Gardens, gardens, and more gardens!

For those faithful followers of Joyce's "Bates Bulletin", in which she has been so kind as to include updates of my visit and vacation pursuits in Portland, I'm sure it has become obvious to you by now that Joyce and Larry are both the consummate hosts. The roots of their southern hospitality and good upbringing have been shining through like the Portland sunshine in summer. They have graciously gone out of their way to make me feel welcomed and to personally see to it that I see everything that's worth seeing in Portland and in the surrounding area.

One day, however, I managed to convince Joyce to drop me off on my own for a foray into the Portland Japanese Gardens in Washington Park, which I enjoyed immensely. After that I continued my tour of gardens into the "City of Roses'" Rose Gardens (Portland's International Rose Test Gardens).

These days, when possible I prefer to join a guided tour, and I find that you can learn many interesting facts that are often not included in the self guided tour books. Then you can always go back, time allowing, and spend additional time on specific items of interest, or for a better photo-op. That was my approach at the Japanese Gardens which cover approximately 5 acres, with five separate garden styles. Our guide explained that all Japanese gardens incorporate three elements in their design: stone (the bones of the landscape), water (the life giving force), and the interwoven plants (the tapestry that represents the four seasons).



You will notice in some of the photos here that the three elements mentioned might not be literally represented. Note in the "Sand and Stone Garden" how the smooth stones are raked to give the impression of water, or of the sea. This garden is typical of those found in Zen monasteries, where one can sit, and meditate, and the interpretation of its design, or meaning of the garden is intended to be left to the individual who is viewing it.




When the former Ambassador of Japan to the United States visited the Portland Japanese Garden, he declared it to be "the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan." The gardens are intended to impart tranquility to those who visit it, and it did not disappoint. Moving on from the Japanese gardens, I followed a meandering pathway through a cool wooded area which led me to the Rose Gardens. What a departure!



The paths and grassy knolls of the rose gardens were as vibrant with color and scent as they were with the activity and the people milling about in them. I wandered among the roses admiring them, and watched as people arrived with picnic baskets for an evening concert while a Cuban Band began warming up playing a jazzy Salsa rendition. While making my way back to the point where Joyce was to pick me up, I happened upon a wedding party in the park, and I watched as the happy couple departed. Hopefully their day had been as good as mine!



Gardens, gardens, and you say what was the "more"? Well, after having enjoyed the first two gardens, I was dropped off the following day at the (Max) train station, and I made my way through the downtown area getting off at the China Town stop. I went in search of the Portland Classical Chinese Gardens. What I found was the most amazing gardens located in the midst of urban high rise buildings, contained within a wall that encompasses one entire city block. Yet as soon as you step into the gardens you can just as easily picture yourself as having been transported to China, and totally forget about the bustle of the city around you.



Again, I was fortunate enough to time my arrival at the beginning of a guided tour and very much enjoyed hearing of its history. The garden was designed specifically by Suzhou designers from Portland's sister city in China for its current location using traditional garden design principles, practices, and materials to ensure its authenticity. And to think that before it opened it's doors in 2000 it had for the previous 20 years been a parking lot! The five elements of a classical Chinese garden generally include: plants, stone, water, architecture, and poetry. Hopefully my photos were able to capture some of its charm and beauty.





Traveling on by foot I continued my exploration with a bit of a "divergence" from the tranquility of the gardens. It was now time to go in search of Portland's own "VooDoo Doughnut" store. I confess that this stop was made with the thought of impressing my niece, Kimberly. Enough said? I found it a couple of blocks away and was first alerted to it's location by the line of young people standing outside the door stretching the length of a city block... but yes, I did stand in the line long enough to say I had bought a doughnut there. I won't go into detail on the store's menu, (or of the attire of those standing in line with me) but I will say that the guy in front of me ordered a "bacon" doughnut, while most were in search of the "vegan" doughnut. Meanwhile, I settled for a chocolate frosted one, and then moved along.




Next on my list was a stop into Dan & Louis Oyster Bar, which was another block down. My Mom & Dad had raved about the Crab Louis and Oyster Stew they had when they were here, but I was not hungry by this point, so I decided to save that culinary treat for another day, and a new adventure.



After an easy train ride back, I had about an hour left before Joyce was to pick me up, so I sat on a bench outside the train station and read a good book, as I observed the passengers depart. The hour was rush hour and people were streaming off the platform on their way home from work. Most were dressed casually and many were accompanied by their bicycles. I noticed that during the whole hour not one person was dressed in a suit or tie. And I thought again, what a unique city Portland is compared to the rest of the U.S.!