Lecture on J. Harlen Bretz and the Ice Age Flood

This evening I attended a lecture on J. Harlen Bretz and the Ice Age Flood by author and historian John Soennichsen at Museum of the Oregon Territory, 211 Tumwater Drive in Oregon City at 7:00 PM. It was interesting but I did not learn anything new.

Portland Classical Chinese Garden and Old Town

I traveled on MAX light rail from Delta Park to the Rose Quarter where I transferred to the Blue Line. They were stringing the electric wires for the new Green Line so MAX trains were on different routes and buses were shuttling people.

I left MAX at Chinatown and walked two blocks west to the Chinese Garden. I watched the Lion Dance from the Painted Boat in Misty Rain. I had Emperors Gold tea and Five Treasure Come Knocking (a New Years treat) in the Tower of Cosmic Reflections. Afterwards I saw another Lion Dance and then Traditional Chinese Dances.

I went on a walking tour of part of Old Town. While the sun was warm the wind was cold so I left the rest of the Old Town walking tour for another day. I traveled on MAX light rail back to Delta Park where I left my car.

Walking Tour of Chinatown

I rode the MAX light rail to Skidmore Fountain/Burnside. I walked to the Chinatown Gateway at Burnside and NW 4th Avenue to begin my exploration of Chinatown. As I wandered through the streets lined with twin ornamental street lights, painted red and gold, with bilingual street signs in Chinese calligraphy, and Asian Flowering Cherry trees yet to bloom, I felt that Springtime was not far away. I visited the Portland Classical Chinese Garden and took the guided tour. I stopped briefly to watch a Chinese Tea Ceremony in the Hall of Brocade Clouds. I had Emperor’s Gold Tea and Almond Cookies at the tea room in the Tower of Cosmic Reflections. Afterwards I finished my walking tour of Chinatown.