Greetings team Walkabout!
Brett and Nina here reporting from our Portland scavenger hunt as we simultaneously have some fun and also prepare for our adventure together. This afternoon we took some time to soak in a few of the local sights here in Portland. Our first stop was McMenamins Kennedy school for a relaxing dip in the soaking pool. Formerly an elementary school, you can now book a night in an old classroom, watch a movie in the auditorium (for only $4), or plop yourself in the courtyard soaking pool. We opted for a soak in the sunshine & will likely be found lounging on one of the theater coaches later this week.
We ended our day at Chapman Elementary school to witness the Vaux’s Swifts. These incredible birds roost in the school’s chimney during the month of September during their yearly migration. The Chapman chimney is the largest known roost Vaux’s Swift in the world, holding upwards of 30,000 birds. There were dozens of people gathered on a nearby hillside watching the avian activity, enjoying a picnic, and sledding down the hill. We particularly enjoyed the sledding hill! If you find yourself in Portland in September, make your way Northwest, bring a snack, & a piece of cardboard, & enjoy.
That’s all for now. But don’t worry, there will be much more exploring to report very soon – with all of you. See you in a week!
