Pacific Northwest

Pacific Northwest

We returned to Portland on May 17th, just in time for the annual Rose Festival that takes place in Portland, The City of Roses. This city was stunning - there were colorful blooming flowers and roses all over town - even along the on ramps to the freeways!  The Maxeys came to visit and we toured the Rose Gardens in Washington Park.

 I took a zillion pictures of the roses, but so not to bore anyone, here a two photos!

 This one was an award winner ............................. no questions!

 Then off to the Japanese Tea Garden with Suzie and Aimee.  A most serene and calming place to be.  Charming quaint water features - everything from ponds to small and large waterfalls.

A view into the Zen Garden

We were docked in the Tomahawk Marina on Hayden Island in Portland along the Columbia River.  The adjacent neighborhood had lovely sidewalks under fragrant trees - perfect for our walks and runs.  Paddy's friend John loaned us a vehicle which was great because we had a lot of errands to run to get the boat ready to leave after being at the dock for 8 months.  Item number 1 - give the boat a bath!

On June 24th we said our goodbyes to Suzie, Aimee, John, Julie and Foos, other family and friends and set sails for Astoria to cross the "bar" (no, not the kind of bar you're thinking) and head north to the San Juan Islands.