actually be very ferocious! We were nearly the only kid-less couple there, but had a great time seeing elephants, penguins, and musk oxen.



Today was perfect -- sunny and mid-50s. We drove out to the Columbia River Gorge area, which is simply breathtaking. Just a half-hour from Portland, we couldn't believe the beauty that surrounded us. We drove up to Crown Point, which boasts views of several mountains, along with the Columbia River, and supposedly DT Portland. Here's a pic -- look for the building on the right side -- that's where we parked and oohed and ahhed.



We then drove a little ways down to Multnomah Falls, the second-tallest waterfall in the U.S., and a definite tourist destination! We huffed and puffed as we hiked up to the bridge you'll see in the photo below, and continued about a mile past that. We are SO out of shape, but I'm hoping we'll make hiking a new hobby.



We went to Ethnos again tonight -- the third time! I feel like we're getting to know people, and though I'm just so-so about some parts of the service, I'm starting to really like it. We've been feeling very homesick lately, mostly for Indiana, and I know that having a church home here would help that. I've been thinking lately that I have an acute case of "grass-is-greener" syndrome. When we lived in Indy, we wanted to be anywhere else. When we were in Minnesota, we wanted to move to Portland. And now that we're in Portland, we wish we were in Indiana. Sigh... I know things will get easier. They have to. But until then, we'll soak up the incredible scenery all around us.

posted by Nikki @ 8:59 PM