Time for Tea

After the tram, we headed back to Lan Su Chinese Garden. The first time we visted the Chinese Garden was more for the experience of the entire facility. This time we were more focused on the teahouse in the Tower of Cosmic Reflections.

Being late in the afternoon, we also needed lunch, so we ordered some noodles and a tea ceremony. The Tower of Cosmic Reflection is very nicely built, decorated, and furnished. The warm tones of the interior really helped me reach a proper frame of mind.

During our visit, we also had the fortune of hearing an older man play a traditional Chinese instrument, which I believe might be an erhu--quite a scene.



Light and Music Entering the Teahouse


The Musician

An established Portland tea company, Tao of Tea, runs the teahouse. The noodles were surprisingly tasty and filling, and the tea, to no surprise, was very good. We actually shared a more expensive leaf which was brewed in a traditional Chinese ceremony, Gongfu Style, by a server. Timing of the steep is important. Also the tea is not simply poured into the cup, but first poured into a small and slim vessel and then transferred into the tea cup. The first vessel, the snifter, can be then raised to the nose to savor the aroma.



Sandra Enjoys a Moment of Tea

The meal and the tea combined with the atmosphere was a moment, something I can look back and enjoy, something I would like to do again if I return to Portland. Refreshed, we strolled around the garden for a little while before our journey continued.



Lotus and the Late Afternoon Light

Views from the Tram

Tram Car Entering Lower Station

South of downtown along the Willamette rises one of Portland's newest attractions: the Tram. Its history shows where private and public entities can reach agreements which benefit all. Situated on Marquam Hill, the Oregon Health & Science University, a public corporation focused on health care science and care, was looking to expanding its campus. The conclusion reached by the university and Portland was that South Waterfront along the Willamette River would be an excellent choice.



From the Tram, the Air Less-Travelled

However, there was a stumbling block: access between the new buildings on the river and the main campus located miles away on the hill. A study concluded that an aerial tram was the best choice. The ensuing international search led to a Swiss design being selected in 2003. Built in 2006 and opened at the end of that year, the tram allowed quick, convenient access for students, faculty, and staff between the main hilltop campus and the lower riverfront buildings.

Shortly afterwards, it was opened to the public and became a hit for its stunning views of the Portland area.



Mount St. Helens


Downtown Portland

At the top, the tram connects with the main campus at the Kohler Pavillon. From an outside deck, you can get a good view of the surrounding area, which includes Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams.

Here's a good eastern view of the tram, the Willamette River, and, in the background, Mt. Hood.



Facing East

Here's a link to an extra image,
Sandra views Mt. Hood from the deck

On the return trip down to the waterfront, I took a few more photographs. In particular, this view of the main OHSU campus caught my eye and more.



View and Viewer Merge

All I can say is take a ride--it's worth the time.

Images of the Willamette River

While enjoying the triathlon and shortly afterwards, I caught these images of activity on the Willamette River.



Rowing on the Willamette



A Sunday Barge


Fire Boat!

The last scene was a pure surprise to me. Portland operates a fire boat and Sandra and I happened to walk past it as it tested its many water cannons. Even from the shore, you could feel the mists created by the shooting water. Lasting several minutes, the display was quite a blend of sight, sound, and touch--quite a pleasant surprise.

A Triathlon in the Morning

While I'll likely never completely understand the need to drive the body so hard, finishing a triathlon is an accomplishment. The Portland Triathlon on Sunday, August 21 offered both sprint and Olympic distances. Try swimming 1.5 km, cycling 40 km, and running 10 km running, and you have completed the the Olympic distance. Yes, finishing is an accomplishment. Winning it like Jeff Smith, timed at 2:05:11, is extra special.

For Sandra and I, the race was a pleasant surprise. Much like the Cleveland Marathon, the triathlon happened to coincide with a visit. In fact, the finish line was actually along the riverfront across the street from our Portland hotel. Literally, we stepped outside our hotel and viewed parts of the race.



Enduring the Road

No matter which distance or what kind of athletic shape, the racers, both men and women give effort, and that counts for something.



Beginning the Run

A whole lot of something.

Leaving the Garden

Leaving the Rose Garden, Sandra stopped in the gift shop, while I took in the views from Washington Park.



Portland and Mt. Hood

Besides the beauty of the park, a pesky four-legged resident stopped by for a visit. Scurrying right to the edge of people's shoes, this furry mammal was definitely looking for food scraps. While that by itself isn't unusual, the sheer lack of unconcern being REALLY close to people was.



Squirrel

Occassionally, the squirrel would become spooked and quickly dart several feet away, but then it would come right back and check to see if you had dropped something tasty for it to eat. The squirrel was about a foot away from my shoes when I snapped the above photo in the very late afternoon light--something I don't see every day.

The International Rose Test Garden

At the Saturday Market, Sandra and I parted company with Bruce and Jodi. They were continuing their whirlwind tour by heading onward to Seattle the next day, while Sandra and I were going to the see the roses, which the two of them had already seen. It was good to meet a couple focused on seeing the world.

We took public transportation to Washington Park, which is located on the hills on the west side of downtown. The light rail actually cuts through the hill in a tunnel, so our stop was actually several hundred feet below the surface. An elevator ride up later, we stood in the park outside the Portland Zoo. The Saturday transit there was intially a bit confusing. This is a contrast to the other public transportation in Portland, which I felt was quite straight-forward and usable. After finding the stop and bus, we took a winding and interesting ride through the park and surrounding neighborhood.



Stand Alone

Nestled among tall evergreens and with hilltop views, the International Rose Test Garden amazes the eyes. The rose colors pop against the dark green backdrop of the forest.



Shades Together

The interplay of single stalks and clusters alongside hues which range from uniform to complementary shades offer enormous variety. While the title says "Test Garden", the rose garden is a collection of gardens, from award winners to new varieties which are graded over the period of two years for characteristics, such as flower production, vigor, color, and fragrance.



Rows of Roses

In fact, featuring over 8000 rose bushes representing over 600 varieties, the garden is considered an exemplary rose garden in United States and is is testing grounds for both the All-America Rose Selection and American Rose Society. Portland is also the only North American city to award a Best Rose, an distinction sought by thousands of yearly submissions.



A Collection of Roses

The vast majority of my images are available in larger more detailed versions on Imageshack. Particularly for the above image, click and you can better see the texture of the individual roses.



Roses and Fallen Petals

I actually encountered a bit of sensory fatigue. There are so many roses from bushes whose petals gracefully collect on the walkways to those which stand in the foreground of other Oregon landmarks.



Roses Before Mt. Hood

Portland's International Rose Garden really stands out. I actually had to limit the number of photos I took and decided to post, because it would be very easy to post hundreds of beautiful roses. I have uploaded a few more images on Imageshack which you can click to view.

Extra Rose from The International Rose Garden

And Another Rose from The International Rose Garden

If you want to find out more about the garden, you can click Portland Parks & Recreation website and use
the park finder. If you're a lover of beauty, check it out.



One Last Cluster

Lan Su Chinese Garden and Portland Saturday Market

Besides the wonderful architecture and peaceful landscape, the Lan Su Chinese Garden features many events from Chinese puppeteering and concerts to demonstrations on brush painting. A wonderful teahouse, with offerings by the Tao of Tea, a local Portland company, also graces the setting.

We didn't stop for tea on this visit. Instead, we walked and sat, soaking in the atmosphere of the Garden. Instead of writing more, I'll let the images provide the commentary. Notice the arcs of the buildings, which is very different from the straight edges we're accustomed to in the Western architecture.



Water and Form in the Light


Lotus


Bonsai in a Courtyard


Bridging

Even on Saturday with many other visitors, the Lan Su Chinese Garden is a place of tranquility, a place where you can stay for hours and be in a world that is quite different than your normal daily life.

After the garden, the four of us visited the Portland Saturday Market, which is, in the true sense of the word, a market. Founded in 1974 and now with over 400 members, it is the largest continuously operated outdoor market in the United States. From crafts and art to musical instruments and food stands, about the only thing missing is a grocery store. Add live entertainment and the Portland Saturday Market is a hoppping place on Saturdays and Sundays.

Among the artisans, homemade is the defining element, and many of the crafts are very high quality. Sandra was quite impressed with one of the jewelry designers. The kalimbas, an African thumb piano, made by Silver Moon Creations caught my eye and ear. The nice weather was an added treat, though in the afternoon sunshine, the temperatures started to remind me of Nashville minus some humidity. In fact, Portland recorded its first 90 degree day of the summer on the Saturday, so I guess we brought the heat to the city.

If you want to find out more, you can visit the Lan Su Chinese Garden website and look for upcoming events. You can also visit the Portland Saturday Market website and browse through the list of vendors--be forewarned, it's long!

Mid-afternoon and there stiil was more for us to do.

The Start of Saturday in Portland

After the coast trip, Sandra and I met Bruce and Jodi for dinner on Friday night at the Heathman Restaurant. We ate in the lounge of the adjoining namesake hotel and talked past ten o'clock as we enjoyed the ambiance of live music with the food. Then, stretching out our legs, we headed to the Pioneer Square, the focal point of downtown Portland. Here, feeling the effects of the long day (and for me, the effects of the previous night's late arrival), we decided to return to our respective hotels and get a fresh start in the morning.

Sandra hit the Farmer's Market located along Portland State's downtown campus. She bought several local specialities to bring home. Portland's position in the Pacific Northwest makes it a center for fish, shellfish, nuts, and berries with a variety that is not seen in Tennessee. In particular, we were still in berry season, so throughout the trip, I took advantage and sampled the fresh harvest.

Afterwards, Sandra returned, and we joined Bruce and Jodi for breakfast. Full, the four of us were now ready to explore Portland. The first stop was a few minutes at the iconic Powell's Bookstore, a sprawling collection of new and used books which has infilitrated several buildings on and off Burnside, basically dominating an entire city block.

A quick purchase later, we were stepping down Burnside, which is the north-south address divider for Portland.



Sculpture in the Park

While Portland has a definite urban city feel, block-sized parks are scattered throughout, so green space is readily available for people.

You might have noticed the Eastern influence in the sculpture pictured above. Being on the West Coast, Portland has been and still is home to many Chinese and Japanese immigrants and descendants. Not surprisingly, an older section of downtown showcases that history.



Bruce and Jodi Lead Us to Chinatown

While not as busy as Chicago's, Portland's Chinatown has a mix of retail and restaurants. It is also home to something that it sets it apart, the Lan Su Chinese Garden. My next post will spotlight this Portland treasure.

Hitting the Coast, Part Four: Down 101 to Nehalem Bay

After a nice lunch at the Wayfarer Restaurant in Cannon Beach, we rejoined our tour guide Sean and our touring partners, Bruce and Jodi. Driving down Highway 101 (yes, that 101), we followed the coast and slipped through some towns and state parks. Sean stopped at a viewpoint.



Oregon's Pacific Coast

With a fabulous view of the ocean, the towns of Manzanita and Nehalem, and Nehalem Bay, I can easily see why we stopped here. Perched on a cliff several hundred feet above the Pacific Ocean, the vista offers a chance to stretch the legs and absorb the scenery.



Near and Far


A Blossom Against the Ocean

Bruce and Jodi took a moment to snap this photo.



Sandra and I

Afterwards, Sean led us through the towns and then along Nehalem Bay. The bay, formed by the merging of the Nehalem River with the Pacific Ocean, is popular for crabbing. Sean mentioned that he often rents a boat and takes groups onto the water for gathering shellfish, particularly dungeness crab.

We stopped at Kelly's Marina, located right along the highway and the bay. They offer boats for rental, but also have a stock of fresh seafood for a sale. Immediately, you get a feeling being on the coast. Clams and crabs. Salmon. Combine them with the water and the dock and it is a slice of seafood heaven.



The Docks at Kelly's

The group of us, Bruce, Jodi, Sandra, and I, shared steamer clams and a large oyster. I had a beer, Sandra too, while brilliant sun shone. Have good conversation, fresh shellfish, and enjoy the atmosphere. I couldn't script it much better.



Fresh Salmon

The time passed quickly. It was 4:30 when Sean gathered us for the return to Portland. I would recommend our guide and the company. We saw a lot of the coast in a very relaxed manner, no incessant schedule of 15 minutes here, 15 minutes there, with no hassle of driving in an unfamiliar area. Knowledgeable and easy-going, Sean has a passion for the coast, so it was a pleasure to have him as driver and guide. If you want to check out more about the tour company, check out Sea to Summit's website.

Return to the Fair

I'd like to make a brief interruption of the Portland trip posts to mention the Tennessee State Fair. We returned last night (Friday) to take a look around. Besides revisiting several of the animal barns, we saw presentations about beekeeping and country hams and had the opportunity to try samples.

We also wandered to the corner of the fairgrounds that nestles the Volunteer Village and its mix of crafts and performances. Think of axe-throwing crossed with pottery and you'll get an idea of the range of activities. In fact, the offerings by local Nashville potter Tim McKinnery was a find. For the quality of the work, I've seen pieces fetch a much higher price at boutique shops.

Tomorrow, 9/18, is the last day. For incentive, I captured this still from a Flip video--check the size of this winner!



1/2 Ton

Hitting the Coast, Part Three: More from Haystack Rock and the Beach

Gulls Above Haystack Rock

It's not just the imposing face of the Haystack Rock, but also the scores of birds. Among them, it's not merely seagulls but also puffins and other species. Then the ocean, with its tide rolling, signals its presence with a wave crashing against a rock. Further from the ocean along the sand, pools of water remains.



Sea Anemone

And into those pools, people are looking. It's not just Sandra and I but dozens and dozens. You look to them, because wherever a group of people gather, an interesting scene may be enfolding above or below the water's surface.



Starfish

Scattered throughout the pools, a solitary starfish rest on the sand, but then Sandra calls me to look. There on a rock, more than a dozen of the echinoderms cling, huddled together as if they are family.



Starfishes

Belying their elegant appearance, many species of starfish are predators. In fact, Pisaster ochraceus, the common starfish of the U.S. Pacific Coast, feed on mussels and help limit their population in the intertidal zone. Wikipedia has an informative entry on the starfish with an image showing Pisaster ochraceus eating a mussel.



Mussels and Barnacles

The mussels, on the other hand, tend to group in a couple of areas. One locale, in particular, was home to many, who along with the barnacles, formed a complex weave of shape and color. Click on the above snapshot and view the larger image at Imageshack to catch a better look of the detail.



Sea Gull and the Sea

Simply, the visit to Haystack Rock is memorable and worth the trip.

Hitting the Coast, Part Two: Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, and Tidepools

Sandra Approaches Haystack Rock

Sandra admits the monolith is something that draws her back, and yes, Haystack Rock, reaching hundreds of feet up and out of the water, does impress. Formed from lava flows millions of years ago and once part of the coastline, the rock has endured constant erosion from the wind and ocean. While less sturdy materials have disappeared, the harder basalt remains, making Haystack Rock the third tallest intertidal monolith in the world.



The Beach and The Needles

Known as "The Needles", a group of smaller monoliths pierce the ocean's surface just south of Haystack. Add the sand, tide pools, and several species of nesting birds and this beach is one of the most iconic locales in Orgeon.



Starfish

The timing was near perfect as we separated from the others of the tour for a few hours. The tide level was low, so you could walk all the way to Haystack Rock. Nearing the monolith, it was easy to spy the pools that remained, offering everyone a glimpse at the ecosystem of the intertidal region. The mussels, in particular, fascinated me as the rocks and shells of several animals blended to form smaller, yet very complex, formations.



Clinging

In each of the formations, you can see the progression as life builds upon life--barnacles onto mussels. The occassional snail shell appears. In some ways, it's a harsh environment--pounding waves, saltwater, cool air, drying sun. Yet things live and thrive.

It should be no surprise that the area is popular, particularly for tourists. There is a lot to experience along the stretch of Oregon coast. You can walk, ride, soak in the atmosphere of the ocean, find something good to eat in one of the several restaurants in the town of Cannon Beach, and then come back to beach for another look. With the tide always rising or dropping, each new time really is an unique snapshot.



Starfish and the Sand


Sand and Mists of Cannon Beach

Hitting the Coast, Part One: Indian Beach and Ecola Point

There is something to not being behind the wheel, something that allows you to see the other traffic, to cut through forests and see the trees, to watch the land rise and fall, to study the narrow road without the worries of anticipating the oncoming car. It's that something which led us to not rent a car but instead to take a tour to the Pacific Coast.

Sean, our guide with Sea to Summit, picked us at our hotel. Entering the van, we met Bruce and Jodi, a couple from New York, who was also taking the Pacific Coast tour. After an hour or so drive west out of Portland and over the coastal range, we arrived at our first stop in Ecola State Park, Indian Beach.

As the five of us headed down to the sand, the weather proved to be good, near 70 with sun and patches of clouds. Though, particularly at Indian Beach, some fog would occassionally come rolling onshore.



Pacific Fog in the Late Morning

Taking its name from the fact that Indians once had a settlement at a small bluff overlooking the sand, Indian Beach might not be Cannon Beach, but many people frequent the area. Even early on Friday, dozens of people were milling around, not only above on the bluff in the parking lot and the forest trails, but also below on the sand. Several were also in wet suits and carried boards. Our guide Sean, well-acquainted with the local land and water, mentioned that the beach was popular for beginning surfers.

The next shot shows the treeline and a creek which runs down and into the ocean. To the left side of the image is the bluff where the Indian village stood.



Towards the Trees

Here's a closer look of the creek with the sand and the Pacific Ocean in the background.



The Creek, Indian Beach

You'll notice, in the background, some large rock formations in the ocean. The monoliths, as Sandra likes to call them, are common in the area and give this stretch of Oregon coast its own unique flavor.

After several minutes, we headed back to the van and drove to Ecola Point, appropriately named as it juts into the ocean. With several good viewing areas, the point is definitely a good spot to soak up the smells, the sounds, and the sights. It can definitely put a smile on someone's face.



Sandra at the Point

From Ecola Point, you can look south and see Cannon Beach and Haystock Rock or out west to the ocean. You can also turn north and view Indian Beach.



Indian Beach from Ecola Point

North of Indian Beach, the land extends further into the ocean. I thought this was a great view of the land with the maritime layer (fog) over the sea.


Land, Sea, and the Mist