We originally wanted to watch a roller derby game, but...
the game was already sold out. Naively I thought that we'd be able to get our tickets that same afternoon but when we arrived at the Hangar (where the bout between the Breakneck Betties and the Guns 'n Rollers would take place).
Oaks Amusement Park's roller rink is the largest rink in the Pacific Northwest.
I was really bummed that we would miss the match. We were looking forward to watching our first roller derby game. We were watching some of the Break Neck Betties older matches on YouTube and were highly amused by the animated announcer who would add in local advertisements.
The parking lot was still slick from that morning's rain. Lots of spaces available at the lot. Did I mention that parking and admission are free. However, if you want to do the rides or roller skate, then of course, there was a fee.
Before heading in, we had a bit of "homemade" lunch in the car. Scrambled eggs, rice (sprinkled with furikake), corn, and fried SPAM. It was really nice having a kitchenette in our hotel suite.
The entrance to the park...
We thought it woudl be fun to have TC stand near the worm.
Rides:
There was an old fashioned carousel, which went a bit too fast for TC's liking...
One of their kiddie rides was a "Lewis & Clark Adventure" fun house. We could hear a little kid screaming with fear from outside. Apparently, as you go into the building, there is a giant bear that pops up and makes growling noises with arms raised like Frankenstein. TC was behind that kid and she felt sorry for him. He came out sobbing. Aw, poor kid.
The park was still getting their booths and rides ready...
As luck would have it, the sun began to came out right when the rides began to open...
Woo hoo!
Icee refreshment...
TC also did the bumpercars and few more dizzy type rides that Bert and I can't handle.
Pretty pansies...
and hyacinths...
Before we left, we went to the roller skating rink which is at the far end of the park.
The rink is huge inside with a separate perimeter around 3/4 of the rink for those who just want to practice skating in a straight line and not out in the big open.
Our awesome skates...
Here's Bert along one of the side corridors. Some of the runways were "bumpy", so that was a bit interesting skating over those gentle bumps.
We had so much "old school" fun at the rink, although my legs and ankles were aching later that evening. I'm so rusty!
Crossing yet another bridge...
Of course, once we left, it started to rain again...
Oaks Amusement Park
7805 SE Oaks Park Way
Portland, OR 97202
(503) 233-5777
oakspark.com
Our next stop would be dinner somewhere in the SE at a place we'd passed by many times that we finally decided to try it...
2 comments:
I so miss roller skating; there used to be a place near home in Detroit which burned down. Inline skates are scary. The Amusement Park looks so...calm and still fun, unlike all the 'modern' rides with height and speed.
hi cathy - in cv, there used to be roller skate land! that was a fun place to go back in the days!
yes, oaks amusement park is very old school. the rides are not super fast or tall, as you noted. i imagine in summertime, the place gets packed.
from what i've read, the park was at the end of a streetcar line and was a place that people could spend time before going to their next destination. the park was built to coincide with the city's 1905 Lewis & Clark Centennial Expo.
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