Portland Japanese Garden

      
           Timeless Tranquility

The Portland Japanese Garden is minutes from our home, and we try to visit the lovely site as often as possible.
The five acre garden is nestled in the West Hills of Portland, Oregon, inside Washington Park, and offers visitors a natural setting of peace, harmony, and tranquility. It was designed with the aid of a Japanese horticulturist and opened in 1967. If you ever visit the Rose City, it's a site not to miss!


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Columbia River Gorge

Breathtaking Beauty

Last Sunday I spent my Mother's Day in Hood River, Oregon, which is located in the Columbia River Gorge. I've visited this historic site at the Vista House many times; the view of Washington State across the river is something I never get tired of seeing. (The tug-boat pushing the barge was a bonus!)

Wonderful Winter Weather at the Coast

January Sunset

We experienced a glorious evening last weekend at the coast when Mother Nature treated us to a spectacular sunset from Ft. Stevens State Park near Astoria, Oregon.
I thought this photo was worth featuring just to show you that not all the weather in the Pacific Northwest is inclement in winter!

Lazy Summer Day

   Deschutes River

As summer begins to wane, I thought I'd feature this photo that was taken in June of this year. The Deschutes River in Central Oregon is a major tributary of the Columbia River and is famous for white water rafting and for great fishing.

  

Beautiful Pastoral Setting

    Helvetia Hills

In the Tualatin Valley northwest of Portland, Oregon sits the community of Helvetia. It was named by Swiss immigrants who settled there in the nineteenth century. This area is famous for agriculture, wineries, and for just being utterly beautiful!

A Sunlit Summer Day

  Poetry in the Wild

Finding peace in a remote and remarkable site is probably my most favorite thing to do...besides writing about it! This is another shot of the Salmon River on Mt. Hood in the Cascade Range of Oregon. A memory was made that day with my sweet husband as he used his oil paints to record this site.

National Wild and Scenic River

  The Salmon River

At 33.9 miles long, the Salmon River drains a portion of Mt. Hood in Oregon's Cascade Range. Its entire length is protected as a "National Wild and Scenic River," the only such river in the contiguous 48 states of the U.S. Spending time near it is one of my favorite things to do!

Wildwood Recreation Site

Delightful Dragonfly

Earlier this week I spent time at  a writing retreat with my critique partner on Mt. Hood. We took a break from writing and spent part of a day on a nature walk at the Wildwood Recreation Site. It is a natural habitat for numerous species of fish, birds, and other wildlife...including this dragonfly!

The Three Sisters

   Volcanic Peaks

The Three Sisters are three volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range in Oregon. Recently we were in Central Oregon and stopped to photograph the beautiful scene. The sheep and cattle in the foreground seemed to give a pastoral feeling to the composition.

A Sunday in the Garden

        Portland Japanese Garden

Since our son is home for a few weeks before he moves to the East Coast, we are attempting to visit some of our favorite local sites with him before he leaves. Last Sunday we visited the Japanese Garden in Portland, Oregon. I snapped this photograph in an inconspicuous corner of the gardens. There were lovely scenes everywhere we looked. If you have the chance to visit the Pacific Northwest, take the time to see the Portland Japanese Garden - it would definitely be worth your time!

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Just Swimming Along

  
    Mallard Duck

I spotted this friendly fowl a few weeks back at Mirror Pond in Bend, Oregon. I liked the way the light reflected upon the water while the duck seemed to glide across the pond. However, I know his little webbed feet were paddling a mile a minute!

The Emblem of Bend, Oregon

   Mirror Pond

Flanked by numerous parks, beautiful Mirror Pond is truly the "emblem" of Bend, Oregon.
Bend is known for being a favorite Northwest snow-skiing hub in the winter. However, in the summer, hikers, rock climbers, and beer enthusiasts flock to this chic and artistic town.

The Deschutes River

    Bend, Oregon

After two weeks of near constant rain we left our home in Washington State for a weekend visit to Bend, Oregon. This is the view we enjoyed of the Deschutes River on Friday. Central Oregon is known for its high number of sunny days, as well as its low amount of rainfall.

The Mouth of the Columbia River

Taken from Astoria , Oregon. (Washington State in the distance.)

       Astoria, Oregon

Last weekend we had the opportunity to visit the Oregon coast. In the distance you can see not only a large ship, but the Astoria-Megler Bridge. The bridge spans the entire mouth of the Columbia River; it is 4.1 miles long, making it the longest continuous truss bridge in North America.

The Beauty of Mirror Pond

Bend, Oregon

Mirror Pond is an impoundment of the Deschutes River, forming a small urban lake in Bend, Oregon. Recently, my husband - Michael Lindstrom - composed an oil painting of this very sight.

Festival of the Lights

  A Holiday Tradition

Visiting "The Grotto" in Portland, Oregon, is one of our favorite holiday traditions. We happened to be there just three days after the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. The mood was somber - but I found it the perfect place to pray. The Festival of the Lights is truly something special.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Honoring Their Lives

   A Path to Peace

May the families and friends of the victims of the recent violence find a path to peace in the days, months, and years ahead. I pray our nation will have the strength of character to make the tough decisions we must face. Let each of us reach out to those in need this holiday season.

Sunshine on Sea Stacks

View from Ecola State Park on the Oregon Coast

     Ecola State Park

Last weekend we were pleasantly surprised to see sunshine on the Oregon Coast.
This is one of the sights seen by Captain William Clark and members of the Corps of Discovery in 1806. They climbed over thick shrubs and trees and were gloriously rewarded.

A Path In Autumn

Aldersgate Retreat Center

    Turner, Oregon

While I attended a recent writers' retreat, I happened upon this leaf-laden path above the retreat center. This beautiful setting is located just minutes east of Salem, Oregon. It was a wonderful way to start my day before the real work began!

Rustic and Rural



Sauvie Island - Oregon

Sauvie Island Farmland

This idyllic farmland is just outside of Portland, Oregon. It is a popular place for families to visit - especially during the harvest season. The entire island is an agricultural hub for the Pacific Northwest.