An Adventure North

 For those of you that followed along with me for awhile, you have seen this view before. Last week my "live-in-gardener" and I ventured north to visit my sister-in-law. This view always takes my breathe away when we step into her home. I sit mesmerized at times just watching the landscape and nature outside her windows. There are always many birds and if we are lucky we see river otters and eagles. This visit I was lucky to spot them. Boats sail by and the sun rises to enchant me.

It was a beautiful time to walk into Autumn and walking we did.

I will show more of this lovely location on another day.

We even took a little time to walk on the sand at a local beach. I love walking here. Sometimes you can find sea glass, but the tide was quite high; so no sea glass was found. Though "live-in-gardener" couldn't resist a bag of rocks. Now I ask, "what are you going to do with all those rocks?"

On the way home there was a stop at Point Defiance Zoo to see Thomas Dambo's four traveling trolls. The first one was easy to find, it greeted us at the entrance.

We had not been to this zoo before and it was fun just to see the zoo and get in a good walk too.

The three others were tucked in the trees in different parts of the zoo. 

Someone offered to take our picture with Troll #2.

Of course, there were animals at the zoo too. It was feeding time for the tiger.

Troll #3 found!

Troll #4 had a garbage container on his head. Silly troll!!!

We learned there are more traveling trolls in another location near Seattle, but we had to head home. Maybe another day. They are so  much fun to find.

How's your week going?

Have you been in nature or found a troll?

I am home now to enjoy Autumn and Winter in my own surroundings, but who knows what adventures might call me.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Closed Doors

 We have had some gorgeous spring days lately. The sunshine is amazing! Yesterday I decided I needed to sit in the sun and also the hot tub/spa at my apartment complex. Off I went. There were a few children playing in the pool, but no one in the spa. Happy Day! I set up my chair, took my robe off, and turned on the jets of the spa. Getting ready to step into the warm water I found a sign "Spa Closed".  Now I am not sure why it was closed, but I wasn't going to take my chances. I returned to my chair in the sun and sat there for awhile. In my sitting I noticed the joy of the children playing and teasing each other. I noticed parents and friends enjoying the day in the sun. It was a lovely time to feel the sun on my face and rest. Sometimes doors open in a different direction just because the door you thought you were walking through was closed.

That being said, on Saturday I drove to Elk Rock in Portland. It is less than a 1/2 hour from my apartment and has gorgeous gardens. It is on the grounds of an Episcopalian Retreat Center that overlooks the Willamette River. Many people don't know it is open to the public, as it is tucked in a quiet neighborhood and doesn't have markers to find it. You have to know it is there.

I wanted to go see the wisteria, as I knew it would be in bloom.

I drove up to the property, the gate was open; so I drove inside and parked in the visitor parking lot. There was one other car there, but I didn't see anyone. I got out and enjoyed the wisteria immensely. It was the best I had ever seen of it in all the years I have tried to capture it. It amazed me that no one else was there enjoying it. It felt like I had the place to myself in my own "secret garden". 

After enjoying the wisteria, I walked on through the grounds snapping pictures as I went.

Still I saw no one.

The sun was glorious.

The flowers gorgeous.

Ahhh! Another wisteria! I had forgotten there was a white one on the walking bridge.

One trillium hiding under the flowering bush.

The view of Mt. Hood and the river was spectacular!!!

It was a glorious walk. I enjoyed every minute.

Returning to my car I proceeded to leave.

No, I never saw a person in the garden.

As I drove out to leave I realized the gate was now closed, strange!

It automatically opened to let me leave and then closed behind me.

As I looked back I saw the sign, "Closed on Saturday and Sunday".

Did they close the garden just so I could enjoy it by myself?

Laughing with flowers I thoroughly enjoyed.

I guess I was trespassing, but then I had a delightful time in the garden.

My own "secret garden" just for me.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Well Hello! Focus on the Stars

 Happy Halloween week!

Do you like spooky stories? 

How about when you were young?

When I was about 8 years old I had a friend that had a grandmother that was so good at telling spooky stories. I loved visiting in the evening, laying on the floor covered by a blanket as she turned the lights down low and told us the best, scariest stories. I would be shaking and covering my head in terror, but at the same time I looked forward to it. I loved it!

I wish I could remember the stories, but just the idea of that time in my life brings a smile to my face.

I actually think she would have been scolded by the parents for telling us the stories, but what a treat.

Were there bad dreams, maybe!! I won't tell.

Do you like spooky stories?

Just for the fun of it, I am reading a witchy story this week.

Will there be some sleepless nights? I don't think so.

I once had a dolls head similar to this. My grandson made me hide it because it scared him so much.

I guess it could be a little creepy. What do you think?

I love the whimsy of this season. A time when goblins come out to play. Play is good for the soul. It lightens the dark nights. Hoping you find time to play and lighten the dark nights. Maybe light some candles and make some hot apple cider to lighten the darkness and see a glimmer of the stars.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Trolls by Thomas Dambo

If you have been following along with me for this year you will know I have been intrigued by the trolls made by Thomas Dambo and crew from recycled material. I follow along with their adventures around the world on Instagram. So I knew I needed to go on an adventure or two to find the six in the Pacific Northwest. The first one was easy for it was in Portland, Oregon. I ventured there three times this past year and seeing it each time just made me smile.

This is the third time I visited with my "live-in gardener" and grandson. Isn't he cute?

 

 

 Pia the Peacemaker on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

My sister-in-law visited Pia with us and it also delighted her.

 Then there was the Bird King on Vashon Island, Washington found in January of this year.

So my adventure in September to visit my sister-in-law and then the tea festival in Seattle also included a search for the final three trolls in the Seattle area.

This one we found in among the trees in Issaquah, Washington.

It was about a half mile hike to find him.

I loved that part of the search included getting out in nature and enjoying a beautiful day.

And then again walking by the water for another half mile along the water front at Lincoln Park in Seattle, Washington. This walk included walking with a friend and a good little visit.

 

 

You can see, these trolls are not particularly small. Sitting or standing in with the trees they just delighted me.

 

And then finally the sixth one is found right in town. We almost drove right past it, but the GPS said it was here at the Norwegian Center in Seattle, Washington.

All six found. The whimsy and humor of the creator just made me smile.

It was a fun adventure.

It got us out in the world, discovering new surroundings.

It delighted our hearts. 

 

Have you gone on an adventure recently?

What were you searching for?

Did it delight your heart?

 

Sending love,

Marilyn