Another Portland Treasure

Before we moved here everyone told us that we had to see the Rose Gardens. I am wondering why no one was telling us about the Rhododendron Gardens. They are so much better. Last week David took another day off work, YEAH, and we went to the temple and then to the Rhododendron Gardens. There are a couple of ponds/lakes throughout the garden and multiple little trails that weave around the park. It is peaceful and not nearly as busy as the Rose Gardens. We didn't get to see all the Rhododendrons in bloom, but it didn't even matter, the rest of the landscape was beautiful.

My pathetic attempt at a photo of us.

There were squirrels all over the place and I was surprised by how close they would let us get to them. It was fun to sit and watch them rummage through the leaves for food and then nibble at the nuts they found.


I love how ducks flip upside down and stick their butts in the air. I guess I'm easily amused, but I had to get a photo of it.



We have added this to our list of places to show our Portland visitors.

Just smelling the roses. Ahhhh.

This weekend we didn't do a whole lot. Friday night we attempted to stop by First Friday in SE Portland which is when a bunch of art galleries stay open late so people can tour through them. Note to self: SE Portland does not know real art. I don't consider drawings of aliens to be art, nor do I consider creepy one-eyed devil looking creatures to be art. Maybe I don't have an eye for it, but come on, really? We could tell from the moment we walked up the street that we were definitely not going to appreciate this type of "art". Let's just say we probably looked like the Clever family compared to the rest of the crowd. In a couple of weeks we'll try the First Friday in a different part of Portland. We'll let you know how it turns out.

Sunday we went with some friends to the Rose Gardens. We have been here a few times because it's free and it's right in the middle of Washington Park. This time of year is the Rose Festival and everything is in bloom. It is beautiful.

(I was told that you have to close your eyes when smelling the roses.)

Unfortunately we did not take a picture of the grossest looking rose I have ever seen. Honestly it was flesh colored and just looking at it along with the names that we were coming up with for it could have made me vomit.