A few more images from my last visit to Bandon: I was quite fortunate to be blessed with dramatic skies due to rain storms coming and going.
Finally the weather calmed down and I was able to capture this image with a longer exposure as the sun was setting:
While on our annual family retreat to the Oregon coast we were blessed with beautiful skies after a heavy rain storm in Bandon by the Sea:
My brother and his wife came all the way from Sweden to celebrate Thanksgiving with us last year. I took them to the Redwoods. It is always such a special place … majestic, peaceful, awe-inspiring beauty.
Merry Christmas to you and yours;
May you experience genuine peace … despite your circumstances … this Christmas and all through the new year as you begin to truly realize God’s amazing love shown through his son, Jesus.
After God created man (male and female) in his own image … “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground. I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground–everything that has the breath of life in it–I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.” (Gen. 1:28-29)
With this gift came also a heavy responsibility. “Subdueing and ruling” require constant care and wisdom. St. Francis of Assisi is likely the Patron saint of those who care for nature. Perhaps the first environmentalist and ecologist showing us how to live on this earth in a way that respects and honors nature as God’s creation.
So, the question … What do these photos have to do with our responsibility to care for what God has so generously given us? The answer will amaze you.
The Oregon Dunes Overlook is a “view point” and a trail head for hikers that is about 11 miles north of Reedsport off of 101. Be sure to get a Day Pass to park. There are two viewing platforms. But I recommend walking out onto the dunes. I took this shot looking back at the tree line and platform. The big bonus here is that there are no ATVs. Thus, an opportunity to consider another wonder of His creation.
Here’s another photo from the Oregon Dunes near Florence captured in the wee hours of the morning.
I love the warm glow of the morning sun filtering across the soft shapes of the dunes …. An “Alter Moment” reminding me of the song “Here comes the Sun.”
This photo was taken in Florence, Oregon with the low morning light revealing the soft wind-swept curves of the dunes. This is my first image from the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, a 40 mile stretch along the Oregon Coast from the Coos River in North Bend to the Siuslaw River in Florence.
This is the last of my Oregon Garden collection. The Gaillardia above turned out to be one of my favorites. They are so bold and bright. It was definitely a blessing having the early morning rain.
This is the view of the main lawn from the Axis Fountain. They have quite a variety of gardens from Conifers and wetlands to a pet friendly and children’s garden.
The Day Lilies were abundant.
There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet.
My favorite was the Bosque Reflecting Ponds, a central plaza featuring four brick ponds and 40 planter boxes, each planted with a single tree.
The Signature Oak is an Oregon Heritage Tree that is more than 400 years old.
June was fortunately a perfect time to appreciate the bounty of color.
If you live in the Pacific Northwest and need to get away for a few days, I can easily recommend the Silverton area. The Oregon Garden Resort is a very nice place and they have frequent deals through Travel Zoo. They show movies in the Garden during the summer, in October scarecrows are displayed throughout.
And Silverton is a Happening Place with loads of activities planned throughout the year: A Bloom Quilt Show, Brewer’s Tasting Dinner at the Resort, Fireworks on the 4th of July, and a Car Show in August. Silver Falls State Park with the trail of ten falls is just a short drive. Here is a photo of Winter Falls (check out my earlier post: All Creation Sings His Praises).
So, just maybe I will see you there someday.
The Oregon Garden in Silverton has a variety of “Specialty Gardens”. Here are a couple of Lilies from the Water Garden where they combine wildlife habitat and treated wastewater recycling, two functions which are usually kept separate.
Borage, also known as a starflower, is an annual herb. It is native to the Mediterranean region. It is a freely seeding, easy growing plant with vivid blue flowers and leaves with the flavor of cucumbers. The fuzzy white buds are what attracted me to them. Apparently both the flowers and leaves are edible. It is grown in both vegetable and flower gardens where it attracts pollinating bees and is considered a good companion plant for tomatoes, squash, and strawberries. It is thought to deter tomato hornworms and improve the flavor of tomatoes. Just another little miracle of God’s amazing creation calling to us to take notice.
John Christer's Open Heart 