I took a belated birthday field trip a couple weeks ago with my Bestie Michelle (totally recommended whenever needed to avoid writer burn out or for renewed inspiration, location to be determined by burnee) to the Oregon Japanese Gardens. Even my phenomenal photography non-abilities could ruin these scenes.
Ah, sweet peace. Paths winding between shadows and sunshine.
Brooks babbling over rocks and between drooping trees.
Bridges leading to a distant land far from work and worries.
And, since we were in Portland…of course we had to go to Powells.
And besides an armload of books, I found this fabulous find in the romance section, a side-splitting end to a great day (and in case the writing is too small for you to read–Fabio says: “Look with your eyes, not with your hands.” 
Where’s your place to go to get a brief break from the every day world?
I don’t know that I go anywhere special locally. I have a convertible, so driving for me (when the weather’s good) relaxes me. I call it air therapy. For long, special trips, I like to go places where I can either a) check my brain at the door (aka the beach) or b) places I can stroll shops and people watch. (AKA New Orleans, Eureka Springs, etc.)
How nice it would be to have a convertible…but then again, I live in Oregon, where it rains. A lot. And, I have really long hair, which would end up in nasty, wind-knotted snarls. Yeah, I’ll stick to gardens and book stores. 🙂
I thought you went to the Oregon Gardens in by Silverton. Guess I had that wrong. Your pictures are wonderful.
Actually, that’s where I thought we were headed, but I was (obviously) mistaken. But I’d never been to the Japanese Gardens, so it was awesome. I’ll have to post more pictures on FB – most of them turned out. A miracle. 🙂
Wow, two of my favorite places. There is nothing like the Japanese Gardens to recharge your batteries. Even in the rain it is amazing. My husband lived in Japan and he tells me the gardens are built to balance all the senses, including sound of water moving through the various channels and wooden apparatus (forgetting the the actual name here). Great post, great pix!
Thanks, Jamie! Although I’ve lived in Oregon all my life, I’d never been to the Japanese Gardens before. Got lots of landscaping ideas…might need to build my own Japanese Garden for a little spot of peace in my own backyard. 🙂
Fishing of course is my way to retreat from the everyday!!!
You’re insane. All I have to say about that.