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Swapping Huckleberries

Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album)  Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album) has been an attractive feature along our north-facing foundation since I planted it in 2016. You will have to take my word for it since I cannot locate a photo although I know one exists somewhere in the realm of the Internet or floating on a cloud somewhere.  I did locate a photo of how it looked when it was first planted - It took a few years to fill out but it did so nicely to an attractive mound about 2 feet high by 3 feet wide.  Last year, it started to look bad.  I cut it back but it had not improved and this is how it looked a few weeks ago - I decided to rip it out and plant another huckleberry - this time Vaccinium ovatum , more commonly known as the "Evergreen Huckleberry".  This is a plant that I've wanted for ages and kept putting off getting one because I could not find a good place for it. By most accounts, this is an amazing plant, a native one and excellent for
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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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