Hoyt Aboretum

Magnolia trees
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

Recently we went on a lovely hike in Hoyt Arboretum. I enjoy hiking there year round. It is close in town, next to the zoo. The trails are well marked. All the trees have signs telling you what they are. I wish I had taken notes on the different types of Magnolias. I was having so much fun taking pictures of the magnolias in bloom that I forgot to write down their names. Available is a map of trees that bloom in the spring, it shows where the magnolias are located. The visitor center has two bathrooms, a drinking fountain and dog watering dish. Leashed dogs are allowed. When the visitor center is open the friendly volunteers will tell you all about the park. Also there are books and maps for sale. Hike a long or short hike. The trails connect to the wildwood trail. The wildwood trail is 30 miles long and apart of the 40 mile loop trail. You can’t get very lost. At the trail crossings there are signs telling you where you are. If you get too turned around, walk downhill and find the nearest tri-met stop. Let tri-met get you back to where you started. There is a nice large picnic shelter in the park that is available to rent. We have had many family picnics there, including our wedding. 4000 SW Fairview Blvd., Portland, OR 97221 (503) 865-8733
www.hoytarboretum.org ; www.trimet.org

German Bakery

German Bakery
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

I have been stopping in the German Bakery for cookies for over twenty years. The last time I was there I bought window cookies. The buttery jam filled cookies melt in your mouth. They make authentic German cookies, pastries and tortes. They make whole grain breads, like the kind baked in the old country. A little while ago they expanded into the building on the corner of the block and added a deli. The deli menu is reasonably priced with everything between 5 to 6 dollars. You can get sauerkraut with your sandwich. They have a fine selection of German beers, wines and foods. They even have those chocolate eggs with the prize inside.
10522 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97220-2508, 503 252 1881

Last Thursday Artwalk NE Alberta

Ten years of art on NE Alberta. The businesses on NE Alberta open their doors to celebrate art from 6pm to 9 pm on the last Thursday of the month, April 26, 2007. Everyday Wine will be open serving glasses of wine. NE 15th and Alberta. They have great art up on the walls.

Guardino Gallery is hosting a reception for the showing of artists Andy Paiko, glass and Smith Eliot, photography. They are celebrating their ten-year anniversary this May. In 1997 the gallery, along with several other art related business on Alberta Street, organized the first "Last Thursday" Artwalk.

Cork is serving a flight Rosé, of 2006 PATTON VALLEY VINEYARDS Pinot Noir Rosé (sustainable), 2005 FUENTE DEL CONDE Cigales Rosado and 2005 LAGEDER Lagrein Rosé (organic).

www.artonalberta.org

Paddy's Bar and Grill

wall of over 400 bottles
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

One of the top ten Irish pubs in America. We stopped in for happy hour. It is fun to sit at the bar and look up at the mirrored wall of over 400 bottles. Way too many choices, fifteen different Gins available to drink. I ordered a well drink of gin, sour and soda water. We also got a plate of onion rings off the happy hour menu. It was a nice day and most of the customers’ sat at the tables out side. The convenient max stop is across the street.
www.paddys.com
65 SW Yamhill St. Portland, OR 503.224.5626

Tulip Festival 2007

purple tulips
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

We went to the Wooden Shoe farm for the last day of the Tulip Festival. It turned into a nice afternoon, it stopped raining, the sun came out and the clouds were big fluffy white against a blue sky. There wasn’t much mud and plenty of crushed hazel nuts to walk on. The tulips were gorgeous. I saw plenty of food booths selling fair type foods. I saw lots of children having fun. The cow trains are barrels painted like cows pulled by a John Deere Gator. There were duckie races, a tube slide, and horse swings. In all it was a great day. The gift shop stays open until Mother’s day. Do not forget to order your bulbs. The bulbs that I have bought from them are beautiful in my yard. 33814 S Meridian Rd, Woodburn, OR www.woodenshoe.com

Japanese Garden

Antique Gate
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

Japanese Garden

One of my favorite places to go is the Japanese Garden. It is a beautiful peaceful place in all seasons. I like to go there to draw and take pictures. This time of year it is fun to stop in and wander around looking for signs of spring. The garden has awakened from winter. The camellias are finishing blooming and the azaleas are just starting to bloom. The Japanese maples have leafed out. I stop on the moon bridge and look out over the pond. The light dances like diamonds on the water. The willow tree leans into the water. The koi are very friendly playing under the heavenly falls in the lower strolling pond. The garden is very hilly which gives it a great view of downtown and Mt Hood.
Japanese Garden 611 S.W. Kingston Ave. Portland, Oregon 97205
Summer Season: April 1–September 30, Tuesday–Sunday: 10am–7pm, Monday: 12pm–7pm Winter Season: October 1–March 31, Tuesday–Sunday: 10am–4pm, Monday: 12pm–4pm, Shuttle from parking lot runs every day; Admission $8
www.japanesegarden.com

New Old Lompoc, the 5th Quadrant

New Old Lompoc, the 5th Quadrant
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

New Old Lompoc, the 5th Quadrant
We stopped in the New Old Lompoc, the fifth quadrant the other day. The place gets its name from its location the fifth quadrant in Portland. Portland is divided up into quadrants. The curve in the Willamette River gives Portland a fifth quadrant, North. The building started out as a car repair shop. The pub has a large garage door that opens onto the patio. Served are high quality hand-crafted beers along with large tasty salads and sandwiches. Save room for the yummy desserts. I ordered nachos; the serving was huge more that two people could eat.
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901B N Williams Ave
Portland, Oregon, 97227
phone: (503) 288-3996
www.newoldlompoc.com

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

IMG_3316_edited-1
Originally uploaded by Mary Anne Thygesen.

A beautiful garden year round. A peaceful place where I go to, sit, sketch and write. Children enjoy feeding the ducks cracked corn. Please don’t feed the ducks bread. Bread isn’t on a healthy diet for ducks. Soon there will lots of fluffy ducklings. The Rhododendrons have the most blooms in April and May. Currently the azaleas and a few rhodi’s are blooming. Look for the rhododendron, R.haematodes that has leaves, waxy on the front and soft, velvety on the back. The garden has an annual mother’s day event. Crystal springs feed the garden. The water is used to form ponds and water falls. Birds are abundant in the garden. Listen to the red winged blackbirds sing, the ducks quack and the geese honk. When admission is required can be hard to figure out. Plan on paying the $3 entrance fee and be pleasantly surprised when you don’t have to pay. Parking can be hard to find. Reed College across the street often provides overflow parking. Well behaved dogs on leashes are allowed. It is a stroller friendly place.
SE 28th Ave & Woodstock Blvd, 503-771-8386, Garden Hours April 1-September 30: 6:00am-10:00 pm , October 1-March 31: 6:00am-6:00pm. Entrance Fees Admission is free to all from Labor Day through February. A $3 admission fee is charged between 10:00am-6:00pm, Thursday through Monday, March through Labor Day.
Admission is free for children under 12 and Friends of Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.

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Welcome

Welcome, this blog will have postings about Portland, Oregon a fun place to live in and visit. I will tell you about the things that I do and places that I go to; also important tips about getting around Portland.