Friday, June 3, 2016

Garden gate, star of the show and enjoying the view

- Last Sunday morning I took a walk in the Hamilton Gardens in Hiawassee, Georgia.  I was delighted to see the gardens in good order - last August, when I visited with my sister, it was overgrown and weedy.  A check of the internet then told me that funding had ended for its upkeep, but fortunately, a non-profit organization has formed that is taking good care of it now.  Love that beautiful gate!  And that's my car photo bombing the picture once again.  :)

- The gardens are known for its rhododendrons - blooms are on the wane now.  I was lucky to see any at all since they are usually done with blooming at the end of May.

 - I have a bum knee right now, so it was a slower walk than usual.  And I took advantage of the memorial benches dotted around the gardens, to stop and rest now and then.  A lovely walk.

22 comments:

Crafty Green Poet said...

Lovely to see the rhododendrons, ours are still at their best here! Hope your knee feels better soon

Lynn said...

Juliet -

My June 1997 visit to Scotland involved a short plane trip from London, and I was awestruck by the rhododendrons banked on the hills around the Edinburgh airport. Just lovely. You live in an enchanted place.

Kay G. said...

We are going to hiwassee for our anniversary! We hope to climb to brasstown bald wish us luck!

Lynn said...

Kay -

Happy anniversary again - that sounds like a lovely trip. Stop by the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds if you have time - the gardens are all the way at the top of the tiered parking lot. An odd place, but so beautiful. Good luck on the climb!

Louvregirl said...

Lynn, I miss the Appalachian mountain rhododendrons (a light pink.) Did you know that they grow everywhere there...even in isolated mountain places (up high) and waaaay out in the mountains where only the gravel roads go.....? I have seen them literally everywhere in the mountains there....sweet friends, they are!

Elephant's Child said...

Love those gardens. And the seats are perfect for absorbing the beauty.
Hope your poor knee recovers quickly.

sage said...

That is a beautiful corner of the world! I have fond memories of hiking the AT with rhododendrons in bloom

Lady Fi said...

What lushness and great foliage.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Lynn - aren't those Memorial Benches lovely ... great idea. Gorgeous looking gardens too - I hope your knee recovers and eases up ... enjoy the weekend - cheers Hilary

Kay G. said...

Thanks for telling me about the tiered parking lot for the Gardens! I find that it can be a bit tricky looking for places in Hiawassee! Those benches, they remind me very much of the benches in England!

Leonora said...

Sorry about your bum knee. I hope it soon becomes strong again!
You always have beautiful places to walk in your area.

Lee said...

I've a bum hip...making, for me, walking around at great length and distance a real bummer!

I love the old hydrangea...my landlords have quite a few growing up around their home in their garden.

MarmePurl said...

What a gate!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

It's always nice to all in a garden, even better when you can sit awhile and relax. Glad that the upkeep is still being done so all can enjoy the beautiful blooms.

Maude Lynn said...

What a pretty place!

Sparkling Red said...

Oh boy, knees can be tricky.

I love the flowers in the first photo. My neighbour has some in their yard, but I'm not sure what they're called. Maybe I'll ask my neighbour if I ever see someone outside that house.

Jannie Funster said...

Sorry to hear about your bum knee. Hope it's better now?

We have rhodendrons at our place in Nova Scotia, at least I hope we still do. :) Out of sight, out of mind. Jim's mom planted them, was awful fond of them, in part I think due to her love of the UK and (as you mention) how many they have there.

What a pretty gate! Very unusual.

xooxoxoxoxo

Fireblossom said...

Beautiful pictures! Pssst....I don't know what is wrong with your knee, poor gal, but I like those Icy-Hot wraps. They really help this old mail lady's knees.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Glad to hear that people have banded together to see that the Gardens stay open and beautiful!

G. B. Miller said...

Serenity in the suburbs is always a good thing. Looks like a great place to simply lose one's self.

LL Cool Joe said...

A bum knee? I thought they were unconnected parts of the body. :D Anyway I hope your knee gets better soon. I assume it wasn't your bum that was an issue otherwise you wouldn't have been enjoying your rest on the bench. :D

Granny Annie said...

Is your knee bum-enough to need a replacement? Love my new hip!