Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Rhododendron gardens, lake view and reflection

- More images from the Sunday before Memorial Day.  I love walking in the Rhododendron Gardens in Hiawassee, Georgia.  Oddly - it's at the top of a tiered parking lot for a park that has fairgrounds for art and craft shows and a country music hall.  You'd never the gardens were there if someone hadn't told you.  That's my car there waiting for me beyond that beautiful gate.

- At the bottom edge of the gardens, is a spot in which you can view water fun on Lake Chatuge and the Blue Ridge mountains in the distance.

- If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can see the slowly turning spinning wheel just below an observation deck.  This is such a peaceful place, with its memorial benches around in which you can sit and reflect.  The story of how the gardens began is lovely and can be read here.

26 comments:

Unknown said...

That looks lovely and so peaceful, yet full of fascination. Just my kind of place...pity I live so far away, but you never know, I might get there one day. One to remember :-)

Granny Annie said...

Your car looks so lonely in that lovely setting.

We could sit and look over our peaceful lake for hours and not even mind an occasional speed boat passing by. (Not on holiday weekends however!)

How great to imagine standing on the observation deck feeling the slight turning of the water wheel.

happygirl said...

A hidden garden. I adore treasures like this.

Joanne said...

Oh wow such gorgeous scenery! I feel so much more peaceful after seeing them this morning.

TALON said...

How gorgeous! What a beautiful place, as you say, to sit and reflect, Lynn.

Lynn said...

Susan -

It's so quiet and serene there - just the sound of chirping birds and the occasional motor from a boat going by.

Let me know if you ever come this way and I'll meet you there. :)

Granny Annie -

It does look a little lonely. I wasn't completely alone - there's a place off to the right of the parking lot with beautiful plants for sale and there was a man there watering them.

I didn't realize you had a lake, did I? Pictures?

That is a lovely place. Slightly challenging to walk, since the paths are covered in mulch, but it's all good.

happygirl -

Me, too. :)

Joanne -

I'm so glad - my job is done!

Lynn said...

Talon -

I love the sentiments on those benches, too. It's a great place.

Louvregirl said...

Ahhhh. The mountains...There's nothing like that view!

Chatty Crone said...

I love the mountains too - very unusual gate. I think my favorite was picture number 2 - that lake is so pretty. sandie

Fireblossom said...

I love that last one!

Anonymous said...

Awesome pics! I love hiking through terrain like this. Very inspirational. Just have to remember to bring the bug spray.

Elephant's Child said...

How lovely. And that gate was a delight. Thank you - and you are right, the story of how the gardens were started is wonderful. There should be more people like him.

Riot Kitty said...

Nice photos, Lynn! I have missed your blog.

Snaggle Tooth said...

Such a beautifully ornate metalwork gate-
Local secret spots like that can be fun- nice you get to enjoy thr flower garden.
Nice lake shot with the motor boat to compete with Annie's lake pics!
Such a pretty green place to sit in peace- Bet I'd like that spot too.

Lynn said...

lg -

I know - I love them so much. Maybe you can see those same mountains from the other side. Ya think?

Sandie -

Thank you - that looks like a good fishing spot and I wonder if anyone ever does that.

FB -

Thank you - I hope to see those gardens when all the flowering bushes are blooming someday.

Lynn said...

Stephen -

I didn't put on any bug spray and didn't get bitten. There were a few pesky gnats around my face here and there. :)

Thanks for coming by!

The Elephant's Child -

Yay! You're back! I've missed you.

Thank you - I admire that gate, too. That's kind of new. And yes, it's wonderful he donated so many of his plants to make that beautiful place.

Riot Kitty -

Yay! It's good to see you, too. I blogged about Portland sometime in the beginning of your illness. I remember wondering why you hadn't commented. I'm glad you are feeling better.

Snaggle -

I know you would love it. It's a delightful place.

G. B. Miller said...

Reading these kind of posts reminds me of the rest of the beauty that is Connecticut that I haven't been able to see yet.

Thanks. :D

Jannie Funster said...

Your car looks almost as gorgeous as you!!

What a breath-taking place. See you there later today in my dreams.

xoxo

Farida said...

The third photo is really lovely and peaceful! I wish we had more of those things near our place! Happy weekend :)

Jenny Woolf said...

When I walk through rhododendrons I am always amazed that such huge exotic flowers can survive in our cool temperate climate here in England. They seem more appropriate to a jungle somewhere! I've always wanted to visit the Blue Ridge mountains.

Jenny Woolf said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jenny Woolf said...

Strange the above comment posted twice but I was sure I only hit the button once :)

Lynn said...

G -

You posted about the tree in your yard though. I liked that post.

Jannie -

Where have you been? It was breath taking. :)

xo

Farida -

Happy weekend to you!

Jenny -

They bloom here when we have cooler spring weather. I loved seeing them in England and Scotland when I visited.

Anil P said...

Memorial benches in a quiet park or woods have a way of making one reflect over things one whizzes past in getting through regular days.

The gate is creatively done. Is it star shaped all through?

Anil P said...

Memorial benches in a quiet park or woods have a way of making one reflect over things one whizzes past in getting through regular days.

The gate is creatively done. Is it star shaped all through?

Lynn said...

Anil P -

Yes - I was taking the picture with my iPhone camera and the shots are not quite lined up so it shows that it is a complete star.