Botanical Gardens, Gainesville, Georgia

Our truck was due for some much needed differential work, so we took her to Greene Ford in Gainesville. There was a Ford dealer closer to Fort Yargo, but they would not work on our truck, giving us the excuse that it was too old and had too many miles on it. So we would not have to sit and wait for the three hours it would take for them to do the work, Jack and Tam'ra came and picked us up whereupon we all went to the Botanical Gardens for a couple of hours before having lunch.

I always enjoy walking through nature ~~ flowers and greenery. It is so peaceful and beautiful. Tam'ra goes there often to take art lessons and has a pass to get in. 

Flowers grace the trails throughout the entire gardens, along with special plants and sculptures.

Bearded Iris

The Smithgall Woodland area was donated by Charles and Leslie Smithgall's generous donation of their 168 acre homestead in 2001. Their aim was to provide a community space within the Gainesville city limits for guests to come and reconnect with and appreciate nature. 

A media magnate, Charles Smithgall built an empire of radio stations, cable television and newspapers and founded the local newspaper The Times in 1947. In addition to this gift, the Smithgall's philanthropy ranges from donating 5,600 acres for the creation of Smithgall Woods State Park to building the White County animal shelter. 

Their treasured family estate provided the seed for this beautiful garden and will provide a natural respite forever.

Deciduous Azalea

Golden Leaf Hydrangea

Manchurian Lilac

Flannery's Peacock ~~ an Avian Avatar by the Myth Makers Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein. Flannery O'Conner is an American author and essayist whose writings are deeply connected to her Georgia home. Her style of Southern gothic fiction exposed the conflicts of the human soul in the universal search for spiritual redemption. She surrounded herself with very few humans and an abundance of peacocks.

The peacock is an extravagant bird with many different interpretations in myth and legend. They are a symbol of integrity and the beauty we can achieve when we endeavor to show our true colors. In Jewish lore, the peacock is a symbol for joy and creativity, whereas Chinese mythology associates the peacock with the sweet harmony of sound. For many, its iridescent feathers evoke the cosmos. 

Lungwort

Peony

Columbine

There was no plaque telling us what the name of this plant was, but we did think it odd looking, so I had to get a picture of it.

On our way to the children's section of the gardens, we came across this fossil of a small frog that must have gotten stuck in the fresh cement. 

The Dragon's name is Desmond, but it has a striking resemblance to Falcor from The Neverending Story.

The water in the fountain came out in a complete circle. Below is Jim's brother Jack putting his fingers in the water trying to divert it.

They also had these fountains that were on a timer and rotating around the circle. Jack and Jim are walking in the fountain trying to stay out of the spouting water.

Mini Trolley Cars

Giant Birds

Quote for the day: “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the mind.” ― Luther Burbank