It's Crystal

We roam all over the Pacific Northwest, but because of proximity we see lots more of the Portland area than anywhere else. Having lived here most of my life, I keep thinking I've seen all the great local places, especially in the city. I'm not sure why I persist in that notion, because I keep finding other great places. We got to one this week.

I've heard about Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in southeast Portland and I'm sure I intended to get there several times in the spring when I suspect the rhodies are fantastic. Why would I want to go to a rhododendron garden in fall? For the birds, of course. Yes, while there are too many mallards to count, we also had some surprisingly good waterfowl views—evidently due to the rampant feeding that goes on by visitors. Normally timid wood ducks will actually pose for pictures! The honking of Canada geese can overpower the rumble of the nearby trains. In two hours, we easily saw 19 species of birds (and one very surprised raccoon).

Besides the birds, this is a lovely place in its own right. Waterfalls, a clear water lake and a beautiful wooden bridge are just a few of the features unspoiled by the fact that only a very few flowers (none of them rhodies) were blooming on this mid-fall day. If you want to see this place for yourself, the parking lot is near the intersection of SE 28th and Woodstock. GPS N 45.48003, W 122.63529

Introducing the NEW and IMPROVED..... Outside!

After spending all day outside at the coast, I was standing in line at the grocery store, glanced over at the newstand and read a headline that caught my attention: visits to National Forests are down. I bought the newspaper.

The article lobbed several reasons for the decline, from increased gas prices to increased fees in the forests. Many of the proposed reasons may have merit. I have some other ideas: (1) Wild areas are not "safe," and (2) there is no one to tell you what to do.

Most of us spend a good part of our out-of-the-house time in commercial establishments. When we go to the store, the floors are smooth and clean. Store managers work hard to make sure there is nothing to trip over or cause any customer injury. Information is all around and store employees are generally close and helpful.

In the workplace, we have expections that the premises are safe for us and that we will be warned when something is not safe. Employers have major incentives to prevent on-the-job injuries. We have safety meetings and employee handbooks.

The products we buy come with instructions and warnings. Owners manuals, stickers and warning labels guide our every move in relation to the product.

But when we go outside into a "wild" area, we are suddenly bereft of such coddling. There are poisonous plants, scary animals and stinging insects. We might get lost. We have to learn on our own and take care of ourselves. Isn't it easier just to go to the mall?

Seemingly on the tail of the newspaper article, I then read this. With the realization that there's money to be made here, by golly, might we find someone to pamper us sufficiently that we'll actually head back to the woods?

I'm Melting! Melting!

I had only read the headline of the article published this week in the Oregonian when there was a little ping in my brain: these kids need to get out more. And when I say "out", I don't mean to the mall or a video arcade. I mean outside--playing.

The article suggests some connection between rainy days, TV and autism. This spring I read Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, which certainly crystallized some thoughts I'd had about the most inexpensive mental health treatment I can imagine--getting outside, especially if it involves some physical activity. The book focuses on kids, but I have seen (and experienced) the effects on adults as well.

Wouldn't it be great if we could reduce autism by getting kids outside playing--even on rainy days? Nobody's saying that of course, but a person can dream.....

On the positive side, next spring will bring the city of Hillsboro's TREKS program, an outdoor adventure club for middle schoolers. REI provided equipment and cash to get things rolling. And kids in the city of Tigard can get a free bicycle for writing an essay. Now if only kids (and parents) would realize that the danger to witches in Oz does not imperil kids in Oregon.

The Fort

Fort Stevens State Park has got to be the best place in Oregon for the average Joe or Jane (which includes me) to ride a bicycle. On a pleasant autumn day, we parked at Battery Russell, unloaded the bikes and set off.

We breezed through an alder, Sitka spruce and Douglas Fir coastal forest. The background song included the dull roar of the ocean, chestnut-backed chickadees and red-breasted nuthatches. We rode out to the beach, where we watched the blue-green ocean waves break through the rusting metal grid that made up the stern of the Peter Iredale. We pedaled to Coffenbury Lake, where a blue heron stood on the fishing dock until we arrived and destroyed its repose. We rode by Swash Lake to the absolutely deserted Historic Area, where we walked through the prison-like concrete batteries. Finally, we zipped along the path through shore pine covered dunes, just to feel the ocean breeze and smell the salt air.

The paths are all paved and in amazingly good shape. It is just plain fun to ride a bicycle through tunnels and over arched wooden bridges.

Trail Guide here.