G is for Grant Park

For the letter G, in blogging through the alphabet, we visited Grant Park in Portland, OR. April discovered this park as she was making a list of things we'd like to check out in Portland. We have a whole backyard of great places to see and do that we just haven't done, so we're checking them off one by one. This was one of those things. I'd heard about this park probably a few years ago, but never thought about it until April mentioned it as part of our Portland to do list. So, we made it part of an afternoon of fun in Portland a few weeks ago.

My boys have not really read the Ramona Quimby books, but I remember reading them as a girl. It was fun to see all the statues, and plaques.

We did however watch the movie "Ramona and Beezus" on the way. I don't know or remember how closely tied to the books this movie is, but it's a cute movie. It was also a quick way for me to introduce to the boys what exactly this sculpture garden was that we were going to visit. I want to read the book now to see how much it follows the book.

Beezus and Ramona ~1955

 Alex wanted to stand with each statue. I am pretty sure this is supposed to be the character Henry.

This is Ramona Quimby...

And finally, Ribsy, the dog...

Ribsy--"People liked Ribsy, and Ribsy liked people. Ribsy was what you might call a well-adjusted dog." ~Ribsy 1964

After we saw the sculptures we played a bit at the playground. The whole park was huge. There were tennis courts, a track, lots of beautiful trees and grass, and much more. These guys just wanted to play. Good thing because we were getting ready to go see a movie at an old theater.

Tire swings are the best!

If you aren't familiar with Beverly Cleary, the author, her books are set in the city of Portland, OR because that is where she grew up. So, it's fun to note that some of the places in the books are real places. For example, Klickitat street, is where the home of Ramona and Beezus lived in the books. Apparently Cleary lived near that street as a child. So, we drove by that street, and snapped a picture of it.

This was a fun little tour of a part of Portland we'd never seen before, and we learned about an author of some very famous children's books.

That wraps up the letter G! I joining other bloggers for abc blogging through the alphabet. Join us if you'd like. We are really on the letter L this week. I am just very behind!