November in AZ is one of our best months weather-wise – no more monsoons, lots of sunshine, cool – walking weather in the 60s but not too many flowers. The flowering bushes we you have to grow to love. We do have some gorgeous deciduous trees, but mostly we are centered in a National Forest of conifers.
They look better up close.
So today I am taking you back in time and traveling to look way back into early fall in Delaware. To help host us on the trip, I’m linking it to Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge where you’ll love her wine-red December dahlia. Restless Jo’s Monday Walks, which has moved to her new location as Still Restless Jo. You won’t want to miss this amazing walk and a piece of cake as a reward at the end. I couldn’t skip, Photos by Jez, Fan Of… and Bushboy’s and Ju-Lyn’s Changing Seasons. All of these are fabulous challenges for your enjoyment and participation. And now on to a place with beautiful fall flowers.
#Delaware Trip Winterthur Gardens #2
In September 2016, I visited my mother’s only cousin and my oldest living relative at 90+ years old. Because of all the old links, I trashed it, but many of you did not know me in 2016, so I’m repurposing it and posting it again. These photos are pre-Cee training, so they are not edited or cropped.
A Winterthur Garden Stroll
In Winterthur Garden visit #1, we visited began our tour in the Enchanted Woods. I arrived in Delaware in early September, too late for spring flowers, and too early for fall trees. Did I enjoy it anyway?
You bet. I hope you will, too.
“Let’s start at the very beginning…A very good place to start.”
Too Many Choices!
Winterthur Garden beautifully paved paths meander for miles. I did not worry about getting lost with all these signs. – I should have!
Down by the Quarry Garden
On the first day we walked, we headed towards the Quarry Garden. We walked mostly in the shade which meant that we walked for hours in about 75-degree weather. This is heaven for me because it is 75 degrees where I live for about two hours, four days a year.
We had not walked too far when Hal informed me that when he walked with his YOUNG friends, they took off and left him to take pictures while he checked out the various benches. I was quick to take a hint, and I headed off to the Quarry. I did not want HIM to think of ME as an OLD friend.
As you can see, the gardens were not crowded. We ran into another couple out on their morning walk. A couple of families, thousands of crickets, birds, and other noise makers were there, but other than that we had the entire 1,000 acres to ourselves.
Stones are everywhere in Delaware: streets, houses, churches, fences, and pathways. The quarry must have done a lucrative business. I could not wait to get closer to the stream.
I maneuvered myself along the stone path by the water without falling one time. Since I can fall just standing still, this is quite an accomplishment. I never stand near cliffs or on tall bridges without railings.
Focus on Flowers
Age is not the reason I struggle with names of plants, in fact, names of almost anything. Details escape me. I’m too busy taking in the vista. I hope you’ll forgive me and just enjoy these summer flowers also.
The delicate purple tips fit perfectly on the mild summer day. I traveled light on this trip, so I took all these pictures with my iPhone.
The garden was more natural, not groomed like Longwood Gardens. Hal said he would rather have a job here.
The water trickled down the rocks into a larger stream eventually winding down to the quarry lake. As a child, I would have dipped my feet into the water and squished muddy sand in between my toes. I contented myself with admiring flowers.
Time slipped by quickly. I did not worry about Hal. What I really mean is that I forgot about him, but eventually I came back to reality and headed up the hill towards the Enchanted Woods where he waited on a bench watching the kids playing. As I ambled back, every flower along the path called out like a child, “Look at me, Marsha. Take my picture.” So, I did.
They did not stay segregated like they were at Longwood Gardens but mingled freely together.
Some of them looked large in the picture but do not be fooled. They were tiny.
If these were children you would rumple their heads, they’re so tiny and sweet. Since they are flowers, I let them be.
As I approached the top of the knoll, I could see Hal enjoying a bench, but I still did not hurry. He seemed to enjoy the fact that it took me so long to get back. We came back for another walk two days later.
Thanks for joining us on our seasonal stroll. Thank you, Hal for such a wonderful day.
Now it’s your turn.
Do you have a post that no longer gets any views, but has beautiful things you’d like to show the world? Instead of trashing it, try changing it up a little. The other advantage is that you can still find those pictures if you want to. Be like my Great Depression Grandma and repurpose.
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Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
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