Mom's Whimsical Forest

I love to visit Mumsie--Not only do I walk where I once played as a child, but there's a magical quality about that little bit of land. 

After the new owners logged the forests of my childhood, Mom's place became an oasis for animals, especially the birds.  It is a microcosm of what once was.  And it is beautiful to my eyes.

Have a lovely day, dear Friends.  Keep watching for the sparkles God has placed in the world.

Enchanted Forest -Outdoor Wednesday

Just a little over a year ago, an out-of-towner purchased the forests of my childhood.  He clear cut the entire thing, destroying the habitat of many endangered species.  Why that was allowed is still baffling to me.

It was an enchanted place, where mystery and beauty held hands.

The creek in the canyon was spared--with 50 feet of forest to be left on each side as green space.  However some of the woodlands where I played as a child have been saved.  I am thankful to the City of Wilsonville for its preservation of some of that area as a park protecting the old growth trees there.

I still miss walking the forests--but I have these pictures and all those wonderful memories.  My childhood was wonderful.  We spent hours and days playing in that enchanted forest.  It makes me smile to remember.  

Have a great rest of the week and happy Outdoor Wednesday.

Sidewalks and Streetlights

Next to the snazzy homes being built along the street, where sidewalks and streetlights abound, the forest stands silent.  When the wind blows--I am sure the history of this once beautiful place whispers through man's progress.  Huge homes stand so close together, one could shake hands across the small divide between them.

Sissy says these are California houses.  The very kind of neighborhood which, if it somehow caught fire, would leap from house to house.  I hope that never happens here.

Old Growth Beauty

This is one of the incredibly beautiful Cedar trees which grow in the canyons and woodlands surrounding what once was The Abandoned.  It is beautiful.  The trees grow big and graceful.  If I were to stand next to the cedar tree you see here, I would be dwarfed by it's sheer size.

I love this place--these forests.  There is such incredible hidden beauty there. 

Gnarly Oak in The Abandoned

Here is another of the ancient oaks found in the forests surrounding what once was The Abandoned.  I adore oak trees--They are like dear old Grandpas.  I still hug them when I can.  This picture was taken early last Spring.

With our record rainfall, the moss is growing thick and green on the trees.  The forest is a magical place right now.  though the leaves are gone it is beautiful.

Have a lovely day, sweet Friends!

In the Green of the Forest

Here is a wonderful old tree found in the outskirts of what was once The Abandoned.  The forest is still untouched--yet I fear that may not last long.  There are now parcels of land for sale along the tip of the Canyon.  The forest as we knew it may not survive.  In the meantime, here is this old man tree in the green of the forests of my childhood. 

Walking the Forests of my Childhood

In the canyons which surround what once was The Abandoned, one can find among the old fragrant cedar trees, these giant oaks.  They have been alive for hundreds of years. 

Once my sister and I saw a mountain lion sleeping in the branches about three stories up.  These trees are home to all kinds of wildlife.  I love them.  These big old Oak trees remind me of dear wrinkled grandfathers.  I like to hug them.

There are castles in the woods nearby--festooned with moss, the fairies and elves must love living here.

Have a lovely day, dear Friends. 

Broken Hearts -Guest Heart Thursday

These were the hunks and chunks of what was once The Abandoned.  Since the day I took this picture, these chunks have been reduced to pea sized gravel.  Not a bad thing.  Sissy and I have discovered one can find the most amazing agates and beautiful rocks in the piles of gravel left in the wake of the destruction of The Abandoned.

How grateful I am to see that the magic of the forest of our childhood is still alive and well.
For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Bright Climbing Hearts -Guest Heart Thursday

Bright yellow hearts climb impossible heights in the old swimming pool room.   I am so glad to have caught this unlikely combination of blue light fixture and yellow paint.

There is nothing left of the swimming pool building now.  It was located off to the left hand side of your screen.  Soon there will be a neighborhood and The Abandoned will be just a memory.  I do miss the mystery of the old days! 

Still--there is the forest.  It is still as beautiful as ever.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Crackle Mud Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

Sissy and I went for a walk through The Abandoned last week.  She was the one who found this heart for me.  Who would have thought of looking for a heart in a crackly, dry mud puddle?  

Here is the view of all that is left of the main building.  You can't really tell it, but I am standing at the top of a very steep cliff.  The tracks of big equipment are actually far below.  Those piles of gravel are HUGE.  One can find the most amazing agates and rocks here.

Above you see the main building which once stood here.  They've done a very good job of  reducing the entire complex to bits and pieces of gravel and rubble.

It still seems magical to me.  Especially the forests which still surround this area.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Mysterious Forest -Guest Heart Thursday

I took this photo last spring.  Though buildings of The Abandoned are gone, there is still the forest of my childhood.  It is a small, mysterious pocket of wild wood, which seems filled with ancient enchantments.  If one listens close enough, one might hear the laughter of children and the song of faeries.

If you look closely, there are hearts hidden everywhere.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Magical Forest Tree Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

Last summer I took this picture of the sun sparkling through the trees.  If you look below the sunsparkle, you can see there are several places where the sky comes through the leaves of the forest to form hearts.  It is such a beautiful, magical place.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Evening Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

I love the woods surrounding The Abandoned.  Do you see the heart in the clouds?  This is a photo I snapped last Fall.

Happy Guest Heart Thursday and have a lovely day!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.
 

WARNING: If you visit The Abandoned without permission, you risk getting arrested for trespassing. Please be careful.  Since the buildings have been demolished, some people question the presence of surveillance cameras. Don't assume there aren't cameras in place. Individuals who come onto the property without permission, should know the owners are VERY serious about identifying trespassers.  

Spring Showers, Reflections Outside In

It is striking to see the forest reflected so beautifully, standing deep within The Abandoned.   Though there are many places which are dark and sometimes frightening, I am often surprised how often we find nature's beautiful reflection outside in.


WARNING: Think twice about visiting The Abandoned without permission.  You risk getting arrested for trespassing.

Mossy Castle - Guest Heart Thursday

When Mom was a little girl the old growth trees were harvested leaving bare brown hills and the canyon.  But over the years, nature restored its beauty with a passion.  Huge fir and cedar trees were already in place when my siblings and I played on the wide tops of those huge old growth stumps.  They became imaginary castles.  Leaning from the largest stump, grasping the limber branches of the vine maple bowing overhead, we would swing across the small trickling stream. Ah, what adventures we had!

Now these stumps are covered with moss and delicate with age.  The bare feet of childhood's past would not be able to step here.  Can you find the large mossy heart on the side of the stump?

I find a sort of unearthly beauty about the grace of the mosses and fern one finds in the lands near The Abandoned.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

WARNING: If you visit The Abandoned, be sure to get permission from the owner, or caretaker before you come, otherwise you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

Forest Gnome in The Abandoned

Last Spring Sissy and I were exploring the forests surrounding The Abandoned.  Who did we happen to see, but this Gnome strolling effortlessly through stinging nettles and black berry vines.  He seemed to be in a great hurry, but did stop to wave a friendly hello.

Then he was on his way.  And so were we.

WARNING:  If you visit The Abandoned, you need to have permission from the owner, or caretaker before you come, otherwise you risk getting arrested for trespassing.

Forest Faces - Weekend Reflections

Walking through the forest surrounding The Abandoned is always a magical experience.  If you look closely at this photo--you can find at least three faces, maybe more.  Can you see them?

For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.



WARNING: Anyone wishing to visit The Abandoned, must have permission from the owners.

Archway of the Abandoned

Sissy and I went for another walk through the forests near The Abandoned.  There we found this giant moss-covered arch held up by chance, by an old snag.  We thought it would make a wonderful place for a faery wedding--and who knows, perhaps it was--there was a sort of magic about it.

Beneath the arch we found this fat green tree frog.  He sat so quietly on  Sissy's hand.  I think he liked sitting there.


NOTE: If you intend to visit The Abandoned, be sure to get permission from the owners first. If you do not have permission, you may be arrested and prosecuted for trespassing.