Happy New Year!

We didn't have any huge plans for New Year's Eve this year (besides the kids going to the youth dance), but Eric and I knew we wanted to do something together as a family that would be memorable and fun.  That got me to thinking about what I did as a teenager.  I grew up going into downtown Portland with my friends and exploring the city.  We would eat at different restaurants, people watch, go to Saturday's Market, listen to street performers and enjoy the waterfront.  There is no way I would let my kids go do today what I used to do (I often wonder if my Mom and Dad knew what I was doing.  I promise I wasn't trying to hide anything.), but I still wanted them to have fun memories of growing up near a great city like Portland.  That led us to the Stray Boots Company and our urban adventure.

Ankeny Square and the Skidmore Fountain near Saturday's Market

This company puts together interactive walking tours of major cities in the United States.  Portland happens to be one of those cities.  You purchase an adventure option then call a given phone number.  They give you a location and clue to start you on your tour.  Codes and messages are sent to your cell phones.  You then have to send certain information back to the phone number to get the next clue or message.

Tanner and Austin and the entrance to Porland's China Town

McKenna in one of Portland's Historic Hotels that has hosted many of our countries, and others, dignitaries

We were able to learn a lot about the history of Portland and see some grand architecture.  We met a lot of nice people, watched a lot of weird people, ate some great food, saw a street performer or two, went into a few shops that had some really cool stuff and some shops we never would have happened into otherwise.

Austin in his favorite western wear at the Portland Outdoor Store .
I wanted the cute cowgirl boots.

Who needs a saddle when you can ride bare back?

We found some neat books at a used bookstore that still wished Wilson was President.  We learned where to go to find old vinyl records and anything you could want to know about the old music greats, especially the rockers.

Did you know Portland had a chapel of Elvis? Tanner was excited about that.

We found a little sandwich shop called The Peoples' Sandwich that makes its own dic"tater"chips and fries and they are ooh, so good.  The sandwiches looked great too, but we had to leave room for Voodoo Doughnuts...

We had an all out good time.  This was a great way to bring in the new year.   Welcome, 2012!