Portland, Oregon Gardens

We headed to Woodburn, Oregon on May 23d and stayed at the Portland-Woodburn RV Park. It was difficult to find a park within 40 miles of the Portland OR/Vancouver WA area that would allow us in with Barkley. One or two places in the first half of our journey wouldn't allow certain breeds, but this was our first experience with park after park after park turning away our business. It's sad that the idiots among us who abuse pit bulls ruin the lives of so many of these wonderful dogs. At times, they also negatively effect the rest of these loving dogs and their human companions. We really appreciate the parks (and their insurers) that don't allow "aggressive dogs" - of any size or breed. It might take a little more effort than blanket breed bans, but it is the fair thing to do.


Like San Francisco and Berkeley, Portland has beautiful public gardens which are taken care of by dedicated city workers and volunteers. The Portland Rose Garden is located in Washington Park, which is also home to the Portland Japanese Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, the Oregon Zoo, museums, and tennis courts. While the histories we found of the Portland Rose Garden are a bit conflicting, it seems safe to say that the garden began in 1917 with the International Test Garden, which accepted and cared for many roses from Europe when rosarians feared they'd be destroyed in the bombings of World War I. May 24th was a drizzly day, but we managed to take some pictures between the drops at the Portland Rose Garden.


Roses and rhododendrons:


Diana Princess of Wales:


Apricot Candy:


A little cutie admiring the azaleas:


Easy Does It :




Mayflower:


Heritage:


Garden Sun:


Yellow Brick Road (with spider):




The Portland Japanese Garden is a lovely place to stroll and enjoy quiet beauty.














On May 25th, we went to Aurora, a small town that is a National Historic District. We enjoyed several antique shops and a combination antique shop/cafe with savory panini and rich Italian gelato. A shop-keeper at Time After Time recommended that we visit the Heirloom Roses Gardens just a few miles away in St. Paul, and we were so glad she did! As it turns out, Karen had bought many of our own antique roses from Heirloom Roses almost 10 years ago. We didn't get as many photos as we wanted, because the steady drizzle became a steady downpour, but the gardens were so special that we left only after we were completely soaked.

Lavender Lassie:


Great North Eastern Rose:


Honor Elizabeth:


Rosemary Harkness (has a wonderful citrus fragrance):


Pristine:


Unidentified:


Rosy Floorshow (a gorgeous velvety crimson):


Kateryna (a lovely, clear pink):


Louise Clements:




Eden:


Rose de Rescht:


Symphony:


William Lobb:


Constance Sprye, with blooms so big, the low ones lie on the ground:

The Central Oregon Coast

We made our way to the Oregon coast on May 20th. It rained most of the time we were on the coast, and if it wasn't raining, it was misty, overcast and foggy. A bridge over the Umpqua River, seen from OR-38:


Our first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean in Oregon:


As in northern California, bikes are welcome along Oregon's coast.


Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park is located on the Pacific Ocean with its camping area on the east side of US-101. We had a wonderful spot in the mossy woods, just a short distance from the 1/2-mile trail leading to the ocean. Trees lined the other side of the narrow lane running through the park, and Bill did some fantastic maneuvering to get us into our site.


A wild rhododendron beside our site:


Steller's Jays and a sweet little chipmunk nearby:








The trail connecting the camping area to the ocean runs through the woods, under US-101, and through mixed evergreens and shrubs - and comes with appropriate warnings.






















Wow! Now that's a rope!








It was cold and windy. Barkley's ears are actually blowing in this picture.




Florence, Oregon is located about 14 miles south of Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park on US-101 and the Siuslaw River. We enjoyed the riverside carnival, which was part of the town's 103d annual Rhododendren Festival.




A covered wagon pulled by a bike:


Heceta Head Lighthouse is just south of Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park. It is a State Scenic Viewpoint with a beautiful beach and trails leading to the lighthouse. Cape Creek Bridge and the beach below the lighthouse:










Small caves along the edge of the beach:










Karen was mesmerized watching a large barnacle move in its protective "sleeve." Barnacles, mussels, and some type of snail on the large rocks on the beach:


Something like Spanish moss in the trees:




Dune Tansy on the hill between the beach and the lighthouse:


False Lily of the Valley:




Fringe Cups:


Sea Lions Cave is just south of Heceta Head Lighthouse and is billed as the world's largest sea cave. The water continuously crashed on the rocks - and on the sea lions. It's amazing that those swimming in the water aren't thrown against the rocks.




Several sea lions are high on a shelf about a third of the way in on the left:


Heceta Head Lighthouse from Sea Lions Cave:


Darlingtonia State Natural Site is a small day-use area further south on US-101, and is home to the carnivorous California Cobra Lily, also known as Pitcher Plant. The site also boasts inviting mossy woods, peace lilies, and cute little squirrels that we just couldn't quite capture with the camera.






A delicate new fern frond: