Category: USA

Discovering a Patchwork of Experiences on the Tualatin Valley Quilt Barn Trail

I followed the Quilt Barn Trail in Tualatin Valley, Oregon, and discovered great places to eat global, drink local, play with Mother Nature and love my stay in a fun and quirky lodge. You do not have to be a quilter to experience and enjoy this destination that is barely 30 minutes west of Portland, OR.

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PhotoPOSTcard: Crimson Clover Over and Over

No, not lavender fields – though Tualatin Valley in Oregon has those also. This field has alternating rows of blooming red clover planted amid rows of new grape vines. The red clover is a natural fertilizer, putting nitrogen back into the soil.  Cover crops such as these also help with water management as well as providing a haven for beneficial insects. Seeing row upon row of grapevines is a common sight in this area. Part of the renowned Willamette wine growing region, Tualaltin Valley boasts over 35 wineries. Looks like this one could be number 36?

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

 

PhotoPOSTcard: Following a Different Oregon Trail

One of the 60 Quilt Barns on the Tualatin Valley Quilt Barn Trail. The Quilt Barn Trail showcases the agricultural and historical heritage in Oregon’s Washington county. Many of the barns on the trail are “Century Barns” which have been in the same family for over 100 years. Each quilt block panel on the trail represents the personal story of the barn’s owners. This Captain’s Star block on the Demmin Farm pays tribute to Captain Lester Demmin who owned this farm after being in command of a nuclear submarine during the cold war. The barn is framed by the farm’s blueberry crop.

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

Photo Inspirations

Photo Location – In early May, the rolling farmland of Oregon’s Tualatin Valley just west of Portland is a tapestry of color.

Farmers plant fields of red clover as part of their crop rotation process. The clover is an organic means of fixing nitrogen in the soil. The plant also has many uses in alternative medicine where it is used for treating such diverse conditions as coughs, menopause and cancer. But while the plant may have practical uses, as I drove around the Tualatin Valley, I just thought the many fields covered in red and green, and shining in the sun, were extremely pretty.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

 

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Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it #redclover #andywarholquote #tualatinvalley

PhotoPOSTcard: The Library Of Congress Great Hall Took My Breath Away

“I cannot live without books” – Thomas Jefferson

When I quickly stepped into the Library of Congress Great Hall for the first time this winter, I was stopped short in my tracks. I expected a dull space with floor to ceiling books, or maybe something like New York city’s Public Library. I did not expect such a bright and subtly colorful space. Despite its grand scale, it has a delicate and airy feel. There is art and color and design everywhere. From the elaborately carved grand staircases, to the many paintings on the walls, to the murals on the ceiling, to the stained glass ceiling, to the mosaic floors. Yet despite the extensive ornamentation, it actually all comes together beautifully in a harmonious and even calming whole.

Next time I will stay longer and sign up for some of the tours.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

 

Washington DC Photography – Inspiring Creativity in Black and White

These are some of my favorite photos from Washington D.C.

Politics in Washington D.C., may be gray at times, but the city photographs beautifully in black and white, especially in winter when there isn’t much natural color anyway. On a recent visit and armed with a new camera lens, I challenged myself to some street photography in Washington, D.C., in black and white.

This story was recognized with an Honorable Mention in the 2018 North American Travel Journalists Association Competition in the  Photography, Photo Essay-Online category.

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