The first week of April brought torrents of rain and concrete skies. But, if you live in Portland Heights, a little rain doesn’t stop an interesting eight-mile loop hike from home. I walked down to Washington Park, spent a few minutes of reflection at the Holocaust Memorial, unsuccessfully looked for roses in bloom at the Rose Garden, hiked on the Wildwood Trail to the Vietnam Memorial where I paid my respects, hiked to the top of Council Crest (the highest point in Portland), took a breather and then walked the last 1 1/2 miles to home.

It was a very wet outing, but a few early spring flowers provided some enjoyment along the hiking path. And, as a Tom Cruise character might opine, it wasn’t a target-rich environment for a photographer.

Red-flowering Currant

Oregon Rose Garden

Wet, bedraggled Trilliums

Rain-drenched Magnolias