Saturday

July 9, 2016

Destination: TILLAMOOK FOREST CENTER, Oregon

Yesterday a friend texted me in the morning suggesting that we should try the 'Pokémon Go' app. I was totally clueless and wasn't aware that it's been all the rage this past week. So I went ahead and downloaded the app and left it up to Evan and Scott to go figure it out. Evan immediately wanted to test it out right after he was done with breakfast. He even changed into his favorite Pokémon t-shirt (he has a collection of them thanks to Grandma) and stuffed Pikachu into his backpack & headed outside to try out the app.

After a good half hour we decided to head to the Tillamook forest area for an adventure. I told Evan that perhaps he could go find Pokémons in the forest. It was a lie (I know, I know, mean mommy) because I knew that there wasn't any cell service out there. Evan was only too happy to hop into his seat and we were on our merry way.

Evan snoozed along the way.

The hubby...always happy to drive us around on our adventures.

I'm always happy to sit back and enjoy the views along the way.

We decided to stop at the Tillamook Forest Center for our adventure. We've been there before for a short visit and didn't spend much time there to really enjoy and appreciate the place. It's such an awesome nature center. 

Before wandering around Evan got our Nature Passports stamped.

We then walked around a bit and then attended 2 of their programs. The first was 'Killer Birds'...all about the birds of prey of Oregon.

Scott got to volunteer (because Evan was too shy to do so) as a Great Blue Heron.

​Evan used his little flashlight to examine owls' talons.

I was very interested in the programs but I couldn't help looking up, every once in a while, to admire the ceiling. Pretty neat.

After the end of the 'Killer Birds' program, Evan wanted to head outside to hike along the trails to look for Pokémons only to end up disappointed. No cell service. He pouted for a little while but then was back to his normal self after we promised to stop at another park after we were done at the forest center.

It started to rain so we headed back inside and waiting until the next program started. 'Nature's Yucky!' based on the book 'Nature's Yucky: Gross stuff that helps nature work' by Lee Ann Sandstorm & Karen Shragg, and illustrated by Constance Rummel Begum. We were the only ones there but the ranger still went ahead and conducted the program for us. Another fun program & such a great book.

After we were done with the program we headed out to climb the replica fire lookout tower. Evan got to hold Smokey's hand.

We then headed to the next park as promised. Fortunately the app's server was down and so Evan couldn't use it. He was fine with it and just played in the park. Mommy then surprised him with a bag of cool rocks from the Tillamook Forest Center. I was feeling a little bad for tricking him earlier in the morning. This was my peace offering to him and my little way for supporting the center. Evan was thrilled to get more rocks for his growing collection (Grandma helped him start one 3 years ago).

It was a fun and educational trip. Evan ended his day playing with Yoda and our little neighbor. Yoda loves popping bubbles and so does Evan. Bubbles are always a fun way to end the day.

You can find all of our photos from this adventure HERE.