Tourist photos

Here are some photos from a recent trip to northwest Oregon. We'll probably share more in the next several weeks/months.

The following photos were taken at the Swan Island Dahlia Farm, near Canby, Oregon. We visited about a month ago, in early September.

The fields in full bloom are quite beautiful and spectacular, as you might imagine. We took dozens of photos. We were overcome by a sudden urge to raise dahlias. We got better, but still a few wistful twinges remain.

We also liked the ornamental pond with its large and attractive fish. I took the photo to see if it would come out OK, or if the sun and reflections and quickly-moving fish would make it impossible to get a clear view.

I still want to have a pond or tank with attractive goldfish. That seems more achievable than successfully growing acres of gorgeous dahlias in our climate and with our soil, topography, and high altitude limitations.

And, speaking of fish, the Paradise Ponds and Landscaping store in Monument has all their fish and pond plants on sale. They're trying to reduce the stock before they close for the winter. The fancier fish are 50% off. The simple goldfish are 5 for $5. We now have 5 goldfish to entertain us throughout the winter. Next year, we'll put them into our small outdoor pond for the summer so they can eat mosquito larvae.

This is where I should put a photo of our new goldfish. Too bad I don't have one available yet. Perhaps it will get added later.