<p>Also since it is still early have them take some good notes because soon all the schools tend to blend together.<br>
Carolyn- we still haven't gotten our Portland trip in. I am still pushing for Lewis and Clark to get on the list but we are running out of time. She has U of Oregon in as a safety so I was hoping to get a trip in early this Dec but it doesn't seem to be happening. It is interesting how they make there judgements. Sometimes to us 2 schools seemed so similar but she had opposite opinions of the 2. Mine is also one who is focused on what she is doing so she does not like to add sightseeing to her college trips. Now she almost always can find time for shopping.
I thought of you today when I was speaking with a friend who has a horse loving D. She had only applied to small LAC with horse programs or good barn facilities nearby. And then out of the blue Nov 1 she changes her thinking and adds 2 large univrsities in Colorado. Just when you think you have them figured out.
For all you horse people. 10 yr old D wants spurs for Hannukah. She rides English. I have looked at some online but how do they attach. ( I am sure that is a silly question to the horse people) thanks</p>
<p>Oh - Mom60 reminded me of something else that we found useful last summer - take a camera and take lots of pictures of each campus. Everything - even the dorms! Then put them in marked envelopes for each school or if you're more organized actual albums. It really helps to look back and see pictures! A plus is it gives mom/dad something to do on the tour so you don't ask all of those embarrassing questions. :)</p>
<p>Mom60 - I keep thinking that my daughter might surprise us and throw in a few larger schools at the last minute too. We'll see. As for the spurs - I'm not sure with English but some WEstern spurs just slip on to the boot (the U back holds on to the foot). I just looked it up for you on the company we order lots of stuff from - apparently the English spurs use straps - here's a link: <a href="http://www.marystack.com/store.asp?cat_idno=17245%5B/url%5D">http://www.marystack.com/store.asp?cat_idno=17245</a></p>
<p>Carolyn,</p>
<p>The Portland downtown is very compact. There is a Fox Tower movie theater with about 10 screens within about 10 or 12 blocks of Powell's. You could easily drop the girls, head over to Powell's and go back for them. There are other theaters too - all within a mile or so. Nordstrom is also downtown, right across from the Fox Tower. If you opt for the one in LO, there is a mall across from that Powell's, on the other side of the freeway.</p>
<p>Oh, and if the girls like bargains, there is a Nordstom Rack downtown too, though it's a bit farther - but only by a few blocks. Most Portland blocks are only 100 feet long- very short and very pedestrian friendly.</p>
<p>Carolyn, also the girls might like to explore NW 23rd street. Lots of funky shops, coffee houses, pizza places, etc.</p>
<p>Hmm, maybe we should change this thread's name to West Coast Planning....</p>
<p>Someone told me that when their son did a college trip involving many schools, he called home and left messages on their voicemail for the parent who didn't go. It helped him keep the various campuses straight, by giving a fresh reaction after seeing each one, and gave the left-at-home parent a better sense than might be possible a few days later, when impressions can start to blend a bit.They saved the ones for the schools he really seemed to like, and when the time came to make decisions, they went back and listened, and could tell a lot about his initial enthusiasm by listening to the voice.</p>
<p>I apprecaite the tip on GPS. I will try to do that.</p>
<p>I will be taking a digital camera and a tape recorder to tape verbal impressions too.</p>
<p>Carolyn- thanks for the link. This horse stuff is all new to us. Of course the horse tops the gift wish list. Followed by her own saddle even if she doesn't have her own horse. The spurs are much more in the affordable price range.
I apologize for going off the topic.</p>
<p>No problem, btw way, I might be able to help with the saddle if you email me privately.</p>
<p>And, mom60, trust me, buying the horse might be the cheapest part of owning the beast!! LOL</p>
<p>Umm, back when I was a fanatic horse-loving 12 year old, I was taught that spurs are unnecessary for a good rider and cruel for a poor rider.... Have you checked with your D's instructor?</p>
<p>My parents got me a partial lease on a horse for a while at about that age--much the cheapest way to "own" a horse. I later leased a horse for about a year when I was 29, then got pregnant and haven't ridden since...</p>
<p>Mom60 - Like Dmd, we got our daughter a partial lease when she was around your daughter's age. It worked out well for several years until the horse had to be retired.
Ask around at the stable where your daughter rides to see if anyone is interested in this type of arrangement. </p>
<p>My daughter's "first boyfriend" as she calls her horse came into our family when she was almost 13 - it's been a love affair for her but something of a pain in the proverbial butt for me --- never ending vet bills (and he's HEALTHY), board and care bills, equipment bills, special feed bills, etc., etc. Worse, there have been times when our daughter hasn't been able to ride him much due to school or other things --- guess who gets the thrill of exercising the beast during those times? </p>
<p>But, in the end, it's been worth every dime and every long cold night spent waiting for her at the barn. I attribute her enormous sense of responsibility, determination, and fiery independence to all those hours she's spent in the saddle. She told me last week that she could write a book on everything she's learned about life and people from horses. Hmmm...maybe there's a college essay in there somewhere. :)</p>
<p>Concerneddad - I'm sorry that we've hi-jacked your original thread and taken it so far afield. </p>
<p>My daughter and her friend have decided that they wouldn't mind skipping Pacific U (More my idea than theirs) and spending the afternoon after our tour of Lewis & Clark in Portland. Daughter has been informed of the necessity of her mother visiting Powell's and will prepare her friend. She likes the idea of them taking in a movie while I go to Powell's. Thanks for all of the suggestions.</p>
<p>YAY! for Carolyn & Powell's.</p>
<p>(would love to hear daughter preparing friend)</p>
<p>Good resolution Carolyn,</p>
<p>would love to hear daughter preparing friend)>></p>
<p>Well, if it's any indication, the first time her friend visited our house I heard her say to my daughter "What does your family DO with all of these books?" Her friend's family lives in one of those huge, immaculate houses in a gated community where there are no books in public view.</p>
<p>Carolyn, in Oregon you may not pump your own gas! D and I gassed up in OR on the way to Evergreen in September. She was totally mortified when the gas pump wouldn't work and the Safeway fuel attendant belatedly rushed over. She was sure everyone else getting gas was laughing at her.</p>
<p>Kinshasa, I would love that! I miss full-serve gas stations!</p>
<p>I don't remember you posting a trip report about Evergreen - what did your daughter think?</p>
<p>Carolyn, my daughter is a sophomore at Evergreen. I have posted impressions of the school on various threads during my time on CC.</p>
<p>Duh. Sorry. Of COURSE YOU HAVE. I had a brain burp of massive proportion. Please forgive me! (I even remember you talking about how much she likes it now.) Yeesh.
(She shrinks off in embarrassment...)</p>
<p>I call it a brain cramp. Sounds better than a senior moment.</p>