Hello garden friends,

I just returned from the most magical experience in the Southern Hemisphere. The trip had nothing to do with gardening - it was a ski mountaineering trip. But as we were boarding flight #2 of the 4 it took to get down there, I got an email from my friend/mountain guide who we were headed to see. He wrote, "You're about to visit spring. It will blow your mind."

Up until then I was only thinking about the weather as it relates to skiing. I was not at all imagining that we'd be experiencing the equivalent of April, with all the trappings of springtime.

So - the next 2 weeks were as fun and adventuresome as anyone could hope for. The mountains and the skiing were out of this world fantastic. Unbelievable fun. BUT, the springtime in the valleys was such a neat experience. I was determined to spot tulips, and sure enough in front of a few very humble homes in the middle of the Andean nowhere, I did see some patches of tulips here and there. I also saw clumps of daffodils which were especially interesting because in some cases they were growing in non-culitvated settings.

But overall the low-elevation landscape was pure springtime: brilliant green grass, nubile leaves just popping out on the trees, wild plum trees (I think) blooming everywhere, baby animals, and that unmistakable freshness of spring.

In town, I saw primula and rose bushes planted in front of storefronts and homes, vegetable starts for sale at the markets, and work crews prepping planting beds.

All of this was a delightful contrast to the high-elevation volcanoes covered in permanent snow and ice and pounded by wind on most days. (But to be fair I have to admit that enjoy that weather just as much as anything.)

Some photos....

Springtime in a hidden gem of a valley, full of subsistence agriculture - so peaceful and gorgeous.
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Just outside the hotel in the bustling town of Pucon, Chile.
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I thought this might be jasmine, but it wasn't. Still totally lovely though

This is the real reason we came. Insanely excellent skiing

On our last day we visited this beautiful display of flowers.
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Are you having trouble identifying them? That's because they are made of wood. Seriously!

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These were my favorites. So cool.
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So, I wanted to share with you the fun experience of swapping seasons. Now that I'm home I am having an impossible time getting back in my garden groove. There is much work to be done, but all I want is winter to arrive so I can get back on my skis. But still, I have to get over it and get out there and tackle my fall cleanup, otherwise I will hate myself come April.

Anyway, thanks for letting me share a bit of springtime with you. :)

Karin