Portland with Mt. Hood in the distance.
Portland lies in the Marine west coast climate region, marked by warm, dry summers and rainy but temperate winters. This climate is ideal for growing roses, and for more than a century, Portland has been known as "The City of Roses" with many rose gardens—most prominently the International Rose Test Garden.
This trip we visited Portlands famous and equisite Japanese garden, a vinyard, and Fort Vancouver. It is the neighborhoods that astonish most of all though. Just walk around the block and you see beautiful flowers everywhere!
Several weeks yet before her knee replacement surgery, Mrs.
T hops a ride on the tram to the top of the Japanese garden.
Cousin Roger and Markie lead us on a tour of an Oregon Vineyard.
Somewhat to our surprise this region has a growing wine industry.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, located in Vancouver,
Washington, memorializes Fort Vancouver, the first European outpost in the
Pacific Northwest. The park and its adjacent area includes Vancouver Barracks,
a National Guard post; Vancouver National Historic Reserve, owned by the City
of Vancouver; West Barracks, until recently a US Army post, but now in the
process of becoming a part of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve; Pearson
Field, a pre-World War II airport in the process of restoration; and Officers'
Row, a street of restored army buildings renovated as townhouses and commercial
offices; as well as Fort Vancouver itself with imposing Mt. Hood in the distance...
Here three experienced artillery experts check the readiness
of the forts cannons.
Later, they had dinner at the Grant House on officers row.
Here future General U.S. Grant lived during his 1850's service on the West
Coast. The food was very good and later we met a young woman who was dressed to
take part in a parade commemorating that earlier era.
As you can see we had a "beautiful" time in Oregon. Thanks to Rog & Marky
As you can see we had a "beautiful" time in Oregon. Thanks to Rog & Marky
Oregon is my favorite place (away from frozen or mosquitoe-y Minnesota, of course!)
ReplyDeleteI'd visit any chance I could!
I used to live just down the coast in Coos Bay. Loved a lot of things about the west coast. Hated all the snakes in my garden. It's been years since I've been back there. Bet it's changed a LOT.
ReplyDeleteVegetation and gardens do tend to grow well out that way.
ReplyDeleteI visited the area and north many years ago. It was the many rose bushes that impressed me. The volcano sitting up out there on the landscape was a strange thing for an Iowa prairie land lubber.
ReplyDeleteI am so close to the Canadian border here in Bellingham that Portland seems part of the south! Love your pictures. :-)
ReplyDeleteHow lucky you are to have family there to visit who enjoy showing you around AND don't mind showing up in your blog.
ReplyDeleteThe climate is a true delight for a gardener.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds (and looks) lovely! I have never been to that part of the country, but I'd like to check it out.
ReplyDeleteLovely images, especially of Mt. Hood.
ReplyDeleteHow great to have family tour guides. Loved that stockade shot. I didn't know that about Grant. As a gardener, I would love those conditions.
ReplyDeleteIt sure looks like a wonderful place to visit!
ReplyDeleteI think I would love a visit to Portland.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun trip! One time went went there by train in November when the weather was bad to travel, then we rented a car when we got there...one of the best vacations ever:)
ReplyDeleteThe Willamette Valley has produced some of the world's best Pinot in the last couple decades. The climate has been ideal up to this point, mild winters, sun and rain in measure, for that particular grape. What the future holds, with climate change, is unknown and has the vintners worried.
ReplyDeleteI impressed by Portland nature beauty.Japanese garden are unbelievable!
ReplyDeleteI love Portland. It looks like this was a wonderful trip for you.
ReplyDeleteI just had a call today from a friend who has moved to Portland. She wants me to come visit and your entry has made me want to do just that. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNow you have to watch a few episodes of "Portlandia". It is hilarious. A good cyber friend who has lived there for years is quite upset about the recent popularity of the city. I have never been there, we in the neighborhood, yes. We usually avoided the stress of city driving when possible. Any place loved by Ursula LeGuin must have a special soul.
ReplyDeleteYour photos tell me you and your wife had a good time in Portland. Portland has much to experience as does Oregon as a whole. -- barbara
ReplyDelete