Rhododrendrons

After leaving Coupeville we drove back down island. Our first stop was a little county park off the highway dedicated to the native rhododendron, our state flower. 

 Then it was on to Meerkerk Gardens, a display garden on the grounds of the former home of Max and Ann Merkerk, who collected and hybridized rhododendrons on their woodland property beginning in the 1960's.  The garden was left to the Seattle Rhododendron Society in 1979.

 The display garden near the entry is much more recently planted by the Rhododendron Society. 

 But back farther, towering rhodies are part of the original Meerkerk collection. 

 I found myself most taken by the orange and yellow varieties. 

 Lots of interesting ground covers underlay the rhodies. 

 Down in the ravine are ponds

 and the big leaf rhodies. 

 Logging from long ago is indicated by the spring board holes in the old stumps. Using hand crosscut saws, the loggers stood on spring boards to get above the flare of the stump to cut old growth. 

And with that we ended our day of exploring and returned to the cabin with take out food for an easy dinner while we sat and read and continued our day of leisure. 

And now it is five days later, and Mother's Day! I hope you all enjoy your day, being, celebrating and remembering mothers.