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My globetrotting sister-in-law, Kathy, is in town, and her visit provided just the motivation needed to make a trip to the Oregon Garden, finally. Of course it was HOT, because the weather gods must be crazy. Also the phrase that may not be mentioned in Florida politics. So here’s a quick romp through the gardens. Hope you like what you see.

p.s. next time I go back, please let it be fall, so I can enjoy the garden under silvery pacific northwest skies, if that sort of weather ever decides to make its reappearance.

Plant i.d.s are most welcome, because I did not do a thorough job of keep track. Though I used sunscreen, I’d forgotten my hat, so spent most of my time scurrying from one shady spot to another. Irish-girl skin plus hot sun, never a pretty sight.

Water Gardens
wetland garden, complete with Nessie sighting

There was the hungriest koi. We could hear him chomping way before we saw him. He wasn’t the least bit bothered by us, and kept eating the whole time we watched.

a very hungry koi
the very hungry koi

I neglected to get a close up of the gorgeous water lilies, but SIL Kathy was on the job.

photo by world traveler Kathy Helmrich.
photo by world traveler Kathy Helmrich.

A requisite Gunnera keeping company with an unlikely pal, Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum Sango Kaku.

friends: Gunnera chilensis and Japanese Maple.
friends: Gunnera chilensis and Japanese Maple.

A lovely place to grow Equisetum without fear–a gorgeous plant–until it eats the world. We heard a frogs, but didn’t see any, dangit. But I did come upon a decent-sized garter snake. We quickly parted ways.

cat tails and duck weed -- I think...
cattails, equisetum, and duckweed — looking lovely together under the Silverton sun.

I always love to see the scenes other photographers catch. Following are few by my husband, who generally shoots speeding race cars. Apparently he can capture plant life as well. Thanks, Bill.

wetlands, photo by Bill Wagenblatt
wetlands, photo by Bill Wagenblatt

I don’t remember this particular view, but Bill caught the shot.

photo by Bill Wagenblatt near the conifer garden.
photo by Bill Wagenblatt near the conifer garden.

And now in no particular order, more sights around the garden.

the Sensory Garden
the Sensory Garden

The fountain made me happy, but I was torn between enjoying the water spray and the fireball in the heavens above.

Patricia bonding with the fountain, photo by Bill Wagenblatt.
Me bonding with the fountain, photo by Bill Wagenblatt.

Loved this little Pine. Pinus sylvestris ‘Green Penguin’. We need to get one on plant lust. Slow grower, 2-3″ per year. Even the name is adorable.

the little pine that could: Pinus sylvestris 'Green Penguin'
the little pine that could: Pinus sylvestris ‘Green Penguin’

After the gardens–we did a quick trip to Silver Creeks Falls–where it was also hot. I curse you, weather gods–volt, watt, and amp. But it was beautiful, and gave the illusion of cool.

This calm looking little stream becomes the ferocious South Falls.

top of South Fall
top of South Falls

There’s Bill capturing another good shot.

sweet looking stream, but don't float along here
sweet looking stream, but don’t float along here

Here’s what Bill saw from his vantage.

Bill's view of Silver Creek from the bridge
view of Silver Creek from the bridge, photo by Bill Wagenblatt

I’ve a wee tendency to imagine catastrophe before I note the beauty.

top of South Fall. my mind goes immediately to catastrophe.
top of South Falls aka catastrophe peak

Next, we walked under the South Falls. Fairly alarmed here.

anticipating earthquake
anticipating earthquake
South Falls at Silver Creek State Park
South Falls top
South Falls
South Falls bottom

And, tada, back alive.

intrepid photographers, Bill and Kathy
intrepid photographers, Bill and Kathy

Everyone got home safely, just like I expected. No worries here. Heh, heh.

Cheers