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Rhododendrons
May. 4th, 2025 07:03 pmOn Saturday, I planned to make a voyage far into SE Portland to the one shoe shop that sells shoes that fit me. I decided to hit Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden on the way, since I've been meaning to go for ages and supposedly this time of year is the height of the rhododendron season.
And so it turns out to be. The garden was absolutely gorgeous. Even where some stairs had been blocked off for a long while and weeds were starting to grow on them, the weeds were amazingly picturesque. The garden smelled great, too.
There was plenty of wildlife. There were a pair of nutrias rummaging about near the shore of the lake, completely comfortable with a small crowd of humans standing just a few feet away. There were ducks escorting ducklings. And then there were the geese.
In the back half of the garden, there was a sign warning that this was goose nesting season and the geese felt threatened by people and dogs. It encouraged anyone who saw a goose on a path to just walk away. Luckily, that day, the geese were more interested in honking at the golfers on the other side of the lake.
One other unexpected sign I came across was a plaque on one of the benches. Most of them are dedicated to some departed person or other, but this one said:
Yes, I believe it was that Jean Auel. She is a Portlander.
And so it turns out to be. The garden was absolutely gorgeous. Even where some stairs had been blocked off for a long while and weeds were starting to grow on them, the weeds were amazingly picturesque. The garden smelled great, too.
There was plenty of wildlife. There were a pair of nutrias rummaging about near the shore of the lake, completely comfortable with a small crowd of humans standing just a few feet away. There were ducks escorting ducklings. And then there were the geese.
In the back half of the garden, there was a sign warning that this was goose nesting season and the geese felt threatened by people and dogs. It encouraged anyone who saw a goose on a path to just walk away. Luckily, that day, the geese were more interested in honking at the golfers on the other side of the lake.
One other unexpected sign I came across was a plaque on one of the benches. Most of them are dedicated to some departed person or other, but this one said:
JEAN AND RAY AUEL
IN HONOR OF THEIR 50TH WEDDING
ANNIVERSARY ON MARCH 19, 2004
Yes, I believe it was that Jean Auel. She is a Portlander.
