Havasu Falls Trip

Well I turned 40 last year and as a present Bonnie got me a REI backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon.  As a surprise my oldest brother Mark joined me for the trip. We would be exploring the Havasu Falls area all located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation at the canyon's south rim. The area is know for it's blue green water and numerous water falls. A little oasis in this desert environment.

Coming from Pheonix we spent the night at a roadside Motel on the famed Rt 66. 

It was a perfect slice of americana. Complete with dinosaur sculptures,a museum, and tumbleweeds.

Bright and early the next morning we started out on the trail.

It is a 8 mile hike to the Supai Village then another 2 miles to the campground. There are no cars in the village and the only way in and out is on foot, pack horse, or helicopter.

Fortunately for us we only had to carry our day packs, our gear and supplies would be brought in by pack horse.

All the pack horses are accompanied by a dog or two.

As we descended the canyon and got closer to the village the landscape changed and became lush. Giant cottonwoods, weeping willow and of course the famed blue water appeared. 

Finally after 4 hours of hiking we made it to Havasu Falls. 

A quick swim cleaned of all the dust.

For the next four days we hiked and swam in numerous falls, explored side canyons, 

and even an abandoned mine. 

And to my surprise we even had a pair of camp dogs who accompanied us on our hikes.

Our water source for the week, complete with maidenhair ferns

Beaver Falls, just 2 miles up stream from the Colorado River.

This part of the canyon if covered with wild grapevine. Quite a surprise.

Lady

 

Falcor

 

A reminder of how harsh this environment can be. 

Transformation

BEFORE

         We loved transforming this space for one of our clients.

With a little texture, color and of course some Pollen plantings, we turned a previously drab space into an inviting outdoor room, that even Chester (seen here) likes better.

AFTER

wine maker dinner

We were so flattered that Tim and Dawn Severt asked us to help with the dinner they were hosting. The Wine Maker Dinners are quite a tradition in Atlanta and benefit the High Museum. Winemakers from vineyards all over come to show off and share their spirits and acclaimed chefs come to make a wonderful dinner. Tim and Dawn have amazing taste and a charming home. It was such fun….

Here are some pics.

The dinner was in their courtyard garden and under the tent also enclosed a Loquat tree. We hung hurricanes….so cozy! It had the feeling of a conservatory.

The guests got to take home their place card holder, an echeveria.

We used old barn planks to hold the candles, our new favorite beeswax tapers cast from real branches. The runners and napkins we chose also added to the rustic but current style that we were going for.

And I got to use my favorite spring blooms, Clematis. I love the wild but elegant look they have and we thought they were perfect in our old bottles.

I could not get enough of our early Spring day yesterday. With 65 degrees and not a cloud in sight, it was a far cry from our recent and constant dreary and mucky weather.  I could not wait to make the rounds here at Serenbe and see what was going on. So, Frankie and I set off with my pocket camera. Daffodils are everywhere. The new goats kids are up and walking. Fruit tree blossoms seem to have opened over night. And the Tea Olive is almost (but definitely not) overwhelming.

Check out those ears!

Frankie could have just sat in the sun all day! 

This vacant lot is one of my favorite spots to walk to. It has the ruins of an old southern house. You can still see where the drive must have come up to the front porch by the two huge flanking Arborvitaes and the rows of daffodils that probably lined the walk. There is a cleared side yard that has since been opened by a clearing in the trees and these bottles hang from above. I am so curious who did this? But, what a wonderful place for a Spring dinner party or even a small wedding.

My Husband!

How lucky am I to be married to someone who can do this in 2 days. In preparation for Chris's upcoming show for our Mayday party, we checked out this book from the library. Thinking it would be a great visual reference but totally surprised at how hilarious it is. Also, I guess….. informative? It delves deep into the daily habits, history and culture of gnomes. It has the most charming illustrations and diagrams of how the little guys do just about everything gnome. It is really a pleasure, and we have found ourself actually reading it straight through. Who knew female gnomes wear green hats until married or that they always have twins???

Anyway…..back to Chris (and reality) so he is beginning work on his pieces for the show at Pollen. And so inspired by the book has come up with these already, the start (and a good start I'll say) to his first gnome and an armature for a fort.

The plan is to have quite a few gnomes (I am hoping for 12 but I don't want to jinx it), a hand full of garden forts and several mushrooms and other forest accoutrements. He will make them all from ferro cement. Much like his more serious owls from his last show at the Signature Gallery, he will build them all from scratch armature to final staining. I can't wait…...

       

Rose Show

I was lucky enough to take the weekend and go to New York to my favorite grower's annual rose show.
I placed a Valentines order for new varieties of garden roses as well as Japanese sweet peas. 

I can't wait to work with these.

Sweet Peas in the most amazing colors.

Had to make a quick stop to see my friends a G Page to see what was new. And this is what I found.
How fun it would be if I could walk in every morning and pick up my flowers myself. Thank goodness for Fed Ex