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More South Portland Study Weekend Gardens, pt. 2

The last three gardens on last Saturday's tour included a large shade garden, a tropical oasis and an Asian-inspired retreat. First, the Hilderbrand garden in Oregon City. This garden is set in a grove of Douglas Fir trees and has paved pathways that meander through plantings of dogwoods, hydrangeas, viburnums, kalmias and other shade-loving plants.  The garden of Michael Hicks and Megan Big John is a quarter-acre plot in West Linn. This garden is packed with plantings of tropical plants with big beautiful leaves and vibrant pops of color. Helena Wagner's "4 Seasons Garden" is a garden that I have visited in the past. It features an Asian-inspired theme with beautifully placed plants, with nice colors and contrasts. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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A New Year and a Morning Walk at Burnt Bridge Creek Trail



2024 has arrived and it was such an unusually sunny day. Just gorgeous! I stopped making resolutions years ago but one thing I want to do (I'm not calling it a resolution) is to do more walking. I've been walking around the neighborhood for the past few weeks but decided to try a nearby trail and so happy I discovered it. 

Burnt Bridge Creek Trail is only 1/2 mile from our house. I've passed by the entrance a million times and never realized how beautiful and extensive it is. The trail actually stretches about 8 miles, all the way over to the east side of Vancouver with breaks along the way. I walked the first trek, which ends on Hazel Dell Avenue with a total distance of 1.5 miles. Turning back made a total of 3 miles so I felt pretty good with myself.


The trail is fascinating because there are a number of varying characteristics along the route. It starts out at the Fruit Valley Road entrance where there is a boggy area that is populated with ducks.

The paved trail leads eastward through trees, rocks and ferns. There is something to see even this time of year. I imagine it is even more beautiful in spring and summer.






An open meadow-like area has a number of newly done island beds that looks to be planted with native plants.




About half-way down the trail, there are bridges and a small creek.


Also, some interesting touches along the way -





You can find more information on the Burnt Bridge Creek Trail on the following websites:




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Barbara H.January 3, 2024 at 8:13 AM

    That looks like a wonderful place to walk!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kris PetersonJanuary 3, 2024 at 11:51 AM

    I can't imagine a better place to walk, Phillip! I usually do 2 loops of my neighborhood but that gets dull. There are a couple of trails nearby but they don't hold a candle to yours. Happy new year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2024 at 12:48 PM

      I know what you mean. I like to have different scenery.

      Delete
  3. https://tzgarden.blogspot.com/January 3, 2024 at 12:25 PM

    Such a great place for daily walks, what a find! It will be fun to see what it looks like in the spring.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 3, 2024 at 5:19 PM

    There is a lot to see in this nice walk. Keep up the good walk. You will be ready to work hard in the garden this summer.

    ReplyDelete
  5. RobinLJanuary 3, 2024 at 5:53 PM

    Looks like a really lovely spot for a walk. I don’t do resolutions either, but I do sometimes use a nudge word. Sounds like your 2024 nudge word is simply WALK!

    ReplyDelete
  6. RobinLJanuary 3, 2024 at 5:56 PM

    What a lovely place to walk! I don’t do resolutions either, but sometimes I use a nudge word instead. Sounds like your 2024 nudge word is simply WALK!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2024 at 8:28 AM

    Excellent walking trail for you to explore. I love snapping photos of nature as I walk: its very satisfying. Once the seasons change, so will your surroundings on the walk. There's always something new to look at.
    Chavli

    ReplyDelete

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