Bloedel Reserve - Chapter IV: The Best of the Rest

Coming out of the Glen, ahead of us we saw the gates of the Japanese Garden. A sand garden fronts the tea house/guest house. Inside the guest house.

On the back deck, overlooking the pond.

Out the gate on the other side, we continue on the path

and into the moss garden.

We come suddenly upon this serene place and linger to reflect in the Reflection Garden.

The path leads on through Camellia Way and eventually back to the meadow.

Total walking is about two miles and is estimated to take two hours. We took two and a half. Why hurry in a place like this?

Bloedel Reserve - Chapter III: The Glen

At the base of the steps leading from the house is an overlook into this waterfall basin.

Then the path leads down into old maples, cedars and firs, where the undergrowth is cultivated for a lush, natural look.

This alley of birch is a photographer's dream.

Candelabra primrose

Solomon's Seal

Back into the forest.

This gnarly old maple dwarfs Tom as he looks into the pond.

Native False Solomon's Seal

The notch in this ancient stump is a spring board hole, indicating the old logging methods of the early 20th century, when virgin timber was so large, men with cross cut hand saws stood high above the butt of the tree where the diameter was more manageable. This old tree lived on.

Fancy double trillium

Nurse stump

And back to the formal "swan" pond.

We had a great time at the Sounders match last night, waving our flags, cheering our lads on, and groaning at the near misses. The result was a 1-1 tie against the Columbus Crew, not what we hoped for, but it was a very entertaining match. NO, we didn't use the new tifo yet. I'll be sure to take my camera when we do.

The light rail train was packed with fans returning home. With opening day of boating season, UW crew races, and an afternoon Seattle Mariners baseball game, it was a very busy sports day in Seattle, a good day for public transportation.

Bloedel Reserve - Chapter II: The Formal Grounds

Coming out of The Woods, we are suddenly plunged into a different world, with the first view of the mansion and it's formal grounds. "In some ways, the Bloedel Reserve, like Eden, is just one step away from wilderness. In others, it is highly refined. The Parts, so very different one from the other, work together to create a whole, just as the movements of a symphony, which may vary dramatically in mood, still create a single work of art." The house was built in 1930 as a summer house for a wealthy Seattle woman. The formal garden, ponds and signature trees date from this time. The Bloedels took it over in 1950, and extended the gardens into the wild areas.

The house if flanked by two English elms. They were blooming, and it was probably here that my eyes began to burn. It is disconcerting to me that, as much as I love trees, I seem to have developed allergies to many of them in my old age.

The house is open for viewing on the ground floor.

But I was quickly back outside, enjoying the terrace

with its view of the sound.

The copper beech is just leafing out.

Down these steps the path takes us into the glen, leaving the formality behind.