I’m back! Let’s just say that what I thought was allergies wasn’t allergies after all and I’ve spent the last few days by myself in my hotel room. I was finally able to get outside yesterday and today and I’m determined to make the best of my extra few days in Oregon.
Yesterday found me back at Washington Park for another visit to the International Rose Test Garden and the Secret Garden. The roses have definitely lost some of their bloom since I was there last week, but they were still very colorful!
I also took a walk along the Tom McCall Waterfront Park and visited the world’s smallest park, Mill Ends Park. Mill Ends Park was named after the newspaper column of the gentleman whose office overlooked a hole in the median of SW Naito Parkway. The hole was supposed to be used for a telephone pole, but when no pole was installed, Dick Fagan decided to turn it into a miniature garden in 1946. Since 1971, the Guinness Book of World Records has recognized Mill Ends Park as the smallest park in the world. The park is just 2 feet in diameter and measures 452 square inches in area!
Today I ventured out to the Hoyt Arboretum. Hoyt Arboretum occupies 189 acres in Washington Park and has 12 miles of hiking trails through several unique forest areas. I walked several of the trails and was especially impressed with the redwood collection and views of Mount St. Helens.
After my walk, I was pretty tired and came back to my room for a nap and rest. My last outing of the day was to see one of the impressive views overlooking the city of Portland and the mountains beyond from the Pittock Mansion. The Pittock Mansion is a 46-room estate built in 1914 as a private residence. The estate is now owned by the city of Portland and is open for touring. I skipped the tour, but enjoyed the roses and other flowers on the grounds, as well as the view of the city of Portland with Mt. Hood in the distance (mostly shrouded in clouds).
Traveling with Laura 