Plio-Pleistocene Portland

Most Portland residents are likely unaware they are living in one of the few U.S. continental cities containing extinct volcanoes. These ancient eruptions are part of a vast collection of lava vents formed thousands of years ago on the eastern side of Portland's geography. Partially because of their altitudes which afford stunning vistas, best enjoyed on a clear day, these grass and tree-covered mounds have been turned into public parks. Powell Butte is one such example in southeast Portland, the second largest park after Forest Park and is comprised of over 600 acres. Mistaken in our assumption that our visit would be a mere trudge to the top for a panoramic view, we were to discover we had vastly underestimated this park's offerings.

Powell Butte Nature Park is the site of an old dairy farm, originally purchased by the Portland Water Bureau but leased to the dairyman until a 50 million gallon water reservoir was built on the site. In a joint effort between the Water Bureau, Portland Parks and Friends of Powell Butte a new visitor's center has been recently built and a nine-mile system of nature trails established. There is paved parking, restrooms, a water bubbler, signage and free access. The trails are open to foot traffic, horseback riders, mountain bikers and tour groups such as Volcano Lands Nature Tours. Trails are marked by bright yellow steel plates with laser-cutout trail names and directions. Some of the trails are still under construction, some are paved, others are compressed dirt. There is a .6-mile asphalt-paved stretch to a view point that is wheelchair accessible. One trail connects to the 40-mile Springwater Corridor trail that runs from the Portland waterfront to Gresham.

The theme of water pipe diameters inspires the stainless steel cylinder decor as well as circular inlaid pieces at various viewpoints directing your attention to the display of snow-capped mountains that comprise the Cascade Range. A broad variety of flora and fauna inhabit this park in addition to the busy stream of human and leashed canine visitors. The keen eye can spot various birds, deer, and raccoons amid the bursting blooms of hawthorne trees and wonderfully scented Western red cedar. Trickling streams wander down the slopes, not very audible in this dry winter season however. Open meadows are lined with split rail fencing and the occasional picnic table beckons visitors to stop and enjoy a snack with their view.

Two hours of vigorous and continuous hiking over hills and through woodlands allowed us to round the butte and see some near views under a cloud-laden sky. On a clear day you can see beyond the belching stacks of the paper mills of Camas/Washougal, Washington and survey the peaks of Rainier, St. Helens, Adams and Hood as well as the channel of the mighty Columbia River and many of the settlements in between. Waving a cheery adieu to the project workers we headed to a nearby hiker's home for a special celebratory lunch.

In a grand kitchen designed for social gatherings we were assigned preparation tasks for a Chinese hot pot meal. Various meats and vegetables are artistically arranged on platters where diners can make selections to simmer in a giant pan of broth, add rice noodles and seasonings and enjoy a leisurely visit during the individualized cooking process. The conviviality of group meals is so enjoyable with this particular collection of women of a certain age. We laugh, tease, share life's issues and support one another in heart and soul. We're all foodies of a sort so appreciate the finer aspects of food and drink. In the Asian theme of the meal, the hostess offered sake and mochi cake to conclude the meal and this gave us an opportunity to wish her the happiest of birthdays. Great hike, great meal, great friends!

Hearty hikers of the day

View towards Camas/Washougal, WA.

Colorful addition to the landscape

Moss-covered but leafless winter trees

New life springing forth: nettles

Forest pathway - Elderberry trail

Burled tree trunk

New "old" bubbler

Visitor Center panels

Visitor Center newly constructed

Ambiance

Kitchen buzz

Happy preppers

Tea and sake

All this food makes Steel drool

Poured sake: kanpai! (transl: bottoms up!)

Ready to hot pot!

Tea infusion

Hot pot at work

Host pouring sake

Tiny sake cups

Ready to cook. Peach malt to sip while waiting.

Head For The Hills

Lookout goat

Gathering in the cool shade of ancient towering cedar trees we briefly reminisced about a past visit to the area. Leach Botanical Garden , a spectacular plant collection worth seeing later in the seasons, today lies in quiet winter repose, plants awaiting the warm awakening beams of spring sunlight. We skip the garden tour and head immediately for the steep hills of Mt. Scott, realizing this would be a leg-building hike rather than an educational neighborhood tour as is our usual weekly winter agenda.

Careful car watch

Without shoulders on these particular neighborhood roads we are earnest to be attentive about cars roaring around the sightless curves as we march steadily higher toward the summit. Bits of beauty are scattered throughout various yards in the form of budding flowering cherry trees, tiny white and purple crocuses, pink Japanese quince, a clutch of sunny daffodils here and there. Lush green grass carpets many front yards, sparkling with diamond-like dew drops, growing rapidly as it awakens. Homeowners' reluctance to tackle their spring mowing chore merely elongates the window of first growth so that lawns begin to resemble shaggy-headed boys long overdue for a haircut.

As the morning developed the grey cloud ceiling hanging lightly overhead began to thin and shred apart to reveal a brilliant blue sky, an infrequent event in the Northwest springtime. After a final steep ascent we approached the hilltop cemeteries of Lincoln Memorial and Willamette National. Choice view property holds the remains of over 160,000 service men and women at Willamette since it opened in 1950 and a broad spectrum of loved ones at Lincoln Memorial from 1906 onward. Entering the lower gate of Willamette National we noted bouquets gracing many sites and realized it was the fourteenth anniversary of the Gulf War. The sounds of three gunshots of salute resounded over the acreage, a solemn reminder of the close of another military life. A formal interment ceremony is repeated as often as a former service member is buried here.

One view of Portland

Views of the city, framed by leafless tree branches, appear along the roads that crisscross the cemeteries. We can't help but investigate some of the grave markers, noting the unique words of affection and remembrance carved on them. At Lincoln Memorial extended family groupings with massive black polished granite monuments are clustered at the entry gate, plastic flowers adorning the borders of one site and a contemplation bench situated for visiting family. Long rows of grey dots, the site plaques, run to the tops of hills and down the backsides, arranged by date of death. This is but a small version of the extensive National cemetery at Arlington, Virginia where identical alabaster headstones note each grave. The quietly broad views from these lands help to balance sadness with hope, for the dead are at rest while the living look ahead to their futures.

Departing the carefully landscaped hilltop we carefully descended the steep grade of our route more slowly than our ascent. This provided time to examine the architectural mix of post-war to modern houses, and stops to chat with a few neighbors along the way to solicit their pleasures at living here. Most responded regarding the views.

With legs thoroughly tested over four miles of declivitous walking we googled for possible nearby lunch spots, settling for Chow Fun at a Chinese diner across from an auto scrapyard on S.E. Foster Road. Over steaming bowls of hot and sour soup we discussed plans for next week's walk. Soon we shall return to the forests to explore new as well as familiar trails, knowing we will never exhaust the adventures awaiting in the Pacific Northwest territory.

Group with Carillon in background

Amphitheater can be rented 

In Flanders Fields war poem

Half masted flag during burial

Granite monument ready for occupancy

Part of family grave cluster

Vietnamese grave offerings respect ancestors

Unique life descripton

He left his mark on his famly

Ashes crypt made from boulder

The sadness of group death

Flowers against cedar boughs

Whimsical fence

Peek-a-boo corner

Spring smiles!