Today was the Rose Parade. Its the grand floral parade for the Portland Rose Festival, which is one of Portland’s many “things”. Michelle is volunteering with Oregon Natural Resource Concil, and today we walked around before the parade and asked people to fill out postcards that will be sent to Sen. Smith and Sen. Wyden. asking them to re-designate Oregon lands as Wilderness. Since the roadless acts from the last adminnistration have had problems, ONRC and other groups have been trying to accomplish this themselves.
It was really hard for me, because I’m quite personal about my beliefs, and avoid forcing them upon strangers on their day off before a parade. I’m glad I went, because I should be more active as an evironmentalist. I’m also glad I went because Michelle filled out the most postcards, and won a $150 gift certificiate to Breitenbush Hot Springs. We get a free night. Cool.
The parade was pretty typical parade, but I really enjoyed being downtown, seeing the people and the buildings. I enjoyed watching the kids playing out in the streets, the people in their chairs, on fire escapes, and in apartment windows. Portland has a beautiful downtown.