Over the weekend Simeon and I entertained our friends, Rob and Kristin, who were up from California for the weekend. We have been trying to convince them that Oregon is “the place to be.” We figured what better way to prove our point than to show them. We started the morning off at Beaterville Cafe, a trendy little breakfast place in North Portland that we knew would cater to Rob’s vegan lifestyle. Then we took a little drive through downtown, Sim pointing out the sights along the way, and ended up at the Portland Classical Chinese Garden.

Knowing that Rob has been learning Chinese, Simeon thought he would take an interest in the gardens. Every now and then Rob would recognize a Chinese character or point out an interesting cultural tidbit, which really personalized the experience. Besides, how could anyone not love a beautiful little square block of all things zen and peaceful nestled in the heart of our bustling city?

I always enjoy having guests from out of town because it allows us to play tourist. Simeon and I have talked about visiting the garden, but never had a good reason to make the time to see what was hidden behind the fancy gates. Needless to say, we were not disappointed in the amazing architecture, the serene water features, and the gorgeous foliage.

Luckily the weather cooperated and we were able to enjoy the beautiful blooms and signs of new life that only spring can provide. You can see all the pictures from the Chinese Garden and even a couple of us up at Council Crest Park over in the gallery. Enjoy!