Wildflowers in the Rain

Rain. Floods. Road Closures. Dark skies. It’s been a wet week here in the Willamette Valley. It’s hard to remember that we are half way into April and there are wildflowers and spring in the world. This afternoon, I went out to the arboretum to see what I could find.  The clouds had broken for a few hours and there was even a little sun for a few moments.

Fawn lilies are out in abundance of the sides of the trail leading up to Cronmiller Lake. There are toothworts and trilliums—pink and white—tucked into the rocks along the road. About half way up, I encountered just one turkey, browsing in the leaves. I wandered over to her, looking for her flock, but she was alone. She cocked one ancient eye towards me. We stood looking at one another, two women dressed in brown with yellow feet, out for an afternoon walk and a bit of peace and quiet. I nodded and turned away. She went downhill and I continued upwards. The lake was full of water and happy dogs, so I turned away quickly and headed into the woods. Red Currant, yellow Oregon Grape, more Fawn Lily, some Shooting Stars, and a little Bleeding Heart, just emerging, lined the trail. The world was quiet and smelled of deep earth. Mushrooms climbed over a downed log. Clouds came in and the skies grew darker.

About half a mile from the parking lot, the rains began once more. Covered in a raincoat, hood pulled up, I hastened back to the car. Rain pounded loudly on my head, blocking out the sounds of streams and breezes from high above. And then, right before I left, one more Fawn Lily marked the exit, four blossoms standing strong again the rain.