On Monday I was down in Salem (about an hour south of Portland) to visit my good friend Sarah. After a magnificent lunch at Word of Mouth (which I can never pass up when I'm down there!) we visited a few historic spots for some pictures with the early spring blossoms.
First stop was the Oregon State Capitol (1938), which looks its best in the springtime thanks to the cherry blossoms and daffodils that line the park.
![Oregon State Capitol in Spring](https://gohistoric.imgix.net/245/14542.jpg?fit=max&q=95&w=683&s=ddda9264ae6f7d34ce8b94b749a30d64)
![View from North in Spring](https://gohistoric.imgix.net/345/14543.jpg?fit=max&q=95&w=683&s=2e3c795855ec915a5b5bb0b904c1bd1d)
Next up was the Deepwood Estate, also known as the Dr. Luke A. Port House, dating from 1894.
![North Facade](https://gohistoric.imgix.net/855/14558.jpg?fit=max&q=95&w=683&s=1459f5fe8878a49957d7ea1eb51d244d)
It is a such a beautiful house. It wasn't open so we weren't able to go inside, but I'll definitely return for that!
![West Side](https://gohistoric.imgix.net/755/14557.jpg?fit=max&q=95&w=683&s=41f5705aac46674d27df049eb78d97c1)
Behind the house is a tennis court, trees, and lovely gardens that are frequently used for weddings.
![View from Southeast](https://gohistoric.imgix.net/945/14549.jpg?fit=max&q=95&w=683&s=8951e22254e5105193ad2e7530c316d1)
Our third and final stop was the Bush House Museum (1878), also not open on Mondays:
![View from Southeast](https://gohistoric.imgix.net/055/14550.jpg?fit=max&q=95&w=683&s=5b14f877d5d8bb59b73c33634acb479a)
It's not as delicately pretty as the Deepwood Estate, but on lovely grounds and very well maintained.
![East Entrance and Porch](https://gohistoric.imgix.net/155/14551.jpg?fit=max&q=95&w=683&s=c3df4ffe3f13db86d1af2eb9377f5ee0)
Even though it wasn't open, there were many families walking around and enjoying the sunshine and flowers on the grounds.
![East Facade with Flowers](https://gohistoric.imgix.net/355/14553.jpg?fit=max&q=95&w=683&s=a29b3643b2c97b78c01876518e459d4a)