a story of miles #2

Some of the few miles added to the Camry’s odometer came from driving briefly from Nehalem Street (home) in Southeast to Portland’s Rhododendren Garden, also in SE. Generally into the smallish parking lot, but if it was filled, across 28th Ave to one of Reed College’s lots. I almost always went on the day of free admission, Tuesday or Wednesday – I can’t remember everything.

Generally there were lots of tourists (people touring) amidst all the plethora of rhody colors, long winding paths, unique passageways over and through the waters of Crystal Springs Lake. The whole space was a dazzlement, an ongoing wonder just to be in it. And with plentifully people’d, as is my way, I wandered to a far boundary and a bench almost always empty until this guest accepted its invitation. This bench:

I cannot tell you all the moment by moment magesty and solace and the fact of grace I found there, so many, many times. And I won’t try. This is a story falling out from the odometer.