Jim and I are suffused with oxytocin, having just returned from visiting grand babies (7 years and 4 months) in Eugene, Oregon. Interesting to note that along with increasing social bonding, oxytocin is able to make your bones melt. That’s how I felt holding the newest addition to the pack.
Before visiting Eugene we stopped in Portland and toured the Japanese Gardens just a few minutes from downtown. Oh my. The fall colors are long gone in Wisconsin, which is currently being blasted with arctic air, but the trees put on an amazing show in Portland. Besides being overwhelmed with the beauty of the gardens, we were struck by the number of serious photographers there. I’ve never seen so many tripods in one place in my life. And no wonder; here’s what I was able to capture with just an iPhone:
I hope things are beautiful where you are too. Anything especially gorgeous going on where you live?
Beverly Ann Hebert says
Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos. Here is San Antonio the leaves will be at the height of “Fall” color change in December. The best place to see them in the city is at the Botanical Gardens. In the Hill Country we can go to Lost Maples State Park.
Barb Stanek says
Soon! Big white snowflakes! Can’t wait!
Minnesota Mary says
It’s a veritable winter wonderland here in Minneapolis! Fast, heavy snow falling since 3:00 am and everything looks absolutely beautiful. I love Minnesota in the winter, and so do my huskies
Cyn says
In Tucson cooler mornings and evenings feel wonderful! Our high today will be 83 which isn’t bad. Most notably our dog is shedding less and her coat is thickening up!
Michelle says
I live near Portland, and have my own small collection of Japanese maples. Hands-down, my favorite family of trees; they never fail to delight my senses year-round, but are simply breathtaking in the fall.
Frances says
What stunning photos! I expect to see Bambi’s face peering through the leaves – the place looks so perfect as to be unreal… Here in the UK winter seems to have retreated again – I have late raspberries still ripening and impatiens in bloom, and most days the sun manages to put in an appearance, albeit a rather watery one. We really need a month or two of severe frosts to kill off the fleas and ticks and other nasties, though, or we will regret this mild weather come next spring and summer!
Monika & Sam says
Spectacular! My daughter and her family moved to the Eugene area and I’m looking forward to a visit in the near future to see why everyone is so taken with the Pacific NW. Thank you for sharing such lovely sights.
Vera Stewart says
Pictures are beautiful especially taken with an I-Phone
Jeanne says
We live just east of Seattle, in a little town at the foot of the Cascade Mountains. While the fall color is muted just a bit this year because of the GLORIOUSLY warm, dry summers we’ve had the past two years, the Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful places on earth. We are gob-smacked in love with where we live.
And, yes. When I first held my twin granddaughters just moments after their birth, I felt completely that my bones had melted. They live in Cleveland; whenever we visit them and their little brother now the flood of oxytocin from their wild, exuberant hugs is enough to make my heart explode. Life is good.
Mary Hunter says
Wonderful photos! The trees are just beginning to change colors here in north Texas.
I miss the pretty fall colors — I lived for four years in Illinois and the falls there were so much prettier.
~Mary
diana says
I love your posts. I look forward to them and when I see them in my inbox they are like little treasures to unwrap. Thank you for the way you share your life with us.
Dieta says
Lovely pictures. Nothing like that here, just waves crushing along the shore and the wonderful relaxation of sitting by the fire, surrounded by my dogs, while it is raining outside and blowing a gale
Jane says
I live in Portland and the Japanese Garden never fails to be one of the most peaceful, calming places in town. I have gone there when stressed–even once on the day before surgery!–and always come away feeling better. You went at the perfect time, because today we are in the midst of a big wind storm and all those beautiful trees are losing their leaves. Perfect example of Zen impermanence!
Aliesha says
That is one of my favorite places to visit! I live just a few minutes south of the Portland Japanese Garden, and I feel as if I live in a Bob Ross painting most of the time out here. So glad you got to visit at our peek color time this year! Also congrats on the new addition! (hope that means you might be back out here again sometime soon) 🙂
Cathy W. says
Lovely autumn colours. Here in South Australia the rain has stopped and we’ve turned dry and yellow very quickly.
diane says
🙂 beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing. I’m near Chicago – enough said….shivers instead!
Lauren Miller says
I’m in Portland!! We live the Japanese Gardens!
Congratulations on the new grandbaby!
lin says
Not too much color in Northern California (although some trees do change color). A little bit of rain today — hoping for more!
chloe says
I, also live in Portland! When are you giving a lecture here is the question! Pleeeaaase
Kat says
Gorgeous pictures! I’m privileged to sit on the Board of Directors for Mountaineers Foundation http://www.mountaineersfoundation.org which owns and manages 400+ acres of Lowland Pacific Rainforest http://www.preserveoldgrowth.org. It means I have easy access to views like this https://www.flickr.com/photos/33350160@N02/3109289561/in/set-72157633186853281. There’s something especially wonderful about being out in nature. I often wonder if part of the reason we’re so attached to our dogs is because it helps to keep us grounded in the natural world.
Nic1 says
Stunning pics! We are currently enveloped in a pea-souper of fog. I can’t even see the trees!
Mireille says
Lovely dreamy pics, Trisha!
We are having an unusually warm autumn here. I do not mind so much, since I hurt my back and was forbidden to go scootering with the hyper husky’s… Well, wasn’t allowed to put Spot en Shadow in harness together anyway since Spot still has muscle problems (deep gluteal and pirifomis muscles, somehow he doesn’t engage them in his ‘drive”) . I followed a very interesting workshop of “Galen therapy” and started with massage and movement exercises. In the workshop was some really amazing footage of dog-movement. I found it very helpful. If you are interested, here is a link to their website: http://www.caninetherapy.co.uk
And some Dutch autumn pics: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4k3ssIrZTqg/VCBnVulom3I/AAAAAAAACSU/Hy6IEsALFKA/s1600/IMG_1509.JPG
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ho0_ce9qEZ4/VCBnTlNhrQI/AAAAAAAACR8/NeQ9P57Bs5M/s1600/IMG_1501.JPG
And please, tips to keep a hyper husky occupied ;-). I am so lucky that I am still able to let the run loose in some places but in a way, it just isn’t a replacement for working for Shadow…. After an our off leash running and playing, playing with a new ball and dismanteling a box filled with smaller boxes etc and treats and a filed kong he is now finally “out”