From lilacs to tulips.

Woodland was a very cool place. First we got to visit with Larry & Jan for a couple days and then Woodland gave us a day of flowers. The lilac garden and the old house was great to see. It was also the tulip festival. Look at these tulips!

Can you smell them?

I can.

WA trip... Woodland, WA....Part 13

After getting set up at Larry & Jan's new park, saying our hello/how are ya's, we went to the lilac festival.

The story of the Lilac Lady....

Hulda Klager was two years old when her parents brought her to America from Germany in 1865. They moved to Woodland, WA in 1877 and then to the current farm location in 1877. Even tho she was a busy pioneer women she always made time for her flowers. While she was recovering from an illness in 1903, she received a book by Luther Burbank about plant propagation. She experimented first on apples, then on to lilacs. And by 1905 she had 14 new varieties of lilacs. In ten years she had enough varieties to host her first open house. She continued until her death in 1960. As her reputation grew, Hulda became unknown as the Lilac Lady.
In 1948 her farm and all of Woodland was underwater for six weeks from a huge flood. Many of her previous customers sent her lilacs to replace those she lost. So she worked hard again and at the age of 83 spent two years restoring her gardens.
After her death in 1960 her family was unable to maintain the farm the sold it to a developer. The local garden club stepped in to save the home and gardens. Today the gardens are owned and maintained by the Hulda Klager Lilac Society. The farmhouse has been restored and the gardens are beautiful. Open house is celebrated annually from mid April thru Mother's Day. The site is a National Historic site.

WA trip... Irrigon, OR to Wooland, WA....Part 12

We kept flirting with Mt. Hood as we drove to Woodland. It's an interesting area. Across the river is the state of Washington. We were heading to see Larry & Jan. They are responsible for us getting the job at the Hood Canal. They are at The Columbia River RV Park. As the name says it is next to the river. The coolest thing is that ocean container ships and oil tankers or tugboats pushing barges go by.

WA trip... Leaving Wallowa Valley....Part 11

We finally left the Hells Canyon area. It was a great visit. We can see why Ken
loves the area. We traveled over the mountains down to farm country, past Pendleton,OR to stop for the night in Irrigon, OR.

WA trip... Wallowa Valley....Part 10

We drove to Troy. They were having a Black Powder shot. Neat people, loud bangs.

WA trip..Wallowa Valley....Part 9

Animals of the valley.

WA trip... Wallowa Valley..Part 8

Scenery pictures. Welcome to the Blue Banana Restaurant.

WA trip... Oxbow to Joseph...Part 7

Off to Joseph via highway 39. Oh damn, there's too much snow. Is that rocks on the road too? Hey Deb, drive ahead and check it out, would ya? I did and we turned around.