Thanks to British Airways my time in Oregon had been reduced by 2 days. It doesn’t seem much of a reduction when your overall trip is more than four weeks in duration. However when the change happens with less than 14 days notice and you are trying to fit a lot in and also ensure some downtime it is a quite significant loss. So when I woke up to somewhat cloudy skies I thought ‘uh oh’. You see I had this plan to explore Washington Park, and enjoy the fall colour as well as uninterrupted views across to Mt Hood, Mt Rainer and Mt St Helens. I had a suspicion the views might now be interrupted! However my remaining days were already filled up with plans, and so today was the day. I had to go out and explore.

Thanks to Cee I knew that the best option was to catch the tram up to the Max Station below the south entrance, where I would find a lift up to ground level. So off I went, and kept my fingers crossed that somehow the cloud would break once I was in the park.

I was far too optimistic! Still I saw the funny side as I began exploring some of the 30 miles of trails up on the ridge, and at least the paths were quiet and easy to follow.

Another upside was the fog encouraged me to look for beauty much closer rather than seek the views of the mountains.

I must admit though I was feeling disappointed that the autumnal colours weren’t being shown off to their best advantage. It looked pretty but just didn’t have the wow factor I was hoping for.

Eventually I meandered my way to the other side of the park for the main view. The view of Mount Hood. The cloud did seem to be lifting so maybe I would be fortunate.

or maybe not!

By now I was ready to give up and was about to walk back to my starting point, when I decided to splash out and visit what is considered the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan. Still not completely sure the garden deserved the ticket price, but it is rather beautiful and you may spot something even more wonderful that was happening around me whilst I was exploring.

It was ‘komorebi’ – the beauty of sunlight filtering through the trees

By now I was feeling ready for lunch or at least a piece of cake for Jo. Sadly the Umami Cafe inside the Japanese gardens was fully booked, and the cafe outside in the rose garden closed for the season. My choices were either to my starting point where apparently there was a cafe by the Zoo entrance or into Portland itself. I decided I would put off that decision until I got back to my starting point, and that’s another post in itself.

36 thoughts

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  2. Hopefully the sunshine at the end meant the clouds were lifting. I’m working my way through a long list of posts from everyone after being away for a month in South America and Antarctica and I’m enjoying reading them all.

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  3. You’ve got some fabulous photos (and therefore memories?) here, so even though nothing worked as planned, I think it looks a pretty fabulous day, all things considered.

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    1. Thanks Margaret, and yes you are right it did turn out to be a pretty good day.

      Surprisingly I don’t need photos for the memories. I know you’d think someone with aphantasia would. I recall parts of the day when I didn’t take photos as well as the parts when I did. I just can’t bring up an image!

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  5. Oh dear – I can think of at least two occasions when we’ve done the same thing, going up a mountain in misplaced optimism that fog/cloud/rain will magically not be there when we get to the top! Still you have some lovely mysterious fog images, and those beautiful glimpses of sunshine in the Japanese garden, which looks gorgeous by the way 🙂

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  9. Well, at least you got an authentic Pacific Northwest experience. Clouds and fog and drizzle are a mainstay. The first time I visited the Hoh Rainforest in Washington State, it was 90°and it felt wrong somehow. Next day it was much cooler and the clouds and damp returned and I loved it.

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  10. Good ol’ Pacific Northwest fog! You managed to capture much Autumn beauty through the fog, and see most of the Japanese gardens, Becky. It’s a huge park with lots to see. It’s a shame your Portland stay was compromised by British airways. What was the story on that? I’m looking forward to seeing more of your trip! And I hope you are doing well.

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    1. Thanks Terri, and yes so big. Such an amazing place to be almost in the centre of the city.

      Lack of Rolls Royce parts globally resulted in BA cancelling all of their direct flights from Portland for a period of time!

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  11. The conditions often make for interesting scenes. Thanks to Cee as well. Her posts of Mt Hood have been a favourite so pity you missed out.
    The sunlight photos are brilliant.
    I am glad you will share more of your adventure Becky 🥰

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    1. That’s very true, certainly made me look more carefully at the trees, and I probably appreciated the sunlight even more when it did arrive

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  15. Well you did your best with the foggy conditions, something I keep meaning to work on as we live in the cloud / fog a lot of the time! And the Japanese garden came good for you with the beautiful sunlight filtering through the leaves and I am sure you must have left feeling uplifted. Thanks for introducing me to ‘komorebi’  – such a lovely word.

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    1. I wasn’t going to be defeated, but yes the sun breaking through really cheered me. And like you komorebi is a new one. Went searching as thought they must have a great one.

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  16. Those colours are so gently beautiful, and somehow, very Japanese, Becky. I especially love the colours of the lake, behind that urn. And it’s fine- I can always wait for cake. Thanks so much, darlin!

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