Portland's Lan Su Chinese Gardens: Hall of Brocade Clouds

Sometimes beauty equals profound tranquility. This garden is where I want to be right now. I've looked at a hundred or more photographs of the Lan Sun Chinese Garden in Portland and none of them do it justice. I realize it's because the images do not, cannot evoke the profound experience of entering these gates and walking into a garden of twelve interlocking parts: Reflections in Clear Ripples to Moon Locking Pavilion, Courtyard of Tranquility to Hall of Brocade Clouds. If I lived in Portland I would take-up permanent residence in the Tower of Cosmic Reflections otherwise known at the teahouse. If you are in Portland for Wordstock this weekend (Kelli Russell Agodon and I read Saturday at 3:00 PM) be sure and sneak away to the Scholar's Study or at least Painted Boat in the Misty Rain.