Trip Report

First we visited the World Forestry Center and then the Oregon Viet Nam Memorial, followed with lunch at the Rose Garden in Washington Park. In the afternoon, volunteers from the Portland Audubon Society provided an extensive guided walk through the deep forest surrounding the Audubon House. They conduct extensive research and rehabilitation in this remnant of Old Growth located within city limits. Of course their primary work involves birds; they also operate a care and rehabilitation hospital for all native animals.

On the second day to the Grotto, a Servite Sanctuary. Their elevator lifted us up to the upper level, which contains beautiful manicured grounds, ponds and paths. The meditation chapel is an architectural gem with an incredible view toward the Columbia River and beyond (alas, it was foggy this day). Then to the Leach Botanical Garden for lunch at the patio surrounding the historic family home; then a guided tour of the trails and woods on both sides of infamous Johnson Creek. Formerly the Leach family home, this is now a city park. Lilla Leach, a botanist, identified the rare flowering plant, Kalmiopsis Leachiana, which only grows naturally in South-Eastern Oregon. We ended at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Oregon City.

Thirty Obsidians and guests included: Ethel Allen, Ewart & Margaret Baldwin, Lloyd & Betty Bissell, Marian Borchardt, Ingrid Carmichael, Clair Cooley, William & Marge Eaton, Bette Hack, Geri Haller, Dora Harris, Rosella Jones, Dodie Leppmann, Loretta Mason, John & Lenore McManigal, Cleora Mersdorf, Frances Newsom, Virginia Prouty, Liz Reanier, Edna Robertson, Ed & Dorothy Sullivan, John Thomson, Christy White, Mildred Weatherby and Jean & Ray Jensen (leader). Our able driver was John Bunker.