Skip to main content

Featured

The Garden Awakens

Anise 'Woodland Red' ( Illicium floridanum ) A few weeks ago, I thought spring would never arrive, but now the change is astonishing. The nights are still cold (40s and sometimes even 30s) so planting tender annuals and vegetables is unwise although I have already succumbed, but covering and uncovering things gets old quickly. Someone made a wise comment last week and I must agree with them - "Don't plant anything tender until after May 1". Several plants are blooming like never before. One is the Anise shrub (above and below). I don't know if the recent tree pruning, which is allowing more sun into the woodland path, is affecting it or perhaps it is just age, but I've never seen so many blooms. Michael refers to this as "the stinky fish shrub" and I have to admit to smell of the flowers is quite unpleasant. It is so beautiful that I can overlook that. The old pink dogwood tree, which was already here, shades our woodland path and it too is prett
Post a Comment
Read more

Visiting Mt. Hood



A highlight of any day here is catching a glimpse of Mt. Hood in the distance. It is easy to see from various locations, including on my way to work. The thing is you can't always see it because of clouds or hazy days. But when you can, wow! It is especially beautiful with the evening sun illuminating it.

The drive to see it up close is about 90 minutes away. A few days ago, I finally visited it with Rebecca, McKenzie and Rebecca's father, who is visiting from Alabama. It was a hot day but as we approached the mountain, the temperature started falling rapidly. We could see the indicator changing inside our car as we drove up the mountain.


Much of the snow had melted. Rebecca said that it was way down on the slope the last time she saw it, which was earlier in the year. I have to confess that it does not look as imposing up close as it does from home.


The opposite view captures a glimpse of another volcano. I do not know the name of this one.


The trees were spectacular!

 
Timberline Lodge is located at the base of the Mt. Hood. It was built during the Depression. You can see aerial shots of it in the opening credits in "The Shining".

The interior lobby. I would love to stay a night here. I hear they have fireplaces in the rooms!
A staircase and walls with elaborate carvings.
McKenzie standing next to one of the front doors.

 I am looking forward to seeing it again in the winter. Also on my list is Mt. St. Helens, which is also easily seen from Vancouver.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Email Post

Comments

  1. Lisa at GreenbowAugust 28, 2016 at 4:43 AM

    What gorgeous scenery. Well worth the drive. I would like to spend a few nights in the Lodge. The front door is huge.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AaronAugust 28, 2016 at 1:06 PM

    Beautiful. I fondly recall a visit I had the chance to make once to Mt. Hood through the Columbia Gorge. Is that the route you took?

    If you haven't done it yet, I highly recommend visiting Trillium Lake to see the view of the mountain from there... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trillium_Lake

    ReplyDelete
  3. RobinLAugust 28, 2016 at 7:01 PM

    Wow Philip, these mountain photos are particularly gorgeous! The skies are so blue, the very definition of sapphire!

    ReplyDelete
  4. debsgardenSeptember 4, 2016 at 7:12 PM

    Wow! Some years ago on a visit to Mt Hood with my family, I took a photo of the exact view as the one you show, the fourth one down from the top. I'm not positive, but I think that volcano in the distance is Mt. Jefferson. I more recently went to Mt.St.Helens. It was an unforgettable and exceptionally moving tour.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts