Dear Liza,
Downtown Portland is filled with all sorts of tall buildings. Older ones of brick and stone, and modern ones of glass and steel. It has some streets that are stunningly civilized and some that are a little rundown and seedy. This isn’t surprising, I guess.
What IS surprising is finding a beautifully maintained bit of wilderness in the middle of all this stone and glass. This is Tanner Springs Park in northwest Portland.
One square city block has been cleared of pavements and planted in grasses, shrubs and small trees to create a wild space.
A clear natural spring (named Tanner Springs, after the tanner who originally had his shop here) runs through stone lined channels and down to the Willamette River.
We saw (and heard) at least five different species of birds and dozens of dragonflies, butterflies, and tiny spiders. This is a little piece of paradise.
It brings me so much joy to know that my city cares enough to create and maintain this place. We enjoyed some peace and quiet in before heading off to the next part of our adventure.
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 