August 4th and 5th, 2018

I spent lots of time in gardens while visiting family and celebrating my birthday in Eugene last weekend.

Owen Rose Garden

We took a slow lap around the still blooming rose beds.

Dahlias galore!

Family members have been curating this backyard garden since the early 1980’s, and it is one of my favorite places in the world.

So many flowers, especially dahlias right now:

Late summer veggies and fruit:

Hendricks Park

We took an evening stroll along the roads and tree-lined paths.

Serenity Garden with Buddha

Another peaceful family garden has a new statue.

Around town

We visited several fine restaurants (Chapala, Ta Ra Rin Thai, McMenamins, and Prince Pucklers Ice Cream) and shopping  areas (5th St Market, Saturday Market and both branches of Hiron’s).

We walked through Washburne Park where the One More Time Around Marching Band had just finished a show. We saw a trombone player wearing mardi gras beads and a rubber chicken on his head. The sun was setting blood red through the wild fire smoke haze.

Birthday Cake and More Flowers