The Woods of Joy Creek Nursery
Many of you know I work for a fantastic nursery not far from home, Joy Creek Nursery in Scappoose, Oregon. Part of my job is to photo-document what's going on in the nursery and the surrounding four-acre garden for our Facebook page and website. It's an amazing task, and I take it to heart. Today while at work, nursery co-owner Mike (who also lives on the property and owns the 40 acre parcel of land on which it sits) took me for a special walk in the woods and valley of the creek that runs through it, Joy Creek. This was more of a pleasure walk than documenting specific species. I'd like to share it with you, so sit back and take in some of the forest sights to hopefully gain a sense of what it felt like to walk among the trees.
Fungi, lichen and mosses are abundant, especially visible this time of year.
Much of this wood brings to mind The Lord of the Rings and the wanderings of Middle Earth. Perhaps Elves and Hobbits dwell here, unseen by my mortal eyes.
The creek runs down from the hills to the valley below, gurgling its way to the nearby Columbia River.
The path through the forest is a nice wide one that Mike maintains regularly.
A tree with holes in it, covered in velvety green moss.
So many green layers!
Nice, just nice.
More amazing lichen. I don't recall having ever seen this before.
This is a big leaf maple trunk. I found the color of the moss fascinating.
Another shot of Joy Creek. Funny thing about Joy Creek. Mike's mother's name was Joy. Mike purchased the property many years ago and for several years after, had no idea the name of the creek shared his mother's. Kind of meant to be, I think.
"H" for happy? Perhaps Hobbit?
While it really is just another forest, it is special to all of us at Joy Creek Nursery and friends. Sometimes it's nice just to slow down and take it all in, to breathe the fresh air and to appreciate the finer things in life. Nature is one of those.
That's it for this week at Chickadee Gardens. As always, thank you for taking a tour with me and until next time, happy gardening!
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Thanks for sharing your great photos of the woods near Joy Creek Nursery. I never knew they were accessible (although probably not to customers). Great close-ups of the moss and lichens. They bring to mind that quote from Robert Frost "The woods are lovely, dark and deep."
ReplyDeleteThank you Alison! Yes, the woods are lovely, dark and deep. Apropos for this time of year, don't you think?
DeleteI want to take that stroll one of these days. Mom Nature truly is the ultimate gardener.
ReplyDeleteDo, Ricki! Mike is not difficult to lure into the woods :)
DeleteWhat a delightful walk. Thanks for taking us along. I can see that your area is a lot different than mine in that we don't get enough rain to sustain the furry trees like you have. They are quite beautiful. I too enjoy finding lichen and fungi that I have never seen before.
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming along on the journey, Lisa. The lichen and fungi around here are pretty amazing. I wish I knew more about them!
DeleteSo beautiful! We don't see woodland (much less creeks) like that down this way. I don't blame the hobbits for steering clear of Los Angeles - they probably don't like smog either.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kris! Well, perhaps you have hardier Hobbits in L.A. that hide very well. I'd like to think so. Hobbits of the Agave Realm. But you do have fabulous succulents, agaves and other drool-worthy plants, so take heart - that's just as good, if not better to some gardeners.
DeleteSo there really is a Joy Creek - I honestly never would have guessed. Beautiful photos...thanks for taking us on your walk. What do you all do in the non retail season?
ReplyDeleteThere really is a Joy Creek! Crazy that it took Mike a few years to figure it out. What do we do in the non-retail season? Mail order is year-round, so is the landscape department. I work on Facebook and projects in the office, mostly - a very abbreviated schedule but still nice to be connected through the winter.
DeleteSweet images from this day,Tamara. Some of those lichens are amazing! I have never seen that tall-sporing blue one before either. Winter is so great for the mosses. These woods remind me of up the hill at Vedanta too. Would still like to go there with you guys some day. And invite some like-minded moss nuts. 😁
ReplyDeleteAren't those crazy lichens? Come on out and we'll take you along, as I mentioned to Ricki, Mike is easily distracted to go for a walk in the woods...just ask him!
DeleteJoy Creek is a treasure of a place - fabulous gardens and a magical happy hobbit forest? Who knew? Thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome, Peter! Thanks for coming along for the tour!
DeleteHow very beautiful, I'm so glad you and Mike took the stroll!
ReplyDeleteYay! Me too. :)
DeleteWas at Joy Creek on Sunday with some friends. Always have a lovely time there and everyone is so gracious with answers and assistance.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad! We are a family of plant nerds, and we love sharing the gardens and nursery with the world. Cheers!
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