May 17, 2025 7 min read Gardens

My Artistic Getaway Follow-up

Lan Su Chinese Garden lake

Dear Esteemed Readers,

On Saturday morning, May 3, 2025, my husband David and I headed off from Tieton, Washington to explore two quiet garden destinations that awaited us in Portland, Oregon: A traditional, secluded, walled “scholar’s garden”—set in the midst of a city—and the Japanese Garden, overflowing with native trees and cascading waterfalls, about 45 minutes by bus from our home Airbnb base in NW Portland.

In both garden environments, I was in heaven.

My previous Art Nun postcard outlining several ongoing or special events in the Lan Su garden—a visit to the Chinese calligrapher’s on-site studio and live music performances played on traditional Chinese instruments—proved to be incompatible with the dates of our arrival and departure from Portland. But we were successful in spending part of one afternoon at the Lan Su teahouse overlooking the Garden.

The Lan Su Chinese Garden

Imagine traveling to 16th Century China and and entering the private garden of a wealthy scholar’s family.

This was exactly the initial experience that the Lan Su Chinese Garden offered me during my first trip there several years ago. Now, on my much-awaited second visit, I drew from my subsequent self-directed research and reading to expand my appreciation and knowledge of the specific cultural, philosophical and spiritual principles that contributed to the garden’s overall design.

Photo of sotne mosaic pathway with vegetation on either side, and light red shrub in background — Entrance to the Lan Su Chinese garden with river pebble mosaic designs, and split bamboo edging

The Chinese garden aesthetic embodies a microcosm of nature, based on both Taoist and Confucian ideals. Taoist views revere the mysterious, free flowing balance and harmony inherent in nature, while the traditional Confucian world view emphasizes the importance of education, proper conduct, moral integrity, and a deep reverence for tradition and family loyalty as guideposts for maintaining social harmony.

This orderly intertwining of architectural, decorative, and spiritual elements in the Lan Su garden includes elaborate pavilions, covered walkways, a variety of water features, beautifully carved wooden filigree screens and furniture, and more private interior spaces set aside for traditional, ancestral family shrines or the viewing of memorial plaques.

Photo of room with two columns on either side of shrine with two ceiling lanterns on either side — The family Shrine Room adjacent to the Scholar’s private study

Photo of plaque "Remembering Family" — An eloquent essay about the Family Shrine tradition in Chinese culture.

When I first began writing the introductory stories and biographies included in my Art Nun of Central Washington journal at the end October in 2023, I also made a decision to dedicate this ongoing work to my own ancestors, whose musical and artistic gifts were never acknowledged or supported. I believed (and still believe) that through the compressed potential of their collective DNA, their unrealized dreams were passed on for me to fulfill.

And without any hesitation, I accepted the assignment that was offered to me.

Standing before the ancestral memorials displayed in the Lan Su garden’s protected interior spaces on my second trip there, I began to feel an even deeper connection to the joys, challenges, and sorrows that my ancestors experienced. And although some aspects of their world views were sometimes troubling mysteries to me, by researching and writing the details I discovered in their life stories, I eventually began to shift some of my less positive remembrances to more balanced and compassionate evaluations of past family dynamics.

Photo of brass plaque with Chinese lettering and flower, honoring Frances Chin — A traditional memorial plaque that honors a beloved ancestor

The Lan Su garden plantings themselves include exuberant flowering specimens such as peonies, lotuses, and plum blossoms, which celebrate seasonal change and are mostly allowed to exhibit their natural forms without artificial pruning. The combined effect is lush and layered, which creates a sense of sense of beauty and abundance throughout the year.

In the video panorama and photos that follow, I include examples of how all these elements complement and support one one another within the garden.

An elaborately designed covered walkway in the Lan Su garden.

The walkway leads to the opposite side of the garden where rugged, natural stone outcroppings create a waterfall that flows as a stream under a nearby stone footbridge:

The sounds of falling water inside the stone grotto

(left) Photo of light stone arched bridge with floral design in center, going over small waterway; (right) photo of 6-petaled stone flower — *(left)* A chiseled stone flower design on arched footbridge; *(right)* a closeup of the flower design

Photo of Sandra in green jacket and hat in background arch, with a second arch, carved window covering, and two stone wall hanging with green lettering in foreground — Sandra awaits entry to the private Scholar’s Desk room.

Photo of room with wooden desk, ornate windows and large mirror — My dream Scholar's Desk room with scrolls, brushes, inks and carved seals.

Photo of golden lantern with dark filigree and red tassel hanging from ceiling — Illuminated art panels in hanging lamp, with calligraphy embellishment

The Portland Japanese Garden

Photo of pond surrounded buy lush vegetation in green and rust, with a small bridge in background — Towering Pines, Moon Bridge, and Red Japanese Maples

Although both the Lan Su Chinese Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden include a variety of water features and planted specimens adapted to the local climate, their settings and aesthetic ideals could not be more different.

The compact Chinese Garden was developed “in the midst of the city” as a refuge from the busyness of everyday life, while the Japanese Garden stands among towering evergreens on a large and spectacular piece of property on the outskirts of the city.

Unlike the Lan Su garden’s colorful and extravagant architectural presence and plantings, the Japanese Garden relies on more muted and humble structural elements made from natural materials, which are designed to quietly blend into their surroundings as a reflection of their Zen Buddhist inspiration. And by emphasizing the soothing green tones of mosses, ferns, and a variety of leaf colors and shapes in the overall layout, the garden plantings themselves mirror this preference for unobtrusive humility.

Photo of blocked stone path leading through open wooded gate with long horizontal roof, connected to two stone walls, and trees in background — A Japanese Garden entry gate with stonework pathways

Photo of path made of light and dark grey stone, with low shrubs on right and grass on left — Another variegated stonework garden pathway

Photo looking out from an open veranda with stonework floor and wooded post and roof, onto garden with stone paths and trees and shrubs — A thatched roof over a contemplative viewing veranda

Photo of room with blue tile and light green walls, raised covered wooden platform and wall inset on right with scroll and flower in vase — The secluded, Japanese Tea house seating and serving area, with a poetic scroll unfurled in the alcove

The abstract stone designs of walking paths throughout the Japanese Garden offer visitors a slow-paced stroll through a world of quiet beauty. These elegant and understated pathways also remind walkers to take their time in getting from point “A” to point “B”.

Photo curved low stone wall, with steps on either side, covered with moss and plantings, and small trees in background — An elevated, moss and fern planted outcropping provides a soothing focal point next to the nearby winding stone stairway.

Anniversary Culinary Explorations

But hungry anniversary pilgrims cannot survive on inspiring garden vistas alone…

Fortunately, our quiet and secluded Portland Airbnb studio cottage was only a 15-minute walk along tree-lined residential streets to the Alberta Street Arts District, which features bustling, non-stop coffee cafes and international eateries. After reviewing various anniversary dinner options online before we left Tieton, we chose a small and intimate Spanish Tapas restaurant on Alberta street, called “Urdaneta” (a Basque word meaning “The Place of the White Stones”) whose menu features the chef’s Basque and Andalusian culinary roots.

And just WOW! We made the perfect choice and proudly offer our enthusiastic review below:

Only a few minutes after we sat down, we were treated to an “on the house” glass of Spanish Cava, a type of Spanish bubbly. And soon, our first course of “Pintxos”( Basque “small bites”) arrived from fabric artist server “Daisy”. We marveled at two of the jewel-like creations that were part of that evening’s specialties: a poached tatsu oyster with a delicious Romanesco sauce, topped with fish roe, and served in an small etched crystal glass, accompanied by a grilled potato “waffle” whose indentations were filled with savory aioli.

Photo of section of dining table with glass of red food and waffle with 8 small servings of green and brown, on wooden tray — The tatsu oyster “Ostra” with grilled potato “Gofre”

Photo of thin women wearing gree and yellow dress and white and red shawl, facing camera, with tables in background — Fabric artist and server “Daisy” in full Artiste regalia

Photo of browned halibut in white sauce and flowers, in shallow grey bowl on dinging table — Our main course of fresh halibut in a coconut and balsamic sauce

Photo of Sandra next to man wearing black and white bandana, both smiling at camera — Sandra and chef “Trevor” celebrate his culinary mastery

Photo of dining table with two silver cups of espresso and tray of cheesecake with red quince past and whipped cream, next to a lit green candle — Our dessert of feather-light Spanish “tarta de queso” (cheesecake) with anniversary wish candle and after-dinner espresso

Phot of woman in classes, black blouse and large red flower-patterned long skirt, with tables in background — “Jaya,” our knowledgable and fashionable dessert server

Epilogue

Our pilgrimage to some of Portland’s garden and dining destinations fulfilled all of our anniversary dreams. But in our delirium, we forgot to photograph a celebratory toast! So, when we arrived back in Tieton, we donned our lavish Japanese yukatas in front of our Indonesian shrine, and raised our glasses to another year: