Inviting Vines Tour to Kinzy Faire Gardens in Estacada

Two neighbors and I attended the Inviting Vines Tour (sponsored by Friends of the Rogerson Clematis Collection) to view the Kinzy Faire Gardens in Estacada on Saturday, May 23rd. The three acres of gardens are a collaborative effort of two women, former property owner Millie Kiggins and her friend Penny Vogel. Penny started the garden in 1986 for the love of gardening and Millie came on board building birdhouses, benches, and a small chapel.

The small chapel was built in memory of Millie's maternal grandparents who founded the original 98-acre farm.

 There were many interesting benches, doors, and outbuildings to see along the meandering pathways.

Flower colors were stunning.

Birdhouses and yard art also captured my attention.

Plus green, lots of lovely green. A wonderful way to spend the morning!

Columbia Gorge Visit

We spent three wonderful days in the Columbia Gorge for Cris' birthday, complete with sunny weather, wine tasting, great food, and a wildflower hike! The Columbia Gorge Hotel was built in 1912, and still has the Victorian charm of yesteryear with period furnishings, paintings, and lovely manicured grounds. Our room overlooked the Columbia River, the gardens, and the Wah Gwin Gwin Falls (a Chinook Indian term for rushing waters) that lulled us to sleep each night.
 

We toured the WAAAM museum (Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum) where they have  over a hundred antique airplanes and just as many antique cars in two acres of covered space. It was fun to watch all the videos they had set up to tell the stories behind all these amazing planes and cars, and the people who built and flew/drove them.

 

We hiked Rowena Crest Trailhead to see the stunning views of the Columbia Gorge and the fields of wildflowers.

(Selfie!)

The history of the Misoula floods and the formation of the Gorge is facsinating and is told in this PBS program:     http://www.opb.org/television/programs/ofg/episodes/1001/

(You may have to open this in a new window - I'm not getting it to automatically open! Its worth the time to view it, though!)

We visited Maryhill Winery (Maryhill, Washington - an hour drive from Hood River) and enjoyed their award winning wines and the view!

On the way home today, we stopped by Multnomah Falls and the Vista House.

A relaxing, fun, and great trip! Happy Birthday, Cris!!

Spring has Sprung

We've had an exceptional "winter" in the Pacific Northwest - mild temperatures, not as much rain as usual, no snow in the city. No snow in the mountains, either, which is a bit concerning. I've been able to work out in the yard and have accomplished my "first pass" weeding already.

Spring is showing its cheerful colors all around me.
  

Even the grapes are pruned, ready, and waiting.
 

Now lets move some of our weather to the east coast. They've had enough of the cold. Time to send some of our spring their way!