Heronswood Garden

Within close proximity to Bainbridge Island is the beautiful Heronswood Gardens. One of the finest and most diverse private botanical gardens in the US. The gardens are open only during designated public event dates. The next open garden date is Saturday June 30th from 10 - 4, with a $5.00 entry fee. if you have always wanted to see this garden, you may not want to hesitate - as the property is for sale.

A 15 acre world class property - there is much to see on the self-guided tour. If you can't get there, stay tuned - I will be posting a garden tour with photos from some of my past visits to Heronswood later this summer. More details on the upcoming open day can be found here.

what spring looked like

     at home on bainbridge island.....
     this is what spring looked like.

     a very nice spring, indeed!!

The 50 mile bouquet - Debra Prinzing at the Bloedel Reserve

This coming Sunday Seattle based writer Debra Prinzing, author of The 50 Mile Bouquet will be at The The Bloedel Reserve. Debra will be presenting a lecture and book signing from 4:30 - 5:30 with light refreshments. A pre-registration /fee required. The photography by David E Perry is dreamy!

Photography workshop - Photographer David E Perry at the Bloedel Reserve

 

At the Blodel Reserve on Monday, photographer David E. Perry will be teaching a garden photography workshop....sadly it now is SOLD OUT but you can contact David to be notified of future workshops. Be sure to check out his blog - A Photograher's Garden Blog.

los jardines botanicos - the botanical gardens of puerto vallarta

Along the palms to pines highway sits los jardines botanicos - the botanical gardens of Puerto Vallarta - a nature lovers paradise, that makes a delightful outing for an afternoon. Just  30 minutes from Puerto Vallarta - amidst enchanting mountain scenery. The gardens 20 acres are filled with trails and flowering plants as well as one of the most visited collections of orchids in the country of Mexico.

Part of our entry fee included a complimentary beverage - a lovely and refreshing hibiscus cooler..... much appreciated after wandering through the grounds.  Hacienda De Oro - the on site restaurant which is engulfed in cascades of bougainvillea, is a pleasant place to enjoy some good food and views of the grounds and surrounding hillside. You can shop for plants at the nursery and the gift shop is filled with some unique botanical related items. At the time of our visit the gardens were hosting a bird watching event - so thrilling to spot birds in every color of the rainbow. A very unique environment and a wonderful place to enjoy an afternoon.

visit my photostream oceanVU
for more images of my time in mexico
and to learn more.....
about me

visit vallarta botanicla garden

untouched by time - San Sebastian del Oeste

I recently had a delightful visit to the beautiful and very picturesque historic town of San Sebastian del Oeste. A charming 17th century colonial town, untouched by time, nestled deep within the Sierra Madre mountains. We traveled about 90 minutes by car from the beaches of Puerto Vallarta through pine tree forests and beautiful mountain scenery before reaching San Sebastian del Oeste.

The streets are cobbled, and the town is peaceful and well preserved  -  almost movie set perfect!

The day was spent wandering the streets shooting photos and exploring this charming town.
When hunger called, we stopped for lunch at Los Arcos de Sol - a restaurant and hotel on the main square, where we met the friendly owner Jesus. Born in San Sebastion, Jesus left to attend the university in Guadalajara, returning with an entrepenurial spirit to run the restaurant and hotel next door. We loved the homemade cookies that he had packaged and ready to take back to our room.

We checked in for one night at the El Pabellon Mexicano - a historic eleven room home -  turned hotel overlooking the plaza.

There are a handful of food and hotel options and an excellent website for planning a visit can be 

found here .

Photography: lorelle

visit OceanVU my all things Mexico photostream on flickr to see more images on San Sebastian
and to learn more about me.

more San Sebastian photos
about me

in the garden

this time of year - when the garden and island landscape is devoid of color, i so appreciate the camellia as it starts to bloom. like a welcome friend's visit, when you're needing it the most.  I will cut a single stem and place it by my bedside to enjoy.

ansel adams at the bainbridge historical museum

ansel adams - portrait of manzanar

i have been meaning to pop into the bainbridge historical museum for the last year, and finally did so today. a very moving video along with a photo essay and portraits by photographer ansel adams is currently on exhibit.  In 1942 Franklin D. Roosevelt's executive order 9066 ordered  Japanese American citizens to be escorted by armed military personnel and sent to the manzanar relocation center during world war ll.

snowy morning

It's a snowy morning on bainbridge island. really, just a dusting of snow....but i still get very excited

about it, and since it's a holiday in celebration of MLK - i'm spending the day at home and in front of the fire, working on personal projects around the house. i took a little walk earlier this morning just to take it all in.

polar bear swim - new year's day

it was a pleasant day at pleasant beach. a good sized crowd was on hand, for the annual polar bear plunge - which takes place on bainbridge island each new year's day at noon.

even some of the dogs took the chilly plunge too!

the beach

 

a peaceful and quiet rainy day on bainbridge island...

my morning walk to the beach.

manor house at pleasant beach

earlier this month i attended the open house festivities at the manor house at pleasant beach. this lovely english tudor home has been lovingly restored and is now available to once again host special celebrations. the manor house was gloriously decked out for the holidays - with trimmed christmas trees, holiday cookies and wine. 

now bainbridge island's premier special events venue to celebrate and commemorate. I have so many fond memories of times spent in this gracious and elegant property and i'm so pleased that it now lives again, and will be looking forward to attending future functions at the manor house .