Washington

Driving to Washington was unforgettable as one sees shades of green, sheep and cattle grazing, occasional sight of meandering rivers,  rest area surrounded by trees and much more. We drove to Washington to see our friends during the labor day week-end. We stayed in Eugene, Ashland, Portland and Bellingham. We ate tons of berries whenever we stopped for a break. They were so sweet and juicy. I harvested curly dock, tansy, alder cones and sumac.

Alder cones

Curly dock

Sumac

A type of dried thistle

Queen Anne's lace

Dried grass

Color and texture 

A bouquet of tansy

A piece of rusty object I found by the river

On the night in Portland, we went to Meriwether's for dinner. We had kohlrabi soup, vegetable ravioli and a salad. Everything was delicious. The ravioli I ate was the best. The fresh produce come from Meriwether's Skyline Farm. It was a cool night and walking around the buzzling downtown was quite an experience.

Colors

San Diego Spanish Village Art Center

A small pond in Balboa park

This purple flowering tree grows in Sri Lanka too

Tender, curvy and soft

One bright leaf

Eucalyptus bark and leaves

During a walk around the lake merrit I found fallen bark of a huge eucalyptus tree. I was delighted and collected the long, flexible bark. I carried them the way the women carry firewood back home in Sri Lanka. My friend Morgan was with me and she thought the sight was pretty humorous and regretted not having her camera handy. I gathered a few garments that I wanted to dye with the parts of this unwanted, invasive species. While the dye soup was steaming I remembered a different species of eucalyptus that grew in my school yard by a classroom. The kids called it 'Vicks' tree. The leaves were pale green and its bark was white and papery. Whenever I walked by that tree I would pick a long, slightly curvy leaf, crush it between my fingers and inhale the smell. It felt good. I wonder if the tree is still alive or the brutal war had destroyed it.

Image courtsey: wikipaedia

My cardigan after a good soak in the dye bath of eucalyptus leaves and bark

Eucalyptus dyed silk on the right

Brian's shirt dyed with eucalyptus

My eucalyptus top (with iron mordant)