4T and a B (Train, Trail, Tram, Trolley, and Bus) Urban Adventure

 Mom: Unforseen events made us cancel our Mt. St. Helens adventure. We were grateful that the student we host at Reed, Annie, was willing to try an in town adventure. We set out for Reed College by bus. Here we are enjoying a tree at Reed. We headed back to the bus stop and then downtown where we would begin our adventure on the 4T Trail.

 Amy: First T- TRAIN. We rode the train to the zoo???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Mom: We made it the Washington Park Max stop and started the second T "Trail" for a 4.5 mile hike up to Counsel Crest and down to the OHSU Tram.

Mom: We enjoyed the fall colors along the way up to Counsel Crest.

 Mom: Up on top we soaked in the mountain views and then headed back down the other side toward OHSU.

 Amy: The trail was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Amy:  The mural was very beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Mom: We hiked up from the Marquam Shelter to the top of the OHSU tram- Third T. Here we are waiting for the tram.

 Amy: The view was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Mom: After the enjoying the tram ride down we hopped on the fourth T- trolley aka streetcar and headed back downtown.

 Amy: Before we went to Kitt's [our housemate that now lives downtown] house, we went to the Chinese garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Mom: The Chinese Garden was so peaceful! I really enjoyed the pond. It was so great that we ran into our friend Kitt and were able to enjoy it with her. She and Annie both gave us some information about the deeper meaning of things in the garden.

 Amy:  It was beautiful too.

 Mom: This seems like a good place for an introvert to sit and reflect. I love this little "secret" alcove.

 Amy: I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Mom: I love seeing the reflection of the Pagoda in the water.

 Amy: The lily pads were pretty.

 Mom: The fish seemed interested in us. We enjoyed watching them swim through this beautiful place. Some were really big and they were in lots of different colors.

 Amy: Our adventure was fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Mom: One of the things I read from the garden guide talks about the "Three Friends of Winter that remind us to persevere. The plum braves the cold of winter to blossom; the pine stays green throughout the cold season; and the bamboo bends in storms, but does not break." This message seemed timely.

Mom: Kitt invited us up to her apartment roof. This is her wonderful view of the city. What a fun day exploring our city! We took the bus back to Reed and back home.