The big red box in the woods
LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. - I read a lot of local blogs and I just love it when I stumble across something cool to go check out.
A while back I happened upon an entry on Alan Cordle's blog that piqued my curiosity. The entry was quite mysterious - it was titled 'Recent Hike #2' and there was a picture of two women standing inside a red box out in the forest somewhere.
Where can you hike around here and find some big red box to stand in?
That's what I wanted to know, so I left a comment asking "where on earth is this big red box in the woods?" And Alan kindly responded with the answer - at Tryon Creek State Park.
Turns out the big red box is part of the Natural Cycles exhibit at the park, which celebrates art in the forest.
It's taken me a couple of months to finally get out there, but I have now officially seen the big red box in person.
I've stood inside the big red box, tripped out at the way the surrounding greenery looks when filtered in red and been amazed when I looked straight up.
OK, so maybe I need to get out more, but I thought it was pretty darn cool. And I got some fabulous photos (see Exhibit A below).
But enough about the big red box. There were actually other art pieces along the trail as well.
For example, there is a series of reflection mirrors that offer a unique perspective of the surroundings and an opportunity to take some interesting photographs (that's my husband in the reflection below).
And there is a life-sized trailer (made out of natural wood and some type of netting) that is pretty darn cute. I'd love to have a miniature version for my RV.
My husband and I didn't really know what to think about this giant web thing that was attached to several trees. But then again, we're not art aficionados, so maybe we missed the point on that one.
And last, but not least, the giant arch made of branches - which unfortunately seemed to have collapsed in the middle since its installation. It kind of looks like a heart now... or a capital M.
The entire walk to view these pieces of outdoor art will take you about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how much time you spend checking out all the angles in the reflection mirrors, playing inside the big red box and peering inside the trailer.
The outdoor art exhibit is located along Trillium Trail, which can be accessed at the Tryon Creek State Park entrance off Southwest Terwilliger Boulevard. Look for the trail sign to the left of the Nature Center building.
According to the Friends of Tryon Creek State Park Web site, in a couple of months, new art installations will appear in the park. The opening celebration (a benefit that costs $100 per person) will be held Sept. 27.
(All photos by Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU.com Producer/Reporter)