Descanso Gardens

Another beautiful day, and another beautiful garden to explore.  This time we are at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge, another place we've been before and never grow tired of.  This garden is different from the one we went to last month.  That one was filled with California native plants.  This one has California native plants as well, but also has oak woodlands, a rose garden with specimens from all corners of the globe, gorgeous lilacs, maple trees, cherry trees and iris. Sounds like the perfect place to spend our day.  

Welcome to Descanso Gardens

Ready to explore - Let's go!

So many beautiful areas, it's hard to decide where to go first.  So we just started walking and came across this . . . 

Giant bird's nest 

A couple group photos before we get started . . . 

Seema, Carol N, Debbie, Leslie, Heather, Anita

Seema, Carol N, Debbie, Joy, Anita, Leslie

Now on to see the gorgeous flowers and trees . . . 

 

The rose garden is amazing!

A perfect place for a little rest, right by a little brook . . . 

Gazebo - perfect center piece for a wedding

These rose covered arches make the most gorgeous pathway

We had to pose beside this beautiful waterfall . . .

  

With masks . . .
Joy, Anita, Carol N, Leslie, Debbie, Heather, Seema

And without (so much better!)
Joy, Anita, Carol N, Leslie, Debbie, Heather, Seema

Native California Squirrel

Turtles

Couldn't you just wander down this path all day?

Japanese Garden

 

Lily Pond

Koi Fish

Ancient Garden - full of plants dating back to the time of the dinosaurs 

Ancient trees too

And no visit to Descanso Gardens is complete without a photo on . . . 

Our favorite bridge
Seema, Joy, Carol N, Heather, Leslie, Debbie, Anita

When we finally had our fill of all the beautiful flowers and shady pathways, we headed out for dinner.  And we must have been REALLY hungry because we totally forgot to take any photos.

In any case, we had a wonderful day, and it felt so good to be together again!  Thank you so much, Queen Carol N, for planning the perfect day.  

California Botanic Garden

Today we are "OUT" again, this time to visit the beautiful California Botanic Garden in Claremont.  We were here a few years ago, when it was called Santa Ana Botanic Garden.  It was beautiful then, and it's beautiful now - filled with native California trees, plants and flowers.  And sprinkled in amongst the plant life, there are special ceramic sculptures, and we have a Scavenger Hunt that hopefully will help us find them.   Ready? 

Let's Go!

 

California Botanic Garden

 

A cute reminder to "Mask Up"

Here's some of the beauty we saw as we strolled through the gardens . . . 

Love Manzanita trees and the way their branches wander and bend

One of the many sculptures through the garden

Which way next?

Another sculpture - see next picture for more info about this one

Reading the map and figuring out the next clue

Lizard!  Always have to take a pic of the wildlife!

Yet another clay sculpture - This one is titled "Instinct"

Beautiful California Poppies

This clay pig was one of the answers on our scavenger hunt

Pretty pond and waterfall

Who are these masked Red Hatters?

Oh - Now we know - Hi!
Carol N, Seema, Debbie, Kathy, Anita

Redwood Tree - Gorgeous

Can you find the little skunk?  Another clay sculpture

Some real - some clay.  Can you tell which is which?

Such a fun day!  One last group pic before we leave.
Seema, Kathy, Debbie, Joy, Anita, Carol N

Now that we've walked all through the gardens, it's time for lunch!

Yummy Mexican food!

Seema, Debbie, Kathy, Anita, Joy, Carol N

Thanks Queen Anita for planning such a fun day.  It was wonderful to be outside and doing something together in such a beautiful place.  Even if we did have to wear our masks - we all had a really good time.  Life is starting to feel normal again!