~ A somewhat autobiographical look at how plants have impacted my life ~
Chasing Waterfalls
I finally made it to Niagara Falls!
But we also visited many more waterfalls in the Finger Lakes area of New York State. But our primary goal was to visit Watkins Glen State park where there are 19 waterfalls in a 1.5 mile hike with over 900 steps. We also checked out other waterfalls near Ithaca and even paid a visit to the Cornell Botanic Gardens, marveling at the area’s natural wonders. The trip ended with touring gardens at the annual Garden Fling in Buffalo.
Wyoming’s Wonderful Wildflowers
In July 2018, Scott and I visited western South Dakota and Wyoming. We were in search of alpine wildflowers in the mountains to the east of Yellowstone National Park. We were not disappointed. Panayoti Kelaidis had recommended the trip on
The Other Grecian Formula
In March of 2018 I was able to join a tour of Greece and Crete with a group, mostly from the San Francisco Bay area, known as the Hortisexuals. I had known the local plant guide, Liberto Dario, from the
Crete’s Unusual Plants and Wildflowers
In March of 2018, after viewing the romantic sunrise over the Myrtoan Sea among the ruins and wildflowers of Monemvasia, we spent the last week of the tour on the Greek Island of Crete.Crete is largest and most populous of
Jardin Exotique d’Èze
I first became aware of the Jardin Exotique from the 1990s TV show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, hosted by Robin Leach. Perhaps you recall the show that gave a voyeuristic look at extravagant lifestyles. It was a bit over
Portland’s Lan Su Garden
In May 2017, I explored the stunning gardens of Portland, Oregon, on a Pacific Horticulture Society tour. The highlight was the Lan Su Chinese Garden, a replica of classical Suzhou gardens featuring intricate landscapes, native Chinese plants, and artistic craftsmanship.
Climbing Cuyamaca
In the mid-1990s, the author enjoyed mountain biking in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, but after the Cedar Fire devastated the area in 2003, visits diminished. In 2023, they hiked Cuyamaca Peak, observing regeneration of Ceanothus and other species. Spectacular views
Crazy Carrizo
The Carrizo Plain National Monument in San Luis Obispo County is renowned for its spectacular spring wildflower blooms. After a wet winter, a group visited and witnessed an impressive variety of flowers, including the rare desert candle. The landscape showcased
Cuyamaca – Green Valley Trail
Lower Green Valley Falls in San Diego County provides a refreshing experience after a late-season storm in May 2017. The easy hike to the falls revealed vibrant flora, including mimulus and native peonies, alongside impressive rock formations. The scenic trail
Southwest Australia – Tingle Tree Trek
This is post is the last of a series of posts about a September 2016 trip to view the wildflowers and scenery of Western Australia. See post list or use links at the top or bottom of this post to
Southwest Australia – Stirling Ranges National Park
In September 2016, a visit to Stirling Range National Park revealed its rich biodiversity, featuring over 1,500 plant species, many unique to the area. The landscape, resembling Arizona’s with diverse flora like Kingia australis and Eucalyptus tetraptera, showcased the park’s
Southwest Australia – Fitzgerald River Park
In September of 2016 while touring Southwest Australia, we set out for Fitzgerald River National Park ( 815,160 acres) a UNESCO Biosphere site. Unfortunately, the bridge across the mouth of the estuary had been severely damaged by a storm surge
Southwest Australia – Cape le Grande NP
In Sept of 2016 Scott Borden and i visited Southwestern Australia. We stayed a couple of nights in Esperance on the South Australia Sea. We explored the coastline and several national parks. The south coast has many large granite domes