Belle goes to Crown Point on the Columbia River Gorge.

Today Belle went out to the Columbia River Gorge. Along the way she saw lots of fishermen in boats on the river. She also went to Fort Vancouver. Fort Vancouver was a 19th century fur trading outpost along the Columbia River that served as the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company. The outpost was established in 1824. It was a cold an windy day but the Columbia River Gorge was still pretty. The trips highlight was the view at Crown Point. Crown Point is one of the scenic lookouts along the Historic Columbia River Highway, providing a panoramic view of part of the Columbia River. It stands 733 feet (223 m) above the river and is remains of a lava flow that filled the Columbia River channel 14 million years ago.

Belle in Bridgetown

One of the nicknames of Portland, Oregon is Bridgetown. Today Belle got see and go over some of the bridges that go across the Willamette River in downtown Portland.

Belle rides the tram

People in Portland like to travel in unique, fun ways. The Portland Aerial Tram is one of them. The Tram is made up of two cabins that look like bubbles.The cabins run on cables through the air, back and forth over the city. People ride inside the Tram cabins to get between hospital buildings at the top of the hill, and the bottom of the hill where there are more hospital buildings, apartments, restaurants, as well as buses and streetcars. Many people who work at the hospital with Reed park their cars at the bottom of the hill, and then ride the Tram to get to work. People who ride their bikes to work get to bring their bikes right on the Tram with them! People who need to go see a doctor at the hospital also use to the Tram to get from here to there. More than 6,000 people ride the tram every day! The Tram helps the environment by keeping cars off the road. A one-way trip takes about three minutes. It's fun! Belle started her ride with Reed at the top of the hill, and got great views of Portland. One of the people who helps make the Tram go back and forth gave Belle a sticker that lets everyone know she got to ride the Tram. The Tram was designed and built in Switzerland. It began giving rides to people in December of 2006, and since then, the Tram cabins have gone back and forth a lot! They've traveled a combined 75 thousand miles --- that's equal to almost three trips around the Earth's equator!

Belle goes to a video shoot

Belle went to work with Reed one day, and got to help out on a very cool project! Reed works at a big hospital where many of the doctors make amazing discoveries which help people feel better when they get sick. One of the doctors won an award, and a video crew came to shoot a story about it. Belle helped the crew pick some good spots to set up their cameras and lights. She even gave them a hand in making sure the camera was focused, and everything was ready for their important interview. Belle got to sit in the chair where the doctor would sit, and the crew even wrote her name down on the interview slate!

Flat Belle has her first bike ride

Belle hitched a ride on Uncle Scooter's bike today. She got to see many sights. She went to Suavie Island. It is right outside of Portland, Oregon. It is also one of the last stops that Lewis and Clark made on their journey. Belle got to see lots of duck, geese and cranes at the wildlife reserve. She also saw several hawks and a bald eagle. As she stood on the bridge going onto Sauvie Island she could see three snow covered mountains. Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens. Mt. St. Helens erupted almost 30 years ago.

69 miles was a long ride on a bike!

Belle takes a long flight.

On the way back to Portland, OR Belle flew to New York City! It was just a layover flight but she got to see downtown New York City from the plane. The buildings were very tall!

Belle in Boston

Right after Belle slid through the mail slot in Portland, Oregon she hitched a ride in Uncle Scooter's backpack to Boston, Massachusetts. She wandered around down town Boston checking out the sites. Here she is in in Boston. You can see some of the old building and the bridge at the entrance to the big dig.