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Visiting the capital of Oregon...yes it's Salem not Portland

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One of the funnest things to me, being from Oregon, is to tell people where I was raised.  I loved Oregon and it holds a piece of my heart.  In describing where my (then small) town was located, I would reference its proximity to Salem or the coast, with which frequently was followed by a very puzzled look on peoples faces. "Oh,..." I would then pipe in, "about an hour from Portland," and lights would begin to come in their eyes.  So funny to me.  I wanted my children to know the State Capital and have a memory to hold it when the ensuing years of memorizing State capitals commences.  It may be an extra point on a quiz someday.  Here's to hoping.

                                   (We ate lunch and snapped a few pics outside)

We spent our Utah Pioneer Day (the 24th iof July) at the Oregon State Capital where another group of pioneers was remembered and depicted.  The gold statue is no one in particular, but a representation of the hard work and fortitude of the Oregon pioneers.  You remember playing that old computer game "Oregon Trail"?  Well, an entire long section of time in fourth grade was dedicated to the constructing and forming and planning of our own individual pioneer treks to Oregon.  I have to say it was one of the funnest things I did in school.  It combined my artisitc side (I made paper dolls and a 3d version of a wagon with all the barrels and everything), my adventurous side, and my organizing and planning side. I loved making sure we had enough wheat and sugar and variety of food to survive the tough terrain of the trails.  I though of these things as we viewed the murals and the pictures inside while hearing the stories from the tour guides.  

Abby and I thought this quote was interesting.  Righteousness is not usually used in politics.

                 (Grandpa and Lucy behind the Governors desk)

So you vote:  Behind a desk.....

...Or behind the pulpit.  I think the pulpit is a better fit.


We even climbed the stairs to the top of the building, something I hadn't done since I was in school.  

At the Top.  McMinnville over the hill from us.  Pioneer Man below.


State Song

Mark O. Hatfield of Oregon was being remembered.  He was one of Oregon's few Republican representatives.

The Star Trees



We spent time learning new things with my dad and his wife and then headed off to play at the Salem Riverfront carousel.  I always think of Mary Poppins when they ride the carousel and have a horse race.  That was so fun!  I love carousels, but four times around made me a little woozy (guess I'm not a kids anymore).  We saw the workshop where they carved the horses.  The steps from conception to fruition were displayed and we enjoyed seeing that part if the process.  All and all a good day and a fun memory of the State where I was raised.  





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