TULIP FESTIVAL TRIP PT. 3a - Portland

     It has been too many years since we got up to Portland where Victor's sister Elaine and her family live.  They are empty-nesters, but most of their kids are close enough to get together often.  It is always so comfortable to be with Jim and Elaine.  Jim has always been my personal Adele fan, mentoring my genealogy enthusiasm and having faith in me.  Elaine is loving her golden years (isn't that a stupid term???) as she sings and tap dances her way thru program after program with a group of other local Seniors.  She won't let us attend the programs personally but we did get to watch a video once after the fact!

Victor and Elaine's sister Pat flew up from Reno for a few days to be with us too and that is always fun for the observer as they argue about their memories and outdo each other with stories of their childhood. 

The tulip part of the trip was to begin here.  Unfortunately the weeks of rain, snow and cooler-than-usual Spring have delayed the bloom time.  Thank goodness there were enough varieties out that the whole purpose of our trip was not thwarted.  We managed to get to the Woodenshoe Tulip Farm with a short break in the rain.   There were dark clouds to the North and dark clouds to the South as we hurried out to see what we could see.  Then the heavens converged and we were pelted with freezing winds and hail for about 30 minutes while we took cover in the Gift Shop  (Hmm...an expensive decision!).    When the elements had spent themselves the temperature returned to a more comfortable 56 degrees and the sun broke out again.  Worth the short drive from Portland to Woodburn to see it all!

The yellow field just after the storm.

The shoes were just sitting there begging for a photo-op!

The wooden shoe tram was at rest, but we got a short ride on the cow tram down to another end of the fields.

Everyone needs to give in to his inner child sometimes!

Why are Victor and Elaine wearing sunglasses???  Good question!

Elaine and Betsy, Pat chose Elsie & we added in our congenial Tram driver

And now just some random shots of the colorful blooms:

So many varieties and colors!

What a wonderful world!