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Portland rose garden attracts international travelers
  
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By Jim and Jane Whitcomb
Portland, Oregon is known as the city of roses but it could also be known as the city of gardens. We visited the International Rose Test Garden, the oldest garden of its kind in the United States and it is free.
Located in Washington Park it features 7,000 rose bushes, spectacular views of the city and a Rose Garden Gift Shop with merchandise featuring everything roses. The day we visited there was music in the garden and artists. Visitors from all over the world travel to Portland just to see the amazing roses. There is every color imaginable and the blossoms are huge. On clear days there is vision of Mount Hood.
Nestled in the scenic west hills of Portland is the Japanese Garden, a tranquil beauty, proclaimed one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. It encompasses 5 1/2 acres and offers five separate garden styles. It was designed by Professor Takuma Tono in 1963 and includes an authentic Japanese Tea House, meandering streams, and intimate walkways. Upon entering a Japanese garden the hope is to realize a sense of peace, harmony and tranquility. There is a fee to get into this garden but the cost is worth every dollar.
Our favorite garden of all was the Classical Chinese Garden. The garden is a self-sustaining, nonprofit and also charges a fee. The Chinese Garden is located in Old/Town in Chinatown and encompasses a full city block. Once you step onto the serpentine mosaic pathways and through the moon gate you are instantly transported to ancient China. Every view in the garden has something different to offer. The mission of the Portland Classical Chinese Garden is to cultivate an oasis of tranquil beauty and harmony; to inspire, engage and educate the community in the appreciation of richly authentic Chinese culture. With the Beijing Olympics in full session it was the perfect opportunity to experience this authentic Ming Dynasty scholar’s garden.
Be sure to visit The Tao of Tea inside the Tower of Cosmic Reflections to experience teas from China and Chinese snacks. We had sweet black tea and perfumed tea. The smell was heavenly. The tea is served in small Chinese teapots with tiny cups. Some snacks are to be eaten with chopsticks; we had the traditional almond cookie with our tea.
It is difficult to make direct distinctions between the Japanese Garden and the Chinese Garden but both emphasis harmonious landscapes of plants, water, stones, pavilions and poetry. Instantly a feeling of calm overtakes you with the busy City just outside the garden walls.
Before leaving Portland we wanted to experience a bird’s eye view of the city so we headed over to the brand-new Portland Aerial Tram connecting the city’s South Waterfront neighborhood to the top of Marquam Hill and the Oregon Health Science University Hospital. The ride provided us with a sweeping view and killer photo ops of Portland’s skyline.
The tram opened in 2007 and was jointly funded by the university (80 percent) and the remaining funds from taxes. It travels 22 mph and takes about three minutes to get up the 3,300-foot expanse to the hospital. The tram is used primarily as public transportation but is open to tourists who want an aerial view of Portland. It is not uncommon to see patients in wheelchairs taking the tram to their awaiting rides on the other side. The tram is crowded but the 10-minute ride over Interstate 5 is exciting. The cost is $4 for a round trip, but honors all passes from the local metro system.
Visit www.imagehouseusa.com and send us your comments and questions, we enjoy hearing from you. We are parked on the Siuslaw River near Florence, Ore., waiting for the fall salmon run. We will be exploring the beautiful and scenic Oregon coast for the next few weeks.
Located in Washington Park it features 7,000 rose bushes, spectacular views of the city and a Rose Garden Gift Shop with merchandise featuring everything roses. The day we visited there was music in the garden and artists. Visitors from all over the world travel to Portland just to see the amazing roses. There is every color imaginable and the blossoms are huge. On clear days there is vision of Mount Hood.
Nestled in the scenic west hills of Portland is the Japanese Garden, a tranquil beauty, proclaimed one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. It encompasses 5 1/2 acres and offers five separate garden styles. It was designed by Professor Takuma Tono in 1963 and includes an authentic Japanese Tea House, meandering streams, and intimate walkways. Upon entering a Japanese garden the hope is to realize a sense of peace, harmony and tranquility. There is a fee to get into this garden but the cost is worth every dollar.
Our favorite garden of all was the Classical Chinese Garden. The garden is a self-sustaining, nonprofit and also charges a fee. The Chinese Garden is located in Old/Town in Chinatown and encompasses a full city block. Once you step onto the serpentine mosaic pathways and through the moon gate you are instantly transported to ancient China. Every view in the garden has something different to offer. The mission of the Portland Classical Chinese Garden is to cultivate an oasis of tranquil beauty and harmony; to inspire, engage and educate the community in the appreciation of richly authentic Chinese culture. With the Beijing Olympics in full session it was the perfect opportunity to experience this authentic Ming Dynasty scholar’s garden.
Be sure to visit The Tao of Tea inside the Tower of Cosmic Reflections to experience teas from China and Chinese snacks. We had sweet black tea and perfumed tea. The smell was heavenly. The tea is served in small Chinese teapots with tiny cups. Some snacks are to be eaten with chopsticks; we had the traditional almond cookie with our tea.
It is difficult to make direct distinctions between the Japanese Garden and the Chinese Garden but both emphasis harmonious landscapes of plants, water, stones, pavilions and poetry. Instantly a feeling of calm overtakes you with the busy City just outside the garden walls.
Before leaving Portland we wanted to experience a bird’s eye view of the city so we headed over to the brand-new Portland Aerial Tram connecting the city’s South Waterfront neighborhood to the top of Marquam Hill and the Oregon Health Science University Hospital. The ride provided us with a sweeping view and killer photo ops of Portland’s skyline.
The tram opened in 2007 and was jointly funded by the university (80 percent) and the remaining funds from taxes. It travels 22 mph and takes about three minutes to get up the 3,300-foot expanse to the hospital. The tram is used primarily as public transportation but is open to tourists who want an aerial view of Portland. It is not uncommon to see patients in wheelchairs taking the tram to their awaiting rides on the other side. The tram is crowded but the 10-minute ride over Interstate 5 is exciting. The cost is $4 for a round trip, but honors all passes from the local metro system.
Visit www.imagehouseusa.com and send us your comments and questions, we enjoy hearing from you. We are parked on the Siuslaw River near Florence, Ore., waiting for the fall salmon run. We will be exploring the beautiful and scenic Oregon coast for the next few weeks.
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