What a Beautiful Day!

 

On a beautiful summer day the world seems so big and amazing there’s nothing for it but to, as they say, “get out there”.  I was hoping to make this a weekend post, but the weekend went by in a blaze of sunshine and I couldn’t sit at the computer long enough to get it together.  So, here I am today, sharing a bit of life here on the southern Oregon coast.  It’s a lovely vacation spot, but it’s also where I live and some days I like to just make like a tourist and enjoy it.

 

Two friends and I started the day at this gorgeous botanical garden.  Okay… it’s actually my friend’s private garden, but it rivals any public garden I’ve visited.  Yes, we’re all gardening fools and I love it!  This is only a smidgen of her garden.  I tried to pare down the photos, but, trust me, every inch of her large garden is as splendiferous as this.  I hope you’ll click on the photos for a more enjoyable view.

 

 

After the awe of the garden we three friends lunched at one of our small seaport villages, then our realtor friend had to go sell some houses while retired me and staycationing Rhonda went on with our day in The Great Outdoors.  Pictured below is a quiet, sheltered cove which many people enjoy from above, but perhaps can’t find their way down to it, hence the nearly deserted beach.

 

 

But, we know where the trail is so we trekked on down and spent about an hour soaking up the sunshine.

 

 

We aren’t selfie kinda gals, but we were goofing around saying we could take this shot and tell everyone we’d gone on a tropical vacation.  We took about a million of these, trying to get the hang of selfies.  Rhonda said “act natural”.  Well, you can see her selfie-takin’ arms reflected in my shades.  So much for “natural”.

 

 

Finally, I’ll leave you with a collection of photos I took at Shore Acres Botanical Garden.  This is just a small sampling of roses and dahlias and one bloom of a bottlebrush shrub in that garden.  The rhododendrons and azaleas are finished, and I left out the cottage, the pond, and all the larger views.  I still think Rhonda’s garden is prettier, but this is a pretty spectacular place, too.  It’s all part and parcel with the glorious beaches along this stretch of road.  The last three pictures were taken at my friend’s garden.  They’re all clickable, if you like, but I know it’s a lot of photos.  Enjoy, and have yourself a beautiful day!

 

 

Comments

[Pauline]

Oh a beautiful day it was! Leslie these are all magnificent pictures, thanks so much for sharing the 'tourist' view of your gorgeous coastal Oregon. Your friends garden is amazing, I can just imagine what the rest looks like - stunning. The ocean cove pictures - amazing (it really does look like a tropical island). Love the 'selfies. I have yet to do that, I did it accidentally one day, I hit the wrong button on my phone, well that got deleted in a hurry- lol! And all the other floral pictures, just so so pretty. Amazing job at capturing the highlights of your 'beautiful' day.

[Lynette]

What a gorgeous day and a wonderful time! How fun!! Your "corner of the world" is very beautiful, Leslie. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Donna Ellis]

Ooooooh! These are the type of photos that would make incredible blog headers! LOL I love each and every one - and yes, I clicked on each photo LOL You are a fabulous photographer.

How fun to see your beautiful smile in the selfie! I don't know how to take them either, but I want to learn so that my arms can show in the glasses if I do it. LOL Your hair is VERY pretty, Leslie!

There is nothing quite so gorgeous as the west coast. The hidden lagoons, and private spots are so amazing - we are wide open here, flat, and so we can see for miles and miles! I suppose each geographic region has its peculiar beauties. (and no, I'm not talking about you LOL)

Thanks for sharing your friend's garden, too. WOW! We would never allow plants to grow that close to the house for a number of reasons - and to see all the amazing colors and textures, so lush and rich - Thanks for sharing your special day. I almost feel as though I was with you!

love,
de

[Bobbi Miller]

Oh Leslie, thanks so much for the beautiful photos! I have never been to Oregon; there's so many places I would love to see and after seeing these photos today, Oregon is now on my list. What a gorgeous day and breath taking beauty. The water, the flowers, and the gardens are just too beautiful for words. And those 2 "selfie" beauties? Outstanding! You both look so happy and content. May you always keep your faces to the sunshine! Hugs my friend.

[Jeanne H]

I thoroughly enjoyed your photos. Thank you and your friend for sharing. Really love the flowers! I've friends in Oregon...oh I so wish I could visit.

[Yogi]

FABULOUS. Love the selfie. BIG GRIN. The pics are amazing. Have a great day

[Darlene Pavlick]

Wow what beautiful photos you have shared today! I shared similar garden shots on my FB page today from the Butchart Gardens in Victoria B.C. LOVE the selfie ... I'm not good with those either ... in order to see what I'm shooting I need to tilt my head down ... which in turn places accent on my double chin ... uugh! LOL
Have a great day ... we are headed out to view the city of Vancouver B.C. today and headed back to Seattle tomorrow. I'll be back in my cave sometime Thursday ... I miss all my crafting goodies! LOL

[Linda Carson]

Looks like a magical day!! Thanks for letting us soak up some of Oregon's beautiful nature!

[Sherri Dean]

OMG! You must have had just an incredible day! Your friend's garden is beyond gorgeous. I would never go inside if the outside of my house looked anything like this! I've never been to Oregon, but from the photos you shared, it has to be just gorgeous! Iowa has its beautiful places too, but nothing to hold a candle to Oregon. LOVED the selfie! Great photo of you & you two looked so happy! I love posts like this!

[Maggie S]

What beauty! All the gardens are just gorgeous. How wonderful to be able to wander around and see such awesomeness everywhere you look. The cove is just wonderful. Your own private beach. Love the photo. And look - there's a gorgeous white cat! Love it.

[Stacy Morgan]

She does have a fantastic garden and I can see why you like it so much. Adore the photo of you two, you are so cute! What fun to have your own little alcove. Bet the puppies love it when they get to go too. Beautiful view and oh what gorgeous flowers. My brown thumb just can't seem to get that type of results. ha ha

[Ros Crawford]

Oh my... what a gorgeous garden ... I'm soooo jealous! And that little beach ... what I wouldn't give to live close by to that!! Great selfie and Thanks so much for sharing those pictures and making me scream seeing the dull outlook here! Lol!

[Conniecrafter]

So good to hear you had such a great time with your friends, it is so important to get out there and just plain enjoy life that's for sure. I had to laugh because I take the worse selfie's I need a lot of practice too but I give it only two tries and I am done :)
Your friends garden looks beautiful and her cat is so fluffy, just makes you want to pick it up and cuddle :)
Gorgeous pics of the garden too, great coloring ideas for flowers! Hope your week is off to just as good of a start as your weekend was :)

[Nancy C.]

What beautiful pictures - I felt like I was on vacation viewing them! Your friend's garden so so beautiful - I'm definitely envious! We have never been to Oregon but these pictures are definitely a tease to go there! Lucky you to be able to live in such a beautiful area! Have a Happy 4th!!

[Sue Kment]

Oh my...I am green eyed (literally) with envy...these harvest days are killing me. Guess I will have to live vicariously through you!

[nancy littrell]

We do live in the most gorgeous area of the Oregon Coast...aren't we lucky?!? I was deadheading all our day lilies today and thinking about you Leslie...so many were starts from you and now all need to be divided...again! I had no idea Rhonda had such GORGEOUS Gardens. I LOVED all your photos and our family got to enjoy the gardens and Simpson Beach recently too. What beauty!

TFS All your photos my friend. Hugs, Nancy

P.S. Such a cute picture of you and Rhonda :-)

[Christine]

I would want to be a tourist there too! Gorgeous photos Leslie! And what a beautiful coastline too!

[Diane Hover]

I LOVE days like this...wow how fun!! Beautiful scenery and the flowers are gorgeous, you take amazing photos. It makes me want to tear up all my gardens and redo...never been to Oregon but it sure is pretty and it does remind me a bit of Michigan in the summertime.
Thanks for sharing you day with us!!

[CherylQuilts]

Oh, Leslie, what a beautiful place you live in, and being on the coast is always a joy (we know). And what an amazing botanical garden your friend has. WOW! That would relax me just looking out at it, and I love the photo. What a gorgeous beach scene, and how fun that you and Rhonda got to trek down the trail and spend time on the beach. And how adorable you both were in taking a selfie! It's so sweet! And then to finish off with sharing the flowers - WOW! I have definitely pinned these for inspiration! They are gorgeous and just continue to delight me in the beauty of God's creation! Well, I'm finally caught up (I think, anyway!). So glad to be making my way through the inbox! Hugs, dear friend, and thanks for delighting me with your posts of all kinds. It's been a joy over the years, and may we have many more to share! xoxo