Iris blooming in the Japanese garden around the 4th of July. The colors are repeated in the Chihuly Ikebana boat. Iris are believe to have the power to purify and protect.Lotus are also a very important Japanese flower. There is usually one plant flowering in the garden to show the season. The Sho Fu En (Wind in Pines) is dominated by 135 character Ponderosa Pines, native plants originally from Arapaho National Forest.Floating Walla Wallas by Chihuly to give homage to his native Washington State.The snow lantern was a gift from Takayama, Japan – Denver’s sister city.This stream leads to the Japanese tea house (constructed in Nagano, Japan), surrounded by fall color. Reichenbach Balls, mirrored inside are like bubbles.It is docent time. I was awarded a national Presidential pin for volunteering over 250 hours in 2013. The real reward is spending time at the gardens surrounded by good friends and mentors as well as fascinating visitors.A beautiful summer evening.Do you have a favorite? The fascinating aspect is that the sculptures change with the light, with the surrounding plants and with all the other climate factors. The sculptures were usually always fun to photograph. I would treat myself by arriving early before leading a tour to have the early morning light and the solitude of the garden to prepare myself.Consistently the Rock Alpine Garden was captivating with the changes of blooms. These Neodymium Reeds seem to meander like a stream through the garden.Outstanding: rising above the pink muhuly grass! I had to take this picture in the middle of leading a tour.The bee resting on the cone flower seems oblivious to the reeds.Niijima floats was the most colorful installation. For me it evoked smiles, beach balls and summer fun. The reflections were fantastic and the water lilies added so much interest.A picnic dinner with wine and friends in the garden made for a perfect and memorable September evening.Poppies and Perennial FioriOrnamental Alliums and Perennial FioriPolyvitro Crystal Tower seemed to change colors – this time to mimic that Colorado blue sky.The Polyvitro reflectionsThe Red Reeds in the Porter Plains Garden seem to evoke the vast distances of the prairie and sky in this photo.The Red Reeds with native Mexican cone flower. This garden is burnt every 3 or 4 years to rejuvenate the seeds. The Red Reeds represent that to me.Love the color contrast!The new Ellipse Garden by the Waring House with the cattails, reeds, and floats.SerenityBlue Icicles before a summer stormAs long as we are looking up – the Yuccas were looking so magical.Yucca Rama with Chihuly glass Saguaros and reeds.Yuccas and Summer Sun go together!This was my post for the opening night gala and I could not believe my luck…I only had the phone but still got the coveted picture: Dale Chihuly and his wife. Gotta love the boots!
This sun really glowed at night! Over 1900 pieces of glass, 14 foot diameter, over 20 feet tall and weighs more than the MINI.White Tower in the Romantic Garden with the conservatory. Chihuly loves glass houses – well he loves glass!Turquoise Reeds mounted in Douglas Pine from Baily and Marlins in between. The long vista, reflections, and shadows on the Luis Barragon style red wall were always interesting.Persians in el Pomar WaterwayReaching for the sky…What will the future bring?
We discovered Conchy Joe‘s quite by accident but have made it the stop for lunch in each direction. It sits on the Indian River inland waterway and is Old Florida charm in its best. Plus the salmon is incredible…blackened with some sweet plantains in mango sauce…Seriously mouthwateringly good!Beautiful day in Orlando for a walk to the lake.These sisters can seriously cook! Lucky Lucky us!We wandered over to Cocoa inland waterway area and found this pleasant Irish Pub to have a meal.A very calm Atlantic for sunrise in October. There is not much better of a way to start the morning than riding the elevator to the beach with some fresh brewed coffee.
Plant Select delosperma John Profit ice plants were blooming in this photo taken June 18. This dry-land garden features Plant Select cultivators as well as many native plants that flourish in our Steppe climate.Plant Select’s coveted annual Golden Shovel Award goes to an outstanding public demonstration garden. This is indeed wonderful recognition for the vision, implementation, and dedication to keep it maintained by Adams County Colorado Master Gardeners.We also planted boulders to give the demonstration garden a very native Colorado plateau feeling. First boulders were planted in 2009 with the plants following.The Architect and the Master Gardener consult the plan to determine where to install the rock mulch. This is summer of 2010 – a small group of us led the design efforts. We were thankful for all that helped with the labor!Another June view of penstemons blooming along another pathway.Many cuttings were supplied by Denver Botanic Garden to start our amazing cactus collection. Other plants supplied by Mountain States Nursery in Phoenix, Timberline Garden in Arvada, and Little Valley Nursery in Brighton.This is the reason we garden – gorgeous blooms for us and the pollinators.
Green River Campground – sunset while listening to a ranger talk on NPS. They had slept in 51 parks…while stargazing that evening by the river in campsite #77, we figured we had slept in 39 national park sites. The stars and Milky Way were incredible and it was warm enough evening to enjoy lingering and appreciating the Enormity-of-it-All.After picnicking at Echo Park overlook, we hiked to Harpers Corner Overlook spectacular viewpoint. Not the distance of our Green River to Desert Voices to Sound of Silence hike yesterday, but very enjoyable. This overlooks the confluence of the Green and Yampa rivers.Camping by the Yampa river, we had this spectacular sunset. Stargazing again was wonderful. We felt refreshed from splashing around in the river before dinner.An early morning hike on the Yampa. What a sight!We spent a couple nights near Steamboat Springs and hiked Rabbit Ears Pass, where this photo was taken.
Dowd Mt Overlook and Picnic area was the perfect spot. We absorbed the view during wine o’clock, fixing dinner and lingering until the stars came out. We set up a dispersed camp a 1/4-mile or so away.The panorama on a clear wind free day.Great color and reflections!We saw sheep in Sheep Creek Canyon area and asked this one to pose for us.We strolled around this pond on the way to the Flaming Gorge Dam. Fall colors dotting the hillsides and peaceful reflections.
South of Laramie and near the highest point of I-80, we spent a few nights exploring this area around Vedavoo.We motored the MINI right onto the rocks for a this dispersed camp site with some great views.Some very interesting rock formations.We hiked up the canyon and saw these other climbers on the far side to give us a sense of scale.Further west in the Medicine Bow National Forest, we hiked to Lost Lake.Lost Lake is gorgeous!And we saw this moose in both directions.Back to the campsite at Sugarloaf to enjoy the sunset and wine o’clock. Amazing stars with an almost full moon coming out before we crawled into the tent.Libby or Lewis Lake – great spot for morning coffee!
We have both been riding many miles this year and deserve to be on this podium in Colorado Springs…Henry has logged in over 2,300 miles and Pam over 1,400.Hey – here is our Jelly Belly team bus waiting for us at Vail.Watching George Hincapie’s last professional race at the USA Procycling Challenge Time Trail in Vail. No we did not take a selfie..Tom Danielson is in the yellow jersey today for the time trial. Did I mention how unseasonably cold and rainy it was? We skipped the podium and went right for some hot soup.It was so crowded we got one of the last parking spaces! Best for mini vehicles – flip up those mirrors.
