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Ten July Favorites

Chaste Tree ( Vitex ) One of the highlights of the year is when the Chaste Tree blooms. It pains me that I don't know the name of it, but I suspect it is 'Shoal Creek' . I failed to record it, and I also do not remember where it came from. We sell a newer variety at Yard N' Garden called 'Flip Side ', which has stunning leaves of olive-green with a purple reverse.  A friend has the pale pink variety, but I don't think it is as pretty as the blue-colored flowers. This little tree is constantly covered with bees.  Catalpa bignoinoides   'Aurea' A large limb died over the winter, leaving a gaping hole. However, it is looking better after Michael raised some of the remaining limbs. It has bloomed profusely this year. Like the vitex, our best view of it is from the windows, where you get an elevated view. Heliopsis helianthoides 'Fire Twister' This perennial is doing much better after I moved it to a better location. I saw it last week in an ope...

Revisiting Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls

Columbia River Gorge, Portland, Oregon  
A major highlight of any visit to Portland would have to be the spectacular Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls, just east of the city. My last trip to Portland was in June of 2013, a much sunnier and warmer trip than our recent visit. To see how it looked then, take a look at my post from last year. This time, the weather was rainy, dreary and very windy. Michael opted to stay in town since he has an aversion to heights so I went along with our friends from Alabama, Paul and Cindy and our tour guide, Rick. 

The wind was powerful along the upper cliffs but by the time we had wound our way down the mountain, it was not so bad below. Several train tracks run alongside the river and meander through the dense forest and cut their way through tunnels under the mountainside. 


Columbia River Gorge, Portland, Oregon

The trip to Multnomah Falls takes you by several other waterfalls that are spectacular in their own right. Multnomah is the biggie though. At 635 feet, it is the tallest waterfall in Oregon. It is widely mentioned that Multnomah is the fourth tallest waterfall in the U.S., but according to the World Waterfall Database, this is not true (there are a lot of larger waterfalls, many of them in the state of Washington. Whatever the statistics, it cannot be denied that Multnomah is a stunning waterfall to see.



Multnomah Falls, Portland, Oregon


Multnomah Falls, Portland, Oregon

Multnomah Falls, Portland, Oregon  


Multnomah Falls, Portland, Oregon

Multnomah Falls, Portland, Oregon



Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Did you hike up to the bridge that goes over the falls? This area is gorgeous.

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    Replies
    1. Lisa, I did not (on either trip) - both times time was short. I would like to do that on a future trip.

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  2. This brings back some wonderful memories. I think seeing it on a cloudy, blustery day is pretty powerful. Such an emotional response to the sense of place.

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  3. So beautiful and peaceful. On a day of such terrible news, this beauty comforts the heart. Thank you.

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  4. I was in Portland about two months AFTER the Fling, and went to Multnomah Falls. We did the six mile hike. Three miles up and three miles down. Six falls to see on the way. It was spectacular.

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  5. The waterfall is spectacular. I looked at your post from last year as well as this one and both are beautiful!

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  6. Absolutely gorgeous! I went to the Portland Fling this summer with my daughter (missed you and Michael!), and while I was touring gardens, she was off with friends. She and a friend visited the Falls one day, and she came back with some stunning photos. I wish we had stayed an extra day so I could have visited this area, too.

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  7. That sightseeing drive was a favorite of mine after the Portland Fling last summer. It's good to see it all again in fall color.

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