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| this scone will be part of the story eventually |
In my life outside blogging I'm providing copy for our town's amazing new tourism website. It is going to be world class (nothing to do with me) and the words will be like jewels on the page (oh dream on!). When I dropped into the office on Wednesday my wonderful boss Tracey asked if I would like to go on a boat trip up to Desolation Sound. Local tour operators had offered the puppies a familiarisation tour to enable them to promote the business to tourists.
The puppies, I'm sure you are wondering, is my name for the bright eyed and bushy tailed summer students who have now invaded the visitor centre as information counsellors. I'm not sure the puppies were all that thrilled to have "Granny" along but off we all went.
First order of the day was to get me into the truck. It was one of those raised up jobby's. As the puppies treat me like a frail ninety yr old I was determined to manage on my own. There were some anxious moments and a little begging to the truck god, but I did it, pride intact.
After a thirty minute drive up to mile 0 on Highway 101*, we were in Lund, gateway to Desolation Sound. Of course, since it was thirty minutes since the puppies had eaten, they made straight for the bakery.
While they filled up on scones and cinnamon buns, I happily wandered around the garden.
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| please tell me the name of this plant, I want one |
enjoying this view
We did get on the water
Thank you to Ted and Joanie Winegarden for a lovely afternoon.
*tourist info: world's longest highway, also known as the Pan American, going all the way down to Chile 9,312 miles (15020 km) away. If you live close to it let me know, maybe there is a 101 club, if not we could start one.
Lovely pictures Susan - I think that plant is a Monarda. Good luck with the website.
ReplyDeleteFortunately the website is someone else's baby, all I have to do is send stuff to the editor.
DeleteWhat a lovely thing to be involved in especially with the company of puppies.
ReplyDeleteThe flower is called a Monarda and comes in several shades from mauve to red, but the deep red is the most spectacular.
I would guess it is Monarda didyma 'Raspberry Wine' from the shade of red - but there are many varieties in a range of reds.
ReplyDeleteSo happy the "truck gods" were with you. I agree with the above. The plant is Monarda commonly known as bee balm. I love, but have been unsuccessful growing it here. The water looks divine.
ReplyDeleteThe truck god is much kinder than Amnesia the god of middle aged, comfortably plump women. A has a wicked sense of humour and would have had me landing bum to gravel, I just know it.
DeleteDefinitely monarda...I want a scone.
ReplyDeleteThe plant looks like Bee Balm to me - a plant I loved in my Ontario garden, but one that won't grow for me in my dry shade out here.
ReplyDeletehaha - loved you calling them 'puppies'! :) And what a gorgeous garden. Mmmmm- baked goods, a garden, and water! What more could one ask for?!
ReplyDeleteOh boy, before my knee replacements I had to be shoveled into a high truck. What an absolutely gorgeous place. xo Laura
ReplyDeleteHope we get a peek at that wonderful website when it's ready?
ReplyDeleteI've given up trying to get in my husband's truck until he gets a ladder or something. It's a tough truck, needed for our swampy Florida dirt road in the summer. Loved your photos, seeing plants I can't grow here, and adventures with your puppies.
Thanks for stopping by. I left a note for you on the reply area, if you have a minute.
The puppies! What a perfect name! And what a beautiful place - one of my favourite parts of the world. I really do think there is no graceful way to get yourself up into those raised up jobbies. They didn't cover them in Charm School...
ReplyDeleteCharm school may not have helped with the truck but I really should have gone.
DeleteHello, I did enjoy reading this and had to smile at your description of climbing into a truck. My husband's landrover has a very large step up, and it's impossible to look elegant climbing in! I love the quote by Frances Hodgson Burnett as I had the chance to visit her secret garden recently. And the flower is a Monarda, as others have said. My bees love it!
ReplyDeleteCalling the students puppies is so funny! Your plant is a monarda, also called bee balm. It wants sun to light shade and moist soil. It will attract hummingbirds and pollinators and slowly spread by runners to fill up your garden. Go buy some! It also comes in pink, purple, wine, violet, lavender, and coral. :o)
ReplyDeleteThe monarda is now on my list. I'm planning pollinator friendly plantings in the orchard and the veggie garden.
DeleteDefinitely Monarda, commonly called Bee Balm. A different variety than mine which is more of a red wine color. The first year in my gardens and I absolutely love it. (As do the bees and hummingbirds.)
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool job you have, writing! And that was a pretty nice field trip too. I hope you went back, after your walk, and got yourself one of those scones. I moved my beebalm plant this year and it is doing well, so pretty, yes you need one too.
ReplyDeleteThe cool job is currently demanding I write about geology. Straying way too far from my imaginary world into science and technology. It is teaching me to be disciplined which I sense is much needed. I was getting a bit fuzzy around the edges.
DeleteYes, that's a monarda, or bergamot. Bees absolutely love it. And so do I, but they don't survive the Scottish winter and I have to replant every year. Expensive, but I like it so much and like to plant things that the bees appreciate. I think I need to mulch heavily before the first frosts.
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