The Grotto, Upper Level

Rising over a hundred feet, the elevator brings you to the top of the cliff and its views. To the left built along the bluff's edge is the Meditation Chapel, which offers a quiet space to reflect and absorb the stunning panorama of Portland's northeast neighborhoods and international airport. In the distance, stretch the Cascades, most notably Mount Saint Helens. On a clear day, like the day Sandra and I visited, you can even make out the peak of Mount Rainier.

Perched on the cliffside, I could sit and see the streams of afternoon traffic on the interstate. People have to be places. Yet, there I was sitting. Off in the distance, mountains stood. The view's juxtaposition of nature and civilization does lead you to think about your place in the world.

I didn't take any photos initially because I didn't want to intrude in the reflections of the other guests. The Grotto's website has 2 excellent photos: Views of the Chapel.



Sandra Along the Path

A path winds along lawns and gardens and through mature trees. From small brightly hued flowers to the long vertical lines of bark which rise to leaves and greenness, the scale impresses. It's living, wild and manicured.



A Fern


Petals of Blue

Built in 1936 and renovated in 1985, the Monastery, home to Servite friars, combines with a rose garden to give a very Old World charm to a section of the Upper Level.



The Monastery

Much like the Portland's International Rose Test Garden, I could easily take hundreds of Grotto images in a matter of hours and fill the blog. You can see more of the flower images uploaded on Image Shack by clicking:
Rose at the Rose Garden
Again in Blue
Ahead on the Path

I won't say that the photos capture all the beauty or even a tenth of the serenity. Those aspects of moments need to be experienced and discovered. Though, sometimes, the angle of sunlight and a water sprinkler combine to leave an impression which a camera can catch.



Water's Prism

A pond, a walking labyrinth, shrines inspired by cultural heritages--these too create what is the Grotto's Upper Level.



Falling into a Late Afternoon Pond

Completing the trails, we visited the Meditation Chapel one more time. I stitched this composite of the viewing windows.



Planes of View from The Grotto's Meditation Chapel

Please click on the above link to see a larger image. The breadth of the scene is indelible. I would gladly visit the place again.

For more images and information, please check The Grotto's website.

Simply...
Yes, I would gladly return.