2018.6.2. Roses and stars, a day trip from Portland

6/2, Saturday. I woke up with serious abdominal pain. Took a bunch of ibprofens. Didn't get out of the door until ~10. First stop is the International Rose Test Garden. Excellent tine to be here, despite of the crowds. I sat on a bench, let dad roam around with his camera. Instead of walking a mile to the Enterprise branch for my car, I called for a pickup. I figured that the Holocaust Memorial next door is a smaller and thus easier place to be picked up, unaware that the driver had no idea where it was. 50 mins and 3 calls later, we were picked up.

Peninsular Park north of the city has also a lovely rose garden, a big fountain, a lot less people. My first time here.

The next stop is Panther Creek falls, which is 1.5 hours of drive, all paved. The trail is very short, ~5 minute walk to a viewing deck. The falls is quite pretty, part of it drapes thin and wide down big slabs of rock, part of it is the creek running narrow and deep. I scrambled down to the creek downstream. This involves 2 short but steep rock walls.

Driving further east, we stopped by Catherine Creek. Very dry. Didn't find any Lewisia. Walked the paved path. Most prominent is Pea and Bachelor Button.

Horsethief Lake is a nice and different stop. A long row of pictographic rocks, no shade, very hot, at the end of the side road. Had picnic dinner under trees, near the campground. Good bathroom with water. Then, drove to Horsethief Butte for a walk. Good view of Hood.

My destination is Maryhill Stonehenge, so dad can look at Jupiter's moons and Venas' phase. The view of Jupiter is clearer than last time when I was here, the cloud bands were clearly visible. Not as many people as last time. We headed home before darkness fully settled. 2 hours drive.