Oregon
As we left the balmy warmth of the high desert along the Snake River and turned to port at the confluence with the Columbia, Mother’s Day turned crisp and breezy while we continued downriver throughout the morning. Jerry Igo's talk called "Coming to Your Senses" seemed to be a perfect lead-in for the rest of our day!
Our eyes feasted on the array of wildflowers—lupine, balsam root, Oregon sunshine and California poppies being the most abundant, as we motored our way to the Maryhill Museum, known as the "Castle Nowhere." A sight unto itself—the majestic two story house of steel and poured concrete construction was built in 1914 and is perched on a rim of basalt, peering over the wheat fields of Oregon and the Columbia River below. Originally planned as a private residence, Pacific Northwest entrepreneur Sam Hill purchased over 6,000 acres along the Columbia River to start an agricultural community. Although his dream never materialized the way he had envisioned, his many friends from all over the world convinced him to turn it into an art museum, and fortunate for us, what an eclectic array it is! Besides holding fine art from around the world, Maryhill displays rare Indian artifacts, an extensive chess collection, high fashion from Paris, and personal furniture and art from his friend Queen Marie of Romania.
Our nostrils and ears were aroused by the aromas of irises and flowering bushes that edged the formal gardens as we strolled and were greeted by modern sculptures and a flock of colorful vocal peacocks, hens, and oddly, an all white one! Driving away, we saw another structure of Hill's initiative on the property—a replica of Stonehenge as a memorial to World War I. His legacy also lives on through the most scenic historical highway in Oregon and ranchlands now leased to ranchers and farmers in the area. We all left inspired and filled with the ambitious feats of this one man, an innovator, builder, traveler and dreamer of great magnitude!
Our day did not end here. We made our way to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center that focuses on the natural and cultural history of the area, and wonderfully reflects the bigger picture up and down the river from the past to the present. Walking the grounds filled up our senses again with the local flora and fauna, especially fragrant ponderosa pine, wild rose and pungent desert parsley.
As our motor coach rounded the corner to our pick-up point, now 28 miles down river from where we disembarked earlier today, we were provided with another photo op as the Sea Lion emerged from The Dalles Lock and majestically made her way to meet us.
As I reflect on the day and the inspiration given, I am reminded of a quote by Goethe: "Whatever you can do or dream you can begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!"
As we left the balmy warmth of the high desert along the Snake River and turned to port at the confluence with the Columbia, Mother’s Day turned crisp and breezy while we continued downriver throughout the morning. Jerry Igo's talk called "Coming to Your Senses" seemed to be a perfect lead-in for the rest of our day!
Our eyes feasted on the array of wildflowers—lupine, balsam root, Oregon sunshine and California poppies being the most abundant, as we motored our way to the Maryhill Museum, known as the "Castle Nowhere." A sight unto itself—the majestic two story house of steel and poured concrete construction was built in 1914 and is perched on a rim of basalt, peering over the wheat fields of Oregon and the Columbia River below. Originally planned as a private residence, Pacific Northwest entrepreneur Sam Hill purchased over 6,000 acres along the Columbia River to start an agricultural community. Although his dream never materialized the way he had envisioned, his many friends from all over the world convinced him to turn it into an art museum, and fortunate for us, what an eclectic array it is! Besides holding fine art from around the world, Maryhill displays rare Indian artifacts, an extensive chess collection, high fashion from Paris, and personal furniture and art from his friend Queen Marie of Romania.
Our nostrils and ears were aroused by the aromas of irises and flowering bushes that edged the formal gardens as we strolled and were greeted by modern sculptures and a flock of colorful vocal peacocks, hens, and oddly, an all white one! Driving away, we saw another structure of Hill's initiative on the property—a replica of Stonehenge as a memorial to World War I. His legacy also lives on through the most scenic historical highway in Oregon and ranchlands now leased to ranchers and farmers in the area. We all left inspired and filled with the ambitious feats of this one man, an innovator, builder, traveler and dreamer of great magnitude!
Our day did not end here. We made our way to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center that focuses on the natural and cultural history of the area, and wonderfully reflects the bigger picture up and down the river from the past to the present. Walking the grounds filled up our senses again with the local flora and fauna, especially fragrant ponderosa pine, wild rose and pungent desert parsley.
As our motor coach rounded the corner to our pick-up point, now 28 miles down river from where we disembarked earlier today, we were provided with another photo op as the Sea Lion emerged from The Dalles Lock and majestically made her way to meet us.
As I reflect on the day and the inspiration given, I am reminded of a quote by Goethe: "Whatever you can do or dream you can begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!"
