A Dream Trip to Portland, Oregon

I am back from my super visit to Portland, Oregon. I got to travel with a gardening friend named Wanda , and we saw the Japanese Garden, The Rose Test Garden, The Classic Chinese Garden, Ladd's Addition, and Peninsula Garden. What a sight!! But the highlight of the trip was traveling with two friends I met on DG, Anastasia (Mary) and Lenjo (Joann). We got to visit Joann's beautiful farm in Mt. Angel, Oregon and see all her beautiful dahlias in bloom. There could not be anything more beautiful!! What a wonderful thing it is to meet fellow gardeners on DG and then get to go across the country and meet them. I am sharing a picture of the four of us in front on Joann's house. We talked gardening non-stop, and it doesn't get any better than that! I wish all of you could see the Northwest and go to visit Lenjo. It would be a highlight of your life. We're on Joann's front porch. That's me (Linda), Mary, Joann, and Wanda in back.

Here's another great picture of the dahlia fields.

And another of Wanda and Mary in the fields.

You all have to "experience" Linda. She is in Portland, Oregon and never been before. I am driving and have been in downtown Portland 100000000 x in my life. Linda is giving ME directions of how to get where we are going and I am listening because she knows what she is talking about. I guess and drive; maybe this road will get me where I am going or maybe not. Linda not only gives great directions she gives shortcut routes. Maybe some of us could pool $ and set up a Dave's Taxi Service w/ Linda as driver? Her friend Wanda is a darling. And Joann, aka, Lenjo? Beyond words in generosity and graciousness.

Mary was very kind to give me such praise for knowing a few streets. She neglected to say that in my fervent anticipation of coming to Portland, I had been studying street maps for 6 months! lol Mary took us everywhere in Portland and all over the Mt.Angel area looking for nurseries and fun things for gardeners. I couldn't have had a better guide if I'd ordered one. But now that you know what a good guide she it, you all may enlist her help and drive her nuts when you go to Portland. She also went to the Chinese Garden with us, and we saw many beautiful plants and unusual rocks - one of which Mary is standing beside in this picture. I hope all of you get to see this someday.

I was just at the Chinese garden day before yesterday. I added a photo or two on my Oregon album of the interesting rock outside the entry. I think I have one older photo from the interior of the garden that shows the intricate placement of small stones on the floor.

The photos albums have links from within my site starting with the caption of the deer on the home page. Just started the album a short time ago after getting a camera and locating an online image host service that's free of advertising.

Glad you liked your stay out here. This is where I grew up.

I thought Tennessee was very nice also. I recall how green it was driving in on one highway with a steep grade winding around a corner or two.

Just finding this tonight as I have been away from home for a few days. These gals were such a joy to be with. We really enjoyed each other and so wished we could have 'played' longer. Linda, Wanda, and Mary were such sweethearts. I have been so blessed to meet some great DGers. I have not met one that I haven't enjoyed yet. This is such a great 'family' here.

Linda, did you find Heirloom Roses or Ferguson's? I wish I wouldn't have had other plans that evening, I could have personally taken you up there to those two places. Would love to come to TN to see your place before you move away. Mary, what do you say? Feel like a trip next spring? LOL

Joann-it got dark before we got to the heirloom rose place, mainly because we couldn't leave Ferguson's!!
What a gorgeous place-I wanted to hire a semi to bring all the stuff back I wanted. I definitely have to have a Porcelin Vine. What a neat plant!! Of course, since we didn't have time to go to the Heirloom Rose place, we'll have to come back!! I only hope that's in my future. Keep your fingers crossed.

What a great looking bunch! It would be such fun to visit gardens and nurseries with such an enthusiastic group. LInda, love that head of hair you've got! Lenjo, good to see your face.

Thanks Weez-I'm trying to grow my hair out to all gray, and it's taking a while. I colored my hair for 20 years, but now that I'm retired, I have to watch my expenses, and I just decided to let it go gray. Might as well be old all over, right? I'd sure love to come and visit you one summer. Maybe that's something else I'll start dreaming about. We had a ball visiting-I am still in awe of meeting people on the internet who are such lovely people, and getting to visit them all the way across the country. It was a real blessing and something I'll always be grateful for.

You know you're welcome any time! Alaska is a place that will remain in your memory just for the landscape, regardless of the gardens. Some of us are a bit raggedy compared to these ladies you've been visiting with. I didn't see one gravy stain on anyone's shirt! LOL!

I was born a redhead, but the brightness wore off the penny as the years went by. I started coloring it with Nice and Easy to bring out the red, but got curious as to how much gray I had in my hair. I haven't used coloring for several years now, and I have begun to get some gray streaks and wings on the sides. I like the look! I think God begins to lighten our hair as we age so the lines in our faces soften.

I agree with the hair theory, Weez!! It seems to match the rest of me. lol
Don't think we don't have the gravy stains here too. I have to watch myself or I'll go around with clothes filled with holes from briars, and other causualties of yard work and wear them out to town where I would hardily embarass my husband. lol We live in a small town of about 10,000 people and I get by going to Walmart with clean, but old clothes, and that's the way I go. I dressed up to teach school for almost 35 years, and I'll through with high heels and other uncomfortable clothes forever!! I've paid my ritzy clothing dues. I'm still holding out that I'll come that way someday!

Yes, down at the hardware store in the summer, you can see all of us Combat Gardeners standing in line with seed packets, potting soil, etc. Our knees are dirty, our hair is standing on end with a leaf in it, and our fingernails are pretty disgusting. We usually look at one another and swipe our noses with the back of our hands... the official salute of the combat gardener! All you gals ought to clime in a van and drive on up to walk the garden with me!

That would be the most fun ever!! I'm going to have to twist Joann and Mary's arm to go up -Wanda has been to Alaska and all over the world. She'll go anywhere on a minute's notice. We'll start working on it- you know I believe you girls up in Alaska are like me. I refuse to clean up if I'm in the middle of something outside and need something from the gardening store, and I have to come right back to go back to work outside. It is just a waste of time if you're not totally gross - a little dirt on your knees and clothes is a natural for gardeners, right? I heard a woman say on TV one time, that when you're in your 50's most women become invisible to the general public. Sometimes I think that's true, and in the case of gardeners, it's probably not a bad thing. lol

Right you are, Linda. My brother once told me it was nice to be old enough not to be macho any more, and I feel the same thing applies for us ladies. We just don't have to worry about being alluring anymore... what a relief! Wait til June or July, then grab Wanda and make a run up the Alcan Highway. It will give you something to tell your grandkids!

Wow, those dahlia fields are amazing Lenjo - thanks for pointing me in this direction. I didn't know you had that!
and thanks for starting this thread LGW, wonderful to see you all enjoying yourselves :)
What a great time you must have all had! It's just the best when a group of plantaholics get together!