On Saturday, Andy, Clover Meadow, and I went for the first half of Walk #12, Dunthorpe Gardens, from the book Portland Hill Walks: Twenty Explorations in Parks and Neighborhoods by Laura O. Foster. This is actually the third walk we'd taken from the book; as I was sorting through these photos, I realized that we'd taken our second walk from the book, Walk #4, Washington Park to Arlington Heights Loop, sometime back in February but I never posted about that. So I need to do that. I told you about our first walk here.
Bishop's Close in southwest Portland is the former estate of Peter Kerr, a grain merchant from Scotland who purchased the cliff-side property between Palatine Hill and the Willamette River in the late 1890s. Kerr was an enthusiastic gardener (who was still planting trees at age 90), and the estate is a wonderland of small groves, wooded paths (bordering sheer dropoffs!), and incredible flowering magnolias. Kerr passed away in 1957, and his daughters gave the property (named Elk Rock Gardens) to the Episcopal Diocese of Portland with the stipulation that the property remain open to the public. We'd been here almost eight years ago, when Audrey was a little puppy. It is as lovely as I remembered. It must be even lovlier when the wisteria above the blue bench is in bloom.
From the little parking lot (which used to be a tennis court), you climb through a rock-gardened staircase to a terrace that once was a swimming pool. You can still see little pieces of turquoise blue tile peeking out. From there, you walk along a wooded path that takes you high above the river.
At the top there's a view of the luminous beauty, Mt. Hood. Doesn't look real, does it.
Is this the red-flowering current again? I love this stuff. You could find fairies here, I believe.
Don't you think so? You probably do, or you wouldn't be here.
They might also be in the wilds of hellebore.
If nothing else, there are ducks.
And magnolia blossoms as big as your head.
You can tell it's spring because all the color, as bright as the small spots are, is still kind of desaturated.
Well, except for the pond. And the grass.
But you know what I mean. The trees seem more gray and pink than green.
I appreciate the vistas, but I have to say that the tiny villages of leaf and petal in the groundcover steal my heart every time.
There can't be too many cool old lanterns in the world.
Or crusty brick walkways.
Goodness me.
What a lovely little close.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing them.
Breathtaking - sigh.
What a beautiful walk! It is such a beautiful time of year for walking too. Not too hot, not too cold, spotting flowers just about to or just starting to bloom, freshness and the promise of summer when no walking is needed - just sitting around on the grass!
oh my
i swear i'll be looking at these photos for the next couple of days....what sweet sweet beauty.....too much to take in at once!! you are the bees knees alicia.
Mmmmm. Groundcover. Thank you so much for these lovely walks. Just got back from my own and I know I should be taking my own photos.
What lovely pictures. The bricks are my favorite :)
Moss and vine covered walls, and branches - beautiful.
Thanks for taking me on a walk with you! You're right...along with mossy stone walls, there can't be enough stone walkways or old laterns in the world. Or in fairyland. Whereever you choose to be at the moment...
I love the fantastic little nature details you find! Tiny flowers in the stone cracks -- yay! Spring has still not really hit us here in Boston, and I'm happy to see the flowers of your lovely walk.
Oh my. When I come to visit my brother in Portland this summer, I'm going to have to pick just ONE of these lovely walks to take. I won't have time for more than that, and I'm sure going to have a hard time choosing...
Thanks so much for the tour. It is gorgeous!!!
*Sigh*, thank you for the beautiful walk! (^_^)
Oh my gosh - what beautiful photos. Thank you for bringing us spring. Do you know what that dangling flower on the tree is? (the photo above that last lantern?) Never seen that before.
Enchanting - absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing such beautiful photos of such a wonderful place!
Thanks for the walk. I could almost feel the moisture in the air. You are so good with that camera!!
So beautiful. I would like to live there please.
Really beautiful! Thanks for the lovely walk...
Such a pretty walk and it looked like a beautiful day! I am glad that you are spending time out in the spring. I will join you as soon as spring hits the midwest. :) ~kelly
unDeniably Domestic
simply gorgeous and so peaceful. thanks for sharing with us.
Oh, how I miss spring in the Pacific Northwest. It is one's reward for tolerating the grey skies of winter. Enjoy!
Thanks for bringing us along once again!
I'm envying you your lovely spring.
However, since the snow has melted, I may need to take my girlies on a spring sleuthing walk when they come home from school. We'll be spring detectives and see what we can find!
WOW ! incredible ! merci ! I am jealous of your lovely temperate climate - we still have a bit of ice and snow here in Nova Scotia
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I've been to Bishop's Close in the autumn. I'll be visiting Portland next month. Maybe I'll pop in there to see what it's like in May
I have been there! My Dad and I took a lovely walk around a few years ago and what a magical place. Thank you for reminding me of that wonderful afternoon spent with my Papa. :)