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The Gardens of Mien Ruys - a book review

I don't know how I missed her, but I was totally unfamiliar with Mien Ruys. A beautiful new book The Gardens of Mien Ruys details her life and work. Born in the Netherlands in 1904, she was the daughter of Bonne Ruys, who founded Moerheim Nursery in 1888. She grew up in a liberal atmosphere and encouraged to learn and study. She found great comfort in the natural world around her and learned all the plants in her father's nursery at a young age. After leaving school at the age of 19, she knew that she wanted to work in the garden center. The Moerheim Nursery, in addition to selling plants, had an on-site design studio where they published a detailed catalog and sold landscape design plans to customers. It was in the design studio where Ruys first began to work and she was soon encouraged to venture beyond her country and study abroad. Her father's connections helped her secure a traineeship with Wallace & Sons Nursery in Tunbridge Wells in England. There, she met Gertr...
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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
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  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.

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  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

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  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!

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  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.

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