Well, it's July and officially Summer in Portland. Needless to say there are a lot of smiley happy Portland people holding hands around here. For me, summer means a reason to be outside everyday and an excuse to soak up all that highly valuable sun that we don't get enough of here in the Northwest. From working in the garden to hanging clothes out on the line, summer makes it incredibly easy for me to be outdoorsy, not to mention very happy.
Another benefit of all this sunny weather is that it motivates me to be more active, and to find ways to get a great workout, outside of the gym. Those of you that know me can easily predict what I will say next. It always amazes me that there are so many beautiful places to walk, hike, bike and explore right here within the Portland city limits. I'm a long-time fan of Mt. Tabor, and this year there's already been a few days when I've gone walking and gotten lost up there for hours. Forest Park and Washington Park are also gorgeous spots with lots of trails and foliage to explore.
This year there's a new favorite on my list that's right around the corner from my house which is always a plus. Better known as a bicycle path, the Spring Water Trail and Corridor is a 40 mile multi-use path that now has a special place in my heart.
Yesterday, Shawn, Royce and I embarked on an absolutely gorgeous 6 mile walk down the corridor. We met the trail just around the corner from our house (on SE 88th Ave), followed it across SE 82nd Ave., and then headed all the way down Johnson Creek to end up at the Tideman Johnson Nature Park (which I didn't even know existed). Due to a tired puppy and the 90 degree weather, we decided to stop there and headed off the trail at SE 39th, which we then followed to meet SE Woodstock Blvd. Before the last leg of our trek, we stopped at Otto's Sausage Kitchen, one of our favorite spots on Woodstock, where everyone, including Royce, gained some energy from deliciously cooked sausages right off the grill.
This excursion is only a small part of what the Spring Water Trail has to offer. Following the trail in other directions or starting from different points could lead you to Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge or Powell Butte Nature Park, as well as the Leach Botanical Gardens. The trail is paved and easily accessible, but still highlights lots of Portland's natural beauty. Walking along Johnson Creek, stopping for Royce to have a drink or get splashed in the creek in order to cool down, it was easy to forget we were still in Portland and not out in the middle of the forest.
The Spring Water Trail is extensive and has an interesting history that is too much to include in this post. If you want to learn more about the trail I suggest visiting www.40mileloop.org/trail_springwatercooridor.htm. This site includes history, maps and more. If you are like me and love exploring all the natural beauty that Portland has to offer, this is definitely a spot worth checking out; especially if you need to tire out your dog, or your boyfriend.
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