Life is a patchwork of experiences
This was an epic year of travel for me – the best ever. I was very fortunate to be able to go somewhere special each month.
I visited National Parks in the US as well as a few new places in my home country. I had a completely unique experience as a volunteer citizen scientist in Kenya. And my feet touched the soil of South America for the first time. To top it all off, I was totally spoiled on a one of a kind barge cruise on the Burgundy Canal in France. I don’t think any year in travel can get much better.
Continue reading “Reflections from 2019 – An Epic Year of Travel”
A lodge to lodge Rogue River rafting trip in Oregon is an active adventure experience that entertains everyone from ages 10 to 75.
Luxury comes in many forms. There is the obvious five star hotel with concierge service and private infinity pool type of luxury. But for me, experiencing the solitude of pristine, unspoiled wilderness is a more important form of luxury. A lodge to lodge Rogue River rafting trip gave me that experience with the added comfort of sleeping in a bed and hot showers at the end of each day, along with hearty home cooked meals and fine local Oregon wines. Now that is five star luxury indeed.
Continue reading “Rogue Luxury – My Lodge to Lodge Rogue River Rafting Trip Experience”
This was the second quilt I ever attempted – and finished. I called it “Cascade” because the design reminded me of a small waterfall. I thought that my Rogue River rafting trip, with all of the rapids and small waterfalls, was an appropriate spot to photograph it.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
The sister Outdoor Quilt show is one of the most unique quilt shows you can attend. For one day only, the buildings in the Town of Sisters, Oregon act as a backdrop for 1400 quilts. This is a unique gallery showcasing amazing art and craftsmanship in a beautiful setting. I am sharing my tips on how to visit and get the most out of a Sisters Outdoor Quilt show experience.
The sun is shining. A soft breeze keeps the temperature comfortable. Not far in the distance, the snow capped Three Sisters mountains glow in the early morning light. It is the second Saturday in July in Sisters, Oregon and there is a festival-like atmosphere engulfing this small western town. A week of diverse quilting events and activities have been the prelude to this single day – the day of the Sisters Quilt Show.
2018 was an especially good year for travel. I was fortunate to be able to travel somewhere fun almost every month, both in the US and overseas.
Many of the locations that I visited were new to me, including a new continent-Africa. I also revisited some of my favorite cities-London, Istanbul and Washington D.C. I have written about my experiences for many of these destinations-but some are still sitting in my draft que, waiting to be finished (one of the resolutions for 2019 before I start traveling again).
Photo Location – A tree swallow finds a home in one of the many nest boxes in the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve outside of Hillsboro, Oregon.
Despite being surrounded by busy city streets, the walled Lan Su Chinese Garden is a peaceful oasis in the Old Town Chinatown section of Portland, Oregon. The garden is designed along the lines of a classical Chinese garden found in Suzhou, Portland’s sister city in China. About 90% of the plants in the garden are native to China, though they all came from gardens and nurseries in Oregon. The garden is only the size of a city block, but with its many paths, garden rooms and garden structures, it feels much bigger. Escape here for a few hours of calm and quiet with a cup of tea and almond cookies after a busy day of sightseeing.
Please note that my stay in Portland was hosted by Travel Portland. All content and opinions are my own.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
Photo Location – Portland, Oregon Japanese Garden
This Japanese garden is one of the most authentic I have seen outside of Japan. The garden was designed and built in the years just after WWII, and was intended to provide a visual understanding of Japanese culture and beliefs.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
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Whenever I page through gardening magazines, the gardens that always catch my eye are invariable located in the Pacific Northwest of the US. With a mild climate and good soil, it is not surprising that Washington, Oregon and northern California boast wonderful gardens. I was fortunate to be able to recently explore four of the best Portland gardens in the spring.
Continue reading “A Spring Day in My Favorite Portland Gardens”
Looking out through a blind into the Jackson Bottom Wetlands in Tualatin Valley, OR, as a drake persistently courts a female duck. It’s spring and romance is in the air, even for ducks.
Please note that my visit to the Tualatin Valley Quilt Barn Trail was sponsored by the Washington County Visitor’s Association. All content and opinions are my own.
Thanks for visiting
Rose
