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Travel Books Are A Must Have

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Oh, the places we’ve seen! One of our lessons learned over time is that there aren’t always signs to lead you to the coolest places. Not every little place of interest is on a map. More than once we’ve returned from a place only to discover that we missed some great little nook, restaurant or scenic overlook. And, more than once we’ve missed it by 500 feet or a 10 minute detour.

Never again!!! We carefully plan our trips as we try to pack as much in as we can! Lessons learned from the past is that if we plan in advance we can cover more ground, see more cool stuff and take more amazing pictures. Now, don’t misunderstand. It’s not like we’re on a detailed time-table, but we make a list of places and events we’d like to cover and work around those things so as not to have to back-track on roads we just drove 2 days ago.

Getting a couple of travel books from Amazon.com can be a trip saver! And, it can be a trip enhancer! Lonely Planet and Frommer’s are two of our favorites. Each contain detailed info and lots of ideas of places to visit and what to expect when you get there. I find this especially helpful when travelling outside of the US as they always have sections on whether, money, customs and culture. If you’ve never been to a place before, what better way to find the best of the best features that the destination is most proud of, even if it’s not always the most famous?

Now, as those of you who have travelled in the US know, the different seasons each have their own beauty and challenges. Our upcoming trip to New England is to photograph the Fall colors. Okay – so where is the best? Where is the least travelled? Most variety of trees? The quaint little town? New England covers a lot of territory and we need to narrow our destination to suit what Doug likes to photograph. For this upcoming trip we chose 3 books:

New England Trips (Regional Guide) at Amazon.com

Scenic Driving New England, 2nd (Scenic Driving Series) at Amazon.com

Backroads of New England: Your Guide To New England’s Most Scenic Backroad Adventures (Pictorial Discovery Guide) at Amazon.com

Each of these books offer a different approach and different suggestions of the “best” of many categories. Because of my DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) I always like to look in old cemeteries. Doug loves an old covered bridge with a water wheel. Both of us love beaches, birds and flowers. Well, these books make it easier to find these places without much trial and error.

So, pick you own destination and check out Travel Books on the DCM travel Book Store powered by Amazon.com. With a $25 order you can get free shipping (some restrictions so read the rules). Books are just about always discounted over regular retail stores and you get your shipment in a few days. This is the only place we buy our books!!

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Tags: Amazon, Backroads of New England, beaches, birds, books, cemeteries, covered bridges, DAR, Daughters of the American Revolution, Fall colors, Flowers, Frommer's, Lonely Planet, New England, New England Trips, Photography, Scenic Drive of New England, travel, travel books

Wildflower & Friendship Conservation Project

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

This is a story about Darby and Cyndar – out collecting wildflower seeds to regenerate the beauty of the wilderness areas of Colorado, a little closer to home…

Darby and Cyndar have many things in common – that’s what makes them friends. They also differ in many ways – that’s what makes for interesting conversation. They are different and they are alike. One thing is certain. They are not boring or dull. Whenever they are together there is always a debate about “things”. Things like, “is there such a thing as too much butter in a recipe”, or chocolate being its own food group, or is it worth it to drive all the way over to ‘here’ or ‘there’ to get a certain item or to do without. Child rearing, money, travel, exercise, work, fruit and vegetables, reading vs audio books, love the kids no matter what or is this a weed or a flower…

They may differ on any or all of these things, but weed vs flower is yet again, another debate that they may never solve. Ying vs Yang. Trash or treasure?

Darby and Cyndar love to garden. They love wildflowers in all colors and varieties. They love to cook with fresh herbs. They both garden with love and enthusiasm. While Cyndar talks to her plants and flowers to help them grow, Darby is dilligent and methodic about soil and fertilizer. They share plants – one has too many of one thing, it is given to the other, back and forth, all summer long. “Here you can have this.” and “Would you like to have some of this?” and “I grew this for you” and “This might look good there”. It is sharing. It is communication. It is a shared love of nature. It is a bond on multiple levels.

So, if you should see Darby and Cyndar out somewhere in an opesn field or each other’s yard, collecting seeds, just let them be. They love and appreciate this bond with nature. They love and appreciate this gift of flowers and friendship. The “seeds” they take are always regenerated. Cultivated. Nurished. Loved. Appreciated.

They are blessed.

Disclaimer: Be sure to check with authorities before you take seeds. Different national forests may rules and/or permits to take seeds. Always ask your neighbor first!!!

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Tags: flower, Flowers, garden, Gardens, herbs, nature, plants, wildflower seeds, wildflowers

Iris Gardens in Denver at Iris 4 U Gardens

Friday, June 26th, 2009

From mid May to mid June there is something extraordinary going on in Denver Colorado. There’s an Iris “Festival” at Iris 4 U Gardens. I found this quite by accident. It was one of those right side of the screen advertisements on one of my regular internet sites. I don’t usually click on those, but the title was intriguing – something like Denver Iris something with a beautiful picture. Well, I love to garden and we do have Grandma’s irises in our garden which bring us such joy every year when they bloom – so this little ad called to me.

So, it was one of these spontaneous day trips that we so love to take. The very next day we took the short trip to Denver and buried in a very regular neighborhood is this amazing garden and it’s HUGE. The entire garden is dedicated to bearded irises or as I call them ruffled. They’re in all sizes and colors and hybrids of all kinds. They stopped me dead in my tracks – OMG!!! They are so beautiful!

I tried to figure out which colors are my favorites – a fun game at this place! It will be different for every visitor, but I’m partial to the white/purple/lavender combos. That’s not to say that the peach/butterscotch ones don’t bring a smile! There’s something here for everyone who loves flowers to enjoy.

I noticed other photographers and a gentleman painting. There are plenty of chairs and benches to sit and just enjoy the view. There are folks around to answer your questions and even Iris Bob, the proprietor, walks the garden and visits with guests. They offer a catalog as you enter so you can find the name of the iris that you would like to purchase when the time of the season is right for the transplanting. There’s no store, no trinkets for purchase and no pushy sales. This is a place to enjoy and if you should like to place an order there is a table with a couple of computers to do just that. Hey – there’s even a rest room!!

We’ve lived in Colorado for nearly 14 years and this little gem was a surprise. I love surprises like this! And, I dare say that we’ll make sure we don’t miss it again next year.

You can find Iris 4 U Garden at 2700 West Amherst Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80236 303-789-4747

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Tags: bearded irises, Botanical, Colorado, Cyndy Harrington, Doug Niedermiller, Flowers, garden, Gardens Denver, iris, Iris 4 U Gardens, Iris Bob, photographers, Photos

Denver Botanic Gardens – Spring Update

Monday, May 25th, 2009

Irises at the Denver Botanical Gardens

It’s been a few months since we last made the trek to Denver to see the Botanical Gardens. In my last post I was telling you about the construction going on there – and it still going on! I venture to guess that it will continue for at least another year – but don’t let that stop you from visiting!!! The flowers are in bloom and gorgeous!

I have a couple of favorite areas that I *have* to visitevery time. It’s called the Lilac Garden, but I always see irises and lilies. This trip was all about the irises. OMG! Still considered early in the season, I was astonished at the number and variety in bloom. My two favorite shades are the peach/coral and the lavender/purple ones. Those are just *my* favorite colors. The yellow and white are equally magnificent. Then there are those is the darker colors of brown and gold and even black ones (almost, but not quite in bloom). The colors and shades just seem to be endless. I didn’t see any lilies in bloom this trip, but by June there should be a great start to a color bonanza!

Irises at the Denver Botanical Gardens

My other favorite area is the rose garden, but we were too early for blooms on this trip. I’m always impressed with the plentiful varieties and magnificent colors. I’m hopeful that our next trip will yield both lilies and roses!

Even with construction in many parts of the Gardens ,the walkways are always clean, staff is there to answer questions and noise is at a minimum. Structures are taking shape – the new parking garage and the visitor’s center/entrance are going to be very nice. It will give the whole experience an updated look and feel.

Until next time!

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Posted in Colorado Travel, Denver, Gardens | No Responses »
Tags: Botanical, Colorado, Conservatory, Denver Botanical Gardens, Flowers, Gardens Denver, orchids, Tropical

Denver Botanic Gardens

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

909 York Street

Denver, Colorado, CO 80206

General Info: 720-865-3500

I love to garden and Doug loves to take pictures. Life doesn’t get much better than this! The Denver Botanical Gardens is rich in variety, sizes, shapes, colors and smells. It is a peaceful place near the hub-bub of a big city. We have gone here for years, but our trip in February 2009 was met with unexpected surprises.

We made plans to go because our membership brochure told us of a forced tulip display (Tulip Mania). They actually take tulips and inside provide the right environment to force blooming is the middle of the winter! This was certainly enough to peak our interest!

When we pulled onto York Street we were stunned to see the amount of new construction going on. The parking lot was all dug up and the entrance was fenced off and yellow construction tape was making pathways to over here and around over to there in order to get in. We get inside and they have huge banner across one wall talking about the project to expand and improve the whole garden. Yikes – we thought it was pretty swell just the way it was – but lo and behold – this place is going to rock when it’s done. New parking, new main building, new science center, updated Japanese Tea Garden, etc., etc. We can’t wait!!!

While there wasn’t much to see outside as Denver in the winter is pretty bleak for gardens and such, the indoors held our attention with the tulips. There were a fair amount already in bloom and you could see many, many more were to bloom in the near future. Doug took some amazing photographs of the insides of the tulips that were so intricate and delicate with such beautiful colors.

Since the outdoor gardens are seasonal, I’m pleased to have learned that the Garden offers programs all year round. They have limited run exhibits, concerts, and plant/bulb sales, a corn maze, pumpkin festival, Christmas Trail of Lights and a lovely gift shop. In addition to all that they offer a multitude of educational classes on a variety of plant and gardening subjects. 070714dsc_2141a 090131_7642 090131_7658

If I have to pick a favorite place in the Botanical Gardens I would have to say it is the Tropical Conservatory. It does nothing for my hair and everything for my visual senses. This is a lush tropical indoor garden with gentle mists pumped throughout. It is beautiful year round. There are delicate orchids, a running stream, green leafed whatevers that I can just stare at as time stops for me in this place. I’m not much on the names of the plants; I just enjoy them – immensely. There are name plaques for those who like to associate a leaf with a name. But not me, I’m there for the ambience, for the rich colors, the feeling of peace and those amazing pictures that Doug brings home.

By Cyndy Harrington

www.dcmtravelreviews.com

View Photos of the Denver Botanical Gardens and other Great Places by

Doug Niedermiller at

http://dougniedermillerphotography.com/

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