Charles Ames Park

Since we now live right by the Clackamas River, one of our new routines is going for a walk through Charles Ames/Cross Park in Gladstone. It's a really nice place, with a paved trail that runs along the river. There's a pedestrian bridge that goes across the river by High Rocks Park (which is near the Gladstone DMV), and from there, connects with the I-205 bike trail and another trail that's on the other side of the river. It's nice and shady which helps with the summer heat. There's the river to look at, and lots of people fishing along the banks. There's tons of wildlife to look at, and an osprey that has a nest across the river near the defunct train bridge. I usually take Cedar over there at least once a day, sometimes more. He finds the squirrels fascinating, and enjoys picking flowers, and picking up sticks to carry around. When we cross the bridge, it is right by the highway, so he can see lots of big trucks zooming by, which as a two-year-old boy, works for him.