One of the temptations of the Botanical Gardens is to snap a picture of every ornament, flower, bush or charming grouping.
You quickly learn that with over 55 acres to cover, that isn't very doable!
Sweeps of native California wildflowers or rock gardens are lovely, but soon your focus is drawn out to a larger vista.
Then, as you begin to ramble along the paved pathways, something catches your eye.
Is that an invitation? Should you enter? If you don't, you'll never find this peaceful haven, or the many other hidden treasures.
The main walkway (general map) is just a reference guide for your journey. All throughout the gardens you'll find these entrances, dirt paths leading to wonderful little enclaves (detailed map).
Take for instance the Redwood Grove, over 100 years old, and with a promising future as new growth comes from a fallen giant. There's even a lecture area here in the grove.
There are several beautiful areas set up to simply sit and enjoy the day and the view.
Wonder where these stairs might lead?
Here are some possibliities.
They conjure up such visions.
For those so inclined, every plant is labled, but for me and this fellow, it's all about the gestalt.I've marked this map with an outline of the Botanical Gardens. It's 10 blocks long! The Acadmemy of Sciences is the small square(ish thingy) to the left of the gardens. The arrow to the right and above shows where I used to live from age 8 to 12. It was just over a half a block from the park.
Further down are two arrows, the one on the right shows where we moved until I was 16, still just a block from the park. The one on the left is where I went to high school, just 3 blocks from the park. I met a girl at school who invited me to her house. As we were jammed into the first of three buses she took every day, I told her I prefered walking. I used to walk across the park to and from school every day. It was safe in those days, or at least I survived. She said she would like to walk too, but lived too far away. When we finally got to her house I told her I'd like to come in, but wanted to drop my books off at home first. She was naturally a little upset, until I explained that I lived right across the street from her. She walked home with me a couple times after that, but not often.
If you click to get the full sized (1944x2592px) version of this map you'll get a good idea of all that Golden Gate Park has to offer.
How was your Fourth of July? Even if you aren't here in the US, I think you're allowed to enjoy July 4th, and I hope you did. I went to the thrift shops, where I picked up a $5 gift card for being an early bird, and 13 knitting mags for 25¢ each. Mostly Knitters, and mostly complete, but there have been a few pages missing or ads cut out from a few of them. Still, for a quarter... right? They go as far back as 1994 and right up to this year. It seems strange to think of 1994 as "far back", but kids born that year will be voting soon! I'm so very, very old. Sigh.
Well, I hate to tease you, but I've got some yarn pron coming your way soon. I've won some gorgeouse handspun yarn from Robin Edmundson (website) of Rurification (blog)! As soon as it arrives I'll be posting a pic. Thank you Robin!
I've finished a scarf, and it may be responsible for me losing my taste for entrelac forever! I may also be finished with the "Tribute To Indecision" or "Monument to Irresoluteness" or "Whole Load Of Maybes" Hat by the time I post again. These pics you should have no trouble waiting for, trust me.
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