Sandy River Delta

 

 The weather was a bit crazy on Saturday, as it is wont to be in the spring.

But, with a wave of his horn, Mr. Thornsby cleared up the clouds so we could take the

Large Munsterlanders for a run at :

the Sandy River Delta  - one of the sites of The Confluence Project.

The trail was a bit wet in places, be sure to wear
your rubber boots if you go there.  Your dogs
will thank you - it is the BEST off- leash dog walk
in the Portland Metro area.  Miles of trails and they even provide poop bags, garbage cans, and a
bathroom for humans!  Arrow and Pixel count the SRD as their #1 place to visit in the Gorge.


The Sandy River Delta used to be a cattle ranch, but now is managed by the Forest Service.  Today there  are no commercial activities permitted at the Delta.

The Confluence trail (an on-leash trail) leads to the Maya Lin art installation known unofficially as
"the bird blind".  The Confluence Project "explores the intersection of environment, cultures and a regional history that reaches back many hundreds of years".  It encompasses seven sites throughout the Columbia River Basin.

Mr. Thornsby (who is NEVER on-leash) wonders when someone will compose The Unicorn Project.

To the right is the "bird blind" from a distance and some of the 17 acres being restored to natural habitat today.

Here are some Unicorns from the Reynolds Natural Resources Academy planting trees at the Delta in 2009

This is what the "bird blind" looked like in early 2009.  Native trees and shrubs are growing in nicely today.

Unicorns of the Reynolds Natural Resources Academy doing restoration work at Beaver Creek nearby in December 2008

and removing Scotch Broom at the Delta in the winter of 08-09, sadly, budget cuts have ended these activities

Mr. Thornsby finds plenty of Stinging Nettle to eat here, I will find lunch at home.