Jerry: Our local paper has a great story about Death Hollow in Utah, today! Three guys took it upon themselves to hike into the hollow! What troubles befell them--hiking in and swimming in ice cold water, rappelling down the canyon walls! They hiked as far as they could, in the canyon, but the deepening, icy cold water told them they'd better get back out and come another day! There is also a half-page picture of one of the guys rappeling down the canyon wall! WOW! What a great place to visit, albeit, by way of newspaper articles. How i'd like to go there, but, with advancing age, and gasoline prices being what they are, I'll have to stick to reading about it! Another man took a trip to the Valley of The Gods! He traveled by way of Utah Rt. 261, known locally as the Trail of The Ancients! He says all was going well, until he came to the road that had been dug out to haul uranium back in the 1950's. It runs from Cedar Mesa down into the canyon. He reports there is a bed and breakfast in the area where he stayed. So, have an enjoyable summer, traveling amongst the Mesa's and Buttes! As for me, I'll stay in our beautiful mountains and flat lands of Pennsylvania, where the flowers grow, and the Bluegrass music flows! Have fun: Rusty Jones

HEY !! I am here in Banff ! I am at a coffee shop with free wifi...only thing free in this very expensive place. It is gorgeous here. Look for lots of pics in a while to be uploaded . Karl and Pete are OK and so am I . We had no access to computer along the Icefield Jasper road. We camped in Prov. Parks and no hot water either. guess which I would prefer LOL !! I missed you ALL !! Thank you for thinking about me. XXO and I will get back on the computer later. Having bike fixed ..again. c Sunday June 24th 25 miles/10.5 avg/ 2:27 pedal time 30 mph max I forgot something important from yesterday ...don't I always ? So I will cathc up from there. When we arrived at the very first road wash out we met Bryan the Hwy Dept worker. He had another guy there with him who is an AUBURN Graduate ! Wow...how likely is that going to happen ? He was there when Bo Jackson played and Building L was still in existence LOL. He said Wiley Hartzog was one of his profs. That is not someone I know. But we did have a nice few minutes to chat about auburn. He still has friends there. Last night we were both so tired and the rain was coming down so we slept great !! Pete had so much to do with his tires this AM that he was up at 5:30 AM !! aarrggghh. I didn't get up. I put my earplugs back in and rested for another hour. We packed up and I had the rest of my 500 gram cup of Greek yogurt and a banana. We then walked back over the road to the cafe from last night and I had my regulation 2 cups of coffee with 2 creams and sugar and a whole grain bagel toasted with butter and raspberry jam. We checked out of the Yellowhead Motel and rode to the gas station at the corner. Pete looked up and we saw the by now familiar Canadian Road Trucks with flashing yellow lights and men in orange vests...oh no. He went in to get a bottle of water and I was sent to talk to them. It was the idiot from the day before at washout number 2...I hope you are keeping notes as this just gets better and better LOL ! ! So "dumb dumb" says the road is out. I say well yes but that isn't the way we are going...and he says well it is out and you can't go to Jasper. I said but we were told they fixed the road last night. Hmmm...he says that ANOTHER road washed out at 3:20 AM. aaarrggh. He then says we can get as far as Mt Robson. Since the washout is past there and it is the whole road. I say " you are on " ! And I run in the gas station store to get Pete. This would at least put us 25 miles further up the road. He says lets go fast. I need toothpaste and then we are off. We go about 2 miles and guess what we see ??? Oh you are ahead of me on this aren't you ??? We see....drum roll here...a Canadian Road Work Truck and flashing lights !! Yes indeed the creek has stopped running and they won't let us go past it. I ask if that isn't a good thing and of course I know that it isn't but the road is dry after all :) He says NO !! You have to wait till the backhoe gets here. And sure enough we hear one coming fast up the road. The problem of course is that the creek stops running due to debris...like logs and rocks that wash down the mountain. If it is left blocked then it floods up and over the debris and washes out everything below. Scene repeats over and over . They got it cleared in about 30 min. and we were off. Mostly downhill and very relaxing. We headed up past Tete Jeune Cache and on towards Mt Robson. We get to an area where the Fraser River has the highest falls of its course. This is where only the most hardy Chinook salmon get back to. Pete and I hiked down to see. Whew...the Fraser is SO high that it is almost up to the observation area. The wood is wet. I get great picks and then get out of there. It is really amazing and scary. I later reported the deep danger and they said they would go and post a "keep out" sign. Good Idea. They have been so preoccupied with the roads. Anyway back to the salmon. They live 7 years The males and females return to where they were spawned and then they spawn and then they die. The babies go back to the ocean and then in 7 years they make there way back to the exact spot they were spawned. How do they know ???? Pete says they all have an inner GPS...funny guy that Pete. We entered Mt Robson which is a Prov Park. A very very nice park. The day had been sunny and then got more and more cloudy and cool . We were told to go one and get a camping area and get set up and then come back to the cafe and get something to eat. So that is what we did. None too soon as it happens. It started to rain. Sheesh...give me a break will you ??! We hurried and got all done. I got us a site right next to the bath house. My priority every day is a hot shower. No matter what !! I found the "family room" shower and it was huge and had a handicap area with a regular handle and not a push button shower...sorry Pete ( he got the push button shower in the men's room )....it was wonderful. We put on our raincoats and walked back a mile to the cafe/visitor's center. We had a very expensive lunch....a steak/mushroom pot pie...good but small and a very nice fresh salad...10.50 !! We then sat and talked as it was pouring out. This is of course the last thing the Hwy dept needs. After a while the rain stopped and the sky lightened and the SUN came out !! Absolutely gorgeous. The sky is radiant and a lapis lazuli blue. Mt Robson , in all it's glory peaked through the clouds and then it cleared completely. We sat on the deck of the Visitor's center and talked and looked at the map for the Icefield parkway. This is where we will head from here..when they get the road open. Jasper is the start of it and it goes 280 km down to Banff. We will stop at 3 hostels on the way. I decided I was hungry so back to the cafe and I had a large slice of warm mixed berry pie and a large scoop of "hard ice cream" , as they call it here 6.95.... Pete had 2 day old muffins 1.75 a piece. We then walked back to the camp and washed out our clothes and hung them to dry in the SUN and BREEZE ! Lovely. I took my panniers off and rode back with Karl and he got to have his picture taken. He was ecstatic. We chatted with several folks. A couple from Dusseldorf who are biking from Calgary to Vancouver. So they did the Icefields in reverse. They have almost nothing with them. They stay in hostels and buy all their food so they don't cook in camp. They got through the road closing this AM by going through the woods !! When the highway men saw them they yelled at them and told them to get out of there !! No wonder it was very fool hardy. They are young and dumb I guess. I rode back to camp and decided to type this although there is no internet in the area. The VC won't let anyone use it anymore since they had some kind of privacy thing happen. We have purchased some mosquito coils and they are lit and smoking. They work great. Our only mistake so far was not stopping at a liquor store in Valemont on Saturday night ! What were we thinking ??? Oh well...sober is good :) Pete has just left to walk over again to the VC and see if there is any news. Maybe we will get out tomorrow. All highways are currently blocked in all of BC . Even the Trans Canada. Valemont is having to boil their water. So booze is probably being sold. There were some folks going to the grocery store but I was too slow on the uptake and missed the ride. Sigh. We will have to wait and see what happens next. What an adventure. There is a wonderful hike to a lake up 3 miles on Mt Robson. If we are here tomorrow Pete and I are going to do it. So we are good no matter what. Later... As it turned out we made friends with 4 guys that were all going into town. They offered to make a pick up for us. I went along and chatted with the young men . They were all 24-26 and really great kids. Two were civil engineers and one was an apprentice builder in Vancouver and had just completed working on the new sea wall there. The last was in the army reserve in Canada and continuing his studies. We made our purchases and started back to camp. The town was packed with people waiting for the road to open. When we got back to camp Dave ( from England) and Sean and Levi ( from Edmonton ) and Barry from Edmonton , set up their camp by ours . They played frisbee and drank beer and Pete and I had a bottle of wine and dinner and we all had a great time. Monday; 66 miles/10.5 avg Fast forward to the AM. I will never know what happened but Pete and I walked to breakfast and when we got back I noticed my bike computer was gone. Great. The evening before my 2nd kickstand broke and was not fixable. Pete and I set off on our ride. It was a long day to Jasper but a great ride. We were going along just fine and Pete saw a bear right by the road. He yelled at me to stop and I said "no !" . Then I thought better of it and decided I would get a picture. I stopped...Pete was trying to get out his camera with one hand ( like Allen used to do :) ) and he ran full speed into my stopped bike. Oh boy...I went flying as did Pete You can see the pics. My bike rack was broken on the rear and Pete's knee was scraped. We did get pics of the bear...he watched us and probably wondered what the hell was wrong with the stupid humans. We had seen the momma bear and 2 cubs before we saw the male. We didn't stop for her :) We rode on after Pete fixed my rack with 2 spliced spare spokes and electric tape. We got into Jasper and went immediately to the bike shop in town. He said he was there till 10 PM and so we left and went back 3 km to the Whistler c/g and got a site...$21 a night. Very beautiful site. I got my shower and as I was getting dressed I dropped my glass bear amulet and broke the part that holds it on the rops. At that point I lost it...Pete was kind enough to give me hug when I got back to camp. We rode into town and left the bikes. I decided not to get a new computer...mindfulness will have to do . I also decided to leave the rack alone as Pete's fix was perfect. I did have the guy clean the chain and he also sold me what has turned out to be a very good kickstand ( this one is the old fashioned kind like I used to have ..should have stuck with that type i the first place). Pete and I went to the laundromat and we did the laundry and I called Robert on facetime. I told him I am not going to send out anymore emails for awhile. I am worn out with all that keeps happening and want to just get my focus back. We then went to Cassio's and had a marvelous Italian dinner. I had a lovely Ceasar salad with gran padano cheese and then a manicotti stuffed with veal and a lovely sauce. It was a huge dinner !! Pete had an amazing burger and fries. I for got to mention what it was like to ride on the Yellowhead with wide loads coming. In my mirror I would see a truck coming and it would have lights flashing on it...as he would get even with us he would toot his horn...then he would go on...you would then have a minute to GET OFF THE ROAD...as it was a wide load and they take 1/2 of the shoulder !! Chilling experience but you sure get fast at getting off of the road. We forgot to set out clocks forward an hour so we ran to the bike shop and got the bikes. All was good. We rode to the campground. Had some JD and slept well till 6:30 AM. Tuesday 52 miles/9.4 avg/5:30 pedal time Up and ready we rode our unloaded bikes into Jasper..it is 3 k each way and had breakfast at same place. 2 eggs over easy and hashbrowns, 2 slices of toast and jam and 2 strips of bacon and a slice of tomat...2 cups coffee with lots of cream and sugar. All set. We then went to the grocery and I got 2 more canned chicken, one more Knorr dinner, a pint of blueberries, a qt of raspberry full fat yogurt, 3 oranges, 3 apples, 2 bananas and 2 different kinds of cinnamon rolls. All for $20. We went back to camp and loaded up the bikes and headed down the Icefield Prky. Has wide shoulders and all were in very good cond. till near the end of the day. We stopped at the Athabasca Falls and got pics. We had a long day due to LONG climbs and then the Suwapti Pass too. We are now in Jonas Creek c/g and we have a wood cookstove. You can see it in the pic of Karl and the end of the JD. It is amazing and puts out huge heat. It is exactly like what my grandmother used to cook on. I want one now for sure. It is great to use and draws very well and takes very little wood. Such a wonderful day. cap site $15.70 and we are right on the creek. Pics to follow. At one point we stopped by a viewing area to rest and get a drink. There were no bathrooms but there was a huge RV with the 4 popouts. They were asking us about the bike ride. I casually mentioned that it was too bad there weren't any bathrooms at the rest stop. The lady said "come inside and use ours " . Cool. I have never been inside one of these huge RV's. She had everything in there. An oven and washer/dryer and lots of furniture. It was pretty cool. Can only imagine how much gas it takes to run it. Although I bet our food bill would give it a run for it's money LOL. I told Pete we should total up all the cost of food for the trip and see what it is and compare to an RV rental/gas. We are probably more expensice. We stopped at Sunwapati Falls and had lunch. These resturants have you as there is nothing else up here. We each had a bowl of very good beef stew and a roll. 9.75. Lots of hills and more hills...we are in the Rockies so why am I surprised. When we got to Jonas Creek I had a "pan bath" with cold water and even washed my hair. A very chilling experience I can tell you . Wednesday June 27th -40 miles and 10.4 avg So we were riding along and it was 12:51 PM...just past noon. I hit a big bump, something I was trying to avoid due to the mended rear rack which was still holding but just barely. I heard something fall off of the bike and I saw something black bounce. I yelled at Pete that I was stopping and got off the bike and ran back to find....my bike computer on the shoulder . WTF !! How could this be ???? Pete said he had no idea. We finally puzzled it out sort of. When he turned my bike upside down to try and fix the kick stand he knocked the computer off. He didn't realize it. He had checked the ground as did I but it must have lodged somewhere on the bike although we can't figure where. Anyway I am back in business with the data. We saw a group of 4 mt sheep in a parking lot..they look thin and funny as they are losing their winter coats. Stopped at Icefield Center after the 2 mile climb up to it. It was so cold and slow !! We had a bowl of chili and cheese...9.75 !! The rack rebroke and Pete put in the spokes now on both sides. It seems to be more stable now but will have to replace asap. Rampart Creek c/g tonight. Great place. Hot water on our wood stove so my pan bath was more comfortable and I filled my water bottle with hot water and used it to squirt my hair and wash it again :) Luxury !! Saw a bear along side the road. We haven't seen too many though. Hills and wind. Coming down from the Icefields was very frightening . The wind off of the glaciers is so cold and strong. I used my breaks for sure. Thursday. June 28th 41 miles and 8.7 avg ( approx) We are still on the parkway and we now have Bow Pass today..note the lower avg mph . It is 5 miles up. Not bad but slow. I later learned that my cables needed replacement when I got to Lake Louise I had that done at a great bike shop. Took Rob's pic as he did a great job. We climbed and had head winds. It is beautiful but you really have to watch the road. As we were coming down a long descent I was going about 25 mph and saw folks stopped by the roadside . This means that there is some wild life to see. It was a grizzly !! We didn't stop :) We camped at Mosquito creek. A gorgeous c/g . NIce as there are no mossies. Lots of pics and we rested as we got in early due to the downhills. Friday June 29th 53 mi/11.9 avg ! We rock. When we left Mosquito Creek we had almost all downhill. We headed for Lake Louise to get a new rack for me. The bike shop is great !! Will and Rob were wonderful. Got an axiom rear rack put on and new cables . RIdes like new. Also nice to have a shop that isn't trying to soak you for prices and repairs you don't need :( We get plenty of that. We noted the bear fence that surrounds the whole town and has gates to keep out the bears. They also have Texas gates...the wide metal bars set into the road to keep cattle in/out. Very cool. We got on the Bow Parkway as it is scenic and also leads into a paved bike path into Banff. It was wonderful riding. Saw a baby bear running by the roadside. No we didn't stop . But a bunch of tourists did and were taking pictures. They then ran down the middle of the road back to their cars. How stupid...too bad the Momma bear didn't snatch a couple of them LOL. They were idiots ! We had fantastic weather and almost but not quite all downhill. We arrived in Banff. Very pretty bike path into town past a beautiful lake. Very quiet. The town is bustling with tourists as it is Canada Day on Sunday. We finally found out where the c/g is. UP the mountain. Sigh. We took the bus and I managed to mess up my front derailleur on the holder on the front of thebus. Sigh. Will see to it tomorrow. Hit the liquor store and got a large beer. We then went on to the campground on the bus and set up and had showers !! Yea...first one since Jasper :( Feels great. Road the bus back to town as my bike is messed up and talked to the bike shop they will look at in the AM ( We are there now ) . Had Aardvark pizza and a ceasar salad for 2...$29 with tip for us both. So not as bad as it could be. We then walked to the Safeway and Pete got us a 1/2 gal of vanilla icecream. We caught the bus back up..we get seniors rate for $1 a piece. We are the WHOLE thing. So good. Slept well for a while then at 4 AM the idiots aussies in the next camp site had visitors and they all whooped it up. I yelled at them and they finally stopped. They will be reprimanded by the c/g people as it is supposed to be completely quiet all night. They are very strict about that at all the c/g. Saturday June 30th ...off day ! We are at the coffee shop by the bike shop. I think the guy is trying to upsell me on stiuff....sigh. Will see what is what in a minute. Had another shower this AM ...so nice. Slept LATE !! 7:30 AM>.. We rode to the town and got a large coffee and a cranberry/lemon muffin for $5. Nice to not have all things cost so much. Free wifi too !! We are going to do laundry soon and then Pete has to have a nap he says. Karl and I will go explore so expect more pics. XXXO to all. c

What to Visit in the Mid-Atlantic Posted by ChrisMD 7 (My Page) on Sun, Sep 15, 02 at 23:50 Hi - if you were going to visit the Mid-Atlantic - what would you think is worth the trip? Ratings: * would turn off to see it if I was already passing by ** would be worth planning a detour *** would be worth a special trip **** would be worth an overnight stay ***** You must see this or you can't call yourself a gardener! We're looking for gardens, arboretums, zoos, natural wonders, historic sites, museums, the bizarre, or anything else of interest to a gardener. Can't include commercial sites such as nurseries or garden centers (sorry). Please tell us why you've selected your nominations, include the location and address if you can. I'll nominate our first 5-star: ***** Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania! Remember - the Mid-Atlantic covers West Virginia, Virginia, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and New York. I'm really looking forward to learning about your special places. Spike asks that we not post links on the FAQ pages, but you can usually find the official websites if you "Google" with the name and location. Chris - the FAQ editor MARYLAND::::::::::::::::::::: Posted by: Cynthia z7 MD (My Page) on Mon, Sep 16, 02 at 0:30 * Baltimore Conservancy & Baltimore Zoo * Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore Both of these are worth visits for anyone in the area. Let's face it, everything pales in comparison to Longwood, which I agree is worth a 'special trip.' Posted by: Marymd7 MD7 (My Page) on Mon, Sep 16, 02 at 9:27 Sotterly Plantation, St. Mary's County, Maryland Posted by: DawnStorm 7/MD (My Page) on Mon, Sep 16, 02 at 11:50 Brookside Gardens: A gem of a place in Mont. County; no matter how many times I go there, there's always something I missed seeing the last time. Posted by: Cecilia_MD7a 7a/Baltimore,MD (My Page) on Tue, Sep 17, 02 at 12:37 Another vote for Brookside Gardens - best of all, it's free! Posted by: gardening_at_night 7A ) on Sat, Sep 21, 02 at 8:57 Brookside Gardens in Silver Spring is nice. National Arboretum in DC is okay, I like their Fern Valley. Posted by: sprig z7 Md (My Page) on Mon, Oct 14, 02 at 17:26 Brookside Gardens Posted by: Julia z7 MD (My Page) on Mon, Sep 30, 02 at 22:15 ****Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton MD: A WOW for topiary fans and for those who aren't avid about individual specimen plants. So interesting to see a garden that reflects a single personality! Nice house tour and mostly accessible to the handicapped. Its been a hit for me with touring friends and relatives. In the summer, you can visit, picnic, and stay on for a chamber music concert. Posted by: scausey z6/7 MD (My Page) on Tue, Oct 15, 02 at 22:56 Lilypons in Buckeystown, Maryland: An interesting place to visit northwest of Washington, D.C. is Lilypons water gardens. They sell plants, fish and garden accoutrements, but they have a beautiful setting near Sugarloaf mountain with acres of ponds to walk around. It's a great place for birding, too. We've seen bald eagles there. C&O Canal Towpath in Montgomery County, Md: If you like wildflowers, take a walk in April or May on the C&O Canal Towpath from Riley's Lock or off Sycamore Landing at the end of River Road in Montgomery County, MD. Even in March, bloodroot are everywhere, and later there are wild phlox, Virginia bluebells, Dutchman's breeches, etc, in profusion. Birding is excellent in the spring there, too. Posted by: Antique_Geek (My Page) on Mon, Jan 20, 03 at 8:53 St. Mary's, southern Maryland: If you want a ride in the country, how about Historic St. Mary's City, Maryland. To be sure it IS at the end of the road but it is a neat place to visit. Recall if you will it is the site of the 1634 first permanent settlement in Maryland. Posted by: LynnT Z6A MD (My Page) on Tue, Oct 1, 02 at 10:13 ***William Paca House in Annapolis: A nifty town garden. Paca was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and this is a restoration of his 18th-century garden, complete with parterres, a knot garden, a pond and a small observatory. They have a wonderful plant sale each March where you can get heirloom plants for cheap: historic veggies, Lady Banks roses, hyacinth bean vines, Job's Tears, bronze fennel, several kinds of old-style hollyhock, and so forth, all for $2-$4 each. It's off Prince George Street in downtown Annapolis. Aside from the open house during the sales, tours of the house and garden are about $8, and well worth it. Posted by: Newt z7/MD (My Page) on Mon, Oct 14, 02 at 23:32 **Surreybrooke in Middleton, Md: Another lovely afternoon can be spent at this garden. They do sell plants, but have beautiful display gardens for strolling. Helen Avalynne Tawes Garden: is also a lovely small garden in Annapolis, Md. It's only 5 acres. I can't rate it as I've never been there personally, but have seen it on TV. Ah, time to travel! Woodend Bird Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, Md is an historic site with 40 acres and dates back to 1699. The Mansion on site dates from about 1925 and was designed by John Russell Pope. This is the headquarters of the Audubon Naturalist Society. (Not really a garden. Some of the grounds are landscaped but mostly it is kept wild for birdwatching. They do have nice events, including a Winter Crafts Fair in early December...the ed.) Posted by: Msilaine NoVa 7 (My Page) on Thu, Jan 16, 03 at 17:58 National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD: Another of my other favorite places is the Tropical Rain Forest at the top of the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Very warm, full of plants, full of birds, very moist, warm, air. Rather small and crowded and sometimes noisy but that tropical air reminds me of my former home when I feel a bit homesick. WASHINGTON DC:::::::::::::::::::::::::: Posted by: Marymd7 MD7 (My Page) on Mon, Sep 16, 02 at 9:27 National Arboretum, Washington DC Washington Cathedral herb garden and grounds, Washington DC Dumbarton Oaks, Washington DC US Botanical Garden, Washington DC Posted by: Johnnieb Washington, DC (My Page) on Mon, Sep 16, 02 at 11:25 All in Washington, DC: ***** National Arboretum *** National Zoo (has some really nice landscaping with some unusual plants, and the Amazonia house is a fabulous indoor rain forest) *** U.S. Botanic Garden ** Bartholdi Park (part of the USBG but across Independence Ave. and easily missed) ** Dumbarton Oaks * Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens * Old Stone House garden (on M Street in Georgetown) ** Several small gardens around the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall: Butterfly Habitat Garden (Museum of Natural History), Enid A. Haupt Garden (the Castle), and the Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden and Mary Livingston Ripley Garden (both at Arts and Industry): Posted by: DawnStorm 7/MD (My Page) on Tue, Sep 24, 02 at 11:31 Enid A. Haupt Garden: If you're in DC, be sure to visit the Enid Haupt garden surrounding the Castle Building at the Smithsonian. I stumbled across it yesterday while on my lunchtime walk--wowie! What a place! There was a bit of everything from Malabar spinach, to hostas, to passion vines, to some huge cousin of the tomato with thorns on its leaves. There was also a rose section--beautiful! Posted by: meilie z7 MD (My Page) on Mon, Oct 14, 02 at 18:55 If you're walking by the Washington Monument/Vietnam Memorial area you should enjoy the small lake/pond on Constitution Avenue that harbors a family of waterfowl. You can proceed to the Smithsonian's museums on the Mall from there. There's a nice rose garden that you can view when in bloom (from afar, no gate entry) behind the Executive Building by the Ellipse. Also view the old specimen trees that have plaques in the area. Some of these are very rare and OLD. The grounds of the White House are not too shabby either, but only to be viewed from the public areas. Posted by: scausey z6/7 MD (My Page) on Tue, Oct 15, 02 at 22:56 Bartholdi Park in DC: I also second Bartholdi Park, behind the Botanical Gardens in downtown DC. It has a wonderful fountain (by Bartholdi of Statue of Liberty fame), and a fantastic garden. My DH and I used to eat lunch there several times a week and made friends with the gardeners. They grow a lot of new hybrids and are extremely knowledgeable (and sometimes share). There are quite a few worthwhile gardening programs in the Botanical Gardens - check their schedule. Posted by: LynnT Z6A MD (My Page) on Tue, Oct 1, 02 at 10:13 *** Hillwood in downtown DC ? Marjorie Merriweather Post's restored mansion and Japanese gardens. Especially lovely in spring and fall. *** Dunbarton Oaks museum has lovely grounds, great for picnicking. Designed by Beatrix Farrand. Posted by: Msilaine NoVa 7 (My Page) on Thu, Jan 16, 03 at 17:58 US Botanical Gardens in DC: I am originally from Louisiana, so this time of the year I start feeling dried out and in need of moisture so I don't crack. Have you been to the US Botanical Gardens since they reopened it? Well worth the trip, and you can just sit and breathe in warm, moist air scented with green things until you are rehydrated. VIRGINIA:::::::::::::::::::::::::: Posted by: Marymd7 MD7 (My Page) on Mon, Sep 16, 02 at 9:27 Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia Mt. Vernon, Alexandria, Virginia Posted by: fiveoaks 7VA (My Page) on Tue, Oct 1, 02 at 10:12 Monticello: I live close by, and go about every year. Have not made it into the house since 5th grade, lol! Heirlooms! Veggies! Bulbs! Roses! A garden shop! I would give it a "do not miss", especially during garden week. Posted by: Johnnieb Washington, DC (My Page) on Tue, Oct 1, 02 at 19:55 Lewis Ginter in Richmond: I visited Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden several years ago, when they were just a few years old. It's a very nice small botanical garden, and I'd like to go back sometime to see what they've done since then. Posted by: steve_NJ z7A NJ (My Page) on Tue, Oct 1, 02 at 21:33 Lewis Ginter in Richmond: As of April, 2002, Lewis Ginter Gardens had expanded the plantings and things are maturing. Posted by: LakeAnnaRose z7VA (My Page) on Fri, Jan 17, 03 at 10:01 Maymont House and Gardens, Richmond, VA: If you go to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, VA, you should also visit Maymont House and Gardens. Very enjoyable way to spend the day. You probably would want to wait for warmer weather though :) Posted by: LynnT Z6A MD (My Page) on Tue, Oct 1, 02 at 10:13 *** Don't forget Green Springs Garden Park off Little River Turnpike in Alexandria VA. Another historic mansion with restored grounds and interesting plant combinations; excellent plant sales spring and fall. ** Agecroft in Richmond, a Tudor mansion brought over from England brick-by-brick a hundred years ago or so; not only do they have great historical gardens, but they teach seminars in historical gardening and herbcraft. Lewis Ginter Gardens: in Richmond: have never been, but I hear that their Italian Renaissance water gardens are not to be missed. Anyone actually seen the place? **** Monticello: I went down to Charlottesville last October for a Thursday-night stay in a local B&B, then spent Friday at Monticello. It was definitely the way to go, and the place was not near as crowded as on weekends. The gardeners were very friendly once they realized I had a clue, and graciously allowed me to harvest a small number of seeds to take home. Twinleaf, the resident historical-plant nursery, sells period seeds, gardening implements and plants, but they are far from cheap. Be sure to have dinner at Duley's, a local gourmet inn where we had the most wonderful lavender creme brulee... PENNSYLVANIA:::::::::::::::::::::: Posted by: CarrieB z6b/7a Phila. (My Page) on Mon, Sep 16, 02 at 16:20 ** Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve - New Hope, PA, a *** if you're particularly into natives/woodland gardening). Check with the preserve before visiting for what is in bloom. Posted by: HollyK Zone 6B, PA (My Page) on Mon, Sep 16, 02 at 20:28 Longwood: DEFINITELY Longwood Gardens! You'll think you're in Europe when you're in their conservatory, and the outdoor spaces are phenomenal. Well worth the $10 or $12 admission fee, and a great way to spend an entire day. Chanticleer: We recently discovered Chanticleer, in Wayne, PA (just a little northwest of Philadelphia, right off the PA Turnpike). It's a small (30 acres?) garden on an old estate, very hilly, and contains a house (open to tour occasionally) with gorgeous landscaping and pool/fountains, woodland gardens, a huge pond full of lotus, a "ruin" garden built on the base of an old stone home, veggies, annuals, grasses, perennials. It is truly a great way to spend about 2-3 hours, and they encourage you to walk on the grass and sit on the lawn furniture! Posted by: Wolfe15136 z6 PA (My Page) on Tue, Sep 17, 02 at 9:40 *** Hershey Gardens - Hershey PA. Especially the first week in June for the roses. Posted by: bluebird70 z5 PA (My Page) on Thu, Sep 19, 02 at 10:14 Pennsbury Manor: The herb gardens of Pennsbury Manor (home of William Penn)! These are amazing all summer and a lot of work is put into them. I saw them as a child and have never forgotten them. Reasonable prices too (for entrance). Posted by: jenny_in_SE_PA 6b/7a Sunset 32 (My Page) on Thu, Sep 19, 02 at 15:09 In Philadelphia - *Bartram's Gardens *PA Horticultural Center *Japanese Tea House *Azalea Gardens by the Art Museum NEW JERSEY::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Posted by: steve_NJ z7A NJ (My Page) on Tue, Sep 17, 02 at 22:54 ** Morris Arboretum in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia. Good collection of trees. Also some shrubs and perennials. NEW YORK::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Posted by: windchime z6a NJ (My Page) on Sat, Sep 21, 02 at 12:28 *** NY Botanical Gardens. As an added bonus, the Bronx Zoo is right next door. ** Skylands Manor, Ringwood, NJ. And a smaller place with historical structures and hiking trails is Ringwood Manor. Both of these places have "nice" gardens (Skylands is much nicer.) But they are great places to relax for a day, have a picnic (although, technically, I think food is prohibited in Skylands) and walk around enjoying nature. If you can only go to one, make it Skylands, which is much bigger, and has more extensive gardens. Posted by: adisim Brooklyn, NY (My Page) on Fri, Jan 24, 03 at 3:10 Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island The Conservatory Garden in Central Park Innisfree The Brooklyn Botanic Garden esp. during Cherry Blossom and Daffodil time. Posted by: Newt z7/MD (My Page) on Mon, Oct 14, 02 at 23:32 Beatrix Farrand Garden: at Bellefield NY doesn't have a web site, but here's what I know. I got this from another site that is an Inn. "Adjacent to FDR Home Library on Route 9, Hyde Park, NY (845-229-9115) The formal gardens and 'wild' garden here were originally designed by the well regarded landscape gardener Beatrix Farrand in 1912, and are believed to be the only surviving example of one of her early residential estate projects; derivative and indicative of both American colonial and formal European gardens and landscapes. The gardens at Bellefield are open year-round, from dawn to dusk." Innisfree, Millbrook, NY: "Innisfree, 2 miles east of Taconic Parkway, on Tyrrel Road, Millbrook, NY (845-677-8000) Innisfree is a realm unto itself, featuring exquisite landscapes and views which comprise a divergent series of 3-dimensional compositions, with traditional oriental influences - landscape elements structured in such a way as to form a natural frame (as in 'teacup' gardens), which inherently draws or focuses the attention on a specific aspect of the intended vignette. Open to the public May thru October (closed Monday and Tuesday, except on holidays); 10am - 4pm. Admission: $2 on weekdays Wed-Fri; $3 on weekends Sat/Sun." Springside, Poughkeepsie, NY: "Springside Landscape Restoration off Route 9 (west of Academy Street exit), Poughkeepsie, NY (845-454-2060) Springside was originally the summer home estate of Matthew Vassar - the founder of Vassar College. Although it is not yet fully restored, Springside is nonetheless the only surviving documented example of the handiwork of Andrew Jackson Downing - generally considered to have been one of the most influential landscape architects in America. Open year-round, every day, dawn to dusk." Stonecrop Gardens, Cold Sping, NY: "Stonecrop Gardens located at 81 Stonecrop Lane (off Rte. 301), in Cold Spring, NY (845-265-2000) Imaginative landscaping and lovely display gardens in a mountainside setting which comprises 9 acres of planted tiers, perrenial beds, water gardens, stone beds, a cliff rock garden, serene views and vignettes, and even a more traditional cloistered English style flower garden, an alpine house, and a conservatory. Open to the public April thru October on specific days, and by appointment(10am-4pm); on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; admission: $5." ***** Manitoga/The Russel Wright Design Center in Garrison, N.Y: a fantastic 75 acre naturalistic garden. Posted by equestrian z5 NY (My Page) on Sat, May 29, 04 at 4:27 ***** Innisfree should definitely be a five star garden on you FAQ page of mid Atlantic gardens. It is unbelievably better than the "estate" gardens in the region. It has very insubstantial publicity. DELAWARE:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Posted by: Newt z7/MD (My Page) on Mon, Oct 14, 02 at 23:32 ***** Winterthur: Hasn't anyone been to Winterthur in Delaware? What a wonderful place to refresh your soul and view 60 acres of naturalistic gardens and views. There's a tram with narration one can take or just stroll the grounds. Well worth an overnight stay. The tour of the mansion was extremely interesting as well.

Sam Rayburn Quotes American - Politician January 6, 1882 - November 16, 1961 Any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one. Sam Rayburn You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too. Sam Rayburn No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut. Sam Rayburn If you want to get along, go along. Sam Rayburn Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good action; try to use ordinary situations. Sam Rayburn When you get too big a majority, you're immediately in trouble.' Sam Rayburn You'll never get mixed up if you simply tell the truth. Then you don't have to remember what you have said, and you never forget what you have said. Sam Rayburn The real actor has a direct line to the collective heart. Sam Rayburn I like power and I like to use it. Sam Rayburn If a man has common sense, he has all the sense there is. Sam Rayburn A damn independent boy; independent as a hog on ice. Sam Rayburn Too many critics mistake the deliberations of the Congress for its decisions. Sam Rayburn Khalil Gibran Quotes Lebanese - Poet January 6, 1883 - April 10, 1931 Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity. Khalil Gibran Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity. Khalil Gibran Yesterday is but today's memory, and tomorrow is today's dream. Khalil Gibran In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. Khalil Gibran Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Khalil Gibran For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one. Khalil Gibran But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Khalil Gibran Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother. Khalil Gibran Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. Khalil Gibran Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need. Khalil Gibran I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit. Khalil Gibran Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit. Khalil Gibran I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers. Khalil Gibran Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. Khalil Gibran If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. And if they don't, they never were. Khalil Gibran Your daily life is your temple and your religion. When you enter into it take with you your all. Khalil Gibran If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees. Khalil Gibran Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be. Khalil Gibran You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. Khalil Gibran Life without liberty is like a body without spirit. Khalil Gibran And ever has it been known that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation. Khalil Gibran When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. Khalil Gibran March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life's path. Khalil Gibran A friend who is far away is sometimes much nearer than one who is at hand. Is not the mountain far more awe-inspiring and more clearly visible to one passing through the valley than to those who inhabit the mountain? Khalil Gibran If your heart is a volcano, how shall you expect flowers to bloom? Khalil Gibran To be able to look back upon ones life in satisfaction, is to live twice. Khalil Gibran If in the twilight of memory we should meet once more, we shall speak again together and you shall sing to me a deeper song. Khalil Gibran Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror. Khalil Gibran Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Khalil Gibran Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. Khalil Gibran We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them. Khalil Gibran Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance. Khalil Gibran Sadness is but a wall between two gardens. Khalil Gibran Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children. Khalil Gibran And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. Khalil Gibran Love is trembling happiness. Khalil Gibran Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They came through you but not from you and though they are with you yet they belong not to you. Khalil Gibran Faith is an oasis in the heart which will never be reached by the caravan of thinking. Khalil Gibran When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. Khalil Gibran Rebellion without truth is like spring in a bleak, arid desert. Khalil Gibran There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward. Khalil Gibran The most pitiful among men is he who turns his dreams into silver and gold. Khalil Gibran The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind. Khalil Gibran Truth is a deep kindness that teaches us to be content in our everyday life and share with the people the same happiness. Khalil Gibran Your friend is your needs answered. Khalil Gibran Zeal is a volcano, the peak of which the grass of indecisiveness does not grow. Khalil Gibran Wisdom ceases to be wisdom when it becomes too proud to weep, too grave to laugh, and too selfish to seek other than itself. Khalil Gibran Say not, 'I have found the truth,' but rather, 'I have found a truth.' Khalil Gibran If the other person injures you, you may forget the injury; but if you injure him you will always remember. Khalil Gibran Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge. Khalil Gibran The eye of a human being is a microscope, which makes the world seem bigger than it really is. Khalil Gibran Love... it surrounds every being and extends slowly to embrace all that shall be. Khalil Gibran Poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary. Khalil Gibran I wash my hands of those who imagine chattering to be knowledge, silence to be ignorance, and affection to be art. Khalil Gibran The obvious is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply. Khalil Gibran Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation. Khalil Gibran I prefer to be a dreamer among the humblest, with visions to be realized, than lord among those without dreams and desires. Khalil Gibran Yesterday we obeyed kings and bent our necks before emperors. But today we kneel only to truth, follow only beauty, and obey only love. Khalil Gibran Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit. Khalil Gibran Generosity is not giving me that which I need more than you do, but it is giving me that which you need more than I do. Khalil Gibran Are you a politician asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one asking what you can do for your country? If you are the first, then you are a parasite; if the second, then you are an oasis in the desert. Khalil Gibran All that spirits desire, spirits attain. Khalil Gibran No man can reveal to you nothing but that which already lies half-asleep in the dawning of your knowledge. Khalil Gibran The person you consider ignorant and insignificant is the one who came from God, that he might learn bliss from grief and knowledge from gloom. Khalil Gibran When we turn to one another for counsel we reduce the number of our enemies. Khalil Gibran Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof. Khalil Gibran Advance, and never halt, for advancing is perfection. Advance and do not fear the thorns in the path, for they draw only corrupt blood. Khalil Gibran Love and doubt have never been on speaking terms. Khalil Gibran You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might also pray in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance. Khalil Gibran Of life's two chief prizes, beauty and truth, I found the first in a loving heart and the second in a laborer's hand. Khalil Gibran Safeguarding the rights of others is the most noble and beautiful end of a human being. Khalil Gibran When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. Khalil Gibran Knowledge of the self is the mother of all knowledge. So it is incumbent on me to know my self, to know it completely, to know its minutiae, its characteristics, its subtleties, and its very atoms. Khalil Gibran Exaggeration is truth that has lost its temper. Khalil Gibran To understand the heart and mind of a person, look not at what he has already achieved, but at what he aspires to. Khalil Gibran Love possesses not nor will it be possessed, for love is sufficient unto love. Khalil Gibran Much of your pain is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self. Khalil Gibran Hallow the body as a temple to comeliness and sanctify the heart as a sacrifice to love; love recompenses the adorers. Khalil Gibran If you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work. Khalil Gibran What difference is there between us, save a restless dream that follows my soul but fears to come near you? Khalil Gibran Death most resembles a prophet who is without honor in his own land or a poet who is a stranger among his people. Khalil Gibran Would that I were a dry well, and that the people tossed stones into me, for that would be easier than to be a spring of flowing water that the thirsty pass by, and from which they avoid drinking. Khalil Gibran If my survival caused another to perish, then death would be sweeter and more beloved. Khalil Gibran Nor shall derision prove powerful against those who listen to humanity or those who follow in the footsteps of divinity, for they shall live forever. Forever. Khalil Gibran Poverty is a veil that obscures the face of greatness. An appeal is a mask covering the face of tribulation. Khalil Gibran Greatness, Poverty, Face Where is the justice of political power if it executes the murderer and jails the plunderer, and then itself marches upon neighboring lands, killing thousands and pillaging the very hills? Khalil Gibran Justice, Power, Political Art is a step from what is obvious and well-known toward what is arcane and concealed. Khalil Gibran A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle. Khalil Gibran You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. Khalil Gibran Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy. Khalil Gibran Knowledge cultivates your seeds and does not sow in your seeds. Khalil Gibran All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind. Khalil Gibran I existed from all eternity and, behold, I am here; and I shall exist till the end of time, for my being has no end. Khalil Gibran When you work you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music. Which of you would be a reed, dumb and silent, when all else sings together in unison? Khalil Gibran The lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host, and then a master. Khalil Gibran Coming generations will learn equality from poverty, and love from woes. Khalil Gibran Many a doctrine is like a window pane. We see truth through it but it divides us from truth. Khalil Gibran You have your ideology and I have mine. Khalil Gibran The just is close to the people's heart, but the merciful is close to the heart of God. Khalil Gibran Pain and foolishness lead to great bliss and complete knowledge, for Eternal Wisdom created nothing under the sun in vain. Khalil Gibran Wisdom stands at the turn in the road and calls upon us publicly, but we consider it false and despise its adherents. Khalil Gibran What is this world that is hastening me toward I know not what, viewing me with contempt? Khalil Gibran Time has been transformed, and we have changed; it has advanced and set us in motion; it has unveiled its face, inspiring us with bewilderment and exhilaration. Khalil Gibran They consider me to have sharp and penetrating vision because I see them through the mesh of a sieve. Khalil Gibran Most people who ask for advice from others have already resolved to act as it pleases them. Khalil Gibran If the grandfather of the grandfather of Jesus had known what was hidden within him, he would have stood humble and awe-struck before his soul. Khalil Gibran