6/23: Bend, Oregon's Petersen Rock Garden & Peacocks!

Before leaving the Bend area and driving toward Oregon's capital city of Salem, we headed ten miles north of the city to the Petersen Rock Garden. It was developed by Rasmus Petersen, a Danish immigrant farmer who came to central Oregon in 1906 after he became interested in rock collecting as a hobby in 1935. He began constructing towers, bridges, terraces, and ponds using thousands of different specimens and many different types of rocks - agate, jasper, obsidian, and even lava and volcanic cinders!

People came in increasing numbers to see his semi-precious gemstone structures, obsidian castles and agate mansions. The more he built, the more people came! By 1940, Mr. Petersen quit farming to devote all his time to the work he loved the most. 

I loved seeing the peacocks strutting about the grounds displaying their beautiful plumage!

I read that millions of rocks were used in the vast garden. When Petersen died in the garden he loved in1952, we read that his legacy was "nature's bounty reflected in the brilliant, unforgettable beauty of his handiwork."

In addition to the magnificent rock displays, Petersen beautified the grounds by adding trees, flowers, and many ponds where lilies grew profusely.

I would swear the peacock was preening for me but I didn't mind as I was totally enamored!

Steven with Lady Liberty!

And then yours truly!

I would loved to have known how long some of these works took to create and also how far afield Petersen had to go to find all the rock varieties. And how, did he ever bring them all the million rocks home? Plus, did he have to buy the rocks or where they somewhere just for the taking?!

I'm a sucker for lily pads so I loved these! 

No spot was spared Petersen's attention to detail in his gardens or bridges.

The exquisite ponds deserved almost as much praise in my mind as rock gardens themselves.

Petersen's Rock Garden was a testament to the hard work, perseverance, and, above all, the love of natural beauty of its founder. I was in awe of his creativity.

There was no admission fee but several donation boxes encouraged monetary support toward the upkeep. We were very glad to support the cause as the home on the property looked like it was in appalling shape. 

Next post: Driving the back roads through more of central Oregon toward Salem, the state capital.

Posted on September 23rd, 2020, from Asheville, NC, where only a couple of hours ago Steven and I spotted another peacock, albeit one made from Legos, at the North Carolina Arboretum just outside of town! As always, we hope you stay safe, well, and connected to those you love.