Portland's famous Rose Garden

Friday afternoon, Sarah and I went exploring Portland. Since she had the afternoon off (OHSU was celebrating the 120,000 patients they had served this year!), we hopped on a bus and headed northeast for our first experience on the Max (public transit train). After visiting the Rose Garden Arena (home of the Blazers), we headed west to find the "real" rose garden. Our bus driver let us out in an inauspicious place--certainly not looking like a critically acclaimed "International Rose Test Garden." As it turns out, we just came in the back way. We followed a trail up some hills and came upon rows and rows of roses. There was a bridal party getting pictures taken, a harpist playing beautiful music, and lots of couples soaking in the aura. We found some grass and laid down on the ground, letting the harp music and rose smell fill our souls. (okay, maybe that was a little dramatic, but Sarah did drift off into a short nap and I threw tiny pine cones at a metal sign for sport). The whole place made me think of my mom and how much she would love it! Here are some pictures:

You might notice that Sarah and I sometimes experience flowers in different ways...

Note the name of the rose!!!