Sunday Driving

Sunday afternoon, Jeff and I drove up the coast to Boothbay.  This was not our first visit to the area, we were here a few weeks ago to take Evan to the University's coastal research center, so he could complete his SCUBA certification.  But that trip was really just a utilitarian fly-by.  This trip, on Sunday, was truly leisure.

The water feature in the Lerner Garden of the 5 senses

Our destination was the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.  I had heard of it, but never been. And believe me, I want to go back, again and again!  If you visit Maine, consider a day here.  It is that magical.  The largest Botanical Garden in New England at 270 acres, it has only been developed in the last couple of decades, and a great deal of thought, talent, and resources have been brought to bear among its many themed gardens and winding woodland trails.  We were there for almost 3 hours, and probably saw a little more than half at a somewhat leisurely pace.  Our pace was determined by photographic opportunities.  We didn't do as much sitting and drinking it all in as I felt invited to do by its many seating alcoves, mainly granite benches, with lovely vistas.  There were water features, lovely steel dynamic (kinetic?) sculptures, impressive stonework, and even a large glass orb, all of which were displayed in harmony with the surroundings.  Native plant species are effectively showcased, and beds of plants and flowers arranged so as to delight the eye with their contrasting colors and textures.  Upon reviewing my photos, I find that I took 150 pictures!  I was going to edit some out, but they are all wonderful!  I had borrowed my son's better camera and that was a good idea.  I've had another pass through them to select which ones to share here.  I'm down to 49.  So, I'll spread them out over more than one post.  

Here's today's gallery; let's start with a bang:

PoW!  How's that for CoLoR?

And this was just on the walkway from our parking lot to the visitor center.  I happily noted that the parking "lots" are very small and verdant, no blacktop, just packed dirt and gravel, with lots of fallen pine needles making it look very woodsy indeed.  It feels a little like you have arrived at a campground, or the head of a hiking trail.  And of course you are surrounded by trees, so you can't see over to the gardens, which enhances the feeling of anticipation and breathless discovery.

Salvia with bee

I had never seen a yellow peony.  Most of the peonies had just gone by, but this was quite a beauty.

Why don't I have peonies in my garden?

Who wouldn't want to go for a Sunday stroll with this tall, dark and handsome guy?

In the Lerner Garden of the 5 Senses, you are invited to see, hear, taste, smell and touch.

And that includes taking off your shoes and walking the smooth stones of the reflexology labyrinth, and even splashing in the water splattering over the weir of the upper pool to flow into the lower pool.

Ferns are one of my most favorite forest plants, they seem so delicate and shy, somehow.  Remind me sometime to tell you how you can eat them.

I like this photo for the tease of the stone wall in the distance.

Goodbye for now.  Pat the bunny before you go.  So cool and smooth...