We should have visited the Owen Rose Garden last month because June is the height of the season for these beautiful flowers. But even in mid-July and with all the hot days we've had, there were still some perfect blossoms on view last week.
The gardens are well cared for and beautifully designed — a peaceful place. It's not far from where we live here in Eugene. Just a tiny bit out of hot-day walking range to get there.
So I drove a couple of miles to park at Valley River Center, our area's primary shopping mall. From there it's a short walk across a pedestrian bridge to the South Bank Trail (on the Willamette River).
Then the walk to the Gardens is less than a mile along the trail. The pictures in the collage above were taken from the bridge.
Eugene has a great trail system. Most of my walks along the river are from our house — no driving. I love being able to "go outside to play" with no driving (or very little) even though we live in a metropolitan area.
The Cherry Tree in the mosaic below has been growing in this spot from the mid-1800s. It's on the edge of the rose gardens. Because it lies within the original land claim of Eugene Skinner, the founder of our fair city, it is believed that it was planted by Skinner himself.
Whoever dug the hole, the tree is beautiful and I'm thankful for the arborists and volunteers who work hard to keep this living bit of history in prime condition.
LINKING this week to the following sharing opportunities: Thanks to the hosts.
MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES; THROUGH MY LENS; TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; TUESDAY TREASURES; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; and SATURDAY CRITTERS
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