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A visit to Chickadee Gardens

I was excited to finally get to see Chickadee Gardens last week. I have followed Tamara's blog  for years. She and her husband garden on 2 acres in Saint Helens, Oregon.  When you look at the map, it appears that St. Helens is directly across the Columbia River and slightly to the north of us. However, there is no convenient bridge to get over to the Oregon side. You must go north to Ridgefield, Washington (about 30 minutes north of our house) and go across there  or travel through Portland and then go north through Scappoose. Either way, it is about a 45 minute drive. I decided to try the Ridgefield route and I was glad I did. Not only did I not have to contend with Portland traffic (it was Rose Parade weekend), I got to see country on the Oregon side that was new to me.  Tamara used to work at the beautiful Joy Creek Nursery (my favorite, but alas they are now closed) and she now works part-time at Cistus Nursery.  She focuses on native plants and sustainabili...
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Chimney Rock

One last post for the vacation series and then it is back to my own garden. Not really a garden but during our stay in Asheville, we drove to Chimney Rock State Park.  I had always wanted to visit and the last time we were in Asheville (back in the 90s), we had planned to stop there on our way home and they were closed.


Chimney Rock is a dramatic 315 ft. monolith with 75-mile views. The elevator was being worked on so the only way up to the top was climbing a series of newly built steps. There are 419 steps and it takes about 20-30 minutes to get there.

Michael, afraid of heights, stayed below, so I took the journey up alone.


One of my favorite movies, "Last of the Mohicans" was filmed here. Hickory Nut Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, is not visible from Chimney Rock but you can hike to it. Since I didn't want to keep Michael waiting too long, I didn't make the trip to the waterfall.


On the way up

Almost there
Atop the rock - that is Lake Lure in the distance.
Far down below you can see the road we took to get here
A dramatic view looking toward Asheville
Looking back you can see that you can go even farther up the mountain. Note the "Opera Box" on the lower right in the crevice of the rock.
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowJuly 7, 2012 at 11:10 AM

    You are quite the adventurer. This looks like quite a demanding climb. I would love to look out from the opera box. One would feel like some of the natives of yesteryear. Beautiful views.

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  2. Janet, The Queen of SeafordJuly 7, 2012 at 11:53 AM

    You two really made the most of your trip to the Carolinas and Virginia. Just showed Lake Lure pic to my husband...we will have to run up to Chimney Rock in the fall when the temps cool off. Would be a great day trip.

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  3. Casa MariposaJuly 7, 2012 at 2:25 PM

    Wonderful! I've never been and would love to go. The view is so beautiful. The stairs look like a great workout. :o)

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  4. Randy EmmittJuly 7, 2012 at 7:40 PM

    Phillip,

    Never visited this place. Drove by it daily building log cabins nearby. The movie Fire Starter was being filmed when I was driving by, the crews jambed up the road there.

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  5. RoseJuly 8, 2012 at 5:48 AM

    What fantastic views, Phillip! Thank you for sharing them, because it's probably the only way I would get to see them--if my fear of heights didn't keep me from going to the top, all those stairs certainly would have!

    I realized this morning that I hadn't visited in quite awhile; I'm going to come back later when I have more time and see more of your travel photos. What a fantastic vacation the two of you must have had!

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  6. Patrick's GardenJuly 8, 2012 at 8:05 AM

    Glad to uncovered your blog and to see such views. You made me feel like I was there. Last time I was in Asheville I could walk so thee posts are beautiful but a little bittersweet.

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  7. Rosedale GardenJuly 8, 2012 at 7:11 PM

    Thanks for the garden vacation I didn't get to take this year. Love the river picture. If I had climb all those steps, I'd be calling my Orthopedic surgeon to schedule the knee replacement he wants to do. Thanks for the fantastic gardens.

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  8. rebeccaJuly 9, 2012 at 5:01 AM

    Beautiful Phillip. I love Last of the Mohicans. I bet I've seen it 10 times.

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  9. AnonymousJuly 9, 2012 at 7:04 PM

    WOW! Wish I'd had more time to check out Chimney Rock. Great photos and love your traveling diary.

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  10. M AJuly 9, 2012 at 7:05 PM

    not Anonymous! it's me, MA from BOISE.

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  11. SkeeterJuly 11, 2012 at 10:46 AM

    Oh my goodness, to walk all those steps but a reward waiting at the end with beautiful views! The next time we are in Asheville, we must check out this beautiful place. I just hope the elevator is working then.

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  12. SwimrayJuly 12, 2012 at 9:55 AM

    I am out of breath just looking at those steps to climb. I will be in Asheville in September, so now I have somewhere else to go besides the historic district and the Biltmo'.

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  13. CommonweederJuly 13, 2012 at 8:21 AM

    Beautiful view. What drama. Quite a climb though. You earned the view.

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  14. GailJuly 15, 2012 at 5:26 AM

    I love Chimney Rock~thank you for taking me back there!

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  15. Roses, Color, and LightJuly 20, 2012 at 9:47 AM

    What lovely photos and what a gorgeous blog! I'm glad I found you.
    Sandra

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