Tuesday, August 2, 2011

My Summer Vacation


I've been out of pocket for the last two weeks, and some of you noticed, as evidenced by the e-mails I received, asking if everything was okay. It's more than okay and I'll explain. I get twitchy when I haven't posted to my blog for this long, but when you're on the move for nearly every hour of the day, it's difficult to switch gears and write about what it is you're doing. At least it's that way for me. I wouldn't make a very good television news reporter, would I?

Seattle Space Needle
Mom and I took a trip to the Pacific Northwest, leaving on July 21st and not returning until yesterday morning. We attended the 4th annual Garden Bloggers Fling which was held this year in Seattle, WA. No, the Fling didn't last that long, but when you've never been further west than Las Vegas, it's hard to imagine only spending a few days in the gardening mecca of the nation.

Seventy-some garden writers converged in the University Village area (University of Washington), using The Silver Cloud hotel as home base for some absolutely fabulous touring of both private and public gardens. Our celebration of our obsession lasted four glorious days.

Hugh Johnson has said, "No two gardens are the same.  No two days are the same in one garden." Both statements are true and over the next few weeks, as I bring photos and commentary of our days in Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond, as well as on Whidbey Island and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, you'll see how vastly different gardens can be, all the while being beautiful and inspiring. Even the same plant can appear remarkably different when it's grown in different climates.

Poppies

And after 11 days of being away from my own garden, it was a delightful surprise to tour yet another garden that didn't look the same as when I left it. Thanks to my long-suffering husband, who watered, watered, watered while I was gone, this morning I could walk through it and breathe a sigh of relief that so far, it's weathered the weather. July will go down in the history books as the hottest July on record here in Ohio, as well as one of the driest, with less than an inch of rain the entire month.

Phlox paniculata 'Blue Boy' in my garden

I'm missing Seattle already.

Mt. Rainier



8 comments:

Alison said...

It was great meeting you, Kylee, and your mom too! I'm so glad you had so much time to spend here.

I'm wondering -- where did you take that beautiful picture of the mountain?

Kylee Baumle said...

Hi Alison! Meeting you and spending time with you was one of the best parts of the Fling! I took that photo from the bus! Not clue where we were at the time, but it was when we saw it for the first time, I think. You know...when everyone gasped. :-)

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Welcome home Kylee. I know you had a great time out west. I will look forward to see what you have to present to us. Did you go to Buchart Garden while in BC?

Kylee Baumle said...

Thanks, Lisa! We sure did go to Butchart! Spent 9 hours there, and took 755 photos! I've got so much to post about this trip...

FilipBlog said...

Nice pictures, looks like you had a good time. I was already wondering when your next article would be ready.

Greetings,
Filip

Lona said...

Oh I would have loved to have been there. Maybe some day. I have been enjoying the pictures from those who were able to get there and they are specular.

Renee Shepherd said...

How fun! I just came back from a vacation myself. Feel like I'm still getting in the loop again.

Are you coming to IGC this year?

Kylee Baumle said...

Filip ~ I took over 4000 photos on this trip, and I'm still wading through them, but I'll get some posts up soon! :-)

Lona ~ Oh, I hope you can go sometime, too! Next year, it's in Asheville, NC! Plan to go! I've got some photos on my Facebook page, but there are scads more to post!

Renee ~ Where did you go, Renee? It does take some time to adjust to normal life again, doesn't it? YES! I'll be at IGC! I'll be sure to stop by your booth! :-) See you soon!

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