A journey into serenity with the indefatigable Satby:
While on my trip to Seattle to visit Dan B and drop off rescue kitty Bunny, I got in a little side trip to Bainbridge Island and the Bloedel Reserve.
I happened to visit on a “Welcome Wednesday” when the admission fee is “pay what you want”. Those are the first Wednesdays of the month.
There are both lightly and heavily curated gardens, including one trail that winds through woods restored to as close to untouched PNW forest as possible. So serene people meeting on the trail greeted each other in whispers.
There is a reflecting pool, with benches to sit and contemplate the peaceful surroundings.
A moss garden, which they carefully sweep to maintain.
The entrance to the Japanese guest house and garden.
The zen garden, called Stone Garden here.
Top photo: A view of the pond in the Japanese garden from the deck of the guest house.
I barely scratched the surface of the Bloedel Reserve, because I had to catch the ferry back to Seattle. I hope to visit it again during the rhododendron bloom season, because there’s a trail through a glen full of them.
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What’s going on in your garden (planning / records / indoor), this week?
War for Ukraine Day 1,018: A Brief Saturday Night Update
JPL
Satby, Your photos are stunning. Than you for sharing your journey with us.
eclare
I love all of the different shades of green! Thank you satby.
satby
Good morning from Chicago! Had our extended family’s Thanksmas yesterday, just waiting for dawn so I can head home. If you’re ever in the Seattle area, the Bloedel Reserve is worth a visit. I didn’t even see the majority of it, or of Bainbridge Island either. Even the ferry ride is a scenic treat!
Elizabelle
Just beautiful. Especially love the Japanese themed gardens, but all of the areas are superb. Brushing a moss garden
@ satby: Safe drive home. You are filling the strategic coffee reserve?
ETA: Not even dawn Eastern time yet. You have a while to wait. Sunset at 4:21 p tonight! Closing in on the shortest day of the year.
J.
Wow. I feel calmer just looking at your photos. Beautiful. Safe drive home, Satby.
Traveller
Very nice, thank you! You have captured and presented this unique place well. Beautiful Photography.
Liminal Owl
Lovely photos, satby. Thank you. Soothing and beautiful.
Baud
Great photos, satby.
satby
@Elizabelle: absolutely filling the coffee tank before heading out 😉
Thanks everyone! I honestly didn’t do it justice. Photos taken on my Pixel phone.
delphinium
Lovely and serene-thanks for sharing your visit with us Satby!
MazeDancer
Splendid photos, satby!
Dorothy A. Winsor
What a wonderful place.
From my side of still-dark Chicagoland, have a save trip
satby
Also, if you zoom in on the Japanese garden entrance picture, you can see a bit of the zen garden from a different angle and the Japanese guest house.
twbrandt
Just gorgeous, satby. Thanks for sharing!
scribbler
Lovely and serene. My son lives in Seattle, so I think a future visit must include a ferry trip to Bainbridge Island and this beautiful place.
Betty
@delphinium: Yes to what you said. Lovely and serene.
O. Felix Culpa
What a beautiful place! Thank you for the photos, satby.
Raoul Paste
I’m glad that there are places like this.
stinger
Some much-needed images! For me, especially, the “whisper” path through the trees. Thank you, satby!
mvr
Thank you for these! Sort of what I needed after reading about “Santos Clause” in the posting above this.
nearly 37 years after leaving PDX I still miss the Pacific Northwest.
SkyBluePink
Beautifully meditative photos, thanks for sharing
MCat
Thank you, Satby. Exquisite photos. Much needed serenity.
Dan B
Nice pictures. I’ve lived more than 50 years in Seattle and was a landscape designer for most of those but have never been to Bloedel. Neither has my partner who built gardens for four decades.
satby
@Dan B: let me know when the rhodies are in bloom and I’ll come back. We can make a day of it!