Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Rhodie Love

Just a reminder there's no Wednesday Hodgepodge this week. Go here to read my overly long explanation as to why not. No worries though...we'll be back with the random next week, May 17/18th. 


My Daughter1 managed to recap a whole week in a single post on her blog, which I think y'all know I'm not capable of, because words. I have too many. 


Plus I need somewhere to post a ridiculous number of rhodie pictures because they grow 'em big and oh so beautiful in the PNW. 


We spent Tuesday morning doing one of my favorite things...walkin' in the woods. These were not any woods though. 


They're part of the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way Washington. 


The garden is home to more than 700 species of the more than 1000 out there in the world, and it's a lovely natural setting where you follow the paths that lead you from one gorgeous bloom to another. 


As it happens we landed when the blue poppies were also in bloom. 


Have you ever seen a blue poppy? 


You don't see many true blue flowers, and these were lovely. 


I love wandering through beautiful gardens and am so glad I have girls who love it too.


We left the woods and headed for the water. It was another gorgeous day, so we opted for lunch outside. Daughter1 suggested the well-known Duke's Chowder House in Tacoma, and let me just say it's appropriately named. The chowder was delicious! 


Or maybe chowder just tastes better when sipped beside a daughter and the sea? 

13 comments:

  1. My money is on the location and company being responsible for the chowder tasting better (not that the chowder wasn't delicious in its own right).

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  2. Wow, those Rhododendron are impressive and the blue poppy is gorgeous! Sounds like a perfect day.

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  3. I have never even heard of blue poppies until I read Shannon's blog about your visit. They are beautiful and so are the huge rhododendrons. The chowder was delicious to begin with (I'm sure) and enjoying it with D1 made it even more so.

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  4. Beautiful flowers, beautiful ladies!

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  5. What a wonderful place to walk with a Daughter. She is quite the tour guide.

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  6. Spectacular flowers!! Oh my word, absolutely beyond beautiful.
    Glad you had such a great visit with your daughter.
    Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  7. I have lived in the Pacific Northwest 3 different times in my life and always loved the Rhodies (as well as everything else that grows there). No, I've never seen a blue poppy. That was a special treat. Keep the wonderful picture-posts coming!

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  8. Sounds like such a good time...but then most time spent with daughters is. NO, I have never actually seen a blue poppy. I love it! soo pretty

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  9. Wow! They do grow them big there! All the flowers are beautiful, and so is that view of the sea.

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  10. Beautiful! Breathtaking! Brilliant. What an awesome day.

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  11. Oh absolutely magnificent and love the blue poppies. Had no idea there were that many different kinds of rhododendrum but love our Smoky Mt.ones

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  12. Gorgeous! Beautiful! And so are the flowers! Glad you were able to be with your daughter.

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