I did absolutely nothing at the lake. Truly. Nothing but relax that is.
I had nothing on the agenda except read, sit on the deck, and think good thoughts. When it got too hot outside, I retreated inside (more quietude) to continue reading, watch a movie or read blogs. What more could I want?
The only thing missing was The Hubs. He had to drive back and forth to work everyday, so Saturday (our last day), we ventured into town to check out a few things on my list.
One was Cafe Yum. Our local paper had reviewed this coffee/sandwich/cupcake place in February and I had been dying to go there. I had actually met a friend here for lunch earlier in the week and The Hubs and I returned for coffee and scones before our other adventure. This place is too cute and a welcome surprise for an otherwise kinda’ rough ’round the edges lake town. 
We had to check this out. It is the massive tree-trunk sculpture outside Cafe Yum.
We had to get a closer look. Yep, it is carved out of this tree trunk. (Don’t know what the block piece is all about, though.)
We took our coffees to go and headed to Lendonwood Gardens. According to their brochure and website, Lendonwood is a non-profit organization that is totally supported by volunteers, donations, and a few big sponsors (Walton Family Foundation, Arvest and other area banks). It is open year-round and is free (although a $5 donation is suggested). The garden sets on six acres but it seems so much bigger.
A maple leaf hydrangea.
We call these “snowballs.” You can see the Asian inspiration in the fencing around the property.
One of the lillies in one of the water features.
THE water feature…large koi pond with Japanese pavilion.
I don’t know what this is, but I liked foliage and the berries. You can see a Japanese lantern structure in the background.
Same tree over the pond.
Footbridge over the stream.
I want one…Acer palmatum “Butterfly” cream edged Japanese Maple.
Most beautiful (and tall) Asiatic Lilly.
Again, I don’t know….liked the foliage and the berries.
This really wasn’t a hydrangea and the leaves were not that of an allium. ??? Still don’t know.
This was like a little orange puff-ball. ???
Loved the bamboo grove. I want one of these in my back yard too.
Creeping juniper on the island in the koi pond.
Mad feeding frenzy of koi.
There were some HUGE koi in this pond.
We did not have a quarter between us (for fish food) so we scraped up a few morsels from underneath the dispenser to throw out to the fish. 🙂
The garden boasts the largest collection of rhododendrons in the Southwest (although these had bloomed much earlier in the spring). It also contains one of the largest collections of chamaecyparis (false cypress) in the U.S. There are 500 varieties of day lillies (which had just passed their prime), seventy-five varieties of Japanese maples, 125 varieties of hostas, and twenty-five varieties of dogwoods. There were two almost separate gardens (in fact, you were crossing across other people’s yards to get there)—the azalea garden (which truly seemed like the extension of a private property) and The Angel of Hope garden. I am wondering if maybe these people did not donate the six acres for the gardens. If not, what a gem to have right next door.
I cannot wait to visit this garden in the fall and early spring. It is open dusk to dawn, seven days a week. What a testament to the volunteers who take care of this oasis.
Note: If you can identify any of these plants, please comment below and let me know. They were well marked at the gardens, I just did not have a pen. 🙂
Abigail, it’s girl’s choice today. Pick any of these virtual flowers. Smiles and gigles.
Oh my gosh…SO beautiful! <3
Yes it was. I miss it all.
What a beautiful place and it was so good for you that you relaxed completely!
Completely, serenely, quietly…
A very beautiful garden!
It is a testament to those volunteers and the town of Grove.
Such a pretty peaceful tour – thanks for taking us!
How was the show?
It was great! We sold almost everything! we took 4 pickup loads down and only one came back!
What a wonderful way to spend you last day at the lake. The gardens are beautiful!
It was a great ending to a wonderful week.
I am not gifted with plants so, can not venture what these varieties are. You sure have some beautiful blue skies. I am so taken with the clear, blue up there….we still have rain…weeks and weeks of it.
Truly, it is the wettest July I remember here.
Looks like such a great place to be! Love all of those plants. I don’t care what they’re called – I just like looking at them! Fun post – thanks.
It was so calm and relaxing.
Sounds to me like you had the perfect vacation! Beautiful gardens. We are going to Northern Chicago to visit the kids, we often visit the most beautiful Botanical Gardens–they are beautiful any season! Reminds me of your beautiful photos.
We didn’t make any gardens when we were there. I will put that on my list for next time. Have a great visit!
What a beautiful way to spend a couple of hours. I know I could sit and watch the koi all day.
Building a small koi pond is on our garden’s bucket list. 🙂
Lovely pictures, makes me feel more relaxed just looking at the pictures!
Good. I’m glad. 🙂