I have recently returned from my annual trip to Oregon, where my dogs and I participated in a trial near Salem. We had a wonderful weekend, with little Arlo placing and qualifying in all eight runs. Hannah placed in three out of four of her runs, and at eleven years old, I was very proud of her.
After our exciting weekend I drove to Bend, Oregon for a week of hiking and camping. Usually there is an agility trial in Bend in September, but this year it was cancelled, and I decided to go anyway. It is my vacation from work and a perfect time to visit the region.
Bend is located in eastern Oregon in high desert, so you have a choice of desert hiking, or by driving less than 50 miles east, you are in the Deschutes National Forest, dominated by inactive volcanoes that were draped in snow. The hiking is very varied, and I chose carefully for my two terriers are old and my male terrier has arthritis and has gone lame on hikes before. We hiked every day, and the scenery was incredible, snow topped mountains with black lava flows at their feet and fall colors everywhere.
Many of the lakes in the region are crystal clear and an incredible green, not from algae or bacteria because the water is too cold for that. I had packed my camera, but every single day I forgot to put it in my backpack so I have no pictures from this trip. Here are some pictures from previous trips there. Three happy dogs.
Coming home always is a bit of a let down. the garden is starting to look a little shabby, the swallows are all gone, and it really feels like the summer is over after our trip to Bend. But .. stepping into the greenhouses (well taken care of by one of my helpers) there were many things to greet me. I had seen buds emerging on one of my Bessera elegans when I left, and was almost tempted to take it with me since I didn't want to miss getting a picture. It is a beautiful pink, and the only pink Bessera I have (I actually HAVE taken bulbs along with me so that I didn't miss them blooming!) I have only one bulb, so it's going to be a long time before I can share this one.
Brunsvigia marginata was in bloom, and the beautiful pink B. bosmaniae was just opening its buds.
Cyrtanthus spiralis is a new one for me, so I was delighted to find it in bloom.
There will be many more to follow. Fall is an exciting time.