Oregon offers so many opportunities to connect with nature and view the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. All of the photos were taken by me, unless stated otherwise! I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do (a lot!).
Location: Sauvie Island Lavender Farm
The Sauvie Island Lavender Farm smells and looks amazing. There were many bees buzzing around, drifting from flower to flower. There was also a huge mulberry tree on the edge of the farm that had ripe mulberries for tasting. The mulberries were sweet like cherries!
Location: Sauvie Island Center
Purple flower from the Sauvie Island Center learning garden. Our guide told us that this flower was edible. It tasted like grass to me. We tried another flower that was actually spicy.
Location: Sauvie Island Center
This is a purple green bean from the learning garden. It was green on the inside. We tried it fresh off the plant. It had a nice crunch to it.
Location: Sauvie Island Center
This plant had fuzzy stems. I believe our guide told us that it is a ground cover plant for the produce that was being grown under it.
Location: Sauvie Island Center
Adorable little frog perched on top of a flower. We saw several of these little frogs in the learning garden. There were also green-colored frogs. This was my first time seeing frogs this small in the wild.
Location: Sauvie Island
Sprawling plains dotted with trees.
Location: Sauvie Island
A collection of white oak trees, a white oak savanna.
Location: Sauvie Island
Location: PSU Montgomery Hall
Vines covering the outside of this building. You can see more leaves than brick!
Location: Hoyt Arboretum
We visited the Hoyt Arboretum on the 4th of July, thanks to the recommendation by Alex. Fun fact: Hoyt Arboretum has over 2,300 different tree species from six continents! I recommend visiting the Arboretum if you are ever in Portland. It is close to downtown Portland.
Location: Hoyt Arboretum
View of the redwoods and the Redwood Deck. We stopped to have lunch at the Redwood Deck.
Location: Hoyt Arboretum
I love when you can see the sunlight shining through the leaves.
Location: Mount Tabor
We watched the sun set before the fireworks of 4th of July started. I love the coniferous trees here!
Location: Belmont area of Portland
I took this photo after we had a group dinner at our program director’s home. The sun was setting as we walked towards the bus stop. The sunshine made the leaves look golden! Stunning.
Location: Downtown Portland
Wave-shaped clouds at sunset. I have never seen clouds shaped like this. The clouds looked like they came out of a cartoon!
Location: Opal Creek
Location: Opal Creek
This cat is named Hercules. He is the mayor of Jawbone Flats. He has so much space to explore at Opal Creek!
Location: Opal Creek
A newt that Lindsey found in the creek. The newts liked sitting in pools of still water. The newts were so cute.
Photo by Lindsey Smith
Location: Opal Creek
The water at Opal Creek was extremely clear. It was also very cold! My feet felt numb are standing in some sections of the water for just a few minutes.
Location: Battle Axe Creek
Nellie was so happy and excited during the trip to Opal Creek. It was fun seeing her wade into the streams and climb rocks. She was truly in her element!
Location: Opal Creek
Some people stood under this waterfall on our hike down from Cedar Flats.
Location: Opal Creek
Unreal colors! Jewel tones.
Location: Opal Creek
We took an evening hike to Sacred Rock. This was my view before stepping through the trees and onto the rock.
Location: Opal Creek
View of the mountaintop across from Sacred Rock.
Location: Opal Creek
Our group taking a quiet moment to sit at Sacred Rock.
Location: Opal Creek
View of the sunset from my lookout point on Sacred Rock.
Location: Opal Creek
Here is a picture of me watching the sunset at Sacred Rock. It was a peaceful location.
Photo by Lindsey Smith.
Our trip to Opal Creek marked the halfway point of our DukeEngage program! I am excited for what the next month in Portland entails!