Next stop: Portland, Oregon.
Founded in 1851, Portland, Oregon is located in the Northwestern part of the United States. While many travelers flock to this major city, furrylittlegnome wanted to run for the hills! Downtown Portland, in gnome’s eyes, seemed a little seedy and a throughback to the 1960’s – a time she wasn’t alive in. Barely on the ground, a homeless man wanted to sell her a used set of steak knives for a mere ten dollars. Another man said gnome was the shortest but most adorable thing he had ever seen.
With FLG’s opening lines, one would conclude this trip was disastrous, but if you literally leave downtown, and run for the hills, it truly is another world.
Case in point: Washington Park. Just minutes from downtown Portland is this wonderful playground with 400 acres of trees and a spectuclar view.
The International Rose Test Garden was a highlight even though the roses were not in bloom. It was a tranquil and delightful sight.
Next door was the Japanese Garden.
After the main entrance, furrylittlegnome got to see how a bamboo fence is made!
Unfortunately, gnome did not hang around long enough to see the finished product! She needed to see the Japanese Garden…
Wait, there is more from furrylittlegnome. She has saved the best photo, of this several part series, for last. Within the Japanese Gardens is a spot where you can see downtown Portland. And, behind the skyscrapers is a sight that needs no explanation: Mount Hood!
furrylittlegnome 
Thanks for the follow! Haven’t gotten down to Portland yet – I’m still pretty new to the northwest – and I look forward to seeing the Japanese Gardens.
They are magnificent!
Indeed the best for last. Lovely.
Thanks. It was a gorgeous sight!
I just love japanese gardens! They’re always so beautiful!
They certainly are!
I once grew reed grass, a relative of bamboo. We had fun with that, but then the trees around it cut off the sun…and perhaps we ‘harvested too much’. My one son made Atlatlals (sp?)- a weapon he learned about in High School while studying ancient tribal cultures. Basically a pole weapon that you throw. He got quite good at it too.
Part of me wishes I had stayed to see the finished product, but furrylittlegnome was too busy taking photos of everything else around her!
I hope to make it to Oregon one day 🙂
There is definitely a lot to see! One place furrylittlegnome did not get to was Crater Lake. She hears it is fabulous.
Well guess you’ve got another destination then! 🙂 Was it rainy in Oregon?
It rained every day furrylittlegnome was there. It was not a complete washout, but it did rain off and on throughout the trip. Visiting Mount St Helens, a bit over the border in Washington State, was a bust! Pouring rain and poor visibility ruined that excursion.
Yeah, I’ve heard that about it. Well a bust is still an experience 🙂