tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83899467032277206722024-03-18T00:31:41.908-07:00Jeffrey Bale's World of GardensThis blog is a view in to my World as a builder of fine gardens and mosaics, and the beautiful places and things that inspire me as I travel the globe.Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-87549354545789273212023-11-28T20:45:00.000-08:002023-12-01T02:56:59.159-08:00Petra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Al Khazna, or Treasury reveals itself at the end of the Siq</td></tr>
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The planet we live on is an extraordinary place. There are so many beautiful landscapes to behold around the world, and sometimes humanity finds a way to interact with nature that culminates in a masterpiece. Petra, in the south of the small Middle Eastern nation of Jordan is one of the finest examples of this interface that I have ever experienced. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saddled camels on the Street of Facades<br /><br /></td></tr>
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The forces of nature in this region, called the Wadi Musa (Moses Valley), have sculpted the geology of sandstone deposits made some 500 million years ago during the Cambrian era. Later, deposits of Cretaceous limestone and phosphorite layered on top of the red Ram sandstone. The sea bed was pushed up along fault lines and then eroded back down by countless centuries of rain and wind to make the fantastical landscapes around the region where the place we call Petra is today. Disolved iron in the water that eroded the formations caused a phenomenon called Leisegang Rings, which form brilliant stripes of red, cream, purple and yellow in the rock. Its not entirely understood how this occurs but the results are spectacular. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leisegang rings found in various mineral deposits at in a carved tomb interior at Petra<br /><br /></td></tr>
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These dramatic formations, soaring cliffs, deep canyons, crevices and rounded hoodoos are remeniscent of dramatic landscapes found in places like southern Utah in the United States. The region that connects Petra to the Dead Sea in Jordan is called the Moab, a name that was given to the famed Canyonlands community in Utah.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dramatic, rugged landscape of Petra<br /><br /></td></tr>
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The earliest known evidence of habitation by humans at Petra date back to 9,000 BC. The majority of the architectural remnants we see today were built by a culture of nomadic Bedouin Arabs called the Nabataeans, who began to settle in the area around 2,000 BC. The rugged terrain, and a natural spring that provided a reliable source of water made it possible to establish a defensible community here. A number of ingenious water capturing systems and a sophisticated distribution network made it possible for the population to grow at this important crossroads.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Roman Road, Hadrian's Gate, and the Great Temple date from Roman times</td></tr>
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The location along the ancient trade route called 'the King's Highway' established a trading center for goods passing from Egypt in Africa, Gaza on the Mediterranean Sea, and Damascus in Syria as well as Mesopotamia to the north and the Arabian Peninsula and Asia to the east. The wealth accumulated from Nabataean trade financed the construction of a lavish kingdom in this rugged landscape. It is said that Moses passed through on his way to Mt. Nebo, and that his brother, the Prophet Aaron, was buried here. The Ain Musa, 3 kilometers east of Petra is the spring that was popularized as the place where Moses struck water from a rock. Petra's many historical names include Ram or Raqēmō, Al-Batrã, and a Greek name I can't type on my keyboard that means Petra, or stone.<br />
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The aromatic resins of Frankincense and Myrrh were major commodities harvested in the Arabian Peninsula. These were widely used in religious rituals and funeral rites and as perfumes and medicines. Silks from China and cotton cloth, spices, and gems from India and Afghanistan were traded as well. The Nabataeans have a certain mystery about them as a people. While they had writing, little remains to be studied. As a nomadic culture, they are said to have set up camps on the edges of towns where they traded, keeping to themselves, perhaps as a way to avoid tariffs and political manipulation. They were very successful in trade and used the wealth they accumulated to build a magnificent capital.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u57GeGoq0ZHEkSwTl8y53KGfO-cOM5fY_B-r_JfSDnN5Zq-Fgjln4jcUvWH5N3mmqWNoCup4o4RdN0HpgnM6uXFpPNSFVTf_iANQlw7WZd3T6WCO0u-kDa_QfFewtv5D1T52jxJJU-GXu_ZFh-boLm_MA9Ck6BbkFgU7qsP8X-cRtNQ2y1hiYq1cdg/s3968/1ba%20Berber%20Tent%20Camp.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u57GeGoq0ZHEkSwTl8y53KGfO-cOM5fY_B-r_JfSDnN5Zq-Fgjln4jcUvWH5N3mmqWNoCup4o4RdN0HpgnM6uXFpPNSFVTf_iANQlw7WZd3T6WCO0u-kDa_QfFewtv5D1T52jxJJU-GXu_ZFh-boLm_MA9Ck6BbkFgU7qsP8X-cRtNQ2y1hiYq1cdg/w640-h360/1ba%20Berber%20Tent%20Camp.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A painting of a camel caravan camp in Morocco.</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Garden Hall, built around 200 BC is a tomb that once had water channeled from a spring to 6 cisterns supplying water to bath and plantings in this narrow canyon<br /><br /></td></tr>
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What makes Petra a wonder of the world are the results of this civilization carving itself into the swirling sandstones of such an astoundingly beautiful landscape. The architecture is sometimes monumental, displaying an amalgam of styles borrowed from the cultures with whom the Nabataeans traded. There are elements of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Assyrian, Byzantine, and Islamic architecture cut in to the faces of the cliffs, or built structures using quarried blocks and columns. Pigments were ground from the colored stones to paint over a layer of plaster on the architecture, most of which has eroded away. The scarce remnants show a pallet derived from the surrounding geology.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">False doors painted in a tomb I found in the Wadi as-Siyagh</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful ceiling painting of grape vines, birds, and a flute playing cherub</td></tr>
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The vivid pigments can be found in veins in the rock formations, connecting the art work of the Nabataeans with the natural landscape. <br />
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Veins of ocher yellow and red brown running through a sandstone wall<br />
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While archaeologists bemoan the wrath of time on these monuments as they weather away, it is undeniable that there is great beauty in the transition from architecture as it melts back into natural forms.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A donkey waits before the beautifully eroded facade of a once grand tomb<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
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Only an estimated 15% of the ruins of Petra have been excavated so far, leaving 85% buried beneath the surface, and yet in 4 days of hiking I only covered the main sites and some side canyons of this vast ruin. Petra is a hugely popular destination and there were plenty of tourists around, but they usually only visit once for a limited amount of time and the expanse of the area makes it possible to stray from the crowds and find solitude. <br /><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Yg6O_B5nqgXwBCzauB2p1wujiJnfwFHZkHcK8Uz1oLJQvk0Fu19mqqGfJzyqSZOWthxOtAcpsffkx4VtXYU-aZthATVGKbylNRyxVdpJ4wtj5S-nIWQaScZwjX0OEQkXrZMbh09WVPw4/s1600/P1140592.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Yg6O_B5nqgXwBCzauB2p1wujiJnfwFHZkHcK8Uz1oLJQvk0Fu19mqqGfJzyqSZOWthxOtAcpsffkx4VtXYU-aZthATVGKbylNRyxVdpJ4wtj5S-nIWQaScZwjX0OEQkXrZMbh09WVPw4/w640-h426/P1140592.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Byzantine carving of a man with flowing long hair surrounded by a garden of flowers.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Monumental tombs are believed to have been carved from the top down, made evident by an unfinished tomb where only the pediment and the top of tall doorways had been carved from the slope. Eventually debris removed from cliff faces would be piled deep enough to climb to reach the areas being carved. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdF8TlIMbcMs-6MN0nnTe4-c4ga6ou0OzAyXFpU-bBmhMm9-VmwIh5SCrGJtITs8pUlNfRyHqTz3lbPipLGdKFFWLXgVj5j457grQAqNigoYCZ0iVsnvgQi7g3MeZANBgu0tKCVK2HRta/s1600/P1140625.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdF8TlIMbcMs-6MN0nnTe4-c4ga6ou0OzAyXFpU-bBmhMm9-VmwIh5SCrGJtITs8pUlNfRyHqTz3lbPipLGdKFFWLXgVj5j457grQAqNigoYCZ0iVsnvgQi7g3MeZANBgu0tKCVK2HRta/w480-h640/P1140625.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An artist's rendering of workers cutting blocks from the face of a cliff and sculpting monumental reliefs.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SPWwq4_cTCc4hcyBrrPRIyxsSqGZQtPn03MQKxDKlg4Rr4Q2tABRxtlzzYGqAb9gt6rxT4cqr9aSGZRvkYzB8AMkU264pcMl5oqnoKFbmCKJhBqB0zT_V-QwialxsJqXp4R4YfJ4FQOr/s1600/P1140597.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SPWwq4_cTCc4hcyBrrPRIyxsSqGZQtPn03MQKxDKlg4Rr4Q2tABRxtlzzYGqAb9gt6rxT4cqr9aSGZRvkYzB8AMkU264pcMl5oqnoKFbmCKJhBqB0zT_V-QwialxsJqXp4R4YfJ4FQOr/s640/P1140597.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnants of wood and metal tools found in excavations at Petra</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A belief system, no doubt influenced by the ancient Egyptians and adopted by the Nabataeans was that life itself was short, but that life after death was eternal. So great amounts of energy were expended to create a suitable resting place for departed souls. They are everywhere to be found here, from the monumental facades of Royal Tombs to small caves quarried by the hundreds in every nook and cranny of the many rock formations. The Royal Tombs were carved in the Hellenistic style of Greece from a dramatic sandstone mountain. They are believed to be the resting place for Kings and the highest ranking members of Nabatean society.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFkoTIviI5cr53vZ5AnnRMfffFFBA4hBssnEGoKuDrG6grWoh09ncWcEA_gK0Lv9ToIATngQRR_EIkhQfUZEm2KoPon6GZlN_ArLQ411TjHNWBvoZsbT19BzUvpJBHc4cYSVoR-P3RoFH/s1600/P1140024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFkoTIviI5cr53vZ5AnnRMfffFFBA4hBssnEGoKuDrG6grWoh09ncWcEA_gK0Lv9ToIATngQRR_EIkhQfUZEm2KoPon6GZlN_ArLQ411TjHNWBvoZsbT19BzUvpJBHc4cYSVoR-P3RoFH/s640/P1140024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Royal Tombs cover the most prominent sandstone cliff looking out over the valley. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As a modern day tourist, I came to Petra by bus from the port city of Aqaba on the Gulf of Aqaba, which connects to the northern end of the Red Sea. Once the ancient maritime trade center of Alia, this was my point of entry in to Jordan after taking a large passenger vehicle ferry from the small town of Nuweiba on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. Aqaba is Jordan's only sea port. I spent a few days taking in beach life there before heading in to the desert.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRWUSYDvKFRzLvtRmxPAYhxVdoE7juyekeCMRb3eoXTAriqepoo4pdwWnXoYRj7h3aA7HWpGTkZq6sh8w7Vj1up2WhW-EtfzMRxut-ALXyQKWbRcikBPmVzOGWepOsBg6HHh4Oxv47U9t/s1600/P1130240.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRWUSYDvKFRzLvtRmxPAYhxVdoE7juyekeCMRb3eoXTAriqepoo4pdwWnXoYRj7h3aA7HWpGTkZq6sh8w7Vj1up2WhW-EtfzMRxut-ALXyQKWbRcikBPmVzOGWepOsBg6HHh4Oxv47U9t/s640/P1130240.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A day at the beach in Aqaba<br /><br /></td></tr>
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The bus to Petra climbs steadily upward in to desert mountains before coming to a grand overlook taking in the expanse of the Wadi Rum. There is a very large tourist gift shop hoping to extract your tourist dollars before you get to the shops at Petra. The road drops steeply down in to the canyon lands and winds its way to the town of Wadi Musa. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXyw-p-p3OAO3mfSGM-YWCSUZJf76G7UsJf_hNQA6VOuzmoZFODbl8h7HSYngLJXlM5azrTNFhjXfovacNtl5Nn15gwNXSSHF-GVyqbJGXdnswvcoYQvAE8rCJ9ADMd6U-g_ubabMuW_bkQlDq1z1vGEsD9dfLqmcJ_yHEmccI9aEVCWs66GCbK0-wtz92" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXyw-p-p3OAO3mfSGM-YWCSUZJf76G7UsJf_hNQA6VOuzmoZFODbl8h7HSYngLJXlM5azrTNFhjXfovacNtl5Nn15gwNXSSHF-GVyqbJGXdnswvcoYQvAE8rCJ9ADMd6U-g_ubabMuW_bkQlDq1z1vGEsD9dfLqmcJ_yHEmccI9aEVCWs66GCbK0-wtz92=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grand view at the pass leading down to Wadi Musa</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Petra is popular and the adjacent town of Wadi Musa has an odd assortment of hotels. My reservation at the Hotel Sunset turned out to be a couple of twin beds in the below grade back of the building, with a window well below a parking lot. The dining room and breakfast buffet was utterly surreal but friendly and I was able to socialize with other guests and the staff in its echoey sterile expanse. Petra is special, and people who come here with time to explore are in for substancial rewards. I was there in February and there were sometimes clouds and even raindrops, and the tempuratures were generally quite comfortable. The Bedouin head scarf is a handsome accessory protecting you from the sun and transforms the ordinary tourist in to a character from a historical tableau when riding a donkey or caprisoned camel.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8lwrB1zQ8OhveY-_GOt_m3homFFIgYqwvjoFFG9a0TY5BNUsJ8FI-LLUbdG9Iw7XnbHvcmGeQfKm_cJcJWlEwzIdfZ10yoGDt6CmBAB9XI29z8kTmKxF57mcCB9w75fx9eKE_Zq-trws/s1600/P1140208.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8lwrB1zQ8OhveY-_GOt_m3homFFIgYqwvjoFFG9a0TY5BNUsJ8FI-LLUbdG9Iw7XnbHvcmGeQfKm_cJcJWlEwzIdfZ10yoGDt6CmBAB9XI29z8kTmKxF57mcCB9w75fx9eKE_Zq-trws/s640/P1140208.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camels entering the Street of Facades</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A new visitors center, the Petra Museum is under construction that will replace the more humble facility that has illuminated panels and a few artifacts. It should be completed by the time I finish writing this. https://www.petramuseum.jo. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvjNmqOoEj7_vPbdfaaoJsH4wKQvulCMua9QEOE2cIcyJcPVqTNORFsnrc-tRdeJmsXksGtp_qaTErIVbIlw2Rf6K_sMS4yEBTgJFiz-YFGwfdoLk3t4FQYr9bGDI3qeSfzPxrrxBr5INfG_vsTXL-6de-PxGGpjMz6Q0mU_-bylYo2JjUPMS30sx_EUk/s3776/Petra%20New%20Museum.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvjNmqOoEj7_vPbdfaaoJsH4wKQvulCMua9QEOE2cIcyJcPVqTNORFsnrc-tRdeJmsXksGtp_qaTErIVbIlw2Rf6K_sMS4yEBTgJFiz-YFGwfdoLk3t4FQYr9bGDI3qeSfzPxrrxBr5INfG_vsTXL-6de-PxGGpjMz6Q0mU_-bylYo2JjUPMS30sx_EUk/w640-h428/Petra%20New%20Museum.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The New Petra Museum under construction</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There is a souvenir marketplace around a courtyard I tried to avoid each time I passed through to avoid aggressive touts and the souvenirs are mostly junk. I did buy a few of the tassled head scarves though, and find them to be beautiful accessories. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyM1Yg47RPyFS0lHgaa0wk1LzWPrx61PWgBwvC4vY9N9dRIBshPBxOX1_rBtXLAkhkdEoRYyu_NF8zf-UmJz22pjE2hyDtpz6AaSx3rbhjRJB-4p75NUZQx_RsvfXYP4o62z0R3VPYsOpEYivlEPBCxMSsPLLd3C4yy4cikDp3_vxFR3s0Iy-Qsi1xQ/s2936/P1140052.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2936" data-original-width="2325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyM1Yg47RPyFS0lHgaa0wk1LzWPrx61PWgBwvC4vY9N9dRIBshPBxOX1_rBtXLAkhkdEoRYyu_NF8zf-UmJz22pjE2hyDtpz6AaSx3rbhjRJB-4p75NUZQx_RsvfXYP4o62z0R3VPYsOpEYivlEPBCxMSsPLLd3C4yy4cikDp3_vxFR3s0Iy-Qsi1xQ/w506-h640/P1140052.jpeg" width="506" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch out for this guy....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Once through the gate the landscape is instantly beautiful, with wonderful geologic formations studded with architectural detail. The path winds through a what is called the Bab as-Siq.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3oikqg_vRM9Pe98aWOdgDzMTpvLJNJKvFj6UsxExX9nop8Th7OHKtxUvri7FeXPHajUkpNxYk7SP3nvX2NnVRzLOOdL6OcaevHuSi6OcAJIedNLGM1_vx3OkOYCsGuwZSVjSFEmoAGhE/s1600/P1130317.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3oikqg_vRM9Pe98aWOdgDzMTpvLJNJKvFj6UsxExX9nop8Th7OHKtxUvri7FeXPHajUkpNxYk7SP3nvX2NnVRzLOOdL6OcaevHuSi6OcAJIedNLGM1_vx3OkOYCsGuwZSVjSFEmoAGhE/w640-h426/P1130317.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful landscapes of Wadi Musa</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There are views of tantalizingly beautiful rock formations, some of them carved with temple facades, and there are small side canyons worth exploring if you have the time. The Obelisk Tomb is the most dramatic of those carved in to the cliffs in this area.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEget5huV7DAmxsPvVAJ43VJ0p1mNhJM28osDejB9ciTzF0w4cTSMDVvFNqwUPbayC1qKp3Rl2aSmrg1Brv3YO7L76Gdy-K3HVxOUm_jOfchKWC7fjseSpNb8PlAKiuVj5BaXCh6I66xuCWb/s1600/P1130732.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEget5huV7DAmxsPvVAJ43VJ0p1mNhJM28osDejB9ciTzF0w4cTSMDVvFNqwUPbayC1qKp3Rl2aSmrg1Brv3YO7L76Gdy-K3HVxOUm_jOfchKWC7fjseSpNb8PlAKiuVj5BaXCh6I66xuCWb/w640-h360/P1130732.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Obelisk Tomb's name is misleading as the shapes are not obelisks, but rather Nabataean pyramids representing the people buried in the tombs.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxcZ0jHGxcO9V80qfSWPTv-9VnyVG8AVko2-L_lRFRmHqrBM6z7XxiF9pZ3xO23k1ixBDGRxiakbWQQvLegxrEFjj_9h8r6hR38R3R59nd_2ox0U_Swa0WaRB3sDCdY7QibeIHYo9BYzr/s1600/P1140051.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxcZ0jHGxcO9V80qfSWPTv-9VnyVG8AVko2-L_lRFRmHqrBM6z7XxiF9pZ3xO23k1ixBDGRxiakbWQQvLegxrEFjj_9h8r6hR38R3R59nd_2ox0U_Swa0WaRB3sDCdY7QibeIHYo9BYzr/s640/P1140051.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Djinn Block, one of the oldest tombs at Petra possibly dating from the 3rd century BC.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Bedouins try to get you to ride horses along this section but they can't enter the Siq so the ride is fairly short. Horse carriages transport people who don't want to walk but end up being crippled from the jarring ride as the driver runs his horse at full gallop over the stone path. Bedouins are characters, very clever and usually genuinely friendly. Being nomadic is very different from living in apartments and houses. The Petra Bedouin have lived in the cave tombs for centuries, but were forcibly relocated from the main areas when Petra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The principal entrance to the site is through the magical Siq, a long twisting slot canyon with a paved floor to handle the large number of tourists. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-kRtjPjBd03iw6MlJ08b0GJFRuKHAasNgdVzPxiGuGuXCKzamUnmwjoZkLMRY7oVDrYaD3lYLgQF_qz0Rmyk0h1y5Ez4pfQA_Q_r6otb8JOcsaVxtc4nEYIBO72Y2KkEez1pQ_ane_5p/s1600/P1140050.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-kRtjPjBd03iw6MlJ08b0GJFRuKHAasNgdVzPxiGuGuXCKzamUnmwjoZkLMRY7oVDrYaD3lYLgQF_qz0Rmyk0h1y5Ez4pfQA_Q_r6otb8JOcsaVxtc4nEYIBO72Y2KkEez1pQ_ane_5p/s640/P1140050.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sign at the entrance to the Siq<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3xTZQAdOyCqFXQrmp78CA9JGSSU-AGakUkxkTzkcrMFTFSxk3tfROzfRRLpI_Miv-u0iuAgMSMjpzV8MsV0t4bX5dgK1NAfK6NBNnb9QSjUDAcTcb1nLNf0t4UH8W_J8KdZ8FNa_Da52/s1600/P1130354.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3xTZQAdOyCqFXQrmp78CA9JGSSU-AGakUkxkTzkcrMFTFSxk3tfROzfRRLpI_Miv-u0iuAgMSMjpzV8MsV0t4bX5dgK1NAfK6NBNnb9QSjUDAcTcb1nLNf0t4UH8W_J8KdZ8FNa_Da52/s640/P1130354.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Men costumed as Roman guards wait for photo ops with passing tourists. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvHu_HuKCZ2sSTx6T_f6T1MqGbFePJCzsaypmdWZSVAYvPXO2mnymeqmrjoF5cmkj6LyCxrt_OfCDZmd2_cRFwe99h-Dc3_bRs5QsmVOmiZu8vbxxLztCebONzpVvNKXMbbrCwrGYVgMo/s1600/P1140039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvHu_HuKCZ2sSTx6T_f6T1MqGbFePJCzsaypmdWZSVAYvPXO2mnymeqmrjoF5cmkj6LyCxrt_OfCDZmd2_cRFwe99h-Dc3_bRs5QsmVOmiZu8vbxxLztCebONzpVvNKXMbbrCwrGYVgMo/s640/P1140039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Siq was not the primary entrance to the city historically but is the main route for tourists. It is a wonderful slot canyon 1.2 kilometers long and in some places only 2 meters wide, so you can almost touch both sides in places. There were gutters carved along the sides of the walls to collect and channel rain water that runs down the cliffs during storms.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftykPXlEYpI0JcuqRS6d1Aj9huKzTobHSY2ndeiy-DozqnX5Dk5Tc6E7WGINzSVtsO0bsfgCQWfqeZtG4mwZU-28OY8khL0HYUyM7YXw4lkbmCyrGTrOPz6GDrJ3VtWN1scDGHHATr95zEqpsPgPjqIYrdAt6pH29pxM0wY6M_A3_svFIhHxfG342DA/s3776/Siq%20gutters.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftykPXlEYpI0JcuqRS6d1Aj9huKzTobHSY2ndeiy-DozqnX5Dk5Tc6E7WGINzSVtsO0bsfgCQWfqeZtG4mwZU-28OY8khL0HYUyM7YXw4lkbmCyrGTrOPz6GDrJ3VtWN1scDGHHATr95zEqpsPgPjqIYrdAt6pH29pxM0wY6M_A3_svFIhHxfG342DA/w640-h428/Siq%20gutters.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These water channels carried water from a spring through the Siq to the city.</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgltCaT402R29XwOw8MjuEope_pQQeinlZmKEzfh4HtM3BhCi0kzQkqDNoPE1q7neIkV1mTCaVBDizcXOkHbRChY46_-LVwG3KOSvpwzj9E1oTcIQzvvU4s_T4U0IA0qmV8a9DzDSGSSvx/s1600/P1140042.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgltCaT402R29XwOw8MjuEope_pQQeinlZmKEzfh4HtM3BhCi0kzQkqDNoPE1q7neIkV1mTCaVBDizcXOkHbRChY46_-LVwG3KOSvpwzj9E1oTcIQzvvU4s_T4U0IA0qmV8a9DzDSGSSvx/s640/P1140042.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gutter carved in to both sides of the cliffs of the Siq channeled water along its course and collected water running down the rock during rare times of rain<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZYoOoeWdgAyaBFMy0-LHfca-dKC7CEoIQTHZiu2F_o21CFNRC-LarLQqHhCxB5tdW0MAEbieDg_o3TLxv1sQnMklhMadeqt3NQtJaAR77Hj8Iu-OPU9aUWD2_StvnDURSiFh_ZmZsmq90i_8WXnDm_hCQ_K0ddhdDXIMzc1xD5GryZVKvd4TikNDhFcx/s3776/P1130359.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3776" data-original-width="2520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZYoOoeWdgAyaBFMy0-LHfca-dKC7CEoIQTHZiu2F_o21CFNRC-LarLQqHhCxB5tdW0MAEbieDg_o3TLxv1sQnMklhMadeqt3NQtJaAR77Hj8Iu-OPU9aUWD2_StvnDURSiFh_ZmZsmq90i_8WXnDm_hCQ_K0ddhdDXIMzc1xD5GryZVKvd4TikNDhFcx/w428-h640/P1130359.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Siq</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Its an amazing walk. I walked through it 8 times coming and going. Niches and disappearing reliefs of caravans decorate the canyon walls. The walls soar to a narrow strip of light the further in you go. Carts come clamoring by and there are lots of people but I often found myself alone in stretches, making it all the more dramatic.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSr1w7zZorrFVCSXpxmJizIgYZb0e8AF3SMVN0Eymi3KJ0j-Hvmg9UifPsW770_Q7fNoZaPXyYWtnRvehn-MoQuIUCTG8GINp91wKceQqWPmcxqblqr38_QcW6Mof1rtFK_fMd89Fdv5O7rqMix3FOhthBqdGrRY3lJdKZHBRjfFtGylluqrO7xZbXOQ/s3776/Siq%20Caravan%20relief.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSr1w7zZorrFVCSXpxmJizIgYZb0e8AF3SMVN0Eymi3KJ0j-Hvmg9UifPsW770_Q7fNoZaPXyYWtnRvehn-MoQuIUCTG8GINp91wKceQqWPmcxqblqr38_QcW6Mof1rtFK_fMd89Fdv5O7rqMix3FOhthBqdGrRY3lJdKZHBRjfFtGylluqrO7xZbXOQ/w640-h428/Siq%20Caravan%20relief.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only the feet remain of this man guiding a camel.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i_jqSdiBrOh7LXdSEvEZPk2DYWfBex-P9dA1qb_pcYSltYXH0eFKQesngccxWqJ3y8bqNUwZZ86tGSrQV-F3w1c-gW23g0yXOXYyFFwvHblbmMA7CNh8YEAWNlr1SeH2QSQZr5lW5txnIQnhv7-TAS2-pxo2sFUpG4R9NdCOnIwlxtsobUwPf4qBHw/s3776/Siq%20God%20Boxes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i_jqSdiBrOh7LXdSEvEZPk2DYWfBex-P9dA1qb_pcYSltYXH0eFKQesngccxWqJ3y8bqNUwZZ86tGSrQV-F3w1c-gW23g0yXOXYyFFwvHblbmMA7CNh8YEAWNlr1SeH2QSQZr5lW5txnIQnhv7-TAS2-pxo2sFUpG4R9NdCOnIwlxtsobUwPf4qBHw/w640-h428/Siq%20God%20Boxes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Niches contained Baetyls, sacred stones that provide a link to a diety. They were sometimes meteorites.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Thousands of years of humanity and commerce have passed through this route, which ends at the Al-Kazneh, the Arabic word for Treasury, Petra's most reknowned monument. This is because if you are making a quick visit it will be the main thing you see. I think Petra demands 4 days to fully explore. You can buy the 3 day pass, which is not cheap, and they will allow you to return one more time, unless this policy changes. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys9C7fTfQXFzSh96LXKuLVW3BEklw8qGBRGISlZmtWwLA4x0BinyPvnlz5tXwPq2XABeLqqDEp9nOs4RF-Y4fdOhSfgD8uJJJ_q6KL1jKJZzG4FzaJhpsGxG1iY61ZXCnLUIDXWiP-rbGkvBG4Vml07RZ4HH5g9tmCcq9NksfIraxLkzBhrLII_h_lg/s3776/P1130749.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys9C7fTfQXFzSh96LXKuLVW3BEklw8qGBRGISlZmtWwLA4x0BinyPvnlz5tXwPq2XABeLqqDEp9nOs4RF-Y4fdOhSfgD8uJJJ_q6KL1jKJZzG4FzaJhpsGxG1iY61ZXCnLUIDXWiP-rbGkvBG4Vml07RZ4HH5g9tmCcq9NksfIraxLkzBhrLII_h_lg/w640-h428/P1130749.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Al-Khazneh, The Treasury</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There is a legend that the urn at the top of the central kiosk contained treasure, although the urn is actually solid stone. It has many pock marks from being shot by Bedouins in an attempt to release the treasure inside. The structure is believed to be the tomb for one of Petra's greatest kings, Aretas IV. There are four eagles carved at the top symbolizing the transporters of souls. One either side of the entrance are statues of Castor and Pollux, twin half brothers from different fathers in Greek and Roman mythology. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castor_and_Pollux. Inside is a main chamber and three anti chambers devoid of ornament that are no longer accessible. There is another tomb that is now subterranean beneath the facade that was buried my millennia.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihC_SDXoHgP_36zpNQR1sL7e0Rxf6RV12XvQrZ_l8vxZFNZ_-y--rkVVONTL3zF1IHnrXip6R74ebfOkiBVYm10iqRw0Jvz_vEttaLKV57cDByjyDSbpIGT1rgxI05i3BJPop56v1vpStZfd0Yo0CRjLo99rWLdqbugYMgixqf3v6WXyS4SBnflvAmSHLh" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihC_SDXoHgP_36zpNQR1sL7e0Rxf6RV12XvQrZ_l8vxZFNZ_-y--rkVVONTL3zF1IHnrXip6R74ebfOkiBVYm10iqRw0Jvz_vEttaLKV57cDByjyDSbpIGT1rgxI05i3BJPop56v1vpStZfd0Yo0CRjLo99rWLdqbugYMgixqf3v6WXyS4SBnflvAmSHLh=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairs accessing the tomb beneath the Treasury.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It is possible to pay for a night visit to the Treasury when they light hundreds of candles in this area. I was always too exhausted from walking all day to return in the evening. The event happens 3 times a week and apparently doesn't last long. They serve tea while musicians perform. It gets mixed reviews as it can be crowded but I bet it's pretty magical to behold.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NKS0ZNMQ3D3AoKHnLzqOTTXbZRPB3KuGXjY-xgMAZpDwrM96On997gqAzw1U_fvFAYr-bRlL-xTGIrJ-B_jOR-hcnBBqu7cK4E0JRvMXvLZaPTYKcmnn4uO7qaeXVhRwG8TcCq1pn-xg8X140tom7OTCFSpqW934TX9aeCK1I8Zlow32KsqOx-HalA/s1200/Jordan-Petra-By-Night.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NKS0ZNMQ3D3AoKHnLzqOTTXbZRPB3KuGXjY-xgMAZpDwrM96On997gqAzw1U_fvFAYr-bRlL-xTGIrJ-B_jOR-hcnBBqu7cK4E0JRvMXvLZaPTYKcmnn4uO7qaeXVhRwG8TcCq1pn-xg8X140tom7OTCFSpqW934TX9aeCK1I8Zlow32KsqOx-HalA/w640-h428/Jordan-Petra-By-Night.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo I downloaded from the internet of the Treasury at night.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There is a cacophony of activity in this area. Bedouins will offer guide services and camel and donkey transport, and there are tables selling cheap trinkets. I enjoyed the banter as they often have a sense of humor and cleverness that would crack me up. But I always carried on by foot as I am an independent traveler who likes to see where fate will lead me. I was here pre-covid. I know the period during lockdowns was hard on tourism in Jordan but you are outside the whole time so it seems like a pretty safe place to be. </div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5cJfZ-8NUrFAEs6xcXPGecizJjiy3TN-NWV7npEJtry1HgIc5k-OQsjIAdKE9Sn-ZXuzNdYyxOFvDBqxQyWSwt3PWuvze-SoRsueasxbQ_-RYbTwe7Na0ZmFZkw_TDKxr4_wUNjcJsxh/s1600/P1130418.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5cJfZ-8NUrFAEs6xcXPGecizJjiy3TN-NWV7npEJtry1HgIc5k-OQsjIAdKE9Sn-ZXuzNdYyxOFvDBqxQyWSwt3PWuvze-SoRsueasxbQ_-RYbTwe7Na0ZmFZkw_TDKxr4_wUNjcJsxh/s640/P1130418.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camels wait to transport tourists through the ruins in front of the Treasury</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Treasury gained greater fame when it was featured as the entrance to the hiding place of the Holy Grail in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6kQuPgnE3wiD9-PvN-qUdQS3VJlrNYqhRb5UjG6iejpcqKZycOKsageESUp6IL9BOt7HmorB_ja8e3bLrrcs_Pu09FSutXgeq2yCWc_Mb8B99b_unuPPCEueMbdxW7Nh4qnYJYHGVqxGcxpuWQy6kiq1jnb9GHA4PB05qLKUaW-qc4PwokiT_FToVg/s3776/P1130402.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6kQuPgnE3wiD9-PvN-qUdQS3VJlrNYqhRb5UjG6iejpcqKZycOKsageESUp6IL9BOt7HmorB_ja8e3bLrrcs_Pu09FSutXgeq2yCWc_Mb8B99b_unuPPCEueMbdxW7Nh4qnYJYHGVqxGcxpuWQy6kiq1jnb9GHA4PB05qLKUaW-qc4PwokiT_FToVg/w640-h428/P1130402.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Nabataean interpretation of a Corinthian Capital on the Treasury</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The canyon where Al-Kazneh turns to the left leading to the ruins of the city of Petra.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXD2je-9MBnjeG3T8SgskJMr-7J4RYnuaG_7xgyVzDz1JCVSS190p3wD0Hkdb9meQqcGOEHsbVJSwSEdud6-TkaZdBVBX5sFc6eWmsEI2yMq-T91eWSgKFIKBDEKUIBxX7BUOjd1YXLwN/s1600/P1140125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXD2je-9MBnjeG3T8SgskJMr-7J4RYnuaG_7xgyVzDz1JCVSS190p3wD0Hkdb9meQqcGOEHsbVJSwSEdud6-TkaZdBVBX5sFc6eWmsEI2yMq-T91eWSgKFIKBDEKUIBxX7BUOjd1YXLwN/w640-h426/P1140125.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The canyon goes around a bend with organic looking tomb facades melting from erosion in an area called the Street of Facades. The interiors of the caves tend to be simple, rectangular rooms, sometimes with niches carved in the walls for the internment of bodies. Most have lost their stuccoed painted ornamented walls from the passage of time.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZLj_6WzQmLhEuZTn7cvg-h5_Mv7z-KcmKvVNw08IXWpV6EfkfZGvUQKmLH3Xmd1arj9JUqQxPNzwWNx67ZQybcxSl7e0nFDoeXLQjS2hJdBhbh0XNIORfSuh5pEdAA-yKyouEBv-szPO/s1600/P1140113.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZLj_6WzQmLhEuZTn7cvg-h5_Mv7z-KcmKvVNw08IXWpV6EfkfZGvUQKmLH3Xmd1arj9JUqQxPNzwWNx67ZQybcxSl7e0nFDoeXLQjS2hJdBhbh0XNIORfSuh5pEdAA-yKyouEBv-szPO/w640-h426/P1140113.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's in there?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pXTlxZHWFnBpGZcNHizBLVni6YRKPQaPyfZYNcIXbyeGGAO13mgitiSrrtANDoICHe0OEYav-DkRDl0Yr1J3mQ1IrNhp_OxetR_rsCVrzv76v_MNpDY0WHKFpTWpr0L4p_DvQBf2M3kk/s1600/P1130453.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pXTlxZHWFnBpGZcNHizBLVni6YRKPQaPyfZYNcIXbyeGGAO13mgitiSrrtANDoICHe0OEYav-DkRDl0Yr1J3mQ1IrNhp_OxetR_rsCVrzv76v_MNpDY0WHKFpTWpr0L4p_DvQBf2M3kk/w640-h426/P1130453.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camels look perfect here.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Street of Facades is believed to be the oldest part of the city of Petra. There are many carved facades here and the entrances to the tombs, which had chambers used for a number of functions to honor the people buried in them.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlZM9ftuv1hNANmBNWpZwWA2YP4JxQBqf5PgEucv2dH5EObFmXxJhXu7wZmjXgIARUTN5Es6Q97oagCxlvv3arTiYSyueIseTTdUBikXWU_vvP8RvSxq8fGkI35o0tT1ZZU1sxTLJaz2x/s1600/P1130511.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlZM9ftuv1hNANmBNWpZwWA2YP4JxQBqf5PgEucv2dH5EObFmXxJhXu7wZmjXgIARUTN5Es6Q97oagCxlvv3arTiYSyueIseTTdUBikXWU_vvP8RvSxq8fGkI35o0tT1ZZU1sxTLJaz2x/w640-h426/P1130511.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Street of Facades opens up to the city, with many of the oldest tombs at Petra.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz31K3J8FL88Fii_UQ3clbTU2dJWUht-btHQ3NnNj6jxVTpUr6SqaeEn2kZ1QmqeOfG8JtibHHxnXyomR_9XvhFVzS8sS-IhIk2tX3B4R45d6Kw6qSR1FDk-Aq8R0kq8tVUgFNRYAUOgfn/s1600/P1130442.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz31K3J8FL88Fii_UQ3clbTU2dJWUht-btHQ3NnNj6jxVTpUr6SqaeEn2kZ1QmqeOfG8JtibHHxnXyomR_9XvhFVzS8sS-IhIk2tX3B4R45d6Kw6qSR1FDk-Aq8R0kq8tVUgFNRYAUOgfn/w640-h426/P1130442.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coloring in the stone and the soft eroded details can be very trippy.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1373DvZxCK34LagabQ92z9H2kfQaa43K5Mu54D6kMBWwC0d0h21_vj37kbfh3bNDO5k_T2vYCsdII04pgWKuERMIpN3H_9KQFYJIjG7Jm5GBiLU3U1ZpQykTbaoy6buzVXwzPgfHHEL59/s1600/P1130436.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1373DvZxCK34LagabQ92z9H2kfQaa43K5Mu54D6kMBWwC0d0h21_vj37kbfh3bNDO5k_T2vYCsdII04pgWKuERMIpN3H_9KQFYJIjG7Jm5GBiLU3U1ZpQykTbaoy6buzVXwzPgfHHEL59/w640-h426/P1130436.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melted architecture</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIAZS5I-zGFWSc2Ax6c2jl8bEkQzRil_CjR3Xg0JfpFDomPJZSoCQFvnt8F1mxtmvklV3qG1OMmgbTR9UvpPTkZbW1gbKhEzXcg2ltXxO52sYcFDW1GmsoEMkeSJFl67SKgySyFILmBcF/s1600/P1130424.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIAZS5I-zGFWSc2Ax6c2jl8bEkQzRil_CjR3Xg0JfpFDomPJZSoCQFvnt8F1mxtmvklV3qG1OMmgbTR9UvpPTkZbW1gbKhEzXcg2ltXxO52sYcFDW1GmsoEMkeSJFl67SKgySyFILmBcF/w640-h432/P1130424.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for customers.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Its so interesting to read the decomposition of a facade. Obviously the softer sandstones erode the most and there are so many layers deposited over eons. While the artistry of the Nabaeatans sadly washes away, the beauty of what is created is extraordinary. It is a sculpted and stained landscape in the realm of the surreal.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vJs-14yWNQHevUh9dRieuNXkp7hVuO0JzagAIwtuwGv4er5QxjDd-eM6Vx2xlO5LIZD6IVLSFwusZdaD2ytegpvQ0alT-yl13IrlUy3R6JEIHZsTI6BbwaCpYrZccxp9JyzcUszFj6Dd/s1600/P1130405.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vJs-14yWNQHevUh9dRieuNXkp7hVuO0JzagAIwtuwGv4er5QxjDd-eM6Vx2xlO5LIZD6IVLSFwusZdaD2ytegpvQ0alT-yl13IrlUy3R6JEIHZsTI6BbwaCpYrZccxp9JyzcUszFj6Dd/w640-h426/P1130405.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for riders.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There is so much to see everywhere. Further along the canyon opens up to an area highlighted by a Nabataean Amphitheater that is in very good condition. The semicircular seats were carved from the rock slope to accommodate audiences of approximately 8,500 people under the rule of King Aretas IV around the time of Christ. It was positioned so that the backdrop is the Royal Tombs across the Wadi. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8jh8jE-vWogdPp2TCYgug1n6k3FAJbLQlZjh9uhDalcTVI0i0G2KXlAvf-UlDskuPKpLW1gFg3CnskhKBNAss5mtUujHR89BiI_NZG1HQjmGCg4SsjMhhNf4_0gvHxE7tayOSp95UtCV/s1600/P1130691.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8jh8jE-vWogdPp2TCYgug1n6k3FAJbLQlZjh9uhDalcTVI0i0G2KXlAvf-UlDskuPKpLW1gFg3CnskhKBNAss5mtUujHR89BiI_NZG1HQjmGCg4SsjMhhNf4_0gvHxE7tayOSp95UtCV/w640-h426/P1130691.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Amphitheater</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The amphitheater underwent some modifications under Roman rule, using quarried blocks rather than the monumental cutting directly in to the natural formations.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IIM8VY59SvvcpuyoVTKmdi-l1s5NswaNuyiysl7gLgXfpRu1-Uzr_dA7i9nxoAyx_waWGbAAlSoVKAH-ei7gCj2ZMzauVnp60A00kVDxCmxqTSYix6mqi1kSAO9wAMGTZrrhRxGZrwf4-El4W-hxIrHVzUKZEJkDgswPEPH1WpOKVC_E4YabJrbtBc1m/s3776/P1130526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IIM8VY59SvvcpuyoVTKmdi-l1s5NswaNuyiysl7gLgXfpRu1-Uzr_dA7i9nxoAyx_waWGbAAlSoVKAH-ei7gCj2ZMzauVnp60A00kVDxCmxqTSYix6mqi1kSAO9wAMGTZrrhRxGZrwf4-El4W-hxIrHVzUKZEJkDgswPEPH1WpOKVC_E4YabJrbtBc1m/w640-h428/P1130526.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roman alterations to the Amphitheater, walls, a stage with a basement and columns</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Across the Wadi from the Amphitheater, carved in to the cliff face of Jabal Al-Khubtha, the Royal Tombs have some of the grandest and elaborate facades to be found at Petra. They were cut from a dramatic wall of sandstone at the center of the city. Although there is little archaeological evidence to support the theory that these tombs were royal, it is quite plausible. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVafUGuglJ6odAQ2VFNoiprBKMpYsy6WHV5vFn5v4Fuv2d4YdXHC2iTmEl_o8VnYZDbU-lIA4MCyS8CcsdyzxYAN2HoaZF4wmIesOhI8BIX_Zeu9RJYfoa8RlyeZmVqSTQQcS9uuf0Ivm/s1600/P1140122.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVafUGuglJ6odAQ2VFNoiprBKMpYsy6WHV5vFn5v4Fuv2d4YdXHC2iTmEl_o8VnYZDbU-lIA4MCyS8CcsdyzxYAN2HoaZF4wmIesOhI8BIX_Zeu9RJYfoa8RlyeZmVqSTQQcS9uuf0Ivm/w640-h426/P1140122.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Renaissance Tomb has an elegant facade with urns and was named for details that allude to a structure from the Renaissance period.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The more elaborate tombs had porticoes, and triclinia, which was a Roman style dining hall were ceremonies could be held, and cisterns to store water for rituals and irrigating gardens that may have been planted outside the temple facades. There are burial chambers cut as niches which would have been sealed and plastered to hold burial remains and the treasures that accompanied them. These tombs were owned by royalty and the wealthiest members of Nabataean society. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_eA3iXEZ7KQhKGwwpJMIR-FtZvUgvFM8SMwr-hkVW8Gc5RoLNIb9ZSgKYSut2woy4fGYJS43Qplw05y5bacX-DLU_2ziVf9Esb19SD4wOYitZZC176MJjfU5My__xfy6M0tscwhX81a0/s1600/P1140217.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_eA3iXEZ7KQhKGwwpJMIR-FtZvUgvFM8SMwr-hkVW8Gc5RoLNIb9ZSgKYSut2woy4fGYJS43Qplw05y5bacX-DLU_2ziVf9Esb19SD4wOYitZZC176MJjfU5My__xfy6M0tscwhX81a0/w640-h426/P1140217.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interiors of the many tombs are ornamented by the colorful geology rather than the original wall paintings. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmRBXgboUDjo48aDKg5uXbHr3eMECTaR9XOTmc7EVI6Dr8Dw5NT_ZY0raMpOCwc0cUs03mLhZe59YDK05sAQaYuUi4VWgJN61DFalOfXNDDP97hNl6Wo9R-RU1ANnffQxvr3TwarzwOmj/s1600/P1140077.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmRBXgboUDjo48aDKg5uXbHr3eMECTaR9XOTmc7EVI6Dr8Dw5NT_ZY0raMpOCwc0cUs03mLhZe59YDK05sAQaYuUi4VWgJN61DFalOfXNDDP97hNl6Wo9R-RU1ANnffQxvr3TwarzwOmj/w640-h426/P1140077.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tombs everywhere.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPolMPz-Lcj0pqpkj5uE3na9kp9NbYYaa9ODv6NCn5errMY8EZNg44-WthngmbXyRRzHywosPnvBQjPSLnwSt2hvW9MBxQpaKHq4OUEeLIXDmxSGm8-nV3SnbAPp5dDTEYCIGqLVd1sVtK/s1600/P1130470.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPolMPz-Lcj0pqpkj5uE3na9kp9NbYYaa9ODv6NCn5errMY8EZNg44-WthngmbXyRRzHywosPnvBQjPSLnwSt2hvW9MBxQpaKHq4OUEeLIXDmxSGm8-nV3SnbAPp5dDTEYCIGqLVd1sVtK/w640-h426/P1130470.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Uneishu Tomb sits high on a cliff</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2lXcgRmOgITWNspkp-ihwylRGyCInDDodAok49KgU42T-2nF8wd1pWyv2ZzsrNYoz0DiA2ufQohNnOr719-NBZWLyFBiqAmRUsUK8XKFM0uK_OIg9-0SHNdBLgdCMzYatCj9QnS9psd1/s1600/P1130478.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2lXcgRmOgITWNspkp-ihwylRGyCInDDodAok49KgU42T-2nF8wd1pWyv2ZzsrNYoz0DiA2ufQohNnOr719-NBZWLyFBiqAmRUsUK8XKFM0uK_OIg9-0SHNdBLgdCMzYatCj9QnS9psd1/w640-h426/P1130478.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simply amazing striation.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXA2MBcBidvLX5Z5yWBiJXwMFFOjzFHKNb4LC7lWnpLMGjcv-sPT6UC7SkzP7zxFMEOsYhpwqu1NSb2BgG5BwFzeAR8y5gi6AwKtFVUj9M1kvKGS3ELv5sL2hV8X7EDHGIOVPZXkxoJOSI/s1600/P1130535.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXA2MBcBidvLX5Z5yWBiJXwMFFOjzFHKNb4LC7lWnpLMGjcv-sPT6UC7SkzP7zxFMEOsYhpwqu1NSb2BgG5BwFzeAR8y5gi6AwKtFVUj9M1kvKGS3ELv5sL2hV8X7EDHGIOVPZXkxoJOSI/w640-h426/P1130535.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Silk Tomb is named for the brilliantly colored rock that looks like it is draped in silk. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7I4S2ayXIv5Y7SIr3F_5nHzS73sBV_QCp4sYUswxNueyH93U9GRtg5oQN-aUxYoikORCCx7-oUQ5RJVZnmbjmdznpmkwkUiVa09TPTDqrCKXVQ2Y2TIPIzN6QYTC7EPg8g2uYFLdNBze/s1600/P1130552.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7I4S2ayXIv5Y7SIr3F_5nHzS73sBV_QCp4sYUswxNueyH93U9GRtg5oQN-aUxYoikORCCx7-oUQ5RJVZnmbjmdznpmkwkUiVa09TPTDqrCKXVQ2Y2TIPIzN6QYTC7EPg8g2uYFLdNBze/w640-h426/P1130552.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Silk Tomb</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Urn Tomb is carved high in the face of the East Ridge of the al-Kubta, above the Wadi Musa. There are a lot of steps to get up to the terrace above the two levels of arched vaults but well worth the hike. I spent a fair amount of time once I was up there. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKcJbm4qbyzIzjAFrsInvYpdDNLtOz-4ZFVHzw6Y2No7KzWopTAmcP6DeYWXPoAoOrid4ogNae9qDz843n5j_dNAKR0wu7qkgqU_EjpdJRgWy3KqFhtYZL3iXiSZhFYbQxEOj6l4AOAAH/s1600/P1130536.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKcJbm4qbyzIzjAFrsInvYpdDNLtOz-4ZFVHzw6Y2No7KzWopTAmcP6DeYWXPoAoOrid4ogNae9qDz843n5j_dNAKR0wu7qkgqU_EjpdJRgWy3KqFhtYZL3iXiSZhFYbQxEOj6l4AOAAH/w640-h426/P1130536.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Urn Tomb</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Palace Tomb was modeled after the Al-Khazneh, or Treasury, with a split pediment and a round urn in the center. Some of the rock formations are respondent with color. The interiors of the Urn tomb are marbled with red and cream and black.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1oNBqYQM7oaLlvKTjUEDhTqjZGga7kgfeOjkNbTNEWL-xjspLGOpNiMd89XPpZMxdi-jjRnArDPJtO8a8GrlIGgMf71mkJLc8Wz7XBp9QbwaPQZUdaDJ7Ifi31HANAZEBCKsT19zy3UC/s1600/P1130589.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1oNBqYQM7oaLlvKTjUEDhTqjZGga7kgfeOjkNbTNEWL-xjspLGOpNiMd89XPpZMxdi-jjRnArDPJtO8a8GrlIGgMf71mkJLc8Wz7XBp9QbwaPQZUdaDJ7Ifi31HANAZEBCKsT19zy3UC/w640-h426/P1130589.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These arched niches were cut when part of the tomb was converted in to a Byzantine Church.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB1IN-Y21T1ie0MYQ3DcmKMcpL9CxUlAX69eXy-upxYGGnqmIkCw_wPqkLXq0DBhQHx5SnqDEkQvDinHYRl_MFzTivw1kiHASrYF_out6Xr-FIl6ya_yCZjUwbw26SVk3atDO-Zvfe8xs/s1600/P1130578.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB1IN-Y21T1ie0MYQ3DcmKMcpL9CxUlAX69eXy-upxYGGnqmIkCw_wPqkLXq0DBhQHx5SnqDEkQvDinHYRl_MFzTivw1kiHASrYF_out6Xr-FIl6ya_yCZjUwbw26SVk3atDO-Zvfe8xs/w640-h426/P1130578.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coloration on this ceiling is extraordinary.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5WrhXtbnS3LHudlgyjMJp3-t9ILbg9bstYBwGMr5LVkGD6W9npQ-5QIIw9e3OlAVSL5X3sNmuaKdyb8YPbHtN06M7kZO-lg0Z1hJu1WsYOhEkkm-UXUmdCZJpM8iazULw315s78OOFro/s1600/P1130558.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5WrhXtbnS3LHudlgyjMJp3-t9ILbg9bstYBwGMr5LVkGD6W9npQ-5QIIw9e3OlAVSL5X3sNmuaKdyb8YPbHtN06M7kZO-lg0Z1hJu1WsYOhEkkm-UXUmdCZJpM8iazULw315s78OOFro/w480-h640/P1130558.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the vaults of the Urn Tomb</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sHfz0_wj3clh2zh1A-w94-mHe6eAC3_egZ4MKPN3MifdByqNl6nfcqfTKkzheOQyE_gPg5UmrdauUC3a4Z8dGb3KEgYsJbYFv0TjvtcaRGts2PU3n8DvG4sKSKhIaWs-iygC7jvJPsku/s1600/P1130572.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sHfz0_wj3clh2zh1A-w94-mHe6eAC3_egZ4MKPN3MifdByqNl6nfcqfTKkzheOQyE_gPg5UmrdauUC3a4Z8dGb3KEgYsJbYFv0TjvtcaRGts2PU3n8DvG4sKSKhIaWs-iygC7jvJPsku/w640-h464/P1130572.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm amazed I didn't bring one of these home. Too heavy to cart around for a month.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The main terrace of the Urn Tomb has a row of columns on either side, and may have contained a garden. The view takes in all of the main part of the city. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5eVfp0LbvyT6FZdIaIZTQFqVej74RQ2hlNXI6iz8-sRlQ9w4QF5VeOq7KUYB4a6d8hjmcqGe1RMX67EiS7oaJLZ9XL-ZTwL_3O3O1denaBTmnBWFgZjX4WW2fBpV-yNRr-Iah9G1Ypkb/s1600/P1130584.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5eVfp0LbvyT6FZdIaIZTQFqVej74RQ2hlNXI6iz8-sRlQ9w4QF5VeOq7KUYB4a6d8hjmcqGe1RMX67EiS7oaJLZ9XL-ZTwL_3O3O1denaBTmnBWFgZjX4WW2fBpV-yNRr-Iah9G1Ypkb/w480-h640/P1130584.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columned Portico of the Urn Tomb </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The simplest of all businesses here is selling tea. Attempting to earn some income from the stream of tourists by the Bedouins is a basic enterprise requiring charm and creative salesmanship.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvyt8IpHtWiZYARWe_ZAlV6mVr_sO9u4CU7pC5RliECW4GK43QLIyXwC0hgd5g-T_xeS5BXAhj3Yx9iGi3Es-yfmQPMeEQbcBY02zvY61uqXLU7JTs_RWmvnKiuG1wSbdYcj3L2feB6bq/s1600/P1130575.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvyt8IpHtWiZYARWe_ZAlV6mVr_sO9u4CU7pC5RliECW4GK43QLIyXwC0hgd5g-T_xeS5BXAhj3Yx9iGi3Es-yfmQPMeEQbcBY02zvY61uqXLU7JTs_RWmvnKiuG1wSbdYcj3L2feB6bq/w640-h426/P1130575.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modern day Bedouin</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUP70SzBjJ39idf6ZdwalGBBMZXS1lox4oyqh5RuzQDWaCqrLnH4yu7NLTvNhQ3GphIBWtErHBKvJ0sUVL7HTVhLAkiTutriIo7iN-wd5Wuzwr2oO4-NYbj5HAyVkOqH1dhmcPkty5Smu/s1600/P1130567.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUP70SzBjJ39idf6ZdwalGBBMZXS1lox4oyqh5RuzQDWaCqrLnH4yu7NLTvNhQ3GphIBWtErHBKvJ0sUVL7HTVhLAkiTutriIo7iN-wd5Wuzwr2oO4-NYbj5HAyVkOqH1dhmcPkty5Smu/w640-h426/P1130567.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the Urn Tomb, which is one of the Royal Tombs. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">When you climb the steps in the above photo you come to these totally psychedelic rock formations with eroded tomb entries that blend in with the natural form of the rock faces. The colors and shapes are quite magical.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUs4AnkyqwU01nE8Eh722JGqDMQ9_6jJdzi-aXGhV8JnUNXu3IreEGxmkKlPEQ4DqkUm_yXEldGqat0FOQP45vRQ-Xthy4bKEHNP_WevY3RC-JARzjTLCGbe3ci3jCK4UNJf92av80FLM/s1600/P1130620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUs4AnkyqwU01nE8Eh722JGqDMQ9_6jJdzi-aXGhV8JnUNXu3IreEGxmkKlPEQ4DqkUm_yXEldGqat0FOQP45vRQ-Xthy4bKEHNP_WevY3RC-JARzjTLCGbe3ci3jCK4UNJf92av80FLM/w640-h426/P1130620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4p_tDq4bZl14whWRR9Xh1-qio_Fz3fUbow2HdjWk0gjDUk8FNm30RZ2fDU2gpIQ8Yio5rqZckvGnfTIZ_DTGRBR_jBBPVA_gJjHV5LEBp4smjGgVjruYf5y8tSm8pyFybfQXSx4HhkEOX/s1600/P1130602.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4p_tDq4bZl14whWRR9Xh1-qio_Fz3fUbow2HdjWk0gjDUk8FNm30RZ2fDU2gpIQ8Yio5rqZckvGnfTIZ_DTGRBR_jBBPVA_gJjHV5LEBp4smjGgVjruYf5y8tSm8pyFybfQXSx4HhkEOX/w640-h426/P1130602.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These remind me of camel's hooves.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI8Oaeus_OcBHWrgC-8OO9css0quWF6wLLneRvPMnmIXpMzePyBcoIaUIYAdM3igrAH_jpE8uI_EZrQidyntDZJ_LjxEOJWMIL-QBqHELbHL72O3W6Nb_f6VRW3UXDQmC7VeF99SF3X75/s1600/P1130603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI8Oaeus_OcBHWrgC-8OO9css0quWF6wLLneRvPMnmIXpMzePyBcoIaUIYAdM3igrAH_jpE8uI_EZrQidyntDZJ_LjxEOJWMIL-QBqHELbHL72O3W6Nb_f6VRW3UXDQmC7VeF99SF3X75/w640-h426/P1130603.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There is a trail that climbs the mountain above to tombs called the Jabal al-Kubtha that I saved for my last day here.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93Io5diJa4l1HlXfdJ7kgSotUh8lOoEChtKGV31HJ8ym344XS4-JNMAjSlT7yqIn5p-fpQir9QYbhHNi5E0sWEaBsgMxU8oB_CJsHgqe2qLMEbp6patBEQb3kQe_u_2_UGGxD8XrKhcM6/s1600/P1130703.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93Io5diJa4l1HlXfdJ7kgSotUh8lOoEChtKGV31HJ8ym344XS4-JNMAjSlT7yqIn5p-fpQir9QYbhHNi5E0sWEaBsgMxU8oB_CJsHgqe2qLMEbp6patBEQb3kQe_u_2_UGGxD8XrKhcM6/w640-h426/P1130703.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Urn Tomb from Wadi Musa </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Corinthian Tomb was modeled after the Al-Khazneh, or Treasury, with a split pediment framing a Tholos, a round columned tower with a tent like roof supporting an urn. The tomb was named after the Nabataean version of its Corinthian columns. The structure, nearly 100 feet tall is heavily weathered by erosion suspending it halfway between architecture and geology. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ5SPHXg3dyHZb9Okd570fRqsjghOtLkMOjdlg3DV5YemPSaeq6TbEoMC55e0IkcnwpCN40fTADJ6ATzvdfp_UywngVeuvE3CD7etFJVwXe6kb0nGXTU2LxUJCpK258PRgrj_HqdU_il1/s1600/P1130544.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ5SPHXg3dyHZb9Okd570fRqsjghOtLkMOjdlg3DV5YemPSaeq6TbEoMC55e0IkcnwpCN40fTADJ6ATzvdfp_UywngVeuvE3CD7etFJVwXe6kb0nGXTU2LxUJCpK258PRgrj_HqdU_il1/w640-h388/P1130544.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Palace Tomb (left) and the Corinthian Tomb (left side)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Palace Tomb is one of the largest facades found at Petra. It measures about 160 feet across and 150 feet tall, and has 5 stories of ornamentation. The base has 4 entrances with rounded pediments on the sides and triangular ones between them. The second level has 18 half columns. The top three levels are heavily eroded. There is evidence of a sophisticated channel and cistern system that enters from the top that would have provided water for pools, gardens and ritual purposes. Complex water systems are found throughout Petra, collecting, distributing and storing lavishly what is a relatively scarce resource in this desert region.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dPYF6_s80b3-CV-_hZNwI7tq5XFgfHVhGu6qntECbIJQc_fykQwq78BsZAxHUHkLsUOqFChABkwaqQI1-ke_jAwzcY3-ebCuf4aC2IRgLeOpNCI208zvic0CHep4wm2Bft4VP4nVjdKVwxaf6JEsPUIMaJ5NjmJDMOR_RQBL93jmHNbsGyiWJh6eXg/s3776/Melting%20facade.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dPYF6_s80b3-CV-_hZNwI7tq5XFgfHVhGu6qntECbIJQc_fykQwq78BsZAxHUHkLsUOqFChABkwaqQI1-ke_jAwzcY3-ebCuf4aC2IRgLeOpNCI208zvic0CHep4wm2Bft4VP4nVjdKVwxaf6JEsPUIMaJ5NjmJDMOR_RQBL93jmHNbsGyiWJh6eXg/w640-h428/Melting%20facade.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The melting facade of the Palace Tomb</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I would revisit these tombs again for their ambience and magnificent views of the city. This reconstructed view of what the city might have looked like at its peak shows a compact mud brick city with grand civic and religious structures.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-YDyHyFqoAUc4kzzZsT5Gng7DUL7dYgyhOt9Fer_1rLpmjZNpQ_kQyAZVQh8f_7Y0wfCK7uCDPFPUcYNPSFB1jlACbPZP5KtMlxlBd_YbNtDY3i5XIasY4QGkX0p-H5UXoC6Vhu74iuseBaoVd6fg9h3QEmhW29bvPCaDYtgeK8ZcTDUojuPo16jPA/s3776/P1130566.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-YDyHyFqoAUc4kzzZsT5Gng7DUL7dYgyhOt9Fer_1rLpmjZNpQ_kQyAZVQh8f_7Y0wfCK7uCDPFPUcYNPSFB1jlACbPZP5KtMlxlBd_YbNtDY3i5XIasY4QGkX0p-H5UXoC6Vhu74iuseBaoVd6fg9h3QEmhW29bvPCaDYtgeK8ZcTDUojuPo16jPA/w640-h428/P1130566.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view across the Wadi Musa from the Royal Tombs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Spreading out across the valley from the Royal Tombs was the main part of the City of Petra. There was a long arcaded market street flanked by a canal, with dramatic temples at its center. The entrances to the market were stone gates.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDBX0UJCXxtcPIJQCghUmqs-cI3AxdctYA5k7z2UguUgxhWmIQjqTxRo_Hu4ykAjJ64znsVCIAQk6FilQz0GW6xV-Gt8d4E2G94Tk6y8eNKEq7iHThsv3w_TBo13v9ZttEfoncOJTWbxZJ-I17NWr-9F4GEkfy9InUSrHxiNNjO0ZC5vb80ESriM_HQ/s1021/Petra%20reconstruction.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="1021" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDBX0UJCXxtcPIJQCghUmqs-cI3AxdctYA5k7z2UguUgxhWmIQjqTxRo_Hu4ykAjJ64znsVCIAQk6FilQz0GW6xV-Gt8d4E2G94Tk6y8eNKEq7iHThsv3w_TBo13v9ZttEfoncOJTWbxZJ-I17NWr-9F4GEkfy9InUSrHxiNNjO0ZC5vb80ESriM_HQ/w640-h396/Petra%20reconstruction.jpg.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A reconstructed illustration of what the City of Petra looked like.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This area was largely built from cut blocks of sandstone rather than cut directly from the rock. First we come to the Nymphaeum, the remains of a once grand public fountain built at the junction of the watercourses of Wadi Musa and Wadi al-Mataha. This may have been the terminus of the clay pipes that ran through both sides of the Siq. All that remains today is the foundation. An old Pistachia atlantica tree, a plant which has many medicinal properties has been growing from a corner of the Nymphaeum for nearly 400 years. A Nymphaeum in Greek and Roman mythology is traditionally a grotto where a spring emerges, and is the home of Nymphs, female spirits that inhabit sacred springs.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgks2yIU0hXyc4cZpETxFQcVaqp1QnESOqg9MzoCjYeTRzSSKPVD0kKw9dBMi0yol-U0h8Hukx0gmcnAzP3CR9-n8GYqnja6l_B3MC7emFvW6ta6WRgzVwMIQS-9rHlPAonOcXZA5Ir_qwHGvtG8-hCOHksosLwMWmIUgdT4A0LH7doA5zyJLzIyw6G2Q/s3776/Nymphaeum%20Pistacia%20atlantica.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgks2yIU0hXyc4cZpETxFQcVaqp1QnESOqg9MzoCjYeTRzSSKPVD0kKw9dBMi0yol-U0h8Hukx0gmcnAzP3CR9-n8GYqnja6l_B3MC7emFvW6ta6WRgzVwMIQS-9rHlPAonOcXZA5Ir_qwHGvtG8-hCOHksosLwMWmIUgdT4A0LH7doA5zyJLzIyw6G2Q/w640-h428/Nymphaeum%20Pistacia%20atlantica.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nymphaeum</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AqdL7Wt9dAKOOFx3sSsD4hfcbiSZRmElZJ1usjQydd_9Ra_nl07rKt55B-jpOBqG8Iaquer9lEIiFpL4HUwMwvJ4Gr-cqzU6mBW3ropsU3BGh0prwvTWfYaiNJpL9qetir8M9R2YilrWydjo0xgWkWujhBgqXGYgbdOW5ivaTtvRORFydJqhmF9alg/s3776/P1150024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AqdL7Wt9dAKOOFx3sSsD4hfcbiSZRmElZJ1usjQydd_9Ra_nl07rKt55B-jpOBqG8Iaquer9lEIiFpL4HUwMwvJ4Gr-cqzU6mBW3ropsU3BGh0prwvTWfYaiNJpL9qetir8M9R2YilrWydjo0xgWkWujhBgqXGYgbdOW5ivaTtvRORFydJqhmF9alg/w640-h428/P1150024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nymphaeum at ancient Roman city of Gerash north of Jordan's capital of Amman gives a sense of what the dramatic fountains at Petra may have looked like.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Beyond the Nymphaeum was the main thoroughfare of the city, the Decumanus Maximus, or Colonnaded Street. Believed to have been built during the reign of King Aretas IV, who's tomb is thought to be the Al-Kaznah, or Treasury. It was paved with cut stones, many of which were washed away by flash floods that ravaged the city leaving only a trace of what once was. Shops lined the arcade and important civic complexes flanked the busy road. At the far end of the street is Hadrian's Gate, named after the well traveled Roman Emperor, although it is not known if Hadrian ever visited the Petra.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yEhyx-hUpjW9o0UuvDqRk9LJGk3V0lSXeqvN7ZgAMzo8ibChvPgiqO1AmviIVvP0_tnRV6SyY64kEyS0jdACn5GUouF_kT4unEhVeG40Z93pUEjHTuH8FHYKNVN6qmDTsVsOrHpfxPZN/s1600/P1130829.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yEhyx-hUpjW9o0UuvDqRk9LJGk3V0lSXeqvN7ZgAMzo8ibChvPgiqO1AmviIVvP0_tnRV6SyY64kEyS0jdACn5GUouF_kT4unEhVeG40Z93pUEjHTuH8FHYKNVN6qmDTsVsOrHpfxPZN/s640/P1130829.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tourist riding a donkey being guided by a Bedouin could be a scene spanning thousands of years.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Great Temple is an expansive construction from the 1st Century reached by a flight of steps that climb 26 feet up from the Colonnaded Street. A large Temenos, or terrace is paved in hexagonal limestone slabs and surrounded by rows of columns which supported a roof. Beyond this there is an amphitheater so it is believed that it probably wasn't a temple but rather a royal reception hall and gathering space. There is no certainty as to what the space's were actually used for. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVYyYm0fKhKyl4e4PeDcj_zawuEsLuzgbtCDi8CmStNFInxZz84QMB5LNPL-fYJBdL0b0M7bG8E89axw2VGUr4FJgdQo9VMT7Uh8q-C1hffOhRJWsd8euVNUJOnCXIK1We_r99FsH4KpmfvDxaLAnEttIkVkYIBTvmM3zyc9no3JaocQIlOEmprMEDQ/s3776/P1140298.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVYyYm0fKhKyl4e4PeDcj_zawuEsLuzgbtCDi8CmStNFInxZz84QMB5LNPL-fYJBdL0b0M7bG8E89axw2VGUr4FJgdQo9VMT7Uh8q-C1hffOhRJWsd8euVNUJOnCXIK1We_r99FsH4KpmfvDxaLAnEttIkVkYIBTvmM3zyc9no3JaocQIlOEmprMEDQ/w640-h428/P1140298.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Temple, with the Qasr al-Bint Temple beyond.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Excavations unearthed column capitals with finely rendered Elephant heads, suggesting trade links with India. Hydrological studies show that under the cut stone terrace lie a system of water and drainage channels. Every form of water collection was capitalized on at Petra.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzs9niXTSGxa3jpjlOUwPM6HEc0r_46kkeTASD4Bk8H_eJHMcNLWMuqo2IuM2wdv24wrsJ9n_hLqi5_7MWM-IeKPh54ZtEijGmgX1AR9Gqbc3CJShudXHKLOxXhso8RC5VPI1XbG9LMNrA/s1600/P1140013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzs9niXTSGxa3jpjlOUwPM6HEc0r_46kkeTASD4Bk8H_eJHMcNLWMuqo2IuM2wdv24wrsJ9n_hLqi5_7MWM-IeKPh54ZtEijGmgX1AR9Gqbc3CJShudXHKLOxXhso8RC5VPI1XbG9LMNrA/w640-h426/P1140013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0GMa7YZM9bzoiTfCsXv-LMLxmmgau6MirrrN4JXBXVkfcZdzVWPks_AdG-izAqiIoJDM05o7gbRYfo5FfxG0NT2X1rDgSv_0noFVb8gAxNyFm7vYGu8MGtJLNU3Lth8RIIeoQYG0ul77BJKluepvVPOf2GUXyW5bGwEomC3Tx19pYy_0mwVls-ljTQ/s3776/P1140099.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0GMa7YZM9bzoiTfCsXv-LMLxmmgau6MirrrN4JXBXVkfcZdzVWPks_AdG-izAqiIoJDM05o7gbRYfo5FfxG0NT2X1rDgSv_0noFVb8gAxNyFm7vYGu8MGtJLNU3Lth8RIIeoQYG0ul77BJKluepvVPOf2GUXyW5bGwEomC3Tx19pYy_0mwVls-ljTQ/w640-h428/P1140099.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the Great Temple</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NenkGE8_qN5JYhJSrRm_cFqdjmCQ_p3X7ckMWSEHOBr71sidgwOPGjkBAygC_qNLB9xJMvtVtYzZroXe8U1G_kBoM4d_95FymNgtWSaEgfqUDAZLXF-E9wT43yRUDAsaqpMPlnSqX9-ZTjAGL8wQ9TB_6bBKQ-k7echAFTkd5XKrKZe2wJDXy5cozA/s3776/P1140086.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NenkGE8_qN5JYhJSrRm_cFqdjmCQ_p3X7ckMWSEHOBr71sidgwOPGjkBAygC_qNLB9xJMvtVtYzZroXe8U1G_kBoM4d_95FymNgtWSaEgfqUDAZLXF-E9wT43yRUDAsaqpMPlnSqX9-ZTjAGL8wQ9TB_6bBKQ-k7echAFTkd5XKrKZe2wJDXy5cozA/w640-h428/P1140086.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vaulted chambers under the Great Temple.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Qasr al-Bint Temple is one of the best preserved ancient structures at Petra, with substantial remnants of towering walls. In Arabic the name means 'The Palace of the Pharaoh's Daughter', in reference to a folk tale. The temple faces north and may have been dedicated to the principal deity of Nabatean society, Dushara, who like Zeus in Greek mythology was the leader of the Pantheon of the Gods. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljHWLpbEOBMwkf3VP32BWPpMNMdh5B3KID7jF0s22cdoQtoCAEoqHwzhps9awkULt6E2bxvF4pB6q5aKnGgZCl35q6MZZbTLHz6-KaAR32-rEFZpOjjD-wuoFcF4ZEf3aO8lMWnH6AfZCL_RHoRrw066TU9Ciqdv0lNOjXkwiBvaBYkiPP8sdEngREg/s3776/Great%20Temple.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljHWLpbEOBMwkf3VP32BWPpMNMdh5B3KID7jF0s22cdoQtoCAEoqHwzhps9awkULt6E2bxvF4pB6q5aKnGgZCl35q6MZZbTLHz6-KaAR32-rEFZpOjjD-wuoFcF4ZEf3aO8lMWnH6AfZCL_RHoRrw066TU9Ciqdv0lNOjXkwiBvaBYkiPP8sdEngREg/w640-h428/Great%20Temple.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Qasr al-Bint Temple</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg59ldNqR5RPPrl-KaZg17FeCgNVxrrJJ_5XDL9uRrqBtblVJZr19zXjZ6ZRApgJ6X_tdmfLpiI74ezzKWj_Za6W5gkoT0n1tfs0mEHKvnhNZdEZYnM08bkh-Ui53KMvyxvaoZ9X8LBjG3y0SvKinOIpIa-5GQba_AmhC6l5yAhx4faFU6Ou56L0AoD8UJ9" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg59ldNqR5RPPrl-KaZg17FeCgNVxrrJJ_5XDL9uRrqBtblVJZr19zXjZ6ZRApgJ6X_tdmfLpiI74ezzKWj_Za6W5gkoT0n1tfs0mEHKvnhNZdEZYnM08bkh-Ui53KMvyxvaoZ9X8LBjG3y0SvKinOIpIa-5GQba_AmhC6l5yAhx4faFU6Ou56L0AoD8UJ9=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the Qasr al-Bint Temple</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Across the Colonnaded Street stands the remains of the Temple of the Winged Lions. Built during the reign of Aretas IV around the time of the life of Christ, this temple is thought to be a place of worship to the popular Nabatean goddess Al'Uzza, a deity associated with water. Rectangular in shape, the simple classic structure had a pedimented facade supported by two 13 meter tall columns. The interior had 12 prominent columns with winged lions carved in to the capitals, giving the temple its name. A raised altar accessed by steps is centered in the room. Curtains may have been draped from the columns to conceal the altar. Traces of plaster and pigments indicate that the temple was elaborately decorated. A portico would have allowed ritual circumambulation of the altar. A second story had large openings allowing generous natural light into the space.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG8mY3AA07530_BezMtQEI1mLDgoJ4Ti5gQNkEjZZlqjiZYklzMS34H7ssnJnNU3l51HJ8iQXvfphLPPhemFWj6-zGRfVoHgEIeN54_akEENvUI3WLXC7yz2k-OdkA-mVrasIzWLYaeqWDKQVNwJJuEllZbyPYGrSrvtDkJrtDB62UzqXe9CDpVe-w4wlO" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG8mY3AA07530_BezMtQEI1mLDgoJ4Ti5gQNkEjZZlqjiZYklzMS34H7ssnJnNU3l51HJ8iQXvfphLPPhemFWj6-zGRfVoHgEIeN54_akEENvUI3WLXC7yz2k-OdkA-mVrasIzWLYaeqWDKQVNwJJuEllZbyPYGrSrvtDkJrtDB62UzqXe9CDpVe-w4wlO=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of the Temple of the Winged Lions</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVMXuhLHtgaGl9bIjIJ9QwegS05mznL2DQsvXnFXfVKLrHD9BCS2PYEz1wVXzxn-XCjMQmFC-ihhZD3Q5cJV6658cgv3WuVMT6dkOXnl_WOSfWHeC0HyhmSxI5sum-92gaMi7vd1E9ZiYGgptIhsDhNQr4DCt8DkklXy-cOADB_uGmI_j_xxjCVqKrbC55" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVMXuhLHtgaGl9bIjIJ9QwegS05mznL2DQsvXnFXfVKLrHD9BCS2PYEz1wVXzxn-XCjMQmFC-ihhZD3Q5cJV6658cgv3WuVMT6dkOXnl_WOSfWHeC0HyhmSxI5sum-92gaMi7vd1E9ZiYGgptIhsDhNQr4DCt8DkklXy-cOADB_uGmI_j_xxjCVqKrbC55=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">13 meter tall columns made from stacked stone drums flanked the entrance to the Temple of the Winged Lions</td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The temple collapsed in the earthquake of 363 CE. The substantial drums stacked to make the columns have weathered revealing the rich coloration of the carved stones that would have been concealed beneath plaster but painted with pigments made from the same minerals.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx9LfOz1yZwbTZv6qfAZyagjUJ4dziU_fDzY2bqgRxgr4dlvJLeKUrPzRx9i6KmounUISD29aDPeoLk-oSOd2rSfRlJ8Dl7MdAgFdiOJ47ZTlHnu6p-8TA7xgO-O_ufK_1AgfAkq0tMlPfti_VclNOULMhFMGeTmO9ln4mDfhWY0sawWzXtHXknoKCs_D3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx9LfOz1yZwbTZv6qfAZyagjUJ4dziU_fDzY2bqgRxgr4dlvJLeKUrPzRx9i6KmounUISD29aDPeoLk-oSOd2rSfRlJ8Dl7MdAgFdiOJ47ZTlHnu6p-8TA7xgO-O_ufK_1AgfAkq0tMlPfti_VclNOULMhFMGeTmO9ln4mDfhWY0sawWzXtHXknoKCs_D3=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dissolving stone drums of a collapsed column become a work of art</td></tr></tbody></table>13 meter tall columns made from stacked stone drums flanked the entrance to the Temple of the Winged Lions</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxS1296MpWKOe62LAeNmhrpw2-LZ8giSLOU3awtI-g0NoWs2btG4JQUimsbCwupqKQq5cryhJmqbhKqOLApYdNlF__0ug8rJTTarDE7clVfK0pOdBDicahEQrbvNjdtx_ackVUGJHoacaYvzlhINnz-MYEhN5j11HrNO-5aWN72lNFIvmBEHZ5JL_ce8U2" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxS1296MpWKOe62LAeNmhrpw2-LZ8giSLOU3awtI-g0NoWs2btG4JQUimsbCwupqKQq5cryhJmqbhKqOLApYdNlF__0ug8rJTTarDE7clVfK0pOdBDicahEQrbvNjdtx_ackVUGJHoacaYvzlhINnz-MYEhN5j11HrNO-5aWN72lNFIvmBEHZ5JL_ce8U2=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two columns had Corinthian capitals</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVUb9CDXg3wEjaNYjxV4oeoTzzj-yJpTTusZ3GKXYmm8pbB6Fp_nFOy90CLSLmgQAiUPjS8BnEzSTOu1k1ToWblwP_kpP6jdCBK50mey4HQuPzw6an1yVKY3m2s1sGkFRrJde0qqwPT7MFsfcB7ZAwcXICXgsdU0HpymLnhrl5tEmIrC4jdWF9oRsbPqJJ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVUb9CDXg3wEjaNYjxV4oeoTzzj-yJpTTusZ3GKXYmm8pbB6Fp_nFOy90CLSLmgQAiUPjS8BnEzSTOu1k1ToWblwP_kpP6jdCBK50mey4HQuPzw6an1yVKY3m2s1sGkFRrJde0qqwPT7MFsfcB7ZAwcXICXgsdU0HpymLnhrl5tEmIrC4jdWF9oRsbPqJJ=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view looking through a plexiglass panel showing what the Temple of the Winged Lions would have looked like.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Adjacent to the temple is a structure with many rooms that may have housed priests, and craftsmen who carved and cast statuary and votive offerings, ground pigments for painting, and the production of oils and fragrances used in rituals. Revenue generated by the workshops would help finance the temples operations.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpYFW7SFzDMUfZwQUX_As-XG1zqMKPZ2cjxpeKkn1Xw_5um8lk5WL4xrdJq3YAOF4Dsg07aNPMDbD3-jfZoAIF6RjIt-I-4f9amFDl0f_kRMhHu5VDQyXZy_rdn22Ubk7v9EZHzIz84NvhscwaLxQSc-cS8fTC9WwrcDsUXAu-2hi53winazjoYDgI3fuj"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpYFW7SFzDMUfZwQUX_As-XG1zqMKPZ2cjxpeKkn1Xw_5um8lk5WL4xrdJq3YAOF4Dsg07aNPMDbD3-jfZoAIF6RjIt-I-4f9amFDl0f_kRMhHu5VDQyXZy_rdn22Ubk7v9EZHzIz84NvhscwaLxQSc-cS8fTC9WwrcDsUXAu-2hi53winazjoYDgI3fuj=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Under Roman rule, Petra prospered as a trading center for a century with the construction of the Roman Road, but eventually trade moved north to Palmyra in current day Syria and Petra began a period of economic decline. However it's importance as a religious center continued. In 130 AD the Roman Emperor Hadrian visited Petra and a commemorative gate was built. The city didn't really prosper from the visit as the city of Gerash north of Amman became the benefactor of regional trade. In 363 AD a powerful earthquake damaged much of the old city and its water systems and the city continued in to decline. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMvN6A88s4znA8NdKO68POcBIf5DtsoxYqMkula4dG3qpgAnUz4r6AY16dxvAeIifeGQBRmZCD2tskTdjdv_I5OD13msv--p21MeyCsxURIgG9f6Llbxt2r1Pmnwqq22gV-0sYixYqIROH_P91QjvG8wXElpzMVvKFNGh8DXjgNL5kStmtxc-clf_hmLvU" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMvN6A88s4znA8NdKO68POcBIf5DtsoxYqMkula4dG3qpgAnUz4r6AY16dxvAeIifeGQBRmZCD2tskTdjdv_I5OD13msv--p21MeyCsxURIgG9f6Llbxt2r1Pmnwqq22gV-0sYixYqIROH_P91QjvG8wXElpzMVvKFNGh8DXjgNL5kStmtxc-clf_hmLvU=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Baptistry in the Petra Church</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>In the 4th Century, the Holy Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity and moved his capital to Constantinople, which is present day Istanbul. During that time Greek replaced Latin as the primary language of the Eastern Roman Empire. In 1993 a cache of 140 charred papyrus scrolls were discovered in a room near the main Petra Church, most of them being inventories, property transaction, marriages, dowries, and inheritances. The Byzantine churches built in Petra are characterized by their distinctive mosaic floors, which were the primary ornament of the church as a means of depicting scenes from the Nature, Bible and Society. The main Petra Church was a Basilica with elaborate ornamentation built in the second half of the 5th Century. The aisles on either side are carpeted in elaborate mosaics. Petra was a crossroads, so many beliefs mixed together so Christianity was slow to take hold, but some tombs were converted in to places of worship. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ3atBlm8CrpvcCIDDwVncFmqKzQPUmlKDH04-SRMRpTZhAyIwf8yUCs8G5-3HNj179W3JZGmtiPG_aTC-U7FPLcBJJU81antVFHSAvTQjA-9zwwQwylxgyXhhv2npe5xFIfzBu9-ePnDUl7FIQAIrnSvLULPWUwDJA1nLjiqk-XvxR4l-GG22ApNKo3Fl" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJ3atBlm8CrpvcCIDDwVncFmqKzQPUmlKDH04-SRMRpTZhAyIwf8yUCs8G5-3HNj179W3JZGmtiPG_aTC-U7FPLcBJJU81antVFHSAvTQjA-9zwwQwylxgyXhhv2npe5xFIfzBu9-ePnDUl7FIQAIrnSvLULPWUwDJA1nLjiqk-XvxR4l-GG22ApNKo3Fl=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main Byzantine Church of Petra</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">The Ridge Church was the oldest in Petra, built in the 4th Century on a prominent hill with a 360 degree view. The buildings were built using materials pilfered from older structures. Earthquakes eventually destroyed them and once again materials were pilfered for the next generation of building. </div><div><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA9hFncVLm1Eu9xMhH_YwgSJ_L6TIFImvX9uxxQnUEloLagyMy2FYsMIN18N_PSJnCXIe1L8HVx9Npo1zf8XW3hK85dpZO1oyGZQ1jxkZjEOb8_3NRN1Q1lpypdIsJJ3W7pWTlVFmmRLSUJspVO5xCzc1qJfEoZOJ1g6GcjLDlC1uc-l6GdiOupuuX8B04" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA9hFncVLm1Eu9xMhH_YwgSJ_L6TIFImvX9uxxQnUEloLagyMy2FYsMIN18N_PSJnCXIe1L8HVx9Npo1zf8XW3hK85dpZO1oyGZQ1jxkZjEOb8_3NRN1Q1lpypdIsJJ3W7pWTlVFmmRLSUJspVO5xCzc1qJfEoZOJ1g6GcjLDlC1uc-l6GdiOupuuX8B04=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Blue Chapel is distinguished by four blue Turkish granite columns with horned Nabatean capitals. The floors and walls were also covered in blue granite which was most likely salvaged from a older temple. The columns toppled in an earthquake and were restored over a 12 year period ending in 2002. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhJAPiNoi_teZCTi6Qd9X6J7OtsM8iP84mavBURiWD6Fj9G5wxFvLd2SgaJNssKtcFV56Qwse6DLMYnjmkNvz-RYHpZbZZGdhOan5kBmcVlgr3mmJ2zu4bBB-j7Sj_FjHIY56csTcZ03Y/s1600/P1130801.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhJAPiNoi_teZCTi6Qd9X6J7OtsM8iP84mavBURiWD6Fj9G5wxFvLd2SgaJNssKtcFV56Qwse6DLMYnjmkNvz-RYHpZbZZGdhOan5kBmcVlgr3mmJ2zu4bBB-j7Sj_FjHIY56csTcZ03Y/w640-h480/P1130801.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four blue Egyptian granite columns reconstructed in the Blue Chapel<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Work began on the Petra Church in the mid 5th Century. During that time Greek replaced Latin as the primary language of the Eastern Roman Empire. The mosaics are similar to those found in the Gaza region of Palestine, which was the primary regional trading port on the Mediterranean for centuries. The style of mosaic popular to the time is called Opus Sectile, where cut pieces of colored stone, marble, glass, and gold leaf are used to illustrate elaborate scenes. Round and oval medallions framed by vines enclose depictions of the four seasons, animals, plants, people, ceramic vessels, baskets of produce and flowers, arranged in rows like a kind of story book. These churches went in to disrepair in the 6th century, and rather than being renovated, the mosaics have been preserved as a rare example of original works. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXeYdu7z0rv_hXDgqTZF6DwiUvBmCPc-FTXMS-zPPuAm26ZV5tQ1AQsECWH5sru04Z2Sz5EQQqDgBXIefvTDF0P6GXksBfHeQK9l7ZCLlU6JwX7zuFFdVuqUV7FX48tIM1aRBsz9U6TLRUIHGfy0xGaJbG4f6O0yj22bLopbAoVkRv7Rtkhe3ElDqzRmTP" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXeYdu7z0rv_hXDgqTZF6DwiUvBmCPc-FTXMS-zPPuAm26ZV5tQ1AQsECWH5sru04Z2Sz5EQQqDgBXIefvTDF0P6GXksBfHeQK9l7ZCLlU6JwX7zuFFdVuqUV7FX48tIM1aRBsz9U6TLRUIHGfy0xGaJbG4f6O0yj22bLopbAoVkRv7Rtkhe3ElDqzRmTP=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An elaborate floor mosaic in the Petra Church</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3jZHfb_j1uKSou76fYCw9wUbRHIF7G2Hx6RvnItG9xPSoLZG3ZDB1J_i5DyZzNglUw6KDAYQjPEaxpI59LgsiAfSAaD4d8roUxzQljNWJDoUv6FpRXzgrXlbUfq0hAB8UCOhH_LujIrpqfBk6NrdX8sbVK7CjmuvHe0y8KPZe0EDRXlUSqQnjBekNOteG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3jZHfb_j1uKSou76fYCw9wUbRHIF7G2Hx6RvnItG9xPSoLZG3ZDB1J_i5DyZzNglUw6KDAYQjPEaxpI59LgsiAfSAaD4d8roUxzQljNWJDoUv6FpRXzgrXlbUfq0hAB8UCOhH_LujIrpqfBk6NrdX8sbVK7CjmuvHe0y8KPZe0EDRXlUSqQnjBekNOteG=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A donkey searching for something edible on the North Ridge</td></tr></tbody></table>A woman holding a fish<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div>In 1993 a cache of 140 charred papyrus scrolls were discovered in a room near the main Petra Church, most of them being inventories, property transaction, marriages, dowries, and inheritances. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3DelOoXG3U8o4dnbkWY69ZxBf8C70h6AlalVZTSGmT2YSb4B_MVTuMGJfi2HT83SZwvh44oPvZ7fG6Ju17jodetz-3wQn9L8LR54pXBjrRmE1ocnYFcmCrXzX_IWFHoUNepStLPIeOq64h6hpXi164KbUjuPlcOwtBF2Rk5EGvr3O8KxEeQfDgKFbHO4X" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3DelOoXG3U8o4dnbkWY69ZxBf8C70h6AlalVZTSGmT2YSb4B_MVTuMGJfi2HT83SZwvh44oPvZ7fG6Ju17jodetz-3wQn9L8LR54pXBjrRmE1ocnYFcmCrXzX_IWFHoUNepStLPIeOq64h6hpXi164KbUjuPlcOwtBF2Rk5EGvr3O8KxEeQfDgKFbHO4X=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A donkey grazing amongst poisonous Sea Squill bulbs, <i>Drimia maritima <span style="font-family: trebuchet;">on the North Ridge</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIK6wBaJx07ET9199RWlAvx4CJkfBqI45fa8Qn6PE75Ont_mCjHeg7dOqABvZa1BGf6Ks0EYe56aM1hyphenhyphenfhUupgliof5EVQ_8RCDRRwvj1kvcfNMStxCqcGj_qQZvSe-ccb8c6dm4tf05qd/s1600/P1130675.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIK6wBaJx07ET9199RWlAvx4CJkfBqI45fa8Qn6PE75Ont_mCjHeg7dOqABvZa1BGf6Ks0EYe56aM1hyphenhyphenfhUupgliof5EVQ_8RCDRRwvj1kvcfNMStxCqcGj_qQZvSe-ccb8c6dm4tf05qd/w640-h426/P1130675.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not for eating but you can buy Drimia bulbs for your garden</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Directly ahead is a dramatic Al-Habis escarpment, pocked with numerous cave niches called the Columbarium. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtsRa6Sg6rlWQiK-D5TpwzxaVAaDGb4imPMB7bbhunHWVhrbYX5Z-e1JcVNmSJ_524JFJYCFHxmJp8wPLyClVb9pV-DH8OE57GTOzf661DWaI9MXrfOcD_l4G_VnERHrOczeEYTHoMGHkwzmhazJhR0S7X9K1PcI70qv2z5MTAs3tW1LFcI6UmhuXiLct8" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtsRa6Sg6rlWQiK-D5TpwzxaVAaDGb4imPMB7bbhunHWVhrbYX5Z-e1JcVNmSJ_524JFJYCFHxmJp8wPLyClVb9pV-DH8OE57GTOzf661DWaI9MXrfOcD_l4G_VnERHrOczeEYTHoMGHkwzmhazJhR0S7X9K1PcI70qv2z5MTAs3tW1LFcI6UmhuXiLct8=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Al-Habis </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXeTS4fnqxqg9Nt9qF-6Z6G_lT6i_ulRd90laDu90rfjNn5vc7a-9-KJg8fsezb--IdGNcPUUE2aJnijcB7U0ZdghnLeBKoc8rg_7DHrnVl6Pd0IjjY1U2sMbzVQx4k-XsOYWFhWFu7eOO1sr-YWiGjOD4-KEHBHmXbNtT6uptL7kGJJ0oluU2oFMKOTYx" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXeTS4fnqxqg9Nt9qF-6Z6G_lT6i_ulRd90laDu90rfjNn5vc7a-9-KJg8fsezb--IdGNcPUUE2aJnijcB7U0ZdghnLeBKoc8rg_7DHrnVl6Pd0IjjY1U2sMbzVQx4k-XsOYWFhWFu7eOO1sr-YWiGjOD4-KEHBHmXbNtT6uptL7kGJJ0oluU2oFMKOTYx=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Al-Habis</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Emerging at the Al-Habis, the Wadi As-Siyagh is a winding stream bed with towering cliffs and many caves that are still inhabited by Bedouin families and herds of goats. I didn't see any tourists in this canyon and I felt like I was getting a glimpse of what life was like before Petra was made a World Heritage Site tourist destination.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RDtFejymsO6c7xV37rr4MxI8ixvxoPTP6mIjXam3_7dEC31_ld3GUIKBk9k4lX1LyhundvXwk1AAhbbxTKmnVSR92wbX3y5uiFHNzqA3HLWEZXTukKE1ywc2_vJSnJKdYEVHElmp6k8L/s1600/P1130884.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RDtFejymsO6c7xV37rr4MxI8ixvxoPTP6mIjXam3_7dEC31_ld3GUIKBk9k4lX1LyhundvXwk1AAhbbxTKmnVSR92wbX3y5uiFHNzqA3HLWEZXTukKE1ywc2_vJSnJKdYEVHElmp6k8L/w640-h426/P1130884.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wadi As-Siyagh</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QbYER7EVIt3C9WcY3QaxDpWpLF0WVvXYyYbj0uIU5x8JZeX2hwbfoO39ayxqQrIcqbhS1vZzW5Fp0CjVQtXXC2ZsltpROD5pIqVRvEHlq96xx6EHtfPzdoV6rHB3Gpa8EMWp8VX9l1n4/s1600/P1130851.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QbYER7EVIt3C9WcY3QaxDpWpLF0WVvXYyYbj0uIU5x8JZeX2hwbfoO39ayxqQrIcqbhS1vZzW5Fp0CjVQtXXC2ZsltpROD5pIqVRvEHlq96xx6EHtfPzdoV6rHB3Gpa8EMWp8VX9l1n4/w640-h426/P1130851.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An inhabited cave perched high on a ledge</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OJcgdfqhotkOdLHagGJ7l2r-hITc-ZTQ9HEQ11gXhHu9qVjfM9NB_NFLSq3BO_FCW9mIFcaVIV_ij-guFZj0vzIGKqrVSD7pzwBbpkFr4nb4ZdOjreagqogcSU4tPEZ5EkQjPGSrbPo6/s1600/P1130869.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OJcgdfqhotkOdLHagGJ7l2r-hITc-ZTQ9HEQ11gXhHu9qVjfM9NB_NFLSq3BO_FCW9mIFcaVIV_ij-guFZj0vzIGKqrVSD7pzwBbpkFr4nb4ZdOjreagqogcSU4tPEZ5EkQjPGSrbPo6/w640-h426/P1130869.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aloes have naturalized in a ravine that provides a scarce source of water in the Wadi Siyagh</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br />Petra gets a lot of tourists but I had this canyon all to myself apart from the families that live high up in the cliffs. There is for me a timeless quality to the life here. Perhaps a romantic notion for an American looking at Bedouin life, but I find this culture to be very beautiful.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnJ7lA3-P5Q619cttB7vTWE7GnNZ3AxdglrCkphibXA8QmIXY5U5QKtRpt2GL_xyjTuhUpm7CQTptFo7J8XmXLYouSASyRCkb4RRnKLFkDULf8OK5tesrJBoHyMK4JFBV-D7DyUv0vVtqLiLNFnp4jzh2-xTkcQYplbj0WV3Q1mkODnAfcSqLOUb0a3wv2" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnJ7lA3-P5Q619cttB7vTWE7GnNZ3AxdglrCkphibXA8QmIXY5U5QKtRpt2GL_xyjTuhUpm7CQTptFo7J8XmXLYouSASyRCkb4RRnKLFkDULf8OK5tesrJBoHyMK4JFBV-D7DyUv0vVtqLiLNFnp4jzh2-xTkcQYplbj0WV3Q1mkODnAfcSqLOUb0a3wv2=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herding goats</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>
It was here that I climbed up to a cave that contained a rare remnant of the original plastered and painted walls and ceilings that was typical of ancient Petra's dwellings and tombs. These structures where built by the Nabateans in the 1st Century BC.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8RUAlF8O2Fk-rEsjhZ-2-_72yDaJIS1Ce-T6ra8xl9HjMKsWqYabDGr4hZ4paSGa5HwzbMGN6QefMCeIF4O3egvL0VolfmouyaStWHHZs_ELLE0mdEkvPJRLM0D-tx3Y8pn9AEw4utFLzRxQsN04Iod_ZInIHjtPlqK4TEpc__DfxSOJRrpfvtwtqOx7A" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8RUAlF8O2Fk-rEsjhZ-2-_72yDaJIS1Ce-T6ra8xl9HjMKsWqYabDGr4hZ4paSGa5HwzbMGN6QefMCeIF4O3egvL0VolfmouyaStWHHZs_ELLE0mdEkvPJRLM0D-tx3Y8pn9AEw4utFLzRxQsN04Iod_ZInIHjtPlqK4TEpc__DfxSOJRrpfvtwtqOx7A=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare example of plastered and painted walls</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Turning back, I continued on the main tourist trail leading to one of Petra's most dramatic monuments. The trail to Ad-Dier, also known as The Monastery is a spectacular one. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSfAFkXGMHS-pfx0y8aILVzMB1_USsfWQ9_QQW8QcitNXBIYJN8-uA6jrqOh6HBM1nTfA1odm6Mv-Z-YnZNE5kLlhN4U8qyuxNGAlUqx11ODQ5dCXZvWTWYN8iN2pEdckodOBs_6ZuG2PdJd5gjvBGZLJ3A3f1QMz2A6z0XfkWP3cEpBjblCj2bz7HJe_M" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSfAFkXGMHS-pfx0y8aILVzMB1_USsfWQ9_QQW8QcitNXBIYJN8-uA6jrqOh6HBM1nTfA1odm6Mv-Z-YnZNE5kLlhN4U8qyuxNGAlUqx11ODQ5dCXZvWTWYN8iN2pEdckodOBs_6ZuG2PdJd5gjvBGZLJ3A3f1QMz2A6z0XfkWP3cEpBjblCj2bz7HJe_M=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail to The Monastery<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy_5zxGnc_aIFNM5Oeca9OwsP6Eru7hmXNb9Fsinle8DX2Dx2SyykUk7z177ld44SD6OWjS1_jaXhjHaLsOIcZj5QJHrUEY_ZNI3lKQ60IWx7Ootb6Nc6xuqkZ83ad-NdS0rfc606YLct4R48VbJRkrEEjLbNu2bYZpXvprcAYOWi450Z42aH05HhTjaOc" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy_5zxGnc_aIFNM5Oeca9OwsP6Eru7hmXNb9Fsinle8DX2Dx2SyykUk7z177ld44SD6OWjS1_jaXhjHaLsOIcZj5QJHrUEY_ZNI3lKQ60IWx7Ootb6Nc6xuqkZ83ad-NdS0rfc606YLct4R48VbJRkrEEjLbNu2bYZpXvprcAYOWi450Z42aH05HhTjaOc=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old man on his way up to the Top of the World</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM5ZuzR_C1Kh8mUK2Wz1i5GQwbxiqPrxZQ1iIuDA4YiKaga3v9ZmH_yaG1hCUH8Ag4gP7apMdJt0CCAHYX4hriIAxeq9cc_KCZCFfsSiqWZDN8e0NNLob4J44FNgQk98iwi2KiLmPjK4SLrvJUmT84qXL0A47eulL9OI5ZlTX1ctDhMuMey7OVZ7PCXtGH" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM5ZuzR_C1Kh8mUK2Wz1i5GQwbxiqPrxZQ1iIuDA4YiKaga3v9ZmH_yaG1hCUH8Ag4gP7apMdJt0CCAHYX4hriIAxeq9cc_KCZCFfsSiqWZDN8e0NNLob4J44FNgQk98iwi2KiLmPjK4SLrvJUmT84qXL0A47eulL9OI5ZlTX1ctDhMuMey7OVZ7PCXtGH=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A color coordinated kitty along the way</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The route climbs about 800 steps, passing the beautifully carved Lion Triclinium, set in a small side pocket canyon with a pair of sculpted lions on either side of the entrance. Erosion has created a keyhole shape to the doorway. Tricliniums were ceremonial halls where funerary banquets were held. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisDXRwx1V00qyz-fjukAuFBEOKbDTkDgwpVdRCz39DueZhsClGTDyzJiXuegFCW_qagQyt0umX7TJEn4Rl5lDz87vll2Zk3oZmIaXw0sKY_CSoIUH-OowHzMUimprD4l6p19ps0cCBfBz3UMtvz2YZ5Xad7irWfYP79lHDx9lWynsWDyWkcBSdhz7eWarI" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="1100" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisDXRwx1V00qyz-fjukAuFBEOKbDTkDgwpVdRCz39DueZhsClGTDyzJiXuegFCW_qagQyt0umX7TJEn4Rl5lDz87vll2Zk3oZmIaXw0sKY_CSoIUH-OowHzMUimprD4l6p19ps0cCBfBz3UMtvz2YZ5Xad7irWfYP79lHDx9lWynsWDyWkcBSdhz7eWarI=w427-h640" width="427" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lion Triclinium</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Continuing up stairs winding through narrow chasms, the trail opens up to a high terrace graced by the monumental Ad-Dier, which was carved from a prominent rock formation in the 1st Century AD. The open area was leveled and paved, possibly for ceremonial purposes. There is a road that accesses the area coming from the opposite direction of the path that I came up.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAfSBXB98AjbT6xAm2SWvJWwdGYTKzAI-_S8QMqiSEKxlbNx22-mNftPq5MKPCnadcs6272afVeKr-2nsI0WdQwef5FOAGpptrJORRMTYnHSPqdvijwTKjpi1kE4ONxpL_2Pmxd8b3K56hEyAGfvdlAbDjr_SKwl7v6ZTdkAFLPTlw8aIQf29JBpf1BM6R" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAfSBXB98AjbT6xAm2SWvJWwdGYTKzAI-_S8QMqiSEKxlbNx22-mNftPq5MKPCnadcs6272afVeKr-2nsI0WdQwef5FOAGpptrJORRMTYnHSPqdvijwTKjpi1kE4ONxpL_2Pmxd8b3K56hEyAGfvdlAbDjr_SKwl7v6ZTdkAFLPTlw8aIQf29JBpf1BM6R=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br />The facade is a classic example of a Nabatean blending of Greek and Mesopotamian architecture, with a split pediment framing an urn capped tower. The columns have horned capitals that are purely ornamental since the facade was carved directly from the rock formation. It isn't likely that this structure was a tomb because the simple, nearly square interior lacks burial spaces. It was once plastered and painted but there are no traces of ornamentation remaining. The back wall has an arched altar space accessed by a wide flight of steps. Two low raised platforms run along the sides.<br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2aArpCnoYpft0XWZQuKN3lk9wcWZDQ1Q1PzACe-JUeAHRcAc63QqyGzzJ3qz_Yfm9wOB0XkvjTx9onAcgqngjRGl3MG5Wg0ZD6SZPA_1Q7i8TUD5xsdjwaJB11QD0REow4pKFGxmfjQQAh_1z-riw7Hfwch5fllftQUoCQHkYSyY5JM0wf1obhXtKfEqi" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5QSNuC48uxy968AamWtRnGNc830SKLEyy5zTzfZd1KVDyKmsoW9_CF0lCSK7B-wTXLpguf06KvftEk3sEX8f2pSotI_mWRcessbZK9CGyAovBSGMEMgS_qTKD8nKeOG_wVzD3Eb3AoJIphavV0r6tFnzTJ5jXp-4sUXWTn5UHWCeDhJdtv5sX2poeOimA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5QSNuC48uxy968AamWtRnGNc830SKLEyy5zTzfZd1KVDyKmsoW9_CF0lCSK7B-wTXLpguf06KvftEk3sEX8f2pSotI_mWRcessbZK9CGyAovBSGMEMgS_qTKD8nKeOG_wVzD3Eb3AoJIphavV0r6tFnzTJ5jXp-4sUXWTn5UHWCeDhJdtv5sX2poeOimA=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interior chamber, flooded by sunlight</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></a></div>The area in front of the Monastery is paved with large blocks of stone partially surrounded by a semicircular terrace. <br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipzhB3KSJwsuA7E-5i2TVp3nfnTZiIBlQFtFMoUrSF53Fh8AY6mRSzajzx_tMuO6hefPgd3y7QhEYhCku45Q3m4mwfJD0-ymp2SQ1aGSPL4c2HRdrOqN4DZoli7Cx32Bl56kfY_zLjU9URePuVPbWYPQekRy7tfqUIVP65IiWXR-94b3hU8OL0ePErQDTY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipzhB3KSJwsuA7E-5i2TVp3nfnTZiIBlQFtFMoUrSF53Fh8AY6mRSzajzx_tMuO6hefPgd3y7QhEYhCku45Q3m4mwfJD0-ymp2SQ1aGSPL4c2HRdrOqN4DZoli7Cx32Bl56kfY_zLjU9URePuVPbWYPQekRy7tfqUIVP65IiWXR-94b3hU8OL0ePErQDTY=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Tall rock outcrops here have lookout shelters built on them by Bedouins to provide tea and sell trinkets to tourists. The views are breathtaking and are touted as such.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzdAoAMSRxRNyPkxOUAkkzoJ8oqwLIrlwVSwYHHotVtmUhW5AeN_9oZgfxuavVLP4ZgTG0yFs7eqexjPBeccbwHEBNgp1vCFZHIbIbFUxj8rmfCtAVCR3DYHS5yqV3aoZwj0LZgxB5l_s-tk0PjWF7swYLew2avbN7slY67cHbukCGMY1vPz_vNZyrGaX3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzdAoAMSRxRNyPkxOUAkkzoJ8oqwLIrlwVSwYHHotVtmUhW5AeN_9oZgfxuavVLP4ZgTG0yFs7eqexjPBeccbwHEBNgp1vCFZHIbIbFUxj8rmfCtAVCR3DYHS5yqV3aoZwj0LZgxB5l_s-tk0PjWF7swYLew2avbN7slY67cHbukCGMY1vPz_vNZyrGaX3=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Best View in the World!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The ambience from this vantage point was sublime, and fun as well! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SfdM56NlMLg" width="320" youtube-src-id="SfdM56NlMLg"></iframe></div> A video from "The Top of the World"</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I feel so blessed on days like this, where the beauty of the world is so remarkable. Truly a gift to be here.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguJRhGf1ujZSRA1WTTT4Rn6GTkETTsC3l69P_lLlAl2EdwHMeCRAyVrNrh89Q3EnlWVNOkeVIodsHl9rsumtkegyDMNtU-6Dv2osTAaGa7gUqxT1m16kKSJs34UM5WiUr8Z8947ysMMqCDFYFHcos16cqUlqrkdlFQpLyrAtV12TKGyLI2OCP2jFuj9v13" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguJRhGf1ujZSRA1WTTT4Rn6GTkETTsC3l69P_lLlAl2EdwHMeCRAyVrNrh89Q3EnlWVNOkeVIodsHl9rsumtkegyDMNtU-6Dv2osTAaGa7gUqxT1m16kKSJs34UM5WiUr8Z8947ysMMqCDFYFHcos16cqUlqrkdlFQpLyrAtV12TKGyLI2OCP2jFuj9v13=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A spectacular view of the Ad-Deir, the Monastery</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">While I was up there I noticed a man had climbed the structure and was standing on top of the sphere on the urn, which seemed completely insane to me. He then climbed to the edge of the urn and sat down with his legs dangling over the side.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeGaZ64j8QFMSAW71ufG25e1eXNzA9enT9YSZkBfI8GXjL-r2fjf6C02UWffjvpzgnjlq80J3bz4QP3db1gh7tuZTGoyq8zPsJVkjMR7O-ohfENKicb6YRUGr_hO5hJ--0MWjFJTrl68yEZgAXgQfa6Q9vsLgW98jgBNR_MGd0iu6YpaZDMGBY4lKDzuGf" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeGaZ64j8QFMSAW71ufG25e1eXNzA9enT9YSZkBfI8GXjL-r2fjf6C02UWffjvpzgnjlq80J3bz4QP3db1gh7tuZTGoyq8zPsJVkjMR7O-ohfENKicb6YRUGr_hO5hJ--0MWjFJTrl68yEZgAXgQfa6Q9vsLgW98jgBNR_MGd0iu6YpaZDMGBY4lKDzuGf=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A climber sitting on top of the urn of the Monastery<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif6VsU17GttHpWty3E5ARY6NT26De37oxDwugoeFbCQX2m3rp5sS2gF02GJ24JliXH7_Ltg7iyorw3wY6HsjK_XM7-cHw3O05cVc-ltqf6W2fo1OBeKjN80reo7MhSHUIOJiSEXcIDI4wcBCIXc2iYigAklIB8K41zvF_GEcSsnLG2CH-seulvaGzf3PqN" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEif6VsU17GttHpWty3E5ARY6NT26De37oxDwugoeFbCQX2m3rp5sS2gF02GJ24JliXH7_Ltg7iyorw3wY6HsjK_XM7-cHw3O05cVc-ltqf6W2fo1OBeKjN80reo7MhSHUIOJiSEXcIDI4wcBCIXc2iYigAklIB8K41zvF_GEcSsnLG2CH-seulvaGzf3PqN=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A side angle shows the depth of the carved facade</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I hiked around this area for a while and then made my way down as it was getting late. Bedouins were closing up their little stalls and cleverly offering end of the day half price sales, which made me smile and laugh. While people here are often very poor, they maintain a great sense of humor and happiness.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR-nCB3pQHhEydbFjitd9XASueRtjSh4svNnFtJi8to0hAy4UMtFAnTkuN1F7UvNOH5gYX8yhgA-8liXxJqW8AxV-BFakLwIdLrTS7U-TlvDUuICZRHgP6NKk7_h4LoZeg7x7VMFDxlDvY4XFmLbtvIVkwtMA56bi6FHXRLtLytWYv7sfdKR2M3xHPeEHk" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR-nCB3pQHhEydbFjitd9XASueRtjSh4svNnFtJi8to0hAy4UMtFAnTkuN1F7UvNOH5gYX8yhgA-8liXxJqW8AxV-BFakLwIdLrTS7U-TlvDUuICZRHgP6NKk7_h4LoZeg7x7VMFDxlDvY4XFmLbtvIVkwtMA56bi6FHXRLtLytWYv7sfdKR2M3xHPeEHk=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancient steps leading back down to Petra</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The walk back through the ruins was long but magical. And this was only day two!</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHdkE8xTsURMZF7rA4mYdRuvGbNH2qQ4j6r-4vjLnEZErcD_AdU0dgRFEdzW-G5IFSytH2M47aC7MUg9BZuwhHb1e5AT0iclPOXRhLeiy7ci2x-oTVPHh4svKK_oFQx0IlZUB48Qv22IXk4u1ExnSW6FTV5GwfQK1ZDvAt7UtGQtFb75R1pZ6j31XbbGEJ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHdkE8xTsURMZF7rA4mYdRuvGbNH2qQ4j6r-4vjLnEZErcD_AdU0dgRFEdzW-G5IFSytH2M47aC7MUg9BZuwhHb1e5AT0iclPOXRhLeiy7ci2x-oTVPHh4svKK_oFQx0IlZUB48Qv22IXk4u1ExnSW6FTV5GwfQK1ZDvAt7UtGQtFb75R1pZ6j31XbbGEJ=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading back in to the Siq and the trek back to town.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The next day I made my way back through the Siq with my map, to find the trail to the High Place of Sacrifice. The route passes through the ruins of the Great Temple and then climbs a slope before entering the narrow canyon of the Wadi Farasah.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhE4TcxCkSIT_X4drgEGw9GaWrAKpCUwzyRXYJv1ykvAwfrNOCJ3CVX2c1A1diYn-T-3wAZHFMl18a2nopX-ZLJsYShEtMNNjzMpSPFbY3ITTtNH0sf-xG44RuNSTEAzRLnO2zkG3X-Ja1ND8ximamhaoIK2SwePDH1E9dCx4-2pUSwwKe-i5FA0EyL8LPg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhE4TcxCkSIT_X4drgEGw9GaWrAKpCUwzyRXYJv1ykvAwfrNOCJ3CVX2c1A1diYn-T-3wAZHFMl18a2nopX-ZLJsYShEtMNNjzMpSPFbY3ITTtNH0sf-xG44RuNSTEAzRLnO2zkG3X-Ja1ND8ximamhaoIK2SwePDH1E9dCx4-2pUSwwKe-i5FA0EyL8LPg=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down on the Great Temple from the trail to Wadi Farasah</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>The trail crosses a slope that has the scarce remnants of what was once a residential area called Zantur. <br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBT_Xv7gw5-1p29id1inVpu2TsjTO9CCFcg2Yvo1ZxMjUjPBEY6bUEkMv3-8m3TLZH2UfCpfGgX3ElQ3Zz2-ubw9P8OzaSF6j4D0lJ3T8Bg71wAi3dO2ZIj5MWbTyW-OTTu0uLojS2hj8QZtZMR6LQVlBcrmIJKyF1-dR0hDCvYuR6vO_D7jSEr9t0SomO" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBT_Xv7gw5-1p29id1inVpu2TsjTO9CCFcg2Yvo1ZxMjUjPBEY6bUEkMv3-8m3TLZH2UfCpfGgX3ElQ3Zz2-ubw9P8OzaSF6j4D0lJ3T8Bg71wAi3dO2ZIj5MWbTyW-OTTu0uLojS2hj8QZtZMR6LQVlBcrmIJKyF1-dR0hDCvYuR6vO_D7jSEr9t0SomO=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good signage can be helpful</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This is another breathtaking hike through magnificent rock formations covered in tomb facades. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnVK_e6K-3ppVUofak99xK61mCdyudbTPfyPvWeZx_GN0Zar11vdtK1sukkdVo8gdWbtZDHLtfW8iB62ONw8YFJzC4RD4PGhjIObgqVV22_qpw7AVZbFHz-yfxtfhhXqrZoP24LHt9aAXBKrbA2xn0VdZhV6WTGmnMKjF0yf5dZ5_Rpd3FiMzLV15s2JRq" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnVK_e6K-3ppVUofak99xK61mCdyudbTPfyPvWeZx_GN0Zar11vdtK1sukkdVo8gdWbtZDHLtfW8iB62ONw8YFJzC4RD4PGhjIObgqVV22_qpw7AVZbFHz-yfxtfhhXqrZoP24LHt9aAXBKrbA2xn0VdZhV6WTGmnMKjF0yf5dZ5_Rpd3FiMzLV15s2JRq=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tombs everywhere</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidzlEPwzOhKKB52v3souQPpzcHyLWOCcPMgnRj-ib9IDrFvLHgeBvsD3VSc-lCX_0RnqHdkrQef6CJlnlimnhmZCVJXXy2hgHeI_M7dpTe1RkULUShmA5lHtLhqnwS8iFkYHxm8bAHv5mOP-gR2_fKiyZCOskuDmWeqfZN8RVhq0wxIoFF8XU-_aBTJyn3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidzlEPwzOhKKB52v3souQPpzcHyLWOCcPMgnRj-ib9IDrFvLHgeBvsD3VSc-lCX_0RnqHdkrQef6CJlnlimnhmZCVJXXy2hgHeI_M7dpTe1RkULUShmA5lHtLhqnwS8iFkYHxm8bAHv5mOP-gR2_fKiyZCOskuDmWeqfZN8RVhq0wxIoFF8XU-_aBTJyn3=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The most prominent of theses is the Renaissance Tomb, built sometime in the 2nd Century AD. It is unusual for the carved arch over the entrance on which sit 3 urns. This is framed by massive decorative columns supporting a frieze and pediment. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7Mxvr81U309IOWaQtdkbpuaJDHOUMLJgwvN2h-9TMeluDea-0htai6w1wRgLgdPF81v_MJt3_no73NXELj08h-1fVtDrtYnu18CbQlHmzBnfxmqXFbEtmvcAdhTmA3y84ryG7MU-ThoYSxMS9YyYIzU6cxuBk0ObfxsO69l13wGjgaqwrXttlRzhQkihT" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2490" data-original-width="3731" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7Mxvr81U309IOWaQtdkbpuaJDHOUMLJgwvN2h-9TMeluDea-0htai6w1wRgLgdPF81v_MJt3_no73NXELj08h-1fVtDrtYnu18CbQlHmzBnfxmqXFbEtmvcAdhTmA3y84ryG7MU-ThoYSxMS9YyYIzU6cxuBk0ObfxsO69l13wGjgaqwrXttlRzhQkihT=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Renaissance Tomb</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I love goats, although I have wrestled with a few Rams in my travels. I've learned a convincing Bahhhh so I can attempt to communicate with them. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTmIM6GfLdY9TdS7ba7s-keVB1jk9X96dRvMnLLjjP7pF15K-JqlmCRNKWFM7mXHxgWxml32YgKqYT72EUSq7LoqIncJ-Gj6YnWzDILNXvYaRWdgshkS_3sYW0H9-m4G9M7K-11deirlaEtOSSIbf9VRnizht5rufkPR9CzIrn4gbkkDE5RjMkNBdpA94s" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTmIM6GfLdY9TdS7ba7s-keVB1jk9X96dRvMnLLjjP7pF15K-JqlmCRNKWFM7mXHxgWxml32YgKqYT72EUSq7LoqIncJ-Gj6YnWzDILNXvYaRWdgshkS_3sYW0H9-m4G9M7K-11deirlaEtOSSIbf9VRnizht5rufkPR9CzIrn4gbkkDE5RjMkNBdpA94s=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The next major rock cut facade en route up the Wadi is called the Tomb of the Roman Soldier. It is badly weathered but is distinctive for its 3 niches containing busts of men. It was built in the latter half of the 1st Century AD around a courtyard.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdYq6UxJTtwP1ysod_3jCKqDOpwL9JPnfBxF_OgJgwXUsSs8LjBVBr1u7Tfr7DhPVZeU5mwF_vzzFVHBW_65zi57SzQG-RFvLoWEdtx4cY2SilhykPMhfjpAyOteRtO1qKA5OKJr8-t0WUsvJsl4M-9zx-vXgkhxgQzX6e9eULslB3VPQoUhbQq09DR7yv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdYq6UxJTtwP1ysod_3jCKqDOpwL9JPnfBxF_OgJgwXUsSs8LjBVBr1u7Tfr7DhPVZeU5mwF_vzzFVHBW_65zi57SzQG-RFvLoWEdtx4cY2SilhykPMhfjpAyOteRtO1qKA5OKJr8-t0WUsvJsl4M-9zx-vXgkhxgQzX6e9eULslB3VPQoUhbQq09DR7yv=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It has a large rectangular chamber lined with burial niches, and a Triclinium for ritual banquets. There are cisterns carved in to the rock above the tomb and it is believed that this complex was used for bathing. There is scarce evidence of bathing facilities in the Petra region until after Roman annexation. It would be amazing to have a glimpse of what the baths at Petra looked like. <br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoqHUXCei7o0zfDgeU6-ntImbqlpRU9rS7JXONxluxrGd-uAgy1uIe_llDi8BgrLR6APMuxdGAK7lt6DiXzXGXlolXryRvan8ub8b8jRJ_Zxl-j24kd27VVK_pXzy7vTqNmuRSsOxMCLpdkcNV_9wMlDPKcDu_AjYDIqOrLojqL1a1G89PI8bxEe1PR-dD" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoqHUXCei7o0zfDgeU6-ntImbqlpRU9rS7JXONxluxrGd-uAgy1uIe_llDi8BgrLR6APMuxdGAK7lt6DiXzXGXlolXryRvan8ub8b8jRJ_Zxl-j24kd27VVK_pXzy7vTqNmuRSsOxMCLpdkcNV_9wMlDPKcDu_AjYDIqOrLojqL1a1G89PI8bxEe1PR-dD=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burial niches in the chamber in the Tomb of the Roman Soldier</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The trail gets really cool here. Time worn steps bypass the stream bed in a narrow gap leading to the Garden Triclinium. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjuNfpajOMGN7klIlGMznTvQNGq90uD-aV5NI-a_HbiV3iOOGOvRHJqSzvUvO7IXDHXFw87Vsp6-XeTlgzdhNMDCPIALdqqUcKEumMQ7b3fLX4k4_M3maNyrfw-13nMUtg08emcsOx0ue1U7UIVADF2-fOclHS1KhMXc6WyRLHvtFKXEmVb8KW98z8ex-e" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjuNfpajOMGN7klIlGMznTvQNGq90uD-aV5NI-a_HbiV3iOOGOvRHJqSzvUvO7IXDHXFw87Vsp6-XeTlgzdhNMDCPIALdqqUcKEumMQ7b3fLX4k4_M3maNyrfw-13nMUtg08emcsOx0ue1U7UIVADF2-fOclHS1KhMXc6WyRLHvtFKXEmVb8KW98z8ex-e=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This is one of the more magical places I saw because it's enclosed, surrounded by cliffs. Two tall slender columns divide the entrance in to 3 archways. Built around the same time as the Tomb of the Roman Soldier, there are remains of one of the largest cisterns in the area. This structure was neither a tomb or a temple, but may have housed attendants for more bathing facilities. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The word garden was originally penned into the title by the German theologian Gustaf Dalman when he was exploring the area before WWI. Petra means rock, and vegetation is scarce in these rugged mountains, but places where water can flow during rains and nutrients can collect will provide enough for sustenance for plants to take hold. Oleanders in bloom would be a glimpse of Paradise here. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX2ezNe9pouxRZgx6pdXNWBmDGQ2KGmkutvLxfzG2QQTDtnT1usba6IWeFNisNJ-jRcme9LcJ6BYxnt3EyLAvJuQxAsAB0_jfKeaHRCxKfUR8NnTr7N_zh4gRgeECyIBQ5SFnjSO3yZOWCb_fumFvA-FkzcAtZH5JyFaSOoTI1A-gy-8E1tGnnKwxdmJ7X" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjX2ezNe9pouxRZgx6pdXNWBmDGQ2KGmkutvLxfzG2QQTDtnT1usba6IWeFNisNJ-jRcme9LcJ6BYxnt3EyLAvJuQxAsAB0_jfKeaHRCxKfUR8NnTr7N_zh4gRgeECyIBQ5SFnjSO3yZOWCb_fumFvA-FkzcAtZH5JyFaSOoTI1A-gy-8E1tGnnKwxdmJ7X=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Garden Triclinium</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvMXvY3KMykMmxeFyZaDximUzvk_4yognAYygV8MDXDIz-jnVkFKquQTJJl8voQ2wqz1d6RCKUpX8jty_D64B7IByAfYUx72kUdf6XABlhCZ-QTjiJHTIdMIDuUK7NhxyduYUdxFVWc2YVxQTwOoyPsprfVBkF-ulvUpSkM-q7w17mljw1yxMP-vCsk0oI" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvMXvY3KMykMmxeFyZaDximUzvk_4yognAYygV8MDXDIz-jnVkFKquQTJJl8voQ2wqz1d6RCKUpX8jty_D64B7IByAfYUx72kUdf6XABlhCZ-QTjiJHTIdMIDuUK7NhxyduYUdxFVWc2YVxQTwOoyPsprfVBkF-ulvUpSkM-q7w17mljw1yxMP-vCsk0oI=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image from 'Art Destination Jordan' shows the location of the 6 cisterns in this complex.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />While I was there, a pair of goat kids came scampering down the cistern wall bleating for Mom. Another touch of magic to an amazing day.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V4V9_NUUdfk" width="320" youtube-src-id="V4V9_NUUdfk"></iframe></div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> Adorable Goat Kids descending a steep cliff<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DtFf7ZiUOFejSEHcvbAo5S_PU2mu9f367iegU0WFW_huoWj0SyjXxsoOTNXVOP7QpSSRjTzJEYvPzBcIXTZoWJ2pbIfVQuS6VqplmTyK9k3fOMIAkV-cx3YkiX9mOg59oMFngkagfdTj/s1600/P1140138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DtFf7ZiUOFejSEHcvbAo5S_PU2mu9f367iegU0WFW_huoWj0SyjXxsoOTNXVOP7QpSSRjTzJEYvPzBcIXTZoWJ2pbIfVQuS6VqplmTyK9k3fOMIAkV-cx3YkiX9mOg59oMFngkagfdTj/w640-h404/P1140138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Nearby, the Lion Monument has the remains of a pipe diverting water from a spring that would have spouted water from a lion's mouth carved in the face of the cliff. A basin at the base provided water to people climbing the path up to the High Place of Sacrifice. The lion is a representation of the water goddess Al-Uzza in Nabatean beliefs.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWbRxZ6LorlBf0aRBzIwzYvaVLpvukod8TO5vQC8SjBPWec-hTlyrXC1aQUtaCa_fLjpLDfjng4SvStB_OaYbnlU1U7o_zmc4KQXhpDn7to-0E2mcVFSbsqz2jFCrjehepJ7SLT1mYY3s2xGXKIqFSOoSgCiqnHwXA79VVoDJ_9d2vvVtN1p6hZGDSZmTH" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWbRxZ6LorlBf0aRBzIwzYvaVLpvukod8TO5vQC8SjBPWec-hTlyrXC1aQUtaCa_fLjpLDfjng4SvStB_OaYbnlU1U7o_zmc4KQXhpDn7to-0E2mcVFSbsqz2jFCrjehepJ7SLT1mYY3s2xGXKIqFSOoSgCiqnHwXA79VVoDJ_9d2vvVtN1p6hZGDSZmTH=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lion Monument</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Nearing the High Place of Sacrifice, there are hewn cliff faces and the remnants of a tower made of cut stone blocks. This may have been a lookout tower but its purpose is unknown. The Crusaders are said to have built fortifications here in the 12th Century, by which time the city of Petra had been mostly abandoned.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWSwKAqpcM-3vSDfOyesLxn1FMfXRl3M36FbbKknNTI1hcTgvfIhjFu_hy9ZqqhXau4W1LkTKS4wCnjx3sr-KZroWaTmBY-QUnodGlFw4LyCAqYAbMY6lAI8yiW3iV2TdPKZE6pYIKlkJ/s1600/P1140166.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWSwKAqpcM-3vSDfOyesLxn1FMfXRl3M36FbbKknNTI1hcTgvfIhjFu_hy9ZqqhXau4W1LkTKS4wCnjx3sr-KZroWaTmBY-QUnodGlFw4LyCAqYAbMY6lAI8yiW3iV2TdPKZE6pYIKlkJ/w640-h426/P1140166.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The mountain top of Jebel Madbah is a rectangular platform that was once used for ceremonies. The cliffs drop 170 meters to the Wadi Musa, and the views are dramatic.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMVDqiqfFJPIHHYIBn5G5JDpxzAsPy5ZsPjYgY2H8-hMfk2emywSpvqSSt92rJKz7LZ6MNBj0mPI8U5D8VUK_5IZ44OkTYOoYZ_CWBZN6Vj4dqVjD4nSJ4xEeyNY8ToxRm4jbCxwcaBNf/s1600/P1140175.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMVDqiqfFJPIHHYIBn5G5JDpxzAsPy5ZsPjYgY2H8-hMfk2emywSpvqSSt92rJKz7LZ6MNBj0mPI8U5D8VUK_5IZ44OkTYOoYZ_CWBZN6Vj4dqVjD4nSJ4xEeyNY8ToxRm4jbCxwcaBNf/w640-h426/P1140175.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A spectacular view looking down on the Tombs of the Royal Tombs</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm1wa0HlyFUtiAWg3HY0eRFJQ2vT2cWkwrQ9klWnm-3ZDxrtq3POaWgQ_N-z-Wg1w6o5CTQ_CMlyHhhp5IK94fv8Mnxg2CwHU9RV3po2SObK8VxJo62FykOfZac7czTHN7r5LgLU2cphurimJgy4-X9jCssvBWHMd3aqg3N5ZwzMsJj3BjQa25WAE-VYj8" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm1wa0HlyFUtiAWg3HY0eRFJQ2vT2cWkwrQ9klWnm-3ZDxrtq3POaWgQ_N-z-Wg1w6o5CTQ_CMlyHhhp5IK94fv8Mnxg2CwHU9RV3po2SObK8VxJo62FykOfZac7czTHN7r5LgLU2cphurimJgy4-X9jCssvBWHMd3aqg3N5ZwzMsJj3BjQa25WAE-VYj8=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back down the Wadi Farasah.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The High Place of Sacrifice is a flat rectangular terrace carved from the top of the mountain. It has two altar platforms and channels to drain what may have been the blood of animal sacrifices to the God Dushara and Goddess Al-Uzza. Who knows what actually happened here, but the setting has great power.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjODhZRE8Wyg2hAi7yGdkc1XOW_8NHvxQvSSaahDOT9iPu1hZJ1UoD6S4416e8dnnsiZ7mMV783JOrXR1vmg0qUiVgRthAzk7bmmtUPp77RZ51Xwtgds5gX5icEiEYX_pU4kXs5q9er0TTsnzAktzkaoiKlzJBU3g2U2w46Pz5tfJZY3WjnSvheMvH_lOrt" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjODhZRE8Wyg2hAi7yGdkc1XOW_8NHvxQvSSaahDOT9iPu1hZJ1UoD6S4416e8dnnsiZ7mMV783JOrXR1vmg0qUiVgRthAzk7bmmtUPp77RZ51Xwtgds5gX5icEiEYX_pU4kXs5q9er0TTsnzAktzkaoiKlzJBU3g2U2w46Pz5tfJZY3WjnSvheMvH_lOrt=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trusting Bedouin left his trinkets lined up for sale but was nowhere to be seen.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I had the place to myself for a while and it was a beautiful sunny day after two cold ones with clouds and some sprinkles. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGdulBwB4ITqh0r--13DjFqnMD0CkcvEyH1kFWIl3iKFMWv5umoEVo8fwIcgs6gDI_TBxPK7p0M02LQ1rjm8IH301PSkt9LfxPzZ-p-dsWEVOkKLo7RHixkicCIvtnXzlpTeTYVDcNBcjS6GswcM18NXXLHYakI5sEg4dixWzVUB0zBBrqH06fgMSYmzjM" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGdulBwB4ITqh0r--13DjFqnMD0CkcvEyH1kFWIl3iKFMWv5umoEVo8fwIcgs6gDI_TBxPK7p0M02LQ1rjm8IH301PSkt9LfxPzZ-p-dsWEVOkKLo7RHixkicCIvtnXzlpTeTYVDcNBcjS6GswcM18NXXLHYakI5sEg4dixWzVUB0zBBrqH06fgMSYmzjM=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Rock cut cisterns would provide sources of water for rituals. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The trail I took down follows the narrow Wadi al-Mahfur. The Nabateans cut ledges and steps in to the cliff faces in several places in order to make it accessible. </div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFnoqNTbXZLaQnlULlSIllo2I36KMt5EkBzq7KPihNnMTXRachmMNX613fZ4NrXZ5dTrMFWbLnt-_JicdW6CueWzUeYfOxLbGYFqbbGW-xMe-VNIt0MDVloIkShhm51-OS8yeUySXbpuV/s1600/P1140191.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFnoqNTbXZLaQnlULlSIllo2I36KMt5EkBzq7KPihNnMTXRachmMNX613fZ4NrXZ5dTrMFWbLnt-_JicdW6CueWzUeYfOxLbGYFqbbGW-xMe-VNIt0MDVloIkShhm51-OS8yeUySXbpuV/w640-h426/P1140191.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There is a broad terrace with two monumental obelisks carved from the solid rock that are said to represent the two principal Nabatean Gods Dushara and Al-Uzza. They were most likely plastered and painted.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG5N1sXGqkk3vyj57oQmbllcFCq6llh8EMRyK91kMBZ_FQFIGeA6Q2N0CrnHuD4DP9612t9FgtbpUzKWP9dgCQZA9jXO2jTPP2tt0eBazEdihI_a1fnBAQT1LZUUeqL14ynwbkvCqb51i9fF-9zhv_wrG4R7bIrrwBJJF39vpItGm_Cr8T1cQoHLbrQxWN" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG5N1sXGqkk3vyj57oQmbllcFCq6llh8EMRyK91kMBZ_FQFIGeA6Q2N0CrnHuD4DP9612t9FgtbpUzKWP9dgCQZA9jXO2jTPP2tt0eBazEdihI_a1fnBAQT1LZUUeqL14ynwbkvCqb51i9fF-9zhv_wrG4R7bIrrwBJJF39vpItGm_Cr8T1cQoHLbrQxWN=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two monumental obelisks</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhs9BUCZ0koi7vCixKNucpgz-xlMy99IwhKrZrPKFYm21ojMM8G-150EMIjN7D4Hx2F3dhq4alCBwSFQZHCsr1Xrxnad7C3aFQx6csQI31S1JG4Dtr-x5sgtoG9JRUUvKCbZbbM9NByd5eEks_njzVRFbIhssHL-SlFmnhvo_YHhtOgzMqSmZgLa7s_Rg4H" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhs9BUCZ0koi7vCixKNucpgz-xlMy99IwhKrZrPKFYm21ojMM8G-150EMIjN7D4Hx2F3dhq4alCBwSFQZHCsr1Xrxnad7C3aFQx6csQI31S1JG4Dtr-x5sgtoG9JRUUvKCbZbbM9NByd5eEks_njzVRFbIhssHL-SlFmnhvo_YHhtOgzMqSmZgLa7s_Rg4H=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the two obelisks, showing beautiful striping in the stone</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PpX-Qi5MX1bMYJ7cKI8mSyQC0CEJ7duCdiy79lomiYTJUxb3e0F7KLR4yPGhJgshFpNeEHshKOygC5EBSy__JZXNskAbakQBf-7eWGSxG7F29ZPuy9o8fp2z2zBwBXiv7eB90ILc0PHg/s1600/P1140199.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PpX-Qi5MX1bMYJ7cKI8mSyQC0CEJ7duCdiy79lomiYTJUxb3e0F7KLR4yPGhJgshFpNeEHshKOygC5EBSy__JZXNskAbakQBf-7eWGSxG7F29ZPuy9o8fp2z2zBwBXiv7eB90ILc0PHg/w640-h426/P1140199.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful cliff wall in Wadi al-Mahfur</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEn01a0nnHUv9lsw3fmmEfvHBmuRMOza6ChnvqmHZbHOk7xS6sxdt-IcT0IehOGuRppqt-aFTD-ZZpPVWwQik7Dg8fzgRMMLyWQPEkF9a0oruVEKz3ks0oJbdOTcWKDu1RHyRRcXBXF8bPp6V6wYN40FpKTQHHM2FU3R5EDw6KuLyd6mKtwyN8csOqhFGd" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEn01a0nnHUv9lsw3fmmEfvHBmuRMOza6ChnvqmHZbHOk7xS6sxdt-IcT0IehOGuRppqt-aFTD-ZZpPVWwQik7Dg8fzgRMMLyWQPEkF9a0oruVEKz3ks0oJbdOTcWKDu1RHyRRcXBXF8bPp6V6wYN40FpKTQHHM2FU3R5EDw6KuLyd6mKtwyN8csOqhFGd=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time worn steps </td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGy6nhLCnxRu2ZPCyQ-GfxJ272F9iNJvqRAyZ61y461p3M7M5q1XF5yrqDIjBkq4YgySyQsw-4zQC0TQktb4aomgaBM7FB83KZb79vt3ngwXkcCqoj09BGR-FwdAlzzo-H4ykU100PR8Gd0-t6uLBCd4h1OdLY5RMTEP9rXMh1IcTmKmUrSsXhJCYFV8RY" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGy6nhLCnxRu2ZPCyQ-GfxJ272F9iNJvqRAyZ61y461p3M7M5q1XF5yrqDIjBkq4YgySyQsw-4zQC0TQktb4aomgaBM7FB83KZb79vt3ngwXkcCqoj09BGR-FwdAlzzo-H4ykU100PR8Gd0-t6uLBCd4h1OdLY5RMTEP9rXMh1IcTmKmUrSsXhJCYFV8RY=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coloration in the cliff walls can be extraordinary</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The steep trail unveils spectacular views of the Wadi Musa.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbCUccMlMWnzJKl9H3GFYLcOtqGFKeQypVEjAeXYP7Muy3hSlfre-DkKkNj47tZSU8O_NgHmmiS5io_w6EDsFPFyKPw4Gdd1YEGucg1oYzZBFX74yZGaEPjLovZfe2PxBpocvDoAURyccNyKqied8DKIgcnroBQwxw5FZ0tennR_QzBb2vSEKMKTTfgz62" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbCUccMlMWnzJKl9H3GFYLcOtqGFKeQypVEjAeXYP7Muy3hSlfre-DkKkNj47tZSU8O_NgHmmiS5io_w6EDsFPFyKPw4Gdd1YEGucg1oYzZBFX74yZGaEPjLovZfe2PxBpocvDoAURyccNyKqied8DKIgcnroBQwxw5FZ0tennR_QzBb2vSEKMKTTfgz62=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending to the Wadi Musa<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The first European to travel to Petra after centuries lost to obscurity was the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. He spent many years studying Arabic and was eventually assigned by the British government to make a journey from Cairo to Timbuktu. He immersed himself in Arab culture while in <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Syria and took the name of Sheikh Ibrahim Ibn Abdallah in order to hide his European identity. He dressed in Arab attire and began his journey south. While in Malta he heard stories of a fabled city in the desert that was once part of the Roman Empire. In 1812 in the south of Jordan he hired a guide to take him to the tomb of the prophet Aaron, the brother of Moses in order to sacrifice a goat. They passed through the Siq and in to the Wadi Musa with it's resplendent monuments. He would later make his way to Cairo and up the Nile where he was the first European to visit the ruins at Abu Simbel.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqGniZKIJdCB_Dxb-8T8AJZj1N0e8-VgjhvhkkJjdiaFAezvi7nJUu7iUgiHy9jiQOGyQzEScPZL2gECPpwdSZqdZUcsRM3f-SfCJNq-SPfad9UB3QttjXwW3S9WgTyOIqNDyj-rzFmBXIF5L8336VGFdlT7i-kqkXe5eT7OdeA-z-hsz0mN6Kv0NrKnwR" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3776" data-original-width="2520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqGniZKIJdCB_Dxb-8T8AJZj1N0e8-VgjhvhkkJjdiaFAezvi7nJUu7iUgiHy9jiQOGyQzEScPZL2gECPpwdSZqdZUcsRM3f-SfCJNq-SPfad9UB3QttjXwW3S9WgTyOIqNDyj-rzFmBXIF5L8336VGFdlT7i-kqkXe5eT7OdeA-z-hsz0mN6Kv0NrKnwR=w427-h640" width="427" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A favorite photo of donkeys at Wadi Musa</td></tr></tbody></table><br />There is a wonderful time warp feel to Petra with tourists riding on decorative Mahawi camel saddles and donning Bedouin headscarves. <br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8gDMzSaRJLKgv_ugdjxt1m26tiYCYGpxQFQbinUTjNmEfLC21_luRDrOfcylrqcbwdCsDuAOyaGSjJPF3ZbBlUqJoToK8KHIwGKVazJ9-u0WwjVhzeknEnUhU3TVAINCFylR8Uj5g7a4GMlBBIZGxUobGFDoaRLPuoeSPwrosxY39Ew5-8lmVcya-Q7ca" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2102" data-original-width="2965" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8gDMzSaRJLKgv_ugdjxt1m26tiYCYGpxQFQbinUTjNmEfLC21_luRDrOfcylrqcbwdCsDuAOyaGSjJPF3ZbBlUqJoToK8KHIwGKVazJ9-u0WwjVhzeknEnUhU3TVAINCFylR8Uj5g7a4GMlBBIZGxUobGFDoaRLPuoeSPwrosxY39Ew5-8lmVcya-Q7ca=w640-h454" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I made my way back through the Siq and had traditional Jordanian dinner in an ornately decorated tourist restaurant, and went home to bed. The next day after breakfast I again hiked through the Siq and and around the Royal tombs to another ascent to the tops of cliffs on the Al-Khubtha<br /> trail.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinodPdTKIsk0J0fJJs_tufzKSn_8UmBeXMec0IRhQEsY1ODO9qFm5uDV063bnskJI5bZ7tdlWZE0ME8CZiUPIVSHz8F0A5xLa4mnPrrdavOs4f9lRKggagPZULqBCMpRri5tArEI957Vz5p3Av20pONTXp2fYQaI8lPys0DnF6rTw4KML99SMAeB6152eB" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinodPdTKIsk0J0fJJs_tufzKSn_8UmBeXMec0IRhQEsY1ODO9qFm5uDV063bnskJI5bZ7tdlWZE0ME8CZiUPIVSHz8F0A5xLa4mnPrrdavOs4f9lRKggagPZULqBCMpRri5tArEI957Vz5p3Av20pONTXp2fYQaI8lPys0DnF6rTw4KML99SMAeB6152eB=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Corinthian Tomb</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">There is so much to see here and I was grateful to have the time to fully explore so many of the incredible monuments here. The colors are often quite psychedelic and surreal.</span></div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbk_u8hLNyY_9yHNcHrdtFpfVtnqamPGoA2vZsChOBR_1iFSBL9yyAbNnoPObB_xspsTQHQIT-JIB1lv7V2A1VyVtqWfsnZ3rgsgqpfgdAt_BRUKba1wKlQ5yDYXVD3cx2pkMhnaVL4GM/s1600/P1130686.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbk_u8hLNyY_9yHNcHrdtFpfVtnqamPGoA2vZsChOBR_1iFSBL9yyAbNnoPObB_xspsTQHQIT-JIB1lv7V2A1VyVtqWfsnZ3rgsgqpfgdAt_BRUKba1wKlQ5yDYXVD3cx2pkMhnaVL4GM/w640-h426/P1130686.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the extraordinary coloration in the sandstone inside one of the Royal Tombs</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHdXF4XuZteR44EBWU-W6-hG-a-Js-OLoIiT9p1w-82zlxkVESWz6DPB1ha_DB7Ol3iw6j6QE9vpbLqqZFqV2Q-dV3FkS3BxeaoG9ePWEAnV1_DvvKGrmkRCv_Mjx2DsFjARomB7Sj_I-xZzxC7NcMR7fN1ld_T8MtLMk7tEjGZfagy4MKiQNHo3DdH8mM" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHdXF4XuZteR44EBWU-W6-hG-a-Js-OLoIiT9p1w-82zlxkVESWz6DPB1ha_DB7Ol3iw6j6QE9vpbLqqZFqV2Q-dV3FkS3BxeaoG9ePWEAnV1_DvvKGrmkRCv_Mjx2DsFjARomB7Sj_I-xZzxC7NcMR7fN1ld_T8MtLMk7tEjGZfagy4MKiQNHo3DdH8mM=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marvelous rock formations and tomb caves<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPQUI1x8IX7e2LfGjBlp4rKZaPXy2crSqX3zmVbSrQ04F9LL3sGY0neREqMHqQyW2PavkVd2TfQ5PzU_ESPimqigpftRBwOpf9LAPLVNC8aW45PhKKsFzkquYyxNu0hWIjiTUjjN3tn1tA1DV4xUaYRy9eTVFrID_TXZ7G3iiXldSPJ6xRRMKQyKltttbr" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPQUI1x8IX7e2LfGjBlp4rKZaPXy2crSqX3zmVbSrQ04F9LL3sGY0neREqMHqQyW2PavkVd2TfQ5PzU_ESPimqigpftRBwOpf9LAPLVNC8aW45PhKKsFzkquYyxNu0hWIjiTUjjN3tn1tA1DV4xUaYRy9eTVFrID_TXZ7G3iiXldSPJ6xRRMKQyKltttbr=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sKXDyuofcaAOQuq3v6uP8qBjCvjX52tB3Eisqh_E8EFYm-jwx7_fnWEe-oyhMujafE62xrzGVvu7jaUEJGwpyVOq-R19T74-22iFXzg_RPSz9sow2Y1Q66qGJ35cm61ngZfsDkN_yWNj/s1600/P1130597.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sKXDyuofcaAOQuq3v6uP8qBjCvjX52tB3Eisqh_E8EFYm-jwx7_fnWEe-oyhMujafE62xrzGVvu7jaUEJGwpyVOq-R19T74-22iFXzg_RPSz9sow2Y1Q66qGJ35cm61ngZfsDkN_yWNj/w640-h426/P1130597.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The obligatory adorable puppy photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYsD_twSvAhs0Vm3W3bB5FFLYIXcbtIu0Ulgrqg7npaiMKmWlgGpJJlu4Gh-wjC-SOGbtGaBex1L7jdqF8w3WyxOQxXwl6SJDFRD4feZfelVNXrKXs7IXzhKQjR-em6zZvvdHyMH6nbXFP0WELnb-kGzFOsF3zGZyFzfvNVgiuMg9h5cQHjwrWTonOgMNt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYsD_twSvAhs0Vm3W3bB5FFLYIXcbtIu0Ulgrqg7npaiMKmWlgGpJJlu4Gh-wjC-SOGbtGaBex1L7jdqF8w3WyxOQxXwl6SJDFRD4feZfelVNXrKXs7IXzhKQjR-em6zZvvdHyMH6nbXFP0WELnb-kGzFOsF3zGZyFzfvNVgiuMg9h5cQHjwrWTonOgMNt=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The trail rises steeply at a point where a passageway was cut from the cliff in a way that it could be guarded. Everything is so sculptural here, with carved surfaces and the erosion of time softening everything to a wonderful juxtaposition between geology and architecture.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY_zemiHuRC7qBt9a4fWa4ps6Pqn2C-GehSNl1RBnBI2h7g5FMwJjrllTaF2zJ9jGce3ldXq1xEaJ4bZtOSRnqpQGWy-3feD3qHDj0w1NL_6slHKXle37igdHEjvPgjBA3J3I-J-LmdAjm3yqByr_dkzl2k1GBGGyRAcvJKeM2_1tQMlBjBFu9GlWJIY-P" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY_zemiHuRC7qBt9a4fWa4ps6Pqn2C-GehSNl1RBnBI2h7g5FMwJjrllTaF2zJ9jGce3ldXq1xEaJ4bZtOSRnqpQGWy-3feD3qHDj0w1NL_6slHKXle37igdHEjvPgjBA3J3I-J-LmdAjm3yqByr_dkzl2k1GBGGyRAcvJKeM2_1tQMlBjBFu9GlWJIY-P=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The elevation gain opens up to grandiose views of the Wadi Musa below. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCwD7mxcw4-JrMk3wpCMB-xSgkg4Zy4FPzVTF8gOLUYDX_QuvLFnaVQ2qUwQl9Xn59PNq3TVbC5A7YybFMwGvHk8cbxiNLBJwIt7KORjuZlaK-6ERsDHUNtaBuJu7YPTxah9Io-siDEqKQyKkULYLk41Glq5HdNXJdwVFTPd6U-H93GkChUYHAcZBfyRyq" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCwD7mxcw4-JrMk3wpCMB-xSgkg4Zy4FPzVTF8gOLUYDX_QuvLFnaVQ2qUwQl9Xn59PNq3TVbC5A7YybFMwGvHk8cbxiNLBJwIt7KORjuZlaK-6ERsDHUNtaBuJu7YPTxah9Io-siDEqKQyKkULYLk41Glq5HdNXJdwVFTPd6U-H93GkChUYHAcZBfyRyq=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A birds eye view of the Amphitheater <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgv2vdJmzgSwWjiE7aZ9xmO2qi46ESWK34kvOFc1JVYcIWYsjn7KYsv4OVvTJ2ASWj8I7l9VGCzFSWZzLMQ20EVu_LgDO9TJSr-IXYQMyebFdK1aFSArkmDZzk-PQ2W-5Y8JOV7yJdua3Wxq8AUln6KCQqnxu23sscKp7KuhNtKitlvKn5dXzB1s0uQyxu7" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgv2vdJmzgSwWjiE7aZ9xmO2qi46ESWK34kvOFc1JVYcIWYsjn7KYsv4OVvTJ2ASWj8I7l9VGCzFSWZzLMQ20EVu_LgDO9TJSr-IXYQMyebFdK1aFSArkmDZzk-PQ2W-5Y8JOV7yJdua3Wxq8AUln6KCQqnxu23sscKp7KuhNtKitlvKn5dXzB1s0uQyxu7=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many caves are used as stables for animals and places to sleep </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>The trail eventually comes to a vantage point high above the Treasury, where the sounds of activity below echo off the cliff walls. Its quite breathtaking and I sat for a long time absorbing the magnificence of this spectacular place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1lFHf3jN5ibyH6i17Ilc_Ncx8BrjFrUwSZ1QeTSZLqanR5OCa_i2-K7eFx86ZBYE6U4HtiCFXXUyoA2Q3tobfkVOa6t8HzzoVegcArfZdySWLQneSwKMuui_5Paaj576J81sqGd0ZW0fby092RD5NaOACiMW6qrCJTbsvnxPLO2Uepu6oVaX25exIovSK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1lFHf3jN5ibyH6i17Ilc_Ncx8BrjFrUwSZ1QeTSZLqanR5OCa_i2-K7eFx86ZBYE6U4HtiCFXXUyoA2Q3tobfkVOa6t8HzzoVegcArfZdySWLQneSwKMuui_5Paaj576J81sqGd0ZW0fby092RD5NaOACiMW6qrCJTbsvnxPLO2Uepu6oVaX25exIovSK=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>My legs were ready for a day off from climbing stairways to Heaven, even though my heart wanted to go on exploring.
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<br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyerAbwixhhvF2BVyWyU5-6oeNCuqFfVKOmQo3kvarHT4livdowlUlN0qK_DLWUy9veqIlA0yMmrQXC_2ZhDBQkM6ywB7ykE3Z5oK72Fttbu8cJzC2-NcyCHMQa75rmxtURKd6CyxRKN8K8qtrcnokYSgClLd56GbOpYVynDn9xcZo83jPktwm1c97Ur_s" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyerAbwixhhvF2BVyWyU5-6oeNCuqFfVKOmQo3kvarHT4livdowlUlN0qK_DLWUy9veqIlA0yMmrQXC_2ZhDBQkM6ywB7ykE3Z5oK72Fttbu8cJzC2-NcyCHMQa75rmxtURKd6CyxRKN8K8qtrcnokYSgClLd56GbOpYVynDn9xcZo83jPktwm1c97Ur_s=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last chance shopping in the Street of Facades</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8DSNdXZ5ScG180PmnkLX-eFHQVKbTYKUYzWBqL0fhqeO0zdc7eCinsS1goQbjyrcj_ZcY_6P2SApa34_Ww0wErncgBwJjHVOhvgg0fZbqqgUjfvVtebeooDZQTtfZtbq-CX_I2EFVbAk/s1600/P1130766.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8DSNdXZ5ScG180PmnkLX-eFHQVKbTYKUYzWBqL0fhqeO0zdc7eCinsS1goQbjyrcj_ZcY_6P2SApa34_Ww0wErncgBwJjHVOhvgg0fZbqqgUjfvVtebeooDZQTtfZtbq-CX_I2EFVbAk/w640-h426/P1130766.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Souvenirs of Petra</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I bought a couple of necklaces made of colorful beads and brass to add to my dowry, passed the Treasury, and back in to the sinuous Siq.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAYFCHSipPnMqI5TbRE0pxgIXfwmA6jmMwQ6W1gkT2F1xW435MFXwebZGbTMJkFqgfOUfQc2T1rsl1esoG7oIaFawyehlijNY9F3ggTU80-bcHK6-G33rJU16lo8rByJQnL2OPAylkWwd/s1600/P1130379.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAYFCHSipPnMqI5TbRE0pxgIXfwmA6jmMwQ6W1gkT2F1xW435MFXwebZGbTMJkFqgfOUfQc2T1rsl1esoG7oIaFawyehlijNY9F3ggTU80-bcHK6-G33rJU16lo8rByJQnL2OPAylkWwd/w640-h426/P1130379.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Its taken me four years to write this because there are so many places to write about, and thousands of years of history to research and interpret in regards to Petra. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz33-0iAdPNyk5d5UH240BHb6M8AbilaMHrcBKzdV3JqXJqhndtITTVAZIuDMxD4aQqV54Q3bEW-hcymWtifmlT-vVyZ-aic0NdT45X4h4erCj8voZAikdgJUsrpaj1zBYxwTZ8ZoFm9-0/s1600/P1130641.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz33-0iAdPNyk5d5UH240BHb6M8AbilaMHrcBKzdV3JqXJqhndtITTVAZIuDMxD4aQqV54Q3bEW-hcymWtifmlT-vVyZ-aic0NdT45X4h4erCj8voZAikdgJUsrpaj1zBYxwTZ8ZoFm9-0/w640-h426/P1130641.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High above the Amphitheater</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I took the bus to Amman, the capital of Jordan for a week and made a day trip to the ruins of incredible Roman city of Jerash. Then I crossed the border by the Dead Sea in to Israel, where a spent a week in Jerusalem and another in Tel Aviv. It was a great winter adventure.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGJ6943BQy6Z9KKYtSBC4dVIuL1qgqEU3fDqhMoU_400Jq9laLtBT8gLQoFI-8EDPzqV5dUzaPnJRZcRX4nbn8uvqhMVF-vuV7mXz8HxsrNs3rzMUIlGFkSMo2v4jgBx0E_N8bDKRTGCG6w8pu5bx9eXtF35Dpv18Q3sipSu5ox3j0bV_1AhwTZzJf0kG/s3776/P1140731.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGJ6943BQy6Z9KKYtSBC4dVIuL1qgqEU3fDqhMoU_400Jq9laLtBT8gLQoFI-8EDPzqV5dUzaPnJRZcRX4nbn8uvqhMVF-vuV7mXz8HxsrNs3rzMUIlGFkSMo2v4jgBx0E_N8bDKRTGCG6w8pu5bx9eXtF35Dpv18Q3sipSu5ox3j0bV_1AhwTZzJf0kG/w640-h428/P1140731.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A colonade at Jerash</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>I've modeled my life around being able to visit first hand the places of my dreams. Ever since I was a small child I had great wanderlust and I fantasized a life of adventure. So when I was 24, I got on a plane to Mexico. 40 years later and I am getting on another plane to Mexico City for the winter. There is so much to see and do there, beautiful landscapes, ancient cities, spectacular ruins, lovely beaches. Winter away is my favorite part of the year. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoA6fFPdh6v6JM5k8hTppm8fl1QotGtzd_LhsIiMDC__FnNc0JPhyphenhyphenG0kJ8OFfOMU-RZCHgbjnp2Wcqt8iTsA8TFsM18RCVEFCWsXqFXqjPa2JId_jpLZVIVl6yxankUOvVuoo6x3djoGm/s1600/P1130627.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoA6fFPdh6v6JM5k8hTppm8fl1QotGtzd_LhsIiMDC__FnNc0JPhyphenhyphenG0kJ8OFfOMU-RZCHgbjnp2Wcqt8iTsA8TFsM18RCVEFCWsXqFXqjPa2JId_jpLZVIVl6yxankUOvVuoo6x3djoGm/w640-h426/P1130627.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">After a week in Agra, seeing the Taj Mahal every day, I stood at the magnificent doorways leading out and tried to absorb the beauty of what stood before me, so that it would stay with me for the rest of my life. I spent 3 weeks at Angkor Wat over two visits when it was first opening up and was relatively quiet. Turning away from what I believe is the greatest architectural achievement in the history of mankind was very difficult. My work was profoundly influenced by the cosmic alignments of the story telling bas reliefs. Anuradhapura, Polonaruwa, Sigiriya, and Mihintale on the island of Sri Lanka made me want to learn to carve stone. Borobudur on the island of Java in Indonesia influenced the Labyrinth I built 40 years later. Hampi, Khajuraho, Varanasi, Orissa, the forts and marble Jain temples of Rajasthan, Gopurams in Tamil Nadu, and rock cut Ellora and Ajanta Caves in India were all pilgrimages to see first hand. Egypt, my oh my. Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu, Patagonia, Colombia, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Turkey, New Zealand, Australia. Its a box of treasure I like to revisit from time to time in my photo files. I have 100,000 slides I need to go through and digitize from my pre digital travels. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG0LcahfZLw7wswE7RSuAU7C-zVJcH23TNnEoaCq9RCIWRdUBY0g-7U3vD8enkpoFI4GnAfj7dTzq7K_j9v8j2iJyTYZPq88pz2K_i_RNdceJinrNq-XbHQZP90d3tGNzEwe_m_XAygKT16vPcwNctzkrLHsFSVtTY9d7FrO7PPqxfTdiPmnl_L508NZV/s3776/P1130508.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG0LcahfZLw7wswE7RSuAU7C-zVJcH23TNnEoaCq9RCIWRdUBY0g-7U3vD8enkpoFI4GnAfj7dTzq7K_j9v8j2iJyTYZPq88pz2K_i_RNdceJinrNq-XbHQZP90d3tGNzEwe_m_XAygKT16vPcwNctzkrLHsFSVtTY9d7FrO7PPqxfTdiPmnl_L508NZV/w640-h428/P1130508.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>
Petra filled my soul. Go if you have the chance. Even in times of turmoil in Palestine, it is safe and accessible. Thanks for reading, Jeffrey<br /><br />
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-76851317822593232682023-03-19T09:54:00.000-07:002023-03-19T09:54:34.375-07:00Paddington Reservoir Park, Sydney Australia<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5mwNiWP_B9Bs2S-zBo0Xth7wpShh9KZQOIGfOtfPvnSDaU2JP5jkG6jlR1qI_Mbn9QQuIBwkKC222X0-z9IUNB1qo3sAn_31hg8gaeJwZDA9bmrhlnLbzSPu_hDK9tlUEk4hldsnoTYHAQXzQN-QyMiV00F_YT568Z9O4ZjmwATLrl74VN3X4ICH3w/s3776/P1070284.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5mwNiWP_B9Bs2S-zBo0Xth7wpShh9KZQOIGfOtfPvnSDaU2JP5jkG6jlR1qI_Mbn9QQuIBwkKC222X0-z9IUNB1qo3sAn_31hg8gaeJwZDA9bmrhlnLbzSPu_hDK9tlUEk4hldsnoTYHAQXzQN-QyMiV00F_YT568Z9O4ZjmwATLrl74VN3X4ICH3w/w400-h268/P1070284.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The business district spread out along Oxford Street in the Paddington neighborhood.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I spent the winter of 2022-23 in New Zealand and Australia. At the end of my trip I stayed for 9 wonderful days in Sydney. Blessed with near perfect weather I fell in love with this dynamic metropolis and could see myself living there. Warm almost tropical weather tempered by the proximity to the harbor and sea, it seemed like paradise. Towards the end of my stay I spent a day at Bondi Beach, a beautiful arc of golden sand in a suburb. The city has some beautiful beaches and this is the most famous. Flying home to the still chilly Pacific Northwest of the US made me wonder why I didn't stay longer.</p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGjPac4BMMVSfL00YHZRuBS4C4CccxAS1qWQKJqgL3FI0oNSWZzKUG8oC2LgyeWXcrfzO7Cx1CReeZ5d8PBBg-27v53ui7KUypMmOKm3iZUGvMadAU9YExPokVevJes2ec668fZYTLZTT1MryEjUd_q6qYYsBzbPj7K2X8uG7JeLOaUK-9679JNzprA/s3776/P1070262.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGjPac4BMMVSfL00YHZRuBS4C4CccxAS1qWQKJqgL3FI0oNSWZzKUG8oC2LgyeWXcrfzO7Cx1CReeZ5d8PBBg-27v53ui7KUypMmOKm3iZUGvMadAU9YExPokVevJes2ec668fZYTLZTT1MryEjUd_q6qYYsBzbPj7K2X8uG7JeLOaUK-9679JNzprA/w400-h268/P1070262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bondi Beach</td></tr></tbody></table><br />When I boarded the bus from the beach to return to Surry Hills where I was staying, I got off so that I could walk through the Paddington neighborhood, which I hadn't explored yet. I found the distinctive facades of turn of the century buildings painted in pastel colors to be quite charming. Sydney has a variety of great neighborhoods spreading out from it towering central business district. Paddington got its start when a road project was built that went around a land grant that the owner wouldn't allow to be crossed, pushing it in to this area In 1822, Juniper Hall was the only building on what became Oxford Street, the main thoroughfare that passes through the neighborhood. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eYb1NzB2v3ZDZsZtb5sJZ9gge36ucqQCVzYGjBOlBqX_t3iFMBLNy_RY9w0atokHNKbsursz5Za45HXjhpuWCU28YSumEz9_Iwz2dnRRorSsv28LUDj278PJucU7IOOea_HHIIWhVqWP0Cjg57LgxQ08PzGWc65mgIN5V7-g9_bHeIC0gkqu90WTvA/s3968/Juniper%20Hall.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eYb1NzB2v3ZDZsZtb5sJZ9gge36ucqQCVzYGjBOlBqX_t3iFMBLNy_RY9w0atokHNKbsursz5Za45HXjhpuWCU28YSumEz9_Iwz2dnRRorSsv28LUDj278PJucU7IOOea_HHIIWhVqWP0Cjg57LgxQ08PzGWc65mgIN5V7-g9_bHeIC0gkqu90WTvA/w640-h360/Juniper%20Hall.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juniper Hall</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The land Paddington built upon were old paddocks of Victoria Barracks, an early military housing site. Merchants built shops to cater to the soldiers and a suburb grew without having an industrial base like other parts of the growing city. The Paddington reservoir was built to supply the area's water needs. It was completed in 1866 and was soon enlarged to the east, but didn't go in to operation until 1878. Its lifespan as a working reservoir was only 21 years. It was decommissioned in 1899 when a new larger reservoir was constructed in nearly Centennial Park. It was then used for storage and later as a workshop. In 1934 half of the space was leased to a garage service station which operated until part of the roof collapsed in 1990. The Walter Read Reserve was a lawn with benches built on the roof behind the station that was a popular gathering place for residents. It went in to disuse after the roof collapse, which was caused by corrosion of steel supports. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLwtMIiEYtKqWUN6lLeqVri1ULChf0WtkUiJB2R4WYXrJZ-Mw3r7phoBzO7EpWAM1-JIr_YWMrRfh6NddrdYjnXhm7yepouv3nhLTG3kPU85MhZaLCXNSHHSxV1SLhkY8PDzJ3fL7JLLykyfTfwYVqG8LfsY-Ae_5GlyQuWN0FCbrwiUEjOcVl8HSOw/s1610/EntrancetogarageinPaddingtonReservoir1964copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1610" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLwtMIiEYtKqWUN6lLeqVri1ULChf0WtkUiJB2R4WYXrJZ-Mw3r7phoBzO7EpWAM1-JIr_YWMrRfh6NddrdYjnXhm7yepouv3nhLTG3kPU85MhZaLCXNSHHSxV1SLhkY8PDzJ3fL7JLLykyfTfwYVqG8LfsY-Ae_5GlyQuWN0FCbrwiUEjOcVl8HSOw/w636-h640/EntrancetogarageinPaddingtonReservoir1964copy.jpg" width="636" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Reservoir Service Station and the Walter Read rooftop garden on Oxford Street in 1964</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>There are lots of beautifully landscaped small parks iin Sydney that are well used by the people who live nearby. They are well maintained place to walk a dog, sit on a bench, or bring the kids to play. The climate here is wonderful for growing plants of great variety. Sydney is sub tropical bordering on tropical. The soil is generally very sandy but plants seem to thrive and grow to great size. The light coming through a tunnel of giant trees is a wonderful thing in a big city and most streets are shaded by expansive canopies. I walk most of the time when I'm traveling so I can discover things I would otherwise miss. And I take a lot of photos along the way.</div><div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDZPkQ7IXcRU_CKvKFfg1sXHyq-Ual_Wo5KcAtD-Vpqee7U-DJAOkeTUUSg-EUpXX0rfZqxLPWll_IIp25AsH1QC10Ai7Zd4-cd7gMhkuHLimDMUhxCkfOuDvA67s4rXcUb1MVTFwOZC6cDslQrgOcQsb7SGtlMoN09EEfINmMbqkG-bIOcm6C6gTTw/s3776/P1070311.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDZPkQ7IXcRU_CKvKFfg1sXHyq-Ual_Wo5KcAtD-Vpqee7U-DJAOkeTUUSg-EUpXX0rfZqxLPWll_IIp25AsH1QC10Ai7Zd4-cd7gMhkuHLimDMUhxCkfOuDvA67s4rXcUb1MVTFwOZC6cDslQrgOcQsb7SGtlMoN09EEfINmMbqkG-bIOcm6C6gTTw/w640-h429/P1070311.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Fig Trees create a tunnel of green on a side street in Paddington</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Walking along Oxford Street, suddenly I was looking down in to a sunken garden with arched arcades and the filigree umbrellas of tree ferns. What I discovered is a repurposed reservoir that was built in the 19th Century to supply water to a growing city.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVoeeKvaKL9UV0RUNJgzgfN3PuBexXBxz6sc8ig43lFVNQjK0qeXNRNMvktJFsWTVM85ffSYDIk-sdf5sQFzEUdemEqR7ATOczhr9XDJ-PHvdZPI_8t4TievdO0PnGlTr0oGMmk5mC5F2-D0tn1ihddvr7eaYaKNSHwXa-aYn13cY1DberENzn77r3A/s3776/P1070287.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVoeeKvaKL9UV0RUNJgzgfN3PuBexXBxz6sc8ig43lFVNQjK0qeXNRNMvktJFsWTVM85ffSYDIk-sdf5sQFzEUdemEqR7ATOczhr9XDJ-PHvdZPI_8t4TievdO0PnGlTr0oGMmk5mC5F2-D0tn1ihddvr7eaYaKNSHwXa-aYn13cY1DberENzn77r3A/w640-h428/P1070287.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Paddington Reservoir Park</td></tr></tbody></table><p>In 2006 the architectural firm of TonkinZuliachaGreer Associates were hired to design a new urban park here. The city's original concept was to recap the collapsed sections and build a new park on top, but the firm was rightfully captivated by the ruined look and the possibility of building a sunken garden crossed by an elevated walkway. The Tree Ferns play off the Victorian fernery, which was a popular trend during the time Paddington was being built. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4bJgScvv7zGVwQV9nScEyZVDbZwneKVJfbaGcqATIv0Sb1TN1UrIhgYw0jg9zwkTKrPBklswa8eEHSNgYI2cvOlYZpxRqy8JuRtyOyEPTMg1NAWilKOkN2BkBNvKYVrOUByOwGwlopKca2fRteaGSGngwDaOmD5KDsotBHMAgMKRCFtNXNDAKLJMkQ/s3776/P1070288.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4bJgScvv7zGVwQV9nScEyZVDbZwneKVJfbaGcqATIv0Sb1TN1UrIhgYw0jg9zwkTKrPBklswa8eEHSNgYI2cvOlYZpxRqy8JuRtyOyEPTMg1NAWilKOkN2BkBNvKYVrOUByOwGwlopKca2fRteaGSGngwDaOmD5KDsotBHMAgMKRCFtNXNDAKLJMkQ/w640-h428/P1070288.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rectangular pool intersects with columns in a lush setting of Tree ferns and sedges.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnbC1KsYrK4lkJ5qrNx8mzQZJzJFUYO-AfT3PJg4z6z8Xatet1oOWXCyRhC5n_Hv4gfXYFDMrS_uIMD_s5edKAoZJYPLVh1kzaGGAoujUTE0bs5SqlDqrIRKCwpWBb7AeDy57wheLhUBzQaTIUyHX0soY8fJk0toptC-gIAdxkwbtpxvPqKWD8w8qjw/s3776/P1070290.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnbC1KsYrK4lkJ5qrNx8mzQZJzJFUYO-AfT3PJg4z6z8Xatet1oOWXCyRhC5n_Hv4gfXYFDMrS_uIMD_s5edKAoZJYPLVh1kzaGGAoujUTE0bs5SqlDqrIRKCwpWBb7AeDy57wheLhUBzQaTIUyHX0soY8fJk0toptC-gIAdxkwbtpxvPqKWD8w8qjw/w640-h428/P1070290.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An isolated section of roof makes an island hanging garden over the pool.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The plantings are fairly simple with limited plant pallet that gives the space a cohesive feel. The tree ferns are various heights creating compositional triangles, which feel Zen, and bridge the garden combine beautifully with the arched arcades. A wide staircase depends from the street level down in to the garden.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C7xoWOI5bs_ap3E4PLTZ8EoC0K1PuVUByKNZETQKFgMkgtuB6XDOZifUOzw2DAgQPRx-8k_5UxPb_yiLYUC95EXlSmANinmGw1XVVIksa6pL8FghVWkv1jTQHfGosUmsrATjlDfOCCFrB3FW0Zzyg9elTJ8FW5nG_MJXLJCHNqCGFmaDXUDBv6K17w/s3776/P1070291.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C7xoWOI5bs_ap3E4PLTZ8EoC0K1PuVUByKNZETQKFgMkgtuB6XDOZifUOzw2DAgQPRx-8k_5UxPb_yiLYUC95EXlSmANinmGw1XVVIksa6pL8FghVWkv1jTQHfGosUmsrATjlDfOCCFrB3FW0Zzyg9elTJ8FW5nG_MJXLJCHNqCGFmaDXUDBv6K17w/w640-h428/P1070291.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Ferns create umbrella canopies over colored and textural masses of plants. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Down inside, soaring columns lift your eyes up to the overhead architecture. A shade trellis was built on cross beams in the open part of the restructured roof beams. Cast in aluminum, the pattern is of the bricks of the former roof that had collapsed. It connects a structural element that is very modern to the historical original in a most clever way. Trailing plants create hanging gardens, draping the arches with greenery. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6I82_YE7kFSZ8IwRuMZNK3pyG7gobqzyEBqgaGH5NvqGwj5uNzszMndalLyv7wCckHgrzmYPc_4x_bZa7--4xdzLV3fJ-ozJPvYz0p_7qb5gMysiGLq9xoYcfPWidMoPUKC9DT67Lbi_AsNm5rehX74j8gkQJ6ygqTqXf1QTC86RFOwPGdiW_fr5Mw/s3776/P1070292.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6I82_YE7kFSZ8IwRuMZNK3pyG7gobqzyEBqgaGH5NvqGwj5uNzszMndalLyv7wCckHgrzmYPc_4x_bZa7--4xdzLV3fJ-ozJPvYz0p_7qb5gMysiGLq9xoYcfPWidMoPUKC9DT67Lbi_AsNm5rehX74j8gkQJ6ygqTqXf1QTC86RFOwPGdiW_fr5Mw/w640-h428/P1070292.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Two nice iron gates restrict access to the areas of the reservoir under the original remaining roof, which is planned to be used as event space once the funds are available. New wooden supporting columns painted a dark red brown replace the original cast iron columns to support the long brick vaults in the ceiling. The added stairs await the time when the area will be accessible. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMAxhQXYjOugDFUH_DYFBQDBcbNUu-pQ9cyZ07AaoZDjaP0rO1IAcxUhV4VySPWFO5f8PoT0AHbpbfr0MGPiW87xjTPDwVPt884K45CsrHNaAVD8At4JIN3tQs5GMs4Rdj_1EFXlgIzcN6uusJFwAQJWjofzbFY5bBVPEU56iugFkDeM2dtw0-AGrgg/s3776/P1070289.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMAxhQXYjOugDFUH_DYFBQDBcbNUu-pQ9cyZ07AaoZDjaP0rO1IAcxUhV4VySPWFO5f8PoT0AHbpbfr0MGPiW87xjTPDwVPt884K45CsrHNaAVD8At4JIN3tQs5GMs4Rdj_1EFXlgIzcN6uusJFwAQJWjofzbFY5bBVPEU56iugFkDeM2dtw0-AGrgg/w640-h428/P1070289.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brick vaults are supported by new wood columns in a space that will be repurposed for events.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Being sunken, the garden is quiet compared to the street level. There were a few people there doing a photo shoot but it was so peaceful and a delight to walk around.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L1Bbvx6HYCF2NcOhm0r5kjvQkqdwQYQNTfjjbQtKzP1_8p9a0LKevGvXJIE8wTpIJa0IHDcUuwRsRw5CahjKHqvdRDVoHyCceFL3isYbZ4N0Ysp2e50bEv2pP77aFzweh-4lAM6g7dyQXplfB01qe3hu1_n9EmDccw3C578I887BAm6Xq5Z5u8u1AA/s3776/P1070293.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L1Bbvx6HYCF2NcOhm0r5kjvQkqdwQYQNTfjjbQtKzP1_8p9a0LKevGvXJIE8wTpIJa0IHDcUuwRsRw5CahjKHqvdRDVoHyCceFL3isYbZ4N0Ysp2e50bEv2pP77aFzweh-4lAM6g7dyQXplfB01qe3hu1_n9EmDccw3C578I887BAm6Xq5Z5u8u1AA/w640-h428/P1070293.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The firm that designed the garden has a very impressive portfolio of work on a broad range of projects you can see here: https://www.tzg.com.au. This project reminded me very much of parts of the Roberto Burle Marx Sitio Garden outside of Rio de Janiero. Burle Marx, who has been called the Father of Modern Landscape Architecture incorporated historic architectural pieces in to arcades and walls in his private garden adding to the ambience of the old plantation the garden inhabits. I imagine that the designers of the Paddington Reservoir Park are aware of his work in Brazil. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR97WTGynUnevAKuZXUl_28X4_z9eiIB2_tOmPLRWY9SS5ZabH-EwCY3n-L6OaBj9N7oYXaKUFdyDLqTrt20AzeB3UDeCfmkzJdVYMjqpxg3UU_aXWl6bey1JnPSL2Lz8fINEFodXcQcDZbBm9TAyKsHbV83empjZVJ7PUchu_mDO8yGDxAUI6ZCI8fg/s773/773x435_cmsv2_3abd9e77-08b0-53c0-a2ee-b1ec8d4c044a-5946926.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="773" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR97WTGynUnevAKuZXUl_28X4_z9eiIB2_tOmPLRWY9SS5ZabH-EwCY3n-L6OaBj9N7oYXaKUFdyDLqTrt20AzeB3UDeCfmkzJdVYMjqpxg3UU_aXWl6bey1JnPSL2Lz8fINEFodXcQcDZbBm9TAyKsHbV83empjZVJ7PUchu_mDO8yGDxAUI6ZCI8fg/w640-h360/773x435_cmsv2_3abd9e77-08b0-53c0-a2ee-b1ec8d4c044a-5946926.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Repurposed stone arches outside The Studio at the Sitio Burled Marx in Brazil</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhJCR54x8qhE8gz5a_tX3CJpFfdPoNy8x0EZTIVPs6eh5xaJHbcDl5cCP28gU9Q-i9sxj9YhV6T-MfloOw14X-x9d1qi_Jv640tqX_PMAZp-NyeDTOaUycHXuDDFjQmfcrszW96dFMn1MWC37ljzAmyCqUoFc6Rvbn7DAxtLAVzuYgQtWlmgcYFohQQ/s1038/sitio-burle-marx_xxl.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1038" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhJCR54x8qhE8gz5a_tX3CJpFfdPoNy8x0EZTIVPs6eh5xaJHbcDl5cCP28gU9Q-i9sxj9YhV6T-MfloOw14X-x9d1qi_Jv640tqX_PMAZp-NyeDTOaUycHXuDDFjQmfcrszW96dFMn1MWC37ljzAmyCqUoFc6Rvbn7DAxtLAVzuYgQtWlmgcYFohQQ/w640-h356/sitio-burle-marx_xxl.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Sitio Burle Marx wall was built using salvaged stone architectural pieces. It was an inspiration for the creation of the Rajasthani wall I built in my garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZENcNR4YrNfrpwXrxi_VTQevqhlO8wnOLRvWNu0yl0nJ6Kz2osRfCJa3a4KRbPtGPplNsUzgDT3LaRlJIx0IIE0jfWlNNDJiIUyTBg7DPrK8oes2q1WOdP9pXQQt7HKf7tpq-eU6irXBoFNL-cFni5qAbo8EkBmBYKgMBEh4i9BJNg5t5xxqg2HYC3Q/s3776/P1070297.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZENcNR4YrNfrpwXrxi_VTQevqhlO8wnOLRvWNu0yl0nJ6Kz2osRfCJa3a4KRbPtGPplNsUzgDT3LaRlJIx0IIE0jfWlNNDJiIUyTBg7DPrK8oes2q1WOdP9pXQQt7HKf7tpq-eU6irXBoFNL-cFni5qAbo8EkBmBYKgMBEh4i9BJNg5t5xxqg2HYC3Q/w640-h428/P1070297.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from above looking down in to the sunken garden</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB130gRjf_sUW_0aSu8OukgmShrxarPp36r8o8fauMn1WUDzkhT_ITf1WI3dQavoG4ykEcm7hESf6UAb7vN0eeSV7dJRDk_NHoActJZw2M63wcQmbjCUWyVQc-n4guds-N72G_41ljUnRuWxr5MvRQtupDT1AauiKuq4L8RYHw5i-047Nle0pPGlPvSQ/s3776/P1070294.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB130gRjf_sUW_0aSu8OukgmShrxarPp36r8o8fauMn1WUDzkhT_ITf1WI3dQavoG4ykEcm7hESf6UAb7vN0eeSV7dJRDk_NHoActJZw2M63wcQmbjCUWyVQc-n4guds-N72G_41ljUnRuWxr5MvRQtupDT1AauiKuq4L8RYHw5i-047Nle0pPGlPvSQ/w640-h428/P1070294.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple security fence with gates allows you to look down in to the gardens when they are closed.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUwcUFLwKNprSuNl2ncKmdG_al40kTW6oj6UgUeGD1qc9iDZlPARMfbXMbrpnvrueT-I100uNKEJXKNrPqN79S7XxRoC2T9sXPl7HDeJExXZQDexonJjvM0q5OiLXO8bf17V4Hb9UnWeO58xa6Q2czt_itybegwc_BboGwvWtI-E9QU5R4vNO8d1mcg/s3776/P1070296.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUwcUFLwKNprSuNl2ncKmdG_al40kTW6oj6UgUeGD1qc9iDZlPARMfbXMbrpnvrueT-I100uNKEJXKNrPqN79S7XxRoC2T9sXPl7HDeJExXZQDexonJjvM0q5OiLXO8bf17V4Hb9UnWeO58xa6Q2czt_itybegwc_BboGwvWtI-E9QU5R4vNO8d1mcg/w640-h428/P1070296.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Informational signs tell the history of Sydney's reservoir system and of the Paddington Reservoir site.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I love traveling and the adventures that unfold along the way. I must have walked hundreds of miles this winter and seen countless inspiring landscapes. So glad that I got off the bus and walked through this lovely neighborhood and happened upon this magical place. Thanks for reading, Jeffrey</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSj_sKcXxIJMXNtuefEFxvgYQEdkBDT1Lm8RkivxQVvdYX0GwSvIzeEaCUdTypDDO2uV5Y8YAqGFNiA1x-oTpVDTtSbNAoDB_z8-9gK4MuzdssDIJSTkXUqv_bXp07qoA-NY60Utr1ivXt8hjWHjst4uFElsxYld14M3Y_IkMpg_Q5__tVRcIGGTl2w/s3968/P1070300.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSj_sKcXxIJMXNtuefEFxvgYQEdkBDT1Lm8RkivxQVvdYX0GwSvIzeEaCUdTypDDO2uV5Y8YAqGFNiA1x-oTpVDTtSbNAoDB_z8-9gK4MuzdssDIJSTkXUqv_bXp07qoA-NY60Utr1ivXt8hjWHjst4uFElsxYld14M3Y_IkMpg_Q5__tVRcIGGTl2w/w640-h360/P1070300.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A section of the original walls is repurposed to create a large raised planting bed at street level.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-41659979774354113602023-02-03T19:10:00.003-08:002023-02-06T01:07:19.287-08:00The Fernery, Auckland Domain, New Zealand<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGpSobdMLIhDJYzWDf2_GZdEVM0ZEEhiU-LDK4mWXl1za2R92uw9ojZ8tnhdTmIPg5kYmJQFAn6rQKy_-75YkpMG34QwgXVddNDQLKrdPuxVn7wtKAp82-xmjiKZydGtlsBJYgbdzEN_tEbAsTZalsz8BXSQV0RlIkE-LTGBR-KRGVA3C1aCJBC3A3g/s3648/P1010124.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JkrbbQu6B0e3aCpwzt3Km_74UU2jc6WiJsLn1nqVtRjWHwpUOtNGpth_JXITkiOCUyCyK29E9Ltqvuv8M_hjm4k_SjnrFCQfmPIJhmhtQONpT3N-8CDrvX9heys4aQO45xgvn8vtZX2EroIt5CoUzh8QoitDSkHQu6uPfq2O5C_P7NREYSJx62vuew/s3648/P1010124.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JkrbbQu6B0e3aCpwzt3Km_74UU2jc6WiJsLn1nqVtRjWHwpUOtNGpth_JXITkiOCUyCyK29E9Ltqvuv8M_hjm4k_SjnrFCQfmPIJhmhtQONpT3N-8CDrvX9heys4aQO45xgvn8vtZX2EroIt5CoUzh8QoitDSkHQu6uPfq2O5C_P7NREYSJx62vuew/w480-h640/P1010124.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A variety of ferns inside the Fernery</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>New Zealand is a land of ferns. They cover the floors of lush forests and scramble up the trunks of trees. Or they can be trees themselves growing 30, 40, even 60 feet tall! There are approximately 200 species of ferns native to the islands and 40% of those are endemic, unique this country. Ferns are ancient plants, dating back to the Carboniferous Period over 300 million years ago. That fossil record is the coal we mine for energy today. Coal is the most used fossil fuel for producing energy in the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsK1-BJohhZ6x_XvEx3-wYGW0VZ6-RR5SOKoT8dox4Fv-sL96RT58gY6wBsbqH_KOntwjIx8uRlllhOQCuOw-m1Ig25S3Md8yjAmebElyKrmBpJMS6tGYI_HREnmkg5U_wixkQqlyyf557bBbHgTx27cbAuyMzwtUIj0D5HsSZfvwXbN-ceKJb_smgCw/s3648/P1010110.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsK1-BJohhZ6x_XvEx3-wYGW0VZ6-RR5SOKoT8dox4Fv-sL96RT58gY6wBsbqH_KOntwjIx8uRlllhOQCuOw-m1Ig25S3Md8yjAmebElyKrmBpJMS6tGYI_HREnmkg5U_wixkQqlyyf557bBbHgTx27cbAuyMzwtUIj0D5HsSZfvwXbN-ceKJb_smgCw/w480-h640/P1010110.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hand sized fiddle head of Cyathea medullaris, the Mamaku, or Black Tree Fern</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Auckland Domain, or Pukekawa, is New Zealand's largest city's oldest and most important park. It covers about 190 acres of what is the crater of a volcanic explosion, called Pukekaroa. The Earth's crust is very thin in the Auckland area and there are 7 of these volcanic cones in the city. A large rather homely Neoclassical building houses the Auckland Museum at the top of the hill. There is a magnificent collection of Maori art there, a museum of Natural History, and a war gallery. The park was once the home of the Auckland Botanical Garden and there are many spectacular specimens of trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWT2tEHr_Teei0eY5qAeh6BKw2eMdQeHZyRO3QpLJba8kAl1MFBKQkZHL8YTkY7OVrhymgSk-m_TyCEJXEg6IO9kN_qG6VzgcAzeEI4Y9VkKMb2sq596EniCZI5Ct9L460CfUByMuhQjo1jBMNC7QFiuV5haPZgjE4XuOwvOnp4jpr9pEFP-WUiUEsA/s3776/P1180711.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWT2tEHr_Teei0eY5qAeh6BKw2eMdQeHZyRO3QpLJba8kAl1MFBKQkZHL8YTkY7OVrhymgSk-m_TyCEJXEg6IO9kN_qG6VzgcAzeEI4Y9VkKMb2sq596EniCZI5Ct9L460CfUByMuhQjo1jBMNC7QFiuV5haPZgjE4XuOwvOnp4jpr9pEFP-WUiUEsA/w640-h428/P1180711.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metrosideros excelsa, Pohutukawa Trees arch gracefully over a path</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Down the slope across broad lawns with towering trees is the Wintergarden, two historic Victorian style Glass Houses, one temperate and one tropical. Linking the glass houses is a sunken formal garden with a rectangular lily pool, framed by handsome pergolas. These were constructed as part of the Auckland Exhibition in 1913-14. The designer was William Henry Gummer, who had previously worked with the famed English architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and Daniel Burnam of the United States.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmne5MKRFausdaKlK18J3IB-RaqY8Br97T57QC0wB4cpK3fQvX7NbHdrCX_AWjdiNwkeMeQPp71dmMM0Cee3EO8a6FmdRyQeu8xHLMgEkch0dVonKOI4qOb9kn362nUZr5O4fNbgqANxmZMfYprxI7DgSWV-J5O-yi_ikx0c9SS8f57dWG-yWtB1QWw/s3776/P1180721.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmne5MKRFausdaKlK18J3IB-RaqY8Br97T57QC0wB4cpK3fQvX7NbHdrCX_AWjdiNwkeMeQPp71dmMM0Cee3EO8a6FmdRyQeu8xHLMgEkch0dVonKOI4qOb9kn362nUZr5O4fNbgqANxmZMfYprxI7DgSWV-J5O-yi_ikx0c9SS8f57dWG-yWtB1QWw/w640-h428/P1180721.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Temperate Glass House and Lily Pool at the Wintergarden</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Tropical Greenhouse is closed for seismic upgrading. All the the structures have historic designation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRdAlHwvn9fDLhggIGZXtw6KTfXE4kYo0lfCUe4q3spOSCXUAxbwRzkzI-byky1J-_H5088YAwfijKBdsR_NnHFrNj5CrzjIkTkSIEwGx3oGjP16JCxJosaM-JT__HaoF2RInzlCJlOH2JUE7aDoydYDnlspCxIBB05BgAv4f809sLTFgUG1zdlfcfQ/s3776/P1180718.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRdAlHwvn9fDLhggIGZXtw6KTfXE4kYo0lfCUe4q3spOSCXUAxbwRzkzI-byky1J-_H5088YAwfijKBdsR_NnHFrNj5CrzjIkTkSIEwGx3oGjP16JCxJosaM-JT__HaoF2RInzlCJlOH2JUE7aDoydYDnlspCxIBB05BgAv4f809sLTFgUG1zdlfcfQ/w640-h428/P1180718.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of the Temperate Glass House</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Beyond a curved brick wall and pergola is the beguiling opening to the Fernery, a lush trellised grotto filled with green luxuriance that was built on the site of a former scoria rock quarry. In the 1830's, pteridomania, or Fern Fever swept over Victorian garden society. From terrariums to grand collections, ferneries were accessible to a broad range of people. There are 226 species of ferns native to New Zealand and about 40% of those grow nowhere else on Earth. What better place to create a Fernery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQJmPWDk6KmVIbRJALKANa-4DwlelJQqNM5FUM0wdKXXppAvhvmQ8o45lAxAtNI_w3eq9ZhyOt6EQZXbFDbN3nJFWDIZnDChKaXKdyMvN0HiXCQpp_2urzZOAKiJyxPTQqYwIq_IKBnPDnUiM6lWUKFTDPLkRc9KhueYFwucc-465EmzcVVyls17yuQ/s3776/P1010146.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQJmPWDk6KmVIbRJALKANa-4DwlelJQqNM5FUM0wdKXXppAvhvmQ8o45lAxAtNI_w3eq9ZhyOt6EQZXbFDbN3nJFWDIZnDChKaXKdyMvN0HiXCQpp_2urzZOAKiJyxPTQqYwIq_IKBnPDnUiM6lWUKFTDPLkRc9KhueYFwucc-465EmzcVVyls17yuQ/w640-h428/P1010146.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gateway to the Fernery</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The Fernery was constructed at the beginning of the Great Depression in 1929. The town council couldn't provide the money needed to build it so funding was provided by 20 local business men as an employment relief project. 100 men were hired and completed the project in 5 weeks. The first 74 ferns were donated from a local collection. Over the next two years many donations were made by local horticulturalists and a Maori Association keen to educate people in the many ways that ferns were used by Maori society as sources of food and building materials, when the collection listed 80 native species. During World War II the garden declined from lack of funding and neglect, which continued until the gardens were restored in 1994.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0FnlmCB6iTn1sThs1eVnhD1-o48_NA-3uDorZuPT0_w6yBaqqNL42b0BXeVVOkWN2LPX7yBJ2Hy7Hh5miStabVMx3593X7_DddUX0OH5AmOck_7xRxGM6ij99gX-WHZ7da8mjDmb0fcvHsFxBoAqV8iCCKWZoWgj_IKYIz4rznDiQgzbFG6j8ypwyQ/s3776/P1010099.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0FnlmCB6iTn1sThs1eVnhD1-o48_NA-3uDorZuPT0_w6yBaqqNL42b0BXeVVOkWN2LPX7yBJ2Hy7Hh5miStabVMx3593X7_DddUX0OH5AmOck_7xRxGM6ij99gX-WHZ7da8mjDmb0fcvHsFxBoAqV8iCCKWZoWgj_IKYIz4rznDiQgzbFG6j8ypwyQ/w640-h428/P1010099.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once you pass through the entrance, it feels like a primeval world of plants with ancient histories. The garden is steep sided surrounding a deep pit where lava rock was once quarried. A path rings the upper area with stone steps leading down into the old quarry. The restored trellis is beautifully patinated with lichens and blends in perfectly to the lush landscape, providing shade to the collection along with native Nikau Palms (Rhopalostylus sapida).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPVMdxtuRiJJHGJPNqYsk9xsDIRY57XziBOUrBzI02g4Dz6qHeeh2qZ-ggrT4QfWJ_jzE6330aNiY6V_XQnOXCNtjt0x2RTu_ievM6IzDdMOxOVLvx3Vdo2i8koKPKC7zLhN9EQoDGqptUwfMkOd6Xx5GdKOb5D1_KyDFKKe4y5H-ugKZzAXh57kwNQ/s3776/P1010106.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPVMdxtuRiJJHGJPNqYsk9xsDIRY57XziBOUrBzI02g4Dz6qHeeh2qZ-ggrT4QfWJ_jzE6330aNiY6V_XQnOXCNtjt0x2RTu_ievM6IzDdMOxOVLvx3Vdo2i8koKPKC7zLhN9EQoDGqptUwfMkOd6Xx5GdKOb5D1_KyDFKKe4y5H-ugKZzAXh57kwNQ/w640-h428/P1010106.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A handsome trellis shades the garden from bright sunlight</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5BN8f7tOVqoOH9DH405A5G6uc8qSNbMYm1IQV9OeTEbOmyMaWPs_pbkoFhyDCeqD0zalmzwJQWQERwKV5SO46tGNPOw66Uc3_w2mq4fbCHRvU7YAhHXpAiQ4_haObp6h_ONDsoRLdHHic0E0en9VdAHfwvSeQGrCXGgzPCs8NlvWB7Bii4IQRv1ncw/s3648/P1010124.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5BN8f7tOVqoOH9DH405A5G6uc8qSNbMYm1IQV9OeTEbOmyMaWPs_pbkoFhyDCeqD0zalmzwJQWQERwKV5SO46tGNPOw66Uc3_w2mq4fbCHRvU7YAhHXpAiQ4_haObp6h_ONDsoRLdHHic0E0en9VdAHfwvSeQGrCXGgzPCs8NlvWB7Bii4IQRv1ncw/w480-h640/P1010124.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The striped trunk of a Nikau Palm amidst the ferns</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvKtiErpeCK40N3vDIywIwHLlLceU8MbePWxU4PHweqX9Mb-dT0XgXxuicfOnFqyupoWsq4-6kJVBZZ9EVd3cxg_2GCeGQ7Ys0Z9MkLYNst3Wu2EfVxOJFV9rQXXsBNpkloafjspZ4U6k4GqMiq6KY3_2HCOejM03B3JlVPcEuNlANJpoVvYwRjoSIQ/s3776/P1180725.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvKtiErpeCK40N3vDIywIwHLlLceU8MbePWxU4PHweqX9Mb-dT0XgXxuicfOnFqyupoWsq4-6kJVBZZ9EVd3cxg_2GCeGQ7Ys0Z9MkLYNst3Wu2EfVxOJFV9rQXXsBNpkloafjspZ4U6k4GqMiq6KY3_2HCOejM03B3JlVPcEuNlANJpoVvYwRjoSIQ/w640-h428/P1180725.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Varieties of Tree Ferns are the most distinctive in the garden </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Green is the dominant color here. The delicate texture of so many fronds in different shapes and heights cover the slopes in feathery lushness. When I was working on Camp Glenorchy on the South Island four and five years ago I spent some time learning how to identify the many types of ferns I saw in the forests there. I have forgotten many of the botanical names beyond the genuses now. I love the way various species have adapted to different growing conditions. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkiJyhXOhYtK572SUga4dCavf43rF8h5j0BriIdKMeUK7squAj-68kWF5cfEpeuPsQB0NVrk6wqRAMwnQIdkJyeXtpI3sMUcv792ot15mgTiUJRuxoFmzRT4OkN2ZCv9XLMWMGOTF73zHD4_9H3oLNo316TA-Qd_5NVjuEFHd16Xce0taxaWjfqB58Q/s3776/P1010123.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkiJyhXOhYtK572SUga4dCavf43rF8h5j0BriIdKMeUK7squAj-68kWF5cfEpeuPsQB0NVrk6wqRAMwnQIdkJyeXtpI3sMUcv792ot15mgTiUJRuxoFmzRT4OkN2ZCv9XLMWMGOTF73zHD4_9H3oLNo316TA-Qd_5NVjuEFHd16Xce0taxaWjfqB58Q/w640-h428/P1010123.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I grow a number of ferns in my garden in Portland, Oregon. Polystichum munitum is the most common fern in Western Oregon. Polystichum setiferum, the Alaska Fern looks more like its New Zealand counterpart, Polystichum vestitum. This is the species I used the most successfully at my project in Camp Glenorchy on the South Island. They seem to be the toughest and most adaptable fern for the area, as most of the other species, including wonderful red tinged Blechnums didn't survive due to irrigation issues. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4K17WHaXfW23Vzi8-pRPTZIa7cIAe3HxLRUZ7zk3afH65ugIpuzVLJTovZCGnQ742mCQIYlj0IrGxrLz9or146SdS8gRTd7zvut9F6nCsHFF6vyBJsDOcjoN7eJBMqS-IwDv-QtnLWIjdAP8YqPAXy_EJG7MlN0_zFqzfQXLIDdEQxo06H-OfsqiYcQ/s3776/P1010201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4K17WHaXfW23Vzi8-pRPTZIa7cIAe3HxLRUZ7zk3afH65ugIpuzVLJTovZCGnQ742mCQIYlj0IrGxrLz9or146SdS8gRTd7zvut9F6nCsHFF6vyBJsDOcjoN7eJBMqS-IwDv-QtnLWIjdAP8YqPAXy_EJG7MlN0_zFqzfQXLIDdEQxo06H-OfsqiYcQ/w640-h428/P1010201.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polystichum vestitum growing along a path to a cabin with mosaic medallions I made in 2017</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKziICHHBNEzCkBf81gOkJg_roTSKIfVUgqg9QlMH0WKydwXHvkaDoBfw6Zrp1302C5Q2CpebpLkH2A_gx7PNe9YGwufGdyYwX0GvG_UQgKWgVZRYjChOeRAqur0JEoMIn3HcvBq7mBmPGfbq227ytcG5zJ7OkAhSOXXTmpYjr6NSD4zftx3gIVTE-A/s3776/P1010382.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKziICHHBNEzCkBf81gOkJg_roTSKIfVUgqg9QlMH0WKydwXHvkaDoBfw6Zrp1302C5Q2CpebpLkH2A_gx7PNe9YGwufGdyYwX0GvG_UQgKWgVZRYjChOeRAqur0JEoMIn3HcvBq7mBmPGfbq227ytcG5zJ7OkAhSOXXTmpYjr6NSD4zftx3gIVTE-A/w640-h428/P1010382.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know the identity of this fern, growing with Corokia cotoneaster, Coprosma, and Lancewoods</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>There is an extensive list of ferns native to New Zealand on the Wikipedia page on the subject. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_native_New_Zealand_ferns if you want to do research in to the many genuses and species.</div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5k92Fi8uYu0UjDYzlTl8AsaXClaSN7bnEX2mxyeEeFhnP8BgtvrzF4fnumo8IN1T-esdxYZvBu2zvVz4dvB8pM_WPcdzQ5v30_YB6levP7cJuTtwdP8K-8dOCcP-37BSo4uG1lR9kmYO9ZG5yRDbXcuNfG0MC7vOzvq7UnbkpMo8zvoq8pD6Wy44PQ/s3776/P1180726.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5k92Fi8uYu0UjDYzlTl8AsaXClaSN7bnEX2mxyeEeFhnP8BgtvrzF4fnumo8IN1T-esdxYZvBu2zvVz4dvB8pM_WPcdzQ5v30_YB6levP7cJuTtwdP8K-8dOCcP-37BSo4uG1lR9kmYO9ZG5yRDbXcuNfG0MC7vOzvq7UnbkpMo8zvoq8pD6Wy44PQ/w640-h428/P1180726.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steps leading down to the bottom of the garden, where a small goldfish pond resides.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tree ferns are the most dramatic members of the family, developing trunks and sometimes skirts of dead fronds, and expansive umbrella like canopies that create filigrees against the sky when looked at from below. The tallest can reach 60 feet in height! Tree ferns don't tolerate the cold winters and wind in Glenorchy so we weren't able to plant any at the camp. They grow in lush abundance on the coastal side of Mt. Aspiring National Park which encompasses the spectacular mountains you see from town.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTIc8yK5B9RStXQRFndyc68jkW1WAC-F3DcCKMGYyiSTFb_YrnmpU1_4CEutKepSPv4GfXlufdEZx9JFEtrYrCso67OAAKdyRR7cer0xQRFKlel93ujj6ox4Y3iuApkR0ERqn7hyo_e1KkZ-jlWJ9BzfWNXYE7ysKLvX7jZQIryJGI8cnxL0ahYm3QQ/s3776/P1010102.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTIc8yK5B9RStXQRFndyc68jkW1WAC-F3DcCKMGYyiSTFb_YrnmpU1_4CEutKepSPv4GfXlufdEZx9JFEtrYrCso67OAAKdyRR7cer0xQRFKlel93ujj6ox4Y3iuApkR0ERqn7hyo_e1KkZ-jlWJ9BzfWNXYE7ysKLvX7jZQIryJGI8cnxL0ahYm3QQ/w640-h428/P1010102.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The leaves of ferns are called fronds. They emerge as a tight coiled spiral that unfurls. Ferns reproduce by producing spores, or sporophytes, rather than flowers. Some species produce non fertile and fertile fronds. The genus Blechnum is known for this phenomenon. The Pacific Northwest native Deer Fern, Blechnum spicant is an example of this, producing upright narrow spore bearing fronds in Spring when moisture is more prevalent. Spores disperse by wind or on water, and once the egg is fertilized by the sperm, forms a thread or heart shaped stage called a gametophyte. These are a rarely seen stage in the fern's development. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaJHOgYyNWBfwqsSkSZCHK8OugNIUI720AAFILjAl_16c-lBzbGwv6v2sC90riOUSIQBh_WsHdxkkB-6jvSSd7UbPAElzA4qllejjtWoTlza2n4QB02x3GMGkUDOv2Vj-iVhXwrXXYCP36Mdeipko3oVj9WFtpdmXJFYNnamFnmBomUSwCZKky0I86g/s3776/P1010108.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaJHOgYyNWBfwqsSkSZCHK8OugNIUI720AAFILjAl_16c-lBzbGwv6v2sC90riOUSIQBh_WsHdxkkB-6jvSSd7UbPAElzA4qllejjtWoTlza2n4QB02x3GMGkUDOv2Vj-iVhXwrXXYCP36Mdeipko3oVj9WFtpdmXJFYNnamFnmBomUSwCZKky0I86g/w640-h428/P1010108.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New fronds unfurling on a Crown Fern (Blechnum discolor)</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>From towering giants to tiny ground covers, ferns adapt to a variety of conditions.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvf2Adc-MMPAqh6951o4akiY5yFHxhFv44ynrK1QLUgs1SVBkNIilwaPMiPBiGyhrbDLeup6Uz7RZAckcpq0bTGP9zoSQgryYUAeiN_IRGr6wrvoOCGbpKoPsL81_ZaasCgsJ4HH_0ezU4I3v582tiQQiwMMZC7Lzn6KjVEcjUoTfZ0fdLfnebeBS4A/s3776/P1010134.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvf2Adc-MMPAqh6951o4akiY5yFHxhFv44ynrK1QLUgs1SVBkNIilwaPMiPBiGyhrbDLeup6Uz7RZAckcpq0bTGP9zoSQgryYUAeiN_IRGr6wrvoOCGbpKoPsL81_ZaasCgsJ4HH_0ezU4I3v582tiQQiwMMZC7Lzn6KjVEcjUoTfZ0fdLfnebeBS4A/w640-h428/P1010134.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blechnum penna marina is a miniature ground cover fern</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1fLYbDC5HIQcefDe21RkQ30qcyKSKfP_o-l35KBuJkGJTdB-UNvJqgT40aw8l1b3c2IhCDZjbCXLZ6utTp1c5V0c_knNp3gnnaN_tuN6jkTaeVGnWxi-V032WpO4JfChVKeQj3ObuLF5ygU3yn9ijJ938YUYYzSvImxFYBtboikINDP5_mgwBIl-bQ/s3776/P1010100.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1fLYbDC5HIQcefDe21RkQ30qcyKSKfP_o-l35KBuJkGJTdB-UNvJqgT40aw8l1b3c2IhCDZjbCXLZ6utTp1c5V0c_knNp3gnnaN_tuN6jkTaeVGnWxi-V032WpO4JfChVKeQj3ObuLF5ygU3yn9ijJ938YUYYzSvImxFYBtboikINDP5_mgwBIl-bQ/w640-h428/P1010100.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Ferns (Ptsana salacina) is a large fern with starchy roots eaten by Maori people</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>There are labels if you can find them making it much easier to identify the many species.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-01h-2bY0JnGo00NM2Dkl0RUss7KeB71ICWWzkSIE1j3eAIbARfbHnJNJs2AkrqmikxMrrxwulfS_n7yeSALO7Ifl21U-f388au0wSlAG-0lwwv0sTiJLNWMowoGWQp0dmaGNg28kGM3FwSDTxwDkUTsy2jjO8240nY8iujZCsqXT3UQtwts5HXUV1A/s3776/P1010107.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-01h-2bY0JnGo00NM2Dkl0RUss7KeB71ICWWzkSIE1j3eAIbARfbHnJNJs2AkrqmikxMrrxwulfS_n7yeSALO7Ifl21U-f388au0wSlAG-0lwwv0sTiJLNWMowoGWQp0dmaGNg28kGM3FwSDTxwDkUTsy2jjO8240nY8iujZCsqXT3UQtwts5HXUV1A/w640-h428/P1010107.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3Js1v8J-RB6WjDIKHA-akG8b-4t-p6RQ053Y5i6YdZZ2hXsN-0vUNhWNsiEr5MrT4lB5HIYKPsfmJJbegrj7o3_2q62FvEP-RncaVGndMyP1OBn5siX5UfNfhRLfdcFou4HRCSGEmE1loyu0e9guZhInojBpgV938UHn1uESpQ2MekrCTUYswhJ_tA/s3776/P1010116.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3Js1v8J-RB6WjDIKHA-akG8b-4t-p6RQ053Y5i6YdZZ2hXsN-0vUNhWNsiEr5MrT4lB5HIYKPsfmJJbegrj7o3_2q62FvEP-RncaVGndMyP1OBn5siX5UfNfhRLfdcFou4HRCSGEmE1loyu0e9guZhInojBpgV938UHn1uESpQ2MekrCTUYswhJ_tA/w640-h428/P1010116.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnerA-ZDpOVp3gj3wJIkWRiz2GT6-nUl5WwepAiY8vI99QxykPFvnZm1OQ_dEx3RqP7a-7gZI76ZekPez8kEN60tfGCGE50QPvBPKVhw1akOT_eSdXDpEXMaR4xQDZ7mAsOq5Hzoxt_Mb484hWGY8Pef0sN36WoeZWhD7NHYF7tYRUpi6nH4XHYUxptA/s3776/P1010136.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnerA-ZDpOVp3gj3wJIkWRiz2GT6-nUl5WwepAiY8vI99QxykPFvnZm1OQ_dEx3RqP7a-7gZI76ZekPez8kEN60tfGCGE50QPvBPKVhw1akOT_eSdXDpEXMaR4xQDZ7mAsOq5Hzoxt_Mb484hWGY8Pef0sN36WoeZWhD7NHYF7tYRUpi6nH4XHYUxptA/w640-h428/P1010136.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boston Fern is probably the most commonly grown fern for indoor gardens</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>I am unable to identify many of the ferns in the garden. I did a lot of research when I was here 4 years ago but I don't have the memory banks for all of the botanical names anymore. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu86DMqrQVtO7NulN4xsJoGUDrJxqzYTCiUCIvHk8zVryWCNh59nUo9rLYpOV2XoCpuoaLgOiHcWQsF9h8dQW2rF-pkbX6C701Vk_HJ4fpM9u9U2EQ3py4ETwbGEgqKPghivRkP3XOIsKGPOzUdtljnXu5Q0TWPuJeu83C2-zbwSDFU3eQobKD0tr2Q/s3648/P1010119.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu86DMqrQVtO7NulN4xsJoGUDrJxqzYTCiUCIvHk8zVryWCNh59nUo9rLYpOV2XoCpuoaLgOiHcWQsF9h8dQW2rF-pkbX6C701Vk_HJ4fpM9u9U2EQ3py4ETwbGEgqKPghivRkP3XOIsKGPOzUdtljnXu5Q0TWPuJeu83C2-zbwSDFU3eQobKD0tr2Q/w480-h640/P1010119.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely colony of ferns on a tree fern trunk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBy8Yprskw-OtwTwJ5YoYWG1QbLzXvTJcwkgGiLZM05TzC-Asv5zQtBPvIBr1-Tcwtx8o1b0KZ658JQqINP8JW171EzAL0s5ecPfIFhNI8NoXUzSlzLC8yv_4yue9kICMaHk_K3FSUOS5jnSg2BjfinJpxZWd_8fdLS4EVWgjaJn-_mEysEBYOCFPDeg/s3776/P1010114.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBy8Yprskw-OtwTwJ5YoYWG1QbLzXvTJcwkgGiLZM05TzC-Asv5zQtBPvIBr1-Tcwtx8o1b0KZ658JQqINP8JW171EzAL0s5ecPfIFhNI8NoXUzSlzLC8yv_4yue9kICMaHk_K3FSUOS5jnSg2BjfinJpxZWd_8fdLS4EVWgjaJn-_mEysEBYOCFPDeg/w640-h428/P1010114.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Athyrium?</td></tr></tbody></table> <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJu3QEsd4BZ0rI-WjNMl0LbPDsBOXjpBQNJ-pxyb5VELipx2vQMPmBwvDv-sfd2GwSP4rvaozH_ohZz206fdTmgmf0LBQ7BkFtvvyLP-jvCaS_mzRH8bOqTHgued0lLieDIWvtRz14zV4KEDZ2EMboJTS61BJYoaKBKMfQywxDUQDNlGsDFakNsaOP-Q/s3776/P1010122.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJu3QEsd4BZ0rI-WjNMl0LbPDsBOXjpBQNJ-pxyb5VELipx2vQMPmBwvDv-sfd2GwSP4rvaozH_ohZz206fdTmgmf0LBQ7BkFtvvyLP-jvCaS_mzRH8bOqTHgued0lLieDIWvtRz14zV4KEDZ2EMboJTS61BJYoaKBKMfQywxDUQDNlGsDFakNsaOP-Q/w640-h428/P1010122.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxIHydMD7NwixTmO5W7wUyj83_j-hK0C7sEwm1XIUjiJpqSUpSVEztARn7Gg57uKVl5g9cJkt7Q-ArhVEUGGNbK4QDNZnwPzocrh74UnFxXIS-Wszyg83AfhuLHyfm7BTXCfti8pD8_2eBbeDZZORWViT7QwqYdm1hl7I2K65we0dhVITNhE2SAzwEA/s3776/P1010137.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxIHydMD7NwixTmO5W7wUyj83_j-hK0C7sEwm1XIUjiJpqSUpSVEztARn7Gg57uKVl5g9cJkt7Q-ArhVEUGGNbK4QDNZnwPzocrh74UnFxXIS-Wszyg83AfhuLHyfm7BTXCfti8pD8_2eBbeDZZORWViT7QwqYdm1hl7I2K65we0dhVITNhE2SAzwEA/w640-h428/P1010137.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeb7L-8FuNthwNPNvoKVc7PwZ59lUIIP9uAnK8jiuPCv-dGJH2wpD10IsveG0cblWRFCkvHd3wbjx4YhKFs50xuvqWAdmbVisJMsbBs3YuEMCi_zh-0jIUK4lLoIISfHVlAReBpkf47cwQRdKgYwWh6gMFMNM1YuWRMI0eHDaz4j4ipMP4GqKR_z-4Q/s3776/P1010127.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeb7L-8FuNthwNPNvoKVc7PwZ59lUIIP9uAnK8jiuPCv-dGJH2wpD10IsveG0cblWRFCkvHd3wbjx4YhKFs50xuvqWAdmbVisJMsbBs3YuEMCi_zh-0jIUK4lLoIISfHVlAReBpkf47cwQRdKgYwWh6gMFMNM1YuWRMI0eHDaz4j4ipMP4GqKR_z-4Q/w640-h428/P1010127.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something between a fern and a moss</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoM28zSuGU-c4xlqDlTF28B0w81-KYROm4jq4jwDImGtD9rq58O0tZjSLOt5P2VV04m8HJ1PcgEVmRKonOHW94fz-aFpvODJkL9DQ8x6pk7BvK2INDYM0GPrONRzBd6q3PMXzWM3KSGd8MbDIvJGCW33vPbmmCF3IYefJcuwUEx88_emwNYlWTmXYgA/s3776/P1180729.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoM28zSuGU-c4xlqDlTF28B0w81-KYROm4jq4jwDImGtD9rq58O0tZjSLOt5P2VV04m8HJ1PcgEVmRKonOHW94fz-aFpvODJkL9DQ8x6pk7BvK2INDYM0GPrONRzBd6q3PMXzWM3KSGd8MbDIvJGCW33vPbmmCF3IYefJcuwUEx88_emwNYlWTmXYgA/w640-h428/P1180729.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoE5YPMK4-_rJjMwQfTmwTKAGYUKxDN5ob7ovfLwxGTUQoKyNUzfOkbtGGgFYGXOR3I3KLqee0MYXBLvhsftRb8FZanfu1LlEce9ZIY9v2lA7IeNrmLuJR-KQ_O_7DvW8J5_LMQtYV7R592ys1q_CpoDOU-wN13Q-XDyrAgcPZIjgHAAD9PTt28qWSQ/s3776/P1180739.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoE5YPMK4-_rJjMwQfTmwTKAGYUKxDN5ob7ovfLwxGTUQoKyNUzfOkbtGGgFYGXOR3I3KLqee0MYXBLvhsftRb8FZanfu1LlEce9ZIY9v2lA7IeNrmLuJR-KQ_O_7DvW8J5_LMQtYV7R592ys1q_CpoDOU-wN13Q-XDyrAgcPZIjgHAAD9PTt28qWSQ/w640-h428/P1180739.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree ferns with skirts of dead fronds</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>When I retuned to Glenorchy in January 2023 I worked at the camp for 6 weeks but was able to do a few hikes at the end. Here are some of the ferns I encountered on my journeys.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc-tj3FfOmzACXfhf5MTw-OOOvgYIVR5L-bQpznGOzZzHxuAvzDDiMBRMJ7-aOjfP7IFczVzKCtwOMvopoldW0iz0KDVRGwG31dLMlkjUogEdWeazOpqY5KFsQ0E6Za_BoqMkQMZGeOJ8hrBkZn4lYANbGt1m32-Kv_vc0ClGKmqWpiiz1-sf42q00g/s3776/P1010812.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc-tj3FfOmzACXfhf5MTw-OOOvgYIVR5L-bQpznGOzZzHxuAvzDDiMBRMJ7-aOjfP7IFczVzKCtwOMvopoldW0iz0KDVRGwG31dLMlkjUogEdWeazOpqY5KFsQ0E6Za_BoqMkQMZGeOJ8hrBkZn4lYANbGt1m32-Kv_vc0ClGKmqWpiiz1-sf42q00g/w640-h428/P1010812.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A handsome group of Blechnum discolor with another fern growing underneath in the Kowhai Reserve near Kinloch by Lake Wakatipu</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Cyz1MFW_DBQJgGI-vLglrG3j3a4fDPSNs3vvw3d0sltbsvA4e2AtIBxqSYfFuKPpKMG6PWovpL9W-CvtoFx_9O5GsFWROZOg-yK3a8aCgJN2hWwTPXw_5MjCBws9c0Eklidn2e7pmEuWwA4coYsfGisfF4jMQ7gqPH_Ylxonb7OUSCXkn7BIBvwxFQ/s3776/P1020102.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Cyz1MFW_DBQJgGI-vLglrG3j3a4fDPSNs3vvw3d0sltbsvA4e2AtIBxqSYfFuKPpKMG6PWovpL9W-CvtoFx_9O5GsFWROZOg-yK3a8aCgJN2hWwTPXw_5MjCBws9c0Eklidn2e7pmEuWwA4coYsfGisfF4jMQ7gqPH_Ylxonb7OUSCXkn7BIBvwxFQ/w640-h428/P1020102.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pellaea rotundifolia along the Lake Rere track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8599jY98iqDDbpKB6AK1S4Q1_zebpAaK9K6rmReNcsBlsliBNSABXVR6LK4LEDZjSNWIoCRe4boGjtQWMRJaJ_q-D6LP-nl_sahVAvXrg5f4quYmthmxABAlGU2uI58L1cm8oAhr_MU9sslJY0fs1tTkAuX3ScReJWwXapIWYZBKcoUuLXpDGmlsEQ/s3648/P1020106.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8599jY98iqDDbpKB6AK1S4Q1_zebpAaK9K6rmReNcsBlsliBNSABXVR6LK4LEDZjSNWIoCRe4boGjtQWMRJaJ_q-D6LP-nl_sahVAvXrg5f4quYmthmxABAlGU2uI58L1cm8oAhr_MU9sslJY0fs1tTkAuX3ScReJWwXapIWYZBKcoUuLXpDGmlsEQ/w480-h640/P1020106.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asplenium on the Lake Rere Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFURs8P3vEagadFOF2nU8oYcHzRf08nS_B5Qgsr9qv09dR18teIutae8VdWCdo2J4jNJuLMyOxBSb37Iv8Arp3lye9sUOtlwZIEsCxtBuDbnBfga3dYnSgL5XbWiU0UR3DNtxh0k3-EdLiBm6A1BD5p2dqZIcxqVWNje1N0vDK-s6TjTzU708ZYlyAdA/s3776/P1020107.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFURs8P3vEagadFOF2nU8oYcHzRf08nS_B5Qgsr9qv09dR18teIutae8VdWCdo2J4jNJuLMyOxBSb37Iv8Arp3lye9sUOtlwZIEsCxtBuDbnBfga3dYnSgL5XbWiU0UR3DNtxh0k3-EdLiBm6A1BD5p2dqZIcxqVWNje1N0vDK-s6TjTzU708ZYlyAdA/w640-h428/P1020107.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjq-YvgpprfVt7PB6JoVIR0QDPXx0Pix7UWLcmlfVG727Hv8wuXV_noQ_tCb7LRL1boKLDj2dCExOfuDb4TXK8mskeYl2_A3zH_2VMBaRR8QBmFYIOWyD0bPIiiO0bjT7rx6e2gS85DyLOOjzZGVqSSmMBgLJHHWXvBYIDutEVi4Zai29trkHtn7pnQ/s3776/P1020118.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjq-YvgpprfVt7PB6JoVIR0QDPXx0Pix7UWLcmlfVG727Hv8wuXV_noQ_tCb7LRL1boKLDj2dCExOfuDb4TXK8mskeYl2_A3zH_2VMBaRR8QBmFYIOWyD0bPIiiO0bjT7rx6e2gS85DyLOOjzZGVqSSmMBgLJHHWXvBYIDutEVi4Zai29trkHtn7pnQ/w640-h428/P1020118.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blechnum penna marina and Polystichum vestitum on the Lake Rere Track</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-ngRxSB8unXuF5v4sLh458QfvUEAcdgMcRl8qxD6edI3pILQUnzfBPRNkmIMpYswYSJAmf469Uzgwka0sWgZAWseOcrUrrZw-hi6wyWl2QVlu11bUtuV_zMnThr0FWJM-TSFvj9aBJtR0bruWFsneb2f0LR6nop8wZIOr9yvDqvtxDh7LtemsFwA1g/s3776/P1020167.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-ngRxSB8unXuF5v4sLh458QfvUEAcdgMcRl8qxD6edI3pILQUnzfBPRNkmIMpYswYSJAmf469Uzgwka0sWgZAWseOcrUrrZw-hi6wyWl2QVlu11bUtuV_zMnThr0FWJM-TSFvj9aBJtR0bruWFsneb2f0LR6nop8wZIOr9yvDqvtxDh7LtemsFwA1g/w640-h428/P1020167.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bog filled with Athyrium?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Needless to say, ferns are fabulous and if you have the right conditions there are so many species you can grow. Before you know it you may have your own Fernery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thanks for reading, Jeffrey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGpSobdMLIhDJYzWDf2_GZdEVM0ZEEhiU-LDK4mWXl1za2R92uw9ojZ8tnhdTmIPg5kYmJQFAn6rQKy_-75YkpMG34QwgXVddNDQLKrdPuxVn7wtKAp82-xmjiKZydGtlsBJYgbdzEN_tEbAsTZalsz8BXSQV0RlIkE-LTGBR-KRGVA3C1aCJBC3A3g/s3648/P1010124.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGpSobdMLIhDJYzWDf2_GZdEVM0ZEEhiU-LDK4mWXl1za2R92uw9ojZ8tnhdTmIPg5kYmJQFAn6rQKy_-75YkpMG34QwgXVddNDQLKrdPuxVn7wtKAp82-xmjiKZydGtlsBJYgbdzEN_tEbAsTZalsz8BXSQV0RlIkE-LTGBR-KRGVA3C1aCJBC3A3g/s3648/P1010124.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGpSobdMLIhDJYzWDf2_GZdEVM0ZEEhiU-LDK4mWXl1za2R92uw9ojZ8tnhdTmIPg5kYmJQFAn6rQKy_-75YkpMG34QwgXVddNDQLKrdPuxVn7wtKAp82-xmjiKZydGtlsBJYgbdzEN_tEbAsTZalsz8BXSQV0RlIkE-LTGBR-KRGVA3C1aCJBC3A3g/s3648/P1010124.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div>Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-72221444766011911642022-11-16T00:37:00.002-08:002022-11-16T00:37:30.387-08:00The Phases of the Moon Mosaic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4qY-q4OOZnFlFx4HVPJClrAzB8n4SOb6_Ol-bXOMT3SB8Mk8VwyvmpZGVMtNv3uS8FIYSebyISwK3zOG_7FaU9bl_DE6VNQbrzbEdrIdmg6X54i2Juw8HaXSO9GuMOpS5VJbdkYQGP0S/s1600/P1010245.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4qY-q4OOZnFlFx4HVPJClrAzB8n4SOb6_Ol-bXOMT3SB8Mk8VwyvmpZGVMtNv3uS8FIYSebyISwK3zOG_7FaU9bl_DE6VNQbrzbEdrIdmg6X54i2Juw8HaXSO9GuMOpS5VJbdkYQGP0S/w400-h266/P1010245.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting a marble disk in a pebble mosaic</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been building stone mosaics for about 30 years now. My style is very much influenced by the stones that I am working with, integrated with everything I have learned from my travels around the world and my studies of the forces of Nature and design.</div>
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My first trip to Asia many years ago was to the island of Bali in Indonesia. I stayed with a family for a month and participated in the rituals of daily life, which are marked by frequent elaborate ceremonies. One that takes place monthly is the celebration of the full moon. For three days prior to this monthly event, preparations are undertaken to make offerings as the moon plays an essential role in the planting of rice and fertility. The Goddess of rice and fertility related to the moon is Dewi Sri (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dewi_Sri). Woven offerings using young palm leaves are made in profusion to be placed on altars in the paddy fields.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvoH96J8jO99yj3mamuJef1FhagirywHXC_8mh2QrftKSGUCogZh9ja1lm1mwYNreCBeI8is31ZCEvSvyfjD8sF12KSnomUg6VjuncRi99R8bd2jhtociALb0j0QQktEYVXfLDJ0zgoCdcDR0MJT4veZQ7NrGLdFkJoXcVtD9aYKm5DPzmP9Xbid87g/s1000/Bali%20Full%20Moon%20Preparations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvoH96J8jO99yj3mamuJef1FhagirywHXC_8mh2QrftKSGUCogZh9ja1lm1mwYNreCBeI8is31ZCEvSvyfjD8sF12KSnomUg6VjuncRi99R8bd2jhtociALb0j0QQktEYVXfLDJ0zgoCdcDR0MJT4veZQ7NrGLdFkJoXcVtD9aYKm5DPzmP9Xbid87g/w400-h266/Bali%20Full%20Moon%20Preparations.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balinese women making palm leaf baskets to hold offerings of flowers, rice, and fruit</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>
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On returning home I made an effort to pay closer attention to the moon and its phases during the month. For many years I participated in a chant on the full moon of the Hindu Om Triambakam Yajamahe repeated 108 times, which I found transformative. One of the earliest mosaic commissions I received was for a couple who wanted to introduce their children to the idea of ritual. I proposed making a series of spirals representing the full moons of the year so that they could celebrate the lunar cycle of the year, with offerings and prayers. The moon is one of the essential forces that makes life possible on the planet. The rising and falling of tides helped to create conditions suitable for the evolution of living organisms.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1d5d2jJoAEDC4HQq2TyCQ_PIQLfuAxYrrIKbvnRu-Bpj-DfuaCrfpeZrSVrWAKokEK7MR8JrbY6xNyO9qrYBzo8vgo0H-R0m_fecQ2xrd4mRyeTrAvDwNWM6w03kAX_dAiNo5rSo9QdX/s1600/Full+Moon+Spiral+Mosaic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1d5d2jJoAEDC4HQq2TyCQ_PIQLfuAxYrrIKbvnRu-Bpj-DfuaCrfpeZrSVrWAKokEK7MR8JrbY6xNyO9qrYBzo8vgo0H-R0m_fecQ2xrd4mRyeTrAvDwNWM6w03kAX_dAiNo5rSo9QdX/w640-h426/Full+Moon+Spiral+Mosaic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This spiraling mosaic has 12 outer spirals and one large inner spiral. The turquoise stones are imported from Indonesia and the black stones are Mexican beach pebbles. Iridescent marbles reflect moonlight.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I built a large spiral surrounded by 12 smaller spirals representing the 12 monthly moons of the year, with the center spiral symbolizing the 13th "Blue Moon" that occurs every two to three years, being the second of two full moons in a single month. I incorporated irridescent marbles in to the design that would sparkle brighter as the moon approaches fullness, drawing attention to the mosaic at night. My hope was that my clients and their children would make an offering on the various spirals going around the circle, creating a ceremonial habit in conjunction with lunar cycles. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_v9_lnRruAcJ6_Me_BEtMTzrsDdx43VAwh4agk26J3ucVunm5hnnqprOFErQFBHESCr_blkdgDY0DvgwLKoDBbA3nESD5AF0gVE-_D8qtivmyw3MclXgAHh1raSBcJU-SDJRq-zyOq8ML94uYPjO94It-CklPO3swSx-IkX6bIPwf5eAQjVyNmV9Mw/s3776/Full%20Moon%20Mosaic%20detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_v9_lnRruAcJ6_Me_BEtMTzrsDdx43VAwh4agk26J3ucVunm5hnnqprOFErQFBHESCr_blkdgDY0DvgwLKoDBbA3nESD5AF0gVE-_D8qtivmyw3MclXgAHh1raSBcJU-SDJRq-zyOq8ML94uYPjO94It-CklPO3swSx-IkX6bIPwf5eAQjVyNmV9Mw/w640-h428/Full%20Moon%20Mosaic%20detail.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A section of the surrounding patio</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>
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When I built the Halls Hill Labyrinth on Bainbridge Island in the Puget Sound region of Washington State, I again used the lunar cycle as an inspiration for the design. In Native American astrology, the moon rather than the sun is the sign a person is born under. Each moon has a color, mineral, plant, and animal totem relating to the seasonal character of that time of the year. I used information acquired from the book The Medicine Wheel by Sun Bear and Wabun (http://www.ewebtribe.com/StarSpiderDancing/wheel.html) which I had purchased in the 1980's to aid in the composition of the design, with 12 white quartzite moons in the outer circuit surrounded by the colors associated with each moon. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4u0Ur0ARdWGrYLghhBVRkMG3jQWA-HJfPXejD97pxF2M2rXXMPvNbAutr31qEVqbVMcAcL7rRo88SZP1kFD2HWDPwU1nMlvCHblzzGDhyuSEDhlIw7Ik-pR8FiuOyhvdpIlLzKfsTauX/s1600/Labyrinth%2521.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4u0Ur0ARdWGrYLghhBVRkMG3jQWA-HJfPXejD97pxF2M2rXXMPvNbAutr31qEVqbVMcAcL7rRo88SZP1kFD2HWDPwU1nMlvCHblzzGDhyuSEDhlIw7Ik-pR8FiuOyhvdpIlLzKfsTauX/s640/Labyrinth%2521.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Halls Hill Labyrinth with the 12 full moons of the year in the outer circuit</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>A thirteenth moon lies in the center of the labyrinth at the center of the sun mosaic representing blue moons and lunar and solar eclipses.</div>
<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUELtktEYxfGrQrOaP5kDz90GKD2avRW7kpflf272fcjGdf-UuT0nG9yXb7AB4Mo0JwplOTAo5WFr0U0WQ-g28rugk4s4jwB4MzhfngsmSADHygk6WkY2eoWyE5GicK2IE7uv6a_Y8FIh5ITlotaJqxZ-PNYzkD_0iNPNjmWnrv1HTL6GZoZPKA1Ks3Q/s3776/P1220740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUELtktEYxfGrQrOaP5kDz90GKD2avRW7kpflf272fcjGdf-UuT0nG9yXb7AB4Mo0JwplOTAo5WFr0U0WQ-g28rugk4s4jwB4MzhfngsmSADHygk6WkY2eoWyE5GicK2IE7uv6a_Y8FIh5ITlotaJqxZ-PNYzkD_0iNPNjmWnrv1HTL6GZoZPKA1Ks3Q/w640-h428/P1220740.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The center of the Labyrinth contains a hole that is the size as the 12 quartzite mosaics in the perimeter 11th circuit</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In 2018 I received a commission to build a mosaic meditation area for the garden of a fine Craftsman style house in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Portland. The surrounding garden was designed and built by a local contractor working with a highly skilled stone mason named John Dibona, who's work I have admired for years. The design process was a collaboration with the client involving in depth discussions about various concepts involving cosmic forces. Building celestial motifs provides a trancendent refuge from the trials of daily life and a means of connecting with the universe.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLttDxRq25IptKa_6uMl4fhfv_tRefYOknUWUuFjSmB4pP9LKF8G53VcH6-ZAuRN_t9coCKmAc6EdIad9ell2RDRlLkj-2F66qXVIhfuSi3MyCzP-MO79WJQeWspVOVdGHTGyXSeiD7f2s/s1600/P1000564.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1600" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLttDxRq25IptKa_6uMl4fhfv_tRefYOknUWUuFjSmB4pP9LKF8G53VcH6-ZAuRN_t9coCKmAc6EdIad9ell2RDRlLkj-2F66qXVIhfuSi3MyCzP-MO79WJQeWspVOVdGHTGyXSeiD7f2s/s640/P1000564.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo of a galaxy in one of my client's books</td></tr>
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<br />The space for this project is a rather cramped corner of the very small garden over which the house looms. We would have tea in the kitchen and look down on the garden from above, which became an important consideration in the design. The most efficient way for me to conceive a design is to do an on site mock up, using the materials I've gathered in order to get a realistic idea of the potential for a project. After visiting the site and meeting my client and the guys who built the stone patio and pathways for the garden I went to work collecting stone for the project over the summer. I gave a lecture at Heronswood Nursery in Kingston, Washington in May and collected several buckets of stones from beaches in Puget Sound, and later went on a camping trip on the beautiful Stilaguamish River in the Cascade mountains in Northern Washington, where I dedicated a lot of time to collecting wonderful metamorphic rocks from the river beaches. These stones are treasure, as they are hand selected for their shape and character.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPGhyrqgnxOyoajXB5gVtsVefSEHc1RlJW-_Yw5EcZQ3AkXqdNjKg-HIJu_6z56V_u7HohCac8Lda-HPAI9eeNYmQ5WRSJDfmUKcb7dJpbXLvyZW7F7EnAe_v1b_z5BZMHiyC4dHt1dkkX8yIyQkFxTuyl7Pa-nzbGN8keHeR9vrjO949RG3aeIWsgA/s3776/P1050829.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPGhyrqgnxOyoajXB5gVtsVefSEHc1RlJW-_Yw5EcZQ3AkXqdNjKg-HIJu_6z56V_u7HohCac8Lda-HPAI9eeNYmQ5WRSJDfmUKcb7dJpbXLvyZW7F7EnAe_v1b_z5BZMHiyC4dHt1dkkX8yIyQkFxTuyl7Pa-nzbGN8keHeR9vrjO949RG3aeIWsgA/w640-h428/P1050829.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful stones along the Stilliguamish River</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
Once the site was prepared for the mosaic I went to work mocking up a design. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRS-iX2GZJErM7-0FtwnqUX6pH07y-OZFP_ulbVu8cLXyuXCBvBHTjkfeW9dqwC-LN1I3by8WWbVlzTNnzcaq8DT7_MpkPFYDTMtpKRzwIya84RKRQw_FjYsM4PH8LDR1o4qTF-QptdKJbUEmHT9W5bfH3xw7S6PuVOBskbTLAYWH3W4SJ3GWbJnvkQ/s3776/P1000402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRS-iX2GZJErM7-0FtwnqUX6pH07y-OZFP_ulbVu8cLXyuXCBvBHTjkfeW9dqwC-LN1I3by8WWbVlzTNnzcaq8DT7_MpkPFYDTMtpKRzwIya84RKRQw_FjYsM4PH8LDR1o4qTF-QptdKJbUEmHT9W5bfH3xw7S6PuVOBskbTLAYWH3W4SJ3GWbJnvkQ/w640-h428/P1000402.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A compacted gravel base was prepared for me to build the mosaic on. I later dismantled the beginnings of a circular wall and built a new one more in line with my client's desires.</td></tr></tbody></table><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We discussed doing something relating to the phases of the moon, so I took some marble tile samples I had stored for many years in my basement and cut them on a wet saw to see how they would look. We loved the result, so I searched for additional tiles that could be cut to make the moon phases, playing on the look of the moon seen through a cloudy sky, when it is at its most beautiful.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYFG1qq4WDCwrqTuqNX9qc5TngOLala5exDkYeD3-XjFlzgB62S07ycdB9uyVdher4D1Jil091TDvC5LjIwSsSedxh2IGiSaUMrucQI6qYcFY4OyA5pktJSW5YNqmTJYl9hijee95VV2b/s1600/P1000539.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYFG1qq4WDCwrqTuqNX9qc5TngOLala5exDkYeD3-XjFlzgB62S07ycdB9uyVdher4D1Jil091TDvC5LjIwSsSedxh2IGiSaUMrucQI6qYcFY4OyA5pktJSW5YNqmTJYl9hijee95VV2b/w640-h426/P1000539.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A piece of cut marble representing the Dark Moon</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had collected a number of long finger like stones with triangular shapes to make corona like wreaths around each of the moons phases to tie them together stylistically. The phases are depicted as waxing quarter, half, and three quarter phases of the moon with a full moon on the opposite side, and then waning phases on the right hand side. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWizKyGx0aO3JQYp4pRz51UyMuAhbJ1004cG5IjXUXA7e_nKpwOzLmCpKa-M8fLpkF0t4VsyD-1QhgxmAC89AN17g3dhn1xcw9A93y2ml-6XRGD0n5AuxSC3JsEp1H2W8j8GG1zocSIjHB/s1600/P1000565.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWizKyGx0aO3JQYp4pRz51UyMuAhbJ1004cG5IjXUXA7e_nKpwOzLmCpKa-M8fLpkF0t4VsyD-1QhgxmAC89AN17g3dhn1xcw9A93y2ml-6XRGD0n5AuxSC3JsEp1H2W8j8GG1zocSIjHB/w640-h426/P1000565.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did a mock up of the design once I had all of the pieces of marble cut for the moon phases.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">In the center I cut a rose colored piece of marble to represent lunar eclipses, where the moon appears red, and is often called a Blood Moon. I used the nicest of the finger stones to create the corona around the eclipsed moon. The stone mosaic spirals out from the center to emulate a Spiral Galaxy. I mixed in hundreds of hand sorted small black Mexican Beach Pebbles in to the design to accentuate the spiraling lines</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkj9OlQesoT3UtuMf-dP8DngRG4wqaAYsjOPzvvlBXUjvoOXC_NdVuHJLDvNek9-1wZUZUBE2Sz-pax3eOHuyCUISho_mN2tlue3drXEUye4YQ-6a-gvNWyv39CV5Kz5yeYaPZDZ863Vj/s1600/P1000566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkj9OlQesoT3UtuMf-dP8DngRG4wqaAYsjOPzvvlBXUjvoOXC_NdVuHJLDvNek9-1wZUZUBE2Sz-pax3eOHuyCUISho_mN2tlue3drXEUye4YQ-6a-gvNWyv39CV5Kz5yeYaPZDZ863Vj/w640-h426/P1000566.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Once I had a good enough concept of the overall look I started to set the perimeter moon phases. I used steel strips to make the curved outer edge held in place with long steel spikes, creating a level circle to set my grades from.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJNnm4cLFircjZ82EIjuhvNm7s43nWJjAHSqf98W9VrAFkPKkVFpDP5tbe04UxVAfjsgeMxbJV9uf4yn8QXq-NPrRmekrt6gUU2ZE1Pb-_n51XN5_4xSIyprL6BHZ5hkEK7ksFMSEAaRd/s1600/P1010240.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJNnm4cLFircjZ82EIjuhvNm7s43nWJjAHSqf98W9VrAFkPKkVFpDP5tbe04UxVAfjsgeMxbJV9uf4yn8QXq-NPrRmekrt6gUU2ZE1Pb-_n51XN5_4xSIyprL6BHZ5hkEK7ksFMSEAaRd/w640-h426/P1010240.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A half moon and corona mortared over a reinforcing steel grid and bent 10 foot sections of rebar</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had marked the position of the moons in line with the Cardinal points, so the Dark Moon and Half and Full Moons are pointing North, East, South, and West.<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSEd-Pr3wV8lDMVTwi3F3PAOU1S76S6wc6Agd7CwgE0V5X-x0dPNoi5YCRXUu4V3Ej3YQgOfkwdr56tZZTTk-PWmZc-P_F3Fo99bS4ThxkSat1CIXlKmGgd7_-rDHSGRdJRa41XZ_VpQW/s1600/P1010247.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSEd-Pr3wV8lDMVTwi3F3PAOU1S76S6wc6Agd7CwgE0V5X-x0dPNoi5YCRXUu4V3Ej3YQgOfkwdr56tZZTTk-PWmZc-P_F3Fo99bS4ThxkSat1CIXlKmGgd7_-rDHSGRdJRa41XZ_VpQW/w640-h426/P1010247.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 of the moon phases set in mortar</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div><br /></div><div>Once the perimeter was completed I built the center moon and its larger corona and then began to fill in with the spiraling stones to create the galaxy. My client is very detail oriented and I made adjustments to appease her that refined the overall look. My work is not without flaws and they did not go unnoticed but eventually were forgiven.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MCsXiR8agz7tY4F8_UxZH22_5NQoV0zYvejxnWr8eZ1_wWN88WIkqQ7SrD2WJY7EundKBZKGSLSo66kqYt1ZlldXNWx0xnG17hZAT5R5Kr-8-1Qebau13zs6xGwUS0TTRTLHPbcQwIWL/s1600/P1010255.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MCsXiR8agz7tY4F8_UxZH22_5NQoV0zYvejxnWr8eZ1_wWN88WIkqQ7SrD2WJY7EundKBZKGSLSo66kqYt1ZlldXNWx0xnG17hZAT5R5Kr-8-1Qebau13zs6xGwUS0TTRTLHPbcQwIWL/w640-h426/P1010255.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A portion of the spiral galaxy set in mortar. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I flatten and level the freshly set pebbles by laying a piece of plywood on to and carefully walking on it. Then I gently hose off the excess mortar the pushes up between the stones and repeat the process until the mosaic is at the desired level. The center of the circle is slightly higher than the edges so water drains to the outside.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxscffn3CrPkizqACUJSaCe6KsqJCWINw6V-WlRvHQrP_ftW_Ydn1nGLxo_v6s4YlpT-hIf5Dp0s_WCC8UqGYOgzWXpuf3cdN_lRv-NxIk34_dCwh1qpIfmRU3DBtraxDJMr2ph-dlQBDP/s1600/P1010278.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxscffn3CrPkizqACUJSaCe6KsqJCWINw6V-WlRvHQrP_ftW_Ydn1nGLxo_v6s4YlpT-hIf5Dp0s_WCC8UqGYOgzWXpuf3cdN_lRv-NxIk34_dCwh1qpIfmRU3DBtraxDJMr2ph-dlQBDP/w640-h480/P1010278.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed spiral galaxy</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIQbQ_XjV6qp5s2Ey1j5i1ITUX57OwB7_g_Nxdt9zTqMUKw90s0zIX9HozEDVXZGYBtA_7cN6zVYezFGPHQjJeIZzPTT1nG1xYx5GVXlNCsKSP66Tu3gqV8Ff5Z0AORNy4-WEmjy-AqAw/s1600/Nancy%2527s+Moon+Mosaic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIQbQ_XjV6qp5s2Ey1j5i1ITUX57OwB7_g_Nxdt9zTqMUKw90s0zIX9HozEDVXZGYBtA_7cN6zVYezFGPHQjJeIZzPTT1nG1xYx5GVXlNCsKSP66Tu3gqV8Ff5Z0AORNy4-WEmjy-AqAw/w640-h426/Nancy%2527s+Moon+Mosaic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>After the mortar set for about 10 days I removed the steel form and cleaned the mosaic by pouring Muriatic Acid on it and spraying it with water to spread it out across the surface. The acid reacts with the base in the mortar to remove the gray residue mortar film, and exposes the sand in the mix so it looks darker.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCHyyyI_Tb5ije2ZJdj5g3XEUt5SjVzKMU5LhT1vzLKoAp5UulBRSfn_Q9SdAwGYjomMcDL-hKMe8sJvPb5e_J9Io28e1TQDM6Kzt1J3WdPTzem5gkAi1QRLZlM5L_oemcjT-9WyITy6ePJWkdZn6qXxwtGnGw0nenxIHHkYzKvlhnJenvOIA5KpjgQ/s3648/2qbo%20Muriatic%20Acid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCHyyyI_Tb5ije2ZJdj5g3XEUt5SjVzKMU5LhT1vzLKoAp5UulBRSfn_Q9SdAwGYjomMcDL-hKMe8sJvPb5e_J9Io28e1TQDM6Kzt1J3WdPTzem5gkAi1QRLZlM5L_oemcjT-9WyITy6ePJWkdZn6qXxwtGnGw0nenxIHHkYzKvlhnJenvOIA5KpjgQ/w640-h480/2qbo%20Muriatic%20Acid.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muriatic Acid</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The stonemason John Dibona lives out in the Columbia River Gorge outside of the town of Corbett, where there is an extraordinary quarry of columnar basalt. Basalt columns are a desirable material for garden designers. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiLa_-dKY9qCBbAPQr9RVfy7IirpYws8JvXHZN7bO_Gl4anziT4H0ZGozGHNlWcoj7mRb_-lo-dMUua3_HxPw2F4vfYQ9mTkfbfdWMZ5RiKYTXVyvcPp5e09GijSZK2dzAzTL4bV29E8812N5-QPBonJ7NUn_QQMhIw1R-JHD-Jm9RJhVWPJpZiWdMw/s3776/Corbett%20Quarry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiLa_-dKY9qCBbAPQr9RVfy7IirpYws8JvXHZN7bO_Gl4anziT4H0ZGozGHNlWcoj7mRb_-lo-dMUua3_HxPw2F4vfYQ9mTkfbfdWMZ5RiKYTXVyvcPp5e09GijSZK2dzAzTL4bV29E8812N5-QPBonJ7NUn_QQMhIw1R-JHD-Jm9RJhVWPJpZiWdMw/w640-h428/Corbett%20Quarry.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columnar basalt being quarried outside the town of Corbett</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>We selected a number of smaller pieces that John and a friend cut in to shapes that I could use to construct a perimeter seat height wall around the mosaic. The same basalt was used around the patio they built and I wanted to integrate my work with what they had done. The stones were heavy so I used a hand truck dolly to maneuver them around. I bought and gathered a selection of beautiful river stones to mix in with the basalt pieces.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO17XK8mH_ZDBINWNU6bMmRXRwmHUj8kytanEmsA9Rs_pNNBDXe294-MCBOFvO3p_FxDMgsvMd1ueyW3Ic5Ae17nYjn1Pt4KaEV4f5cqXLVGiisxuUum7PGQgm5UDfCBo-L87h4QxKFCl4YiCd0VQyDnLS2yFczVhrj9Ll-V2u8Kq2QCx_2XQ2QTcXng/s3776/P1190930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO17XK8mH_ZDBINWNU6bMmRXRwmHUj8kytanEmsA9Rs_pNNBDXe294-MCBOFvO3p_FxDMgsvMd1ueyW3Ic5Ae17nYjn1Pt4KaEV4f5cqXLVGiisxuUum7PGQgm5UDfCBo-L87h4QxKFCl4YiCd0VQyDnLS2yFczVhrj9Ll-V2u8Kq2QCx_2XQ2QTcXng/w640-h428/P1190930.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the basalt blocks used in the wall</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The wall I wanted to build has a rustic but tightly fit construction and shape. I did a mock up using the various stones so my client and I could make decisions about the composition. By then she was much more trusting and I was able to work more freely. <br /></div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9wgUbk42PV0bsGFkhwUuHnFmWlCgr1HvnE9pQ3GFa0wbArGsneg2uTC6YM7xfyzSXJWI3X5Jbj3LquhM_H3ZO1ZOTQUqaI89VMMk5_ntfurMuglwuMy4-Dw7vHN3M9mhT76Vks7i5TSzhapW8F0cx6tWibOs6iFodLdNfizQtrz7ZOPing3iCawQiw/s3776/Nancy's%20wall%20mockup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9wgUbk42PV0bsGFkhwUuHnFmWlCgr1HvnE9pQ3GFa0wbArGsneg2uTC6YM7xfyzSXJWI3X5Jbj3LquhM_H3ZO1ZOTQUqaI89VMMk5_ntfurMuglwuMy4-Dw7vHN3M9mhT76Vks7i5TSzhapW8F0cx6tWibOs6iFodLdNfizQtrz7ZOPing3iCawQiw/w640-h428/Nancy's%20wall%20mockup.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A partial mockup of the surrounding wall</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<div>The entrance to the patio was oriented to the north with two large columnar stones creating a gateway. I collected an assortment of smaller stones to integrate in to the work.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaRaZiwL_Bx8V4vjrr4xtyWvNmUdyOTiUtKz3cjVaWfO1P-qZGzMOoCYchPM6eAVs-LU3Xl5-47i1quJlcoJyDPcfv0zcnFlhJTBVkXaK5w9tc9DQr-3iUi0ofpKBRST8tvw5_1RmHsOAKAgjD659f_lu6cA9Fr4VyipJWhXIEMF7oKGgxsTXR7pDfA/s3776/P1220752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaRaZiwL_Bx8V4vjrr4xtyWvNmUdyOTiUtKz3cjVaWfO1P-qZGzMOoCYchPM6eAVs-LU3Xl5-47i1quJlcoJyDPcfv0zcnFlhJTBVkXaK5w9tc9DQr-3iUi0ofpKBRST8tvw5_1RmHsOAKAgjD659f_lu6cA9Fr4VyipJWhXIEMF7oKGgxsTXR7pDfA/w640-h428/P1220752.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An assortment of river stones to be incorporated in to the wall</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>When I was ready to commit to the composition I started to mortar the first course of stones together. Some of them are tall and span the base to the cap of the wall, while most of the stones are stacked and fitted together.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn-sgZGvKzbQEIxwr3cDQKPIMZV86Y3QyYW0RpKZBgD1mhyWH6f36ArtTKLNzWZiVkYXLwhGaiTymmFguvyIEI2yby1EnN0dsEJE-Yy19vaOG1y5ojJtuJx2Ypow3mMqNOeTczdkGowQRjlJzS3kyE80McUx_MhPm6d4LhCnc_bSJBjZfyDS0PQDhKg/s3776/Nancy's%20building%20wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn-sgZGvKzbQEIxwr3cDQKPIMZV86Y3QyYW0RpKZBgD1mhyWH6f36ArtTKLNzWZiVkYXLwhGaiTymmFguvyIEI2yby1EnN0dsEJE-Yy19vaOG1y5ojJtuJx2Ypow3mMqNOeTczdkGowQRjlJzS3kyE80McUx_MhPm6d4LhCnc_bSJBjZfyDS0PQDhKg/w640-h428/Nancy's%20building%20wall.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixing mortar and setting the first course of stone in the wall</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I use a 7 inch diameter diamond stone cutting blade on my large angle grinder to shape the stones so that they fit tightly together. This is very hard work as the material is very hard and heavy. The wall is free standing on the sides facing the patio so they wall has to look good from both sides. The large stones helped integrate the new wall in to the existing work the guys had done before.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxHBWjcyOzCMDFuUh0bCXyDXDH0g5P6A4wfUYc8qIPgxNbuGhYH9ORTaZ0R1xwSKefzP9_TxkvqEL6eiYsRm_wB8PhPMrcL2AcNQ47y1IAERSo71yLCF7Lrd47Ubwfs2kTTgA34nJ0T_rR1qjVdY6mKsZ5loDzAoJymQsEJDfEXaNAmYUEnpukpLHZQ/s3648/Nancy's%20shaping%20rock.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxHBWjcyOzCMDFuUh0bCXyDXDH0g5P6A4wfUYc8qIPgxNbuGhYH9ORTaZ0R1xwSKefzP9_TxkvqEL6eiYsRm_wB8PhPMrcL2AcNQ47y1IAERSo71yLCF7Lrd47Ubwfs2kTTgA34nJ0T_rR1qjVdY6mKsZ5loDzAoJymQsEJDfEXaNAmYUEnpukpLHZQ/w480-h640/Nancy's%20shaping%20rock.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scoring lines in the stones so I can remove sections with a small sledge hammer and rock chisel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The details in the wall and pavement integrate the two and make for some wonderful vignettes. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzYKLIZD40KuKQAionxN7oKEGqGWrRYdpgg5I_nL9LeybpNuaRVXTkreDD1FA-DNL4qWGuetPQAQ6nFB0OTaXK5sxT2glPP76TD9WHzDYMqrXDu1tpvByBhAsX7sh1mlDnhzt-GvIU4AC8DmZBdOnEcljVitzGfaAgVqcvJ1YYtLTGtGiKPGouLIWbw/s3526/P1220582.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2353" data-original-width="3526" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzYKLIZD40KuKQAionxN7oKEGqGWrRYdpgg5I_nL9LeybpNuaRVXTkreDD1FA-DNL4qWGuetPQAQ6nFB0OTaXK5sxT2glPP76TD9WHzDYMqrXDu1tpvByBhAsX7sh1mlDnhzt-GvIU4AC8DmZBdOnEcljVitzGfaAgVqcvJ1YYtLTGtGiKPGouLIWbw/w640-h428/P1220582.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling in the gaps with colorful stones</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I left a gap between the bottom of the wall and the mosaic that I later filled with leftover pebbles so that water could drain from the patio in to the ground. At the three cardinal points in the wall I built arched niches to place candles or offerings in. These arches connect the wall with the marble moon phases in the pavement. I used pebbles to mosaic cracks and gaps in the wall and connecting pavement to bring the details of the mosaic up in to the seat wall.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMgL3LQMIa-bO3ewCCuWujGYBYHARIyNL0ouIBlAL-CKYWQq7__9FJh7irT9Oz5i7mGgKUdYoz079GzDOQoRrvjEbMTWLM__qpEDU8ciwO8g8maiDzUIyZIOcJ__bGu83FXS0XplL9yHafrNsLMuPiNPml9abeLBJvQQfRzCxxPMIJAycrIOndRz_oQ/s3776/Nancy's%20Full%20Moon%20&%20niche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMgL3LQMIa-bO3ewCCuWujGYBYHARIyNL0ouIBlAL-CKYWQq7__9FJh7irT9Oz5i7mGgKUdYoz079GzDOQoRrvjEbMTWLM__qpEDU8ciwO8g8maiDzUIyZIOcJ__bGu83FXS0XplL9yHafrNsLMuPiNPml9abeLBJvQQfRzCxxPMIJAycrIOndRz_oQ/w640-h428/Nancy's%20Full%20Moon%20&%20niche.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An arched niche made with beautiful river stones over the full moon.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>After I finished and cleaned the rock work in the wall I brought in amended soil and planted the narrow beds with plants that would adapt will to the shady and sunny areas, trying to keep the scale of the plants appropriate to the small spaces, so that they won't overwhelm and bury the wall as they mature. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7HRqnV9mSBOxKKWHitI_5OnA-tfpJjLxrVN4Gh8OWIFCLfBEhd_HfL-H1L_YTokJSVTtyf_FBmU32dHYPTS3-3V-xlg3e8zWpmPNKotT8pcNJEm38R9dxHxNFhsAB8WuGrSgrZ4MTFJU15w5YX3A20U16FaVFPKrOOKpeCg9-bgZR1irBkABsNHN4Q/s3776/15i%20Nancy's%20moon%20mosaic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7HRqnV9mSBOxKKWHitI_5OnA-tfpJjLxrVN4Gh8OWIFCLfBEhd_HfL-H1L_YTokJSVTtyf_FBmU32dHYPTS3-3V-xlg3e8zWpmPNKotT8pcNJEm38R9dxHxNFhsAB8WuGrSgrZ4MTFJU15w5YX3A20U16FaVFPKrOOKpeCg9-bgZR1irBkABsNHN4Q/w640-h428/15i%20Nancy's%20moon%20mosaic.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plantings around the Phases of the Moon Patio</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>The completed wall makes for a nice enclosed area to gather for conversations, and for rituals my client arranges on the full moon. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli6Cb_HxpsVgBO0iRAoXd_pCbKaV7eqzDLSdUtGXgqzHHe0GTifJd5HpOA5Ba6gsoAjBpiItaFU71_61VV_ZvaXsT0F4kQdMIPcd1VphtQ1z8ZU-JZLyVlCawQT98Ip4sQPC3yDrdU3d-U6WJOFlQ8T1zc5kO_1mRki9mnfXStivtSGuoAwlS_IEANA/s502/Nancy's%20ritual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="502" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli6Cb_HxpsVgBO0iRAoXd_pCbKaV7eqzDLSdUtGXgqzHHe0GTifJd5HpOA5Ba6gsoAjBpiItaFU71_61VV_ZvaXsT0F4kQdMIPcd1VphtQ1z8ZU-JZLyVlCawQT98Ip4sQPC3yDrdU3d-U6WJOFlQ8T1zc5kO_1mRki9mnfXStivtSGuoAwlS_IEANA/w640-h612/Nancy's%20ritual.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighting and candles for a full moon ritual</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The patio the guys had built before I came was well constructed but now looked somewhat monotone so I lifted some of the smaller pieces and did insets with pebbles to bring some more visual interest to it. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T92Oey2vnWQJvdCjWfCU4DclMADsH6YSNemUoMuM7CMv-MRmejC8TjKVVDMo5DeZX0neW5D_scduci_EiZSTs3RGxAIKHdGdWpeJwwSLiiggu5dAe77VwV0Y-pfV8SbC7HbpbhNrIxMrAUiNDfnly86zKjcd9jhC03nEXxfPGJmaGbPn5qze6E9NIA/s3776/P1000406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T92Oey2vnWQJvdCjWfCU4DclMADsH6YSNemUoMuM7CMv-MRmejC8TjKVVDMo5DeZX0neW5D_scduci_EiZSTs3RGxAIKHdGdWpeJwwSLiiggu5dAe77VwV0Y-pfV8SbC7HbpbhNrIxMrAUiNDfnly86zKjcd9jhC03nEXxfPGJmaGbPn5qze6E9NIA/w640-h428/P1000406.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pebble insets set in fine crushed gravel are permeable so that water can drain in to the ground.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>I took over the planting of the other garden beds as well. I actually like working with plants more than I do building with stone. The color pallet we chose is meant to compliment the house and fence colors.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxXSgBMeA3Ga2ZyZhrgRuEF9bJktPw8coWDdNuh3jH5PbvhiObC8sHoKc6g_FRm2GxMHKkdQ_T6NwdCw-Or6gjFUjZ3jr_XczPcJJFINDJvzbyHfPxMfZx5qAfl1fB6M9DNeQdwhO2mEpM_oiyaroNr6LbM3NBcu-0ymWoW55wB-KwyLjpYYTLMfe4g/s3776/Phormiums%20and%20Geum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxXSgBMeA3Ga2ZyZhrgRuEF9bJktPw8coWDdNuh3jH5PbvhiObC8sHoKc6g_FRm2GxMHKkdQ_T6NwdCw-Or6gjFUjZ3jr_XczPcJJFINDJvzbyHfPxMfZx5qAfl1fB6M9DNeQdwhO2mEpM_oiyaroNr6LbM3NBcu-0ymWoW55wB-KwyLjpYYTLMfe4g/w640-h428/Phormiums%20and%20Geum.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phormium cookianum 'Atropurpureum', Geum 'Mandarine' and Golden Oregano</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkvg1a5V39MEMhgYGdSu25snOJSeHsB___7FJPp0Gg1yfsJEp5_rfgWqo5q_5oj928JGy2RXHkmswKQiSRffqS0fQoS-GVhNw4wOK53BE2B-B_1khHL9gyEUQdVryetxy5Jh1LvjfSvXXeScr608tVtIgz-_GlPNT7nTebWfMKbslh1QMJEdrOsXatw/s3776/Mosaic%20detail%20and%20plants.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkvg1a5V39MEMhgYGdSu25snOJSeHsB___7FJPp0Gg1yfsJEp5_rfgWqo5q_5oj928JGy2RXHkmswKQiSRffqS0fQoS-GVhNw4wOK53BE2B-B_1khHL9gyEUQdVryetxy5Jh1LvjfSvXXeScr608tVtIgz-_GlPNT7nTebWfMKbslh1QMJEdrOsXatw/w640-h428/Mosaic%20detail%20and%20plants.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic detail and Carex testacea and Black Mondo Grass</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwO2qCzeWKjn4Jxn_UPxguMwYpxeYr2AatGI-wn7QyINwchycFrX7qCrmCdnvJEX2VYUvudMJrqODkCXfM28dVBamiiGt-Z0XYkhjonwAnFlI8JytXxZKVqFrdqpb6GE0EbYwfGzLVXteq87yM7OQxP7PJgFfGgyGdK_99_7KoPGvC9oJRG16IC2SemQ/s3612/Skull%20in%20Niche.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2410" data-original-width="3612" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwO2qCzeWKjn4Jxn_UPxguMwYpxeYr2AatGI-wn7QyINwchycFrX7qCrmCdnvJEX2VYUvudMJrqODkCXfM28dVBamiiGt-Z0XYkhjonwAnFlI8JytXxZKVqFrdqpb6GE0EbYwfGzLVXteq87yM7OQxP7PJgFfGgyGdK_99_7KoPGvC9oJRG16IC2SemQ/w640-h428/Skull%20in%20Niche.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My clients are renowned for their Halloween decorations. This skull fits nicely in one of the niches.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The garden is still fairly young and I am no longer involved with its upkeep, but hopefully it will grow in to a wonderful garden. Thanks for reading, Jeffrey<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAi8VhsVcYAomOWo2rHy3i9BNxige_5Wj1HiqHKaCU1dv_4c3P1if5XYohSI7R-BI5Zot9j3SBdiRsJZkUxn77qKSgzvwbzOaT54FsIcMU_1OodptbPABbFECO54ZKATdLDF9O0z14mzkN_Jf3x828lrhski5-1KJ1X8wBQvf_N54inyVoDk5tg4tcg/s3776/Nancy's%20spiral%20galaxy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAi8VhsVcYAomOWo2rHy3i9BNxige_5Wj1HiqHKaCU1dv_4c3P1if5XYohSI7R-BI5Zot9j3SBdiRsJZkUxn77qKSgzvwbzOaT54FsIcMU_1OodptbPABbFECO54ZKATdLDF9O0z14mzkN_Jf3x828lrhski5-1KJ1X8wBQvf_N54inyVoDk5tg4tcg/w640-h428/Nancy's%20spiral%20galaxy.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-90216393477691516252022-08-13T20:48:00.004-07:002022-08-13T20:50:26.597-07:00Ohme Gardens<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLVOc0x0R91pe5vUKAjpbL1luDnsfwIuIxiNWgQFRsT0N6Gl0yXca2up47qgEAxe_SWDeUQXp_Okq4FUQIj8bY-J5LQWkLufpD2nZjPqahzv9bQ1-01WwxOEu7l-RkP83Y5yxrWKQX5UBpA1ZI18D6XU5nmMHVjmkM6pxGClaKjMoOf3UX1zUaLT6LA/s3776/P1040777.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3776" data-original-width="2520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLVOc0x0R91pe5vUKAjpbL1luDnsfwIuIxiNWgQFRsT0N6Gl0yXca2up47qgEAxe_SWDeUQXp_Okq4FUQIj8bY-J5LQWkLufpD2nZjPqahzv9bQ1-01WwxOEu7l-RkP83Y5yxrWKQX5UBpA1ZI18D6XU5nmMHVjmkM6pxGClaKjMoOf3UX1zUaLT6LA/w428-h640/P1040777.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steep topography in the gardens overlooking the Columbia River</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sGRFtFjB7vP9AkVCN9t4PnwSQ3SNkv-GnZBU6iy17q_SnIf1I5clSBgMJKdOVY_BQLw_rNChQjpTiCJDfWugEUCJWlDI2NrCM_ell3cBxtVapeSxSYGshnPWyZOo8Aa-kT8uResbutYozq6L6OSRDeXhkNOB2Z61R5Kj3xU5adsed4M5FFFSovScAA/s3776/P1160657.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sGRFtFjB7vP9AkVCN9t4PnwSQ3SNkv-GnZBU6iy17q_SnIf1I5clSBgMJKdOVY_BQLw_rNChQjpTiCJDfWugEUCJWlDI2NrCM_ell3cBxtVapeSxSYGshnPWyZOo8Aa-kT8uResbutYozq6L6OSRDeXhkNOB2Z61R5Kj3xU5adsed4M5FFFSovScAA/w640-h429/P1160657.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Twin Pools when the pink Phlox bloom in Spring in the 1970's</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>This is an essay about a very special garden in Central Washington that I have only visited twice, but which holds a special place in my heart because I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTilujLxjyAbQJc-bjhAHDr6OxT8Fi4c6c_wDHraeEl0OAa-bwmwiLq-xWc2ywHBfooDJIG38d3w98It7jYlUOM9IOsjfCW6fPXEN8c2FSXLgzx5laDX_h_TnReOd9gQHbsUcLW8yhsv7kfPp4jkt753WkDRQbq-DGOamRxcW7mEbu6OB418GbcCUxYw/s3776/P1160658.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2461" data-original-width="3776" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTilujLxjyAbQJc-bjhAHDr6OxT8Fi4c6c_wDHraeEl0OAa-bwmwiLq-xWc2ywHBfooDJIG38d3w98It7jYlUOM9IOsjfCW6fPXEN8c2FSXLgzx5laDX_h_TnReOd9gQHbsUcLW8yhsv7kfPp4jkt753WkDRQbq-DGOamRxcW7mEbu6OB418GbcCUxYw/w640-h418/P1160658.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A map and aerial photograph of Ohme Gardens</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>After I had graduated from college, I began to collect a library of books about gardens, architecture, art and travel. One of the first photo laden books I purchased, published in 1990 was Gardening America, by Ogden Tanner. The first image in the book is of a lush green alpine mountain meadow strewn with boulders and splashes of radiant pink creeping phlox. It is a photo of Wenatchee, Washington's Ohme Gardens, a family's laborious interpretation of idyllic landscapes found in the nearby Cascade Mountains to the west.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Hkio4RAYoAKw4HNsLrrTZrvDxMD1TKdtL2XVZQGy5gDNb0BR52RA0e6nfxfcnBzk3C0XwzI4w5ykMv_cxCy0mxF-IckX7CrBXTfNiCsyj1td7y_srsZYMu2ZrPbhAbN0jeWYPtaA-u3r/s2048/P1050018.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Hkio4RAYoAKw4HNsLrrTZrvDxMD1TKdtL2XVZQGy5gDNb0BR52RA0e6nfxfcnBzk3C0XwzI4w5ykMv_cxCy0mxF-IckX7CrBXTfNiCsyj1td7y_srsZYMu2ZrPbhAbN0jeWYPtaA-u3r/w640-h360/P1050018.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Ohme is unique among gardens in the United States as it was created to emulate the experience of hiking in an alpine mountain landscape. Stone trails lace the hillsides, leading to enchanted waterfalls, ponds, flowery meadows, and dramatic viewpoints overlooking the Columbia River Valley. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5zV6oeBaUWr8qhVdGZcZfrXj1kLVp2lVqFiitJk3LofPTPdFMcJDz0F77w_8_5b0lAv0pLeEzJ2V3aHq5Xo4KpHX9p1JufZOX3ubHQyQnaf-H6YfcwY-JNi4lMe21S6LARjHN96wjkek/s3776/P1040596.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5zV6oeBaUWr8qhVdGZcZfrXj1kLVp2lVqFiitJk3LofPTPdFMcJDz0F77w_8_5b0lAv0pLeEzJ2V3aHq5Xo4KpHX9p1JufZOX3ubHQyQnaf-H6YfcwY-JNi4lMe21S6LARjHN96wjkek/w640-h428/P1040596.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sylvan Pool was originally built as a swimming pool for the Ohme family and friends</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Eastern Washington is high desert country. Between 17 and 14 million years ago, a series of basaltic lava flows covered 63,200 square miles of the Pacific Northwest from Idaho to the Pacific Ocean. Then during the Late Ice Age catastrophic inundations of water reshaped the surface of the region, erasing previous surface features. The mighty Columbia River carves a route 1,243 miles long from British Columbia in Canada to the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, Oregon. The river is unlike others as a the sections passing through Washington and along the Oregon border were scoured by as many as 40 or more catastrophic floods that occurred during the late Ice Age about 20,000 years ago. An advancing ice sheet would block the course of the Columbia River, and another on the Clark Fork River in what is now Montana, forming a lake the size of Lake Michigan in the Great Lakes before breeching and sending forth an unfathomable torrent of water hundreds of feet deep, tearing at everything in its path.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q-cK9t41wF_Y0hnljNJd76zfjvm_sJ3p1OXAhmOaJBMwe1rfxPv_8cTNKK3Ia2zLzlFnLhv4JkYFc7Vx4hdVZD0vh-ImfN8nj1zLKtu025CUh4JSmFmpqI5FHqC0U4ZjLhWxvgLEVuJoaVBSmqBzJqzaWAI2sNNyWW6u4exo7rBv20KzhLb0VYfL4g/s1200/Dry_Falls_(Washington).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Q-cK9t41wF_Y0hnljNJd76zfjvm_sJ3p1OXAhmOaJBMwe1rfxPv_8cTNKK3Ia2zLzlFnLhv4JkYFc7Vx4hdVZD0vh-ImfN8nj1zLKtu025CUh4JSmFmpqI5FHqC0U4ZjLhWxvgLEVuJoaVBSmqBzJqzaWAI2sNNyWW6u4exo7rBv20KzhLb0VYfL4g/w640-h426/Dry_Falls_(Washington).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry Falls is a 3 1/2 mile wide precipice with 4 alcoves formed by a series of catastrophic Ice Age floods with a volume estimated to be 10 times that of all the rivers flowing on Earth today.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The resulting steep walled canyons, scablands, dry waterfalls, and giant rock eddy's in the Columbia River basin confused geologists about their origins for decades until a geologist by the name of J Harlan Bretz hypothesized that catastrophic floods were responsible. The academic community rejected his claims as contrary to accepted geologic theory but over time his ideas were validated. Aerial surveys clearly reveal the path of the great deluges, called the Missoula Floods.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQH9AGm0GkTUXlm7qQZMJ40TyofIDPoh3C3fu1TYxGvIOXDk-TO1ZzI_aqBK24UGezunz4P6_wWTXS0u4588mdVk9XxdieIb2HJHEhKmfJYwmlHvut5xkR9nSd4rvZwRhTkIbO7kq7scG/s960/HistoryofOhme6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="960" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQH9AGm0GkTUXlm7qQZMJ40TyofIDPoh3C3fu1TYxGvIOXDk-TO1ZzI_aqBK24UGezunz4P6_wWTXS0u4588mdVk9XxdieIb2HJHEhKmfJYwmlHvut5xkR9nSd4rvZwRhTkIbO7kq7scG/w640-h416/HistoryofOhme6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early photo of a path with expansive views of the Columbia River and apple orchards below</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Wind blown glacial sediments later formed south facing dunes that today are prime areas for growing apples and other orchard fruits. Wenatchee is the self proclaimed 'Apple Capitol of the World'.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxsapqt_-ECZkoaFuVig_WuIzGvfhODLjLoRW1tVp6itso-Y0dLC6pxxhU1fJXfelILmxe8NB8qpLZXlk1ACkT76__jNHwrwNcKqBa6ED9z9KvYtzjDgG9jxtba5ZLiURos4aUkDzYrXKsiVBdROCVk5rvr7SUt4XHtFsL4CzAxCjoYYoduxO235j8w/s3776/P1040825.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxsapqt_-ECZkoaFuVig_WuIzGvfhODLjLoRW1tVp6itso-Y0dLC6pxxhU1fJXfelILmxe8NB8qpLZXlk1ACkT76__jNHwrwNcKqBa6ED9z9KvYtzjDgG9jxtba5ZLiURos4aUkDzYrXKsiVBdROCVk5rvr7SUt4XHtFsL4CzAxCjoYYoduxO235j8w/w640-h428/P1040825.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple blossom time</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Around the time that geologist J Harlan Bretz began studying the region in 1910, a man named Herman Ohme moved from the flat plains of Illinois to Wenatchee. He started out logging, which introduced him to the beauty of the snowcapped Cascade Mountains towering over the Western horizon. Its apparent that Mr. Ohme had a love of nature that made logging an unappealing form of employment. The region is utterly spectacular, with glaciated granite and basalt peaks and sculpted lake basins. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness, which runs from Snoqualmie Pass in the south to Stevens Pass in the north contains some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes I have ever seen. There is a reason that the most dramatic lake basin south of Stevens Pass is called the Enchantments. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsxLPCWJtoRSo4J7gy58zpr2_BCX4sSPGiMgHVAZXMR1GyyQUWiTupk2OlrqS42FiKpfLkTegmk5zHk1iCq9oPlw6FrMaA1J4qhBcxtVmyHLbO-mU9PdQkPOg3A1CX0nS9dNfnpCy6uTK/s2048/P1210863.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsxLPCWJtoRSo4J7gy58zpr2_BCX4sSPGiMgHVAZXMR1GyyQUWiTupk2OlrqS42FiKpfLkTegmk5zHk1iCq9oPlw6FrMaA1J4qhBcxtVmyHLbO-mU9PdQkPOg3A1CX0nS9dNfnpCy6uTK/w640-h428/P1210863.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Lake, north of Snoqualmie Pass </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In 1929 Mr. Ohme purchased 40 acres of land on a dry, sagebrush covered bluff overlooking the river valley with the plan of starting an apple orchard. In 1930 Herman married Ruth Orcutt, who was born and raised in the Wenatchee region. They planted apples on the lower slopes of the property, and after a long days work would often climb up to the top of the hill to take in the sweeping views of the orchard filled valley and the soaring Cascades in the distance. Eventually an area was leveled and rows of poplars and black locust trees and a lawn were planted. This was the beginning of the Great Depression and no bank loans were available for building a house so everything was done at minimal expense. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VqvDBljcZCTKNCDXRaHne0pvMkagkhaiSkHjMb6i_zF2nYqVLf5xeDwJE6r9ogFBbCYmQJ1uGldkYWMDrAkYymX5r-da6QIXbaN7YJRzw6axnXYzzD8J1V94qpUpDK1d-HYcOWpu-QXX/s495/HistoryofOhme3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="393" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VqvDBljcZCTKNCDXRaHne0pvMkagkhaiSkHjMb6i_zF2nYqVLf5xeDwJE6r9ogFBbCYmQJ1uGldkYWMDrAkYymX5r-da6QIXbaN7YJRzw6axnXYzzD8J1V94qpUpDK1d-HYcOWpu-QXX/w508-h640/HistoryofOhme3.jpg" width="508" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herman and Ruth Ohme</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkNQEbF3bCnzgTJbIMavdNXvBX4CMeWPwHlYESWz3e7bN3ZED3hOOFqEQ2bl03aIlcy2cn32XRN_gD7yAfIu-XY0DZiNe50CcyLPI8IL-_W9C2OAWSbbF2YozV2uwQ9EkHQGXOdfRC8SjHZ3uSgD7bI8JgNBrTwTosPRD2eKgq6GX1hci6qFGceOqeQ/s3776/P1040789.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkNQEbF3bCnzgTJbIMavdNXvBX4CMeWPwHlYESWz3e7bN3ZED3hOOFqEQ2bl03aIlcy2cn32XRN_gD7yAfIu-XY0DZiNe50CcyLPI8IL-_W9C2OAWSbbF2YozV2uwQ9EkHQGXOdfRC8SjHZ3uSgD7bI8JgNBrTwTosPRD2eKgq6GX1hci6qFGceOqeQ/w640-h428/P1040789.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The landscape of Burch Mountain adjacent to Ohme Gardens in it's original state as dry sagebrush covered slopes</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmC5C5P6QyRo96tKU1Oz8hxsMxpxgAxxmO0V1W03SHuGYpEYm8_P_9uSX3AJ03-EOZeC5S0vQ5R1IfX7jqNZNZAa01J8MMc_Y298tnZ8eZTngf3Hls5V9v3SovNs3rpP0_GV26nMSyoaTuS3T81dES-b8vhL85TdFdNLibuFh0XgEmtHHRMElqN_MYiA/s3776/P1040580.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmC5C5P6QyRo96tKU1Oz8hxsMxpxgAxxmO0V1W03SHuGYpEYm8_P_9uSX3AJ03-EOZeC5S0vQ5R1IfX7jqNZNZAa01J8MMc_Y298tnZ8eZTngf3Hls5V9v3SovNs3rpP0_GV26nMSyoaTuS3T81dES-b8vhL85TdFdNLibuFh0XgEmtHHRMElqN_MYiA/w640-h428/P1040580.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wenatchee River</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Their love of the mountains motivated them to begin a laborious 40 year journey to create an alpine paradise of their own remeniscent of the nearby mountains. The property features dramatic natural rock formations and cliff hanging promentories. The couple would drive up in the Cascades in their Studebaker Coupe on the weekends and fill the rumble seat and running boards with seedlings of native Alpine Firs, Douglas firs, and Cedars, as well as native shrubs and ferns. They had to haul 5 gallon milk cans to the top of the hill to hand water the new plants. Soon they were transporting water in a large tank in a truck, and eventually installed an 800 foot pipeline to run sprinklers in the young garden. There was no plan to begin with, just lots of trees planted here and there, but brutal hard work fueled by ambition led to the beginnings of an alpine landscape on the mountain slopes. Having no training in landscape design or horticulture, they worked intuitively, inspired by what they had seen in the Cascade range. They succeeded in creating a convincingly natural landscape unlike any other I have ever seen. <br /><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aya8sj31Ljf7x_4oKHG6F1cB1XTBuranQEsjjixbkeOSJenV0QbdDnzVbcZu58gFmy8KOpqszlEaZvFlAeXSrO4cZUtCNOmQGjEXOa0U6SlyXsc7xYIVFVr1TifS8AF6hC2dkWEi0QVn/s3776/P1040613.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aya8sj31Ljf7x_4oKHG6F1cB1XTBuranQEsjjixbkeOSJenV0QbdDnzVbcZu58gFmy8KOpqszlEaZvFlAeXSrO4cZUtCNOmQGjEXOa0U6SlyXsc7xYIVFVr1TifS8AF6hC2dkWEi0QVn/w640-h428/P1040613.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mass plantings of Alpine Fir, Abies lasiocarpa have reached mature heights</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>When you hike in the mountains it's often to reach a lake. At the base of a large rock outcropping Herman used a mule drawn drag bucket to excavate what would become the Sylvan swimming pool. Going laboriously back and forth, the soil was removed down to the underlying bedrock. He then he lined the pool with concrete mixed by hand to seal it. As a stone mason I can fathom the amount of labor that went in to this project. Water was eventually piped to the top of the outcropping to cascade in a small waterfall down its face. What a wonderful swimming pool!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6j5ZApQN203G5QQm82Nzrzrja0uhS5T-NsqgwI-ZzSNRpd6thmpdikPUOkYCGAeobvGaa3DEG9cOJE512M9LYtoy5kgjaqvuo_-HfHU9-R2nImkZzbLxCejmbo8awDYrPFe4Z3VHhdAF/s3776/P1040597.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6j5ZApQN203G5QQm82Nzrzrja0uhS5T-NsqgwI-ZzSNRpd6thmpdikPUOkYCGAeobvGaa3DEG9cOJE512M9LYtoy5kgjaqvuo_-HfHU9-R2nImkZzbLxCejmbo8awDYrPFe4Z3VHhdAF/w640-h428/P1040597.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The waterfall at the Sylvan Pool</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Stone paths were installed around two sides of the pool using flat stones collected from an area near the Columbia River. This area was later flooded by the Rocky Reach dam, forcing them to find other sources for stone. Herman and Ruth would carry the stones on a retrofitted stretcher with holes cut in it so the person at the rear could see what they were walking on. Larger ones were dragged on a sled pulled by a mule. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOl_EEB4JDz0GMGf5hqxMA795rill_efY2dB5-YIBigkQbU3iP2eI4bEgXim9n_4cOMLrpDGYb72Uhw4B51f6BTwyd4jaxp4f0_XoMAGhHFJSs27FyeRL1DagW-OWLJYm0NkWwtjZw2IOvUkqpyrDMqR5PQd-2BPRI5cPm1vnvUEWtjDni2jEWT8O83Q/s3776/P1040688.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOl_EEB4JDz0GMGf5hqxMA795rill_efY2dB5-YIBigkQbU3iP2eI4bEgXim9n_4cOMLrpDGYb72Uhw4B51f6BTwyd4jaxp4f0_XoMAGhHFJSs27FyeRL1DagW-OWLJYm0NkWwtjZw2IOvUkqpyrDMqR5PQd-2BPRI5cPm1vnvUEWtjDni2jEWT8O83Q/w640-h428/P1040688.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am guessing that this huge, beautiful slab ended up here and was impossible to move again.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzbHqxOQtEd7G6_rs8g0OL-3rdLaVO3sM3ekU2s_XgXonDmvYePOng8DT8lfr46R_9uuATznLBEf2W4X2N5MSysj9Ya3YPSn1PuyWwQ7QyEde3NkjcB0T7tP9eCU_t42om0MPhp-235oMTFP5q0iKbJUY_X4tNiVZqRT9Teyi2_Ev1Rn29fHPCChL5Q/s3776/P1160608.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzbHqxOQtEd7G6_rs8g0OL-3rdLaVO3sM3ekU2s_XgXonDmvYePOng8DT8lfr46R_9uuATznLBEf2W4X2N5MSysj9Ya3YPSn1PuyWwQ7QyEde3NkjcB0T7tP9eCU_t42om0MPhp-235oMTFP5q0iKbJUY_X4tNiVZqRT9Teyi2_Ev1Rn29fHPCChL5Q/w640-h428/P1160608.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early view of the Sylvan Pool</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4nCAfGENhFQGaF3DPq_QElrzeIyCdryfYtqO489jjAVw4nJ0eEBgg7EqOdJ9JvPVrNwWr5J2C2StcFw22rq-cImGttLRDE69IG9BULz1147P5d4ey7BzBzfs-HodLARk_M9SFsIR7SQGpAnzpGBZrD_pk-YsCb27WhX3n76FV9e70GsJvdV3s5RLOQ/s3776/P1040596.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4nCAfGENhFQGaF3DPq_QElrzeIyCdryfYtqO489jjAVw4nJ0eEBgg7EqOdJ9JvPVrNwWr5J2C2StcFw22rq-cImGttLRDE69IG9BULz1147P5d4ey7BzBzfs-HodLARk_M9SFsIR7SQGpAnzpGBZrD_pk-YsCb27WhX3n76FV9e70GsJvdV3s5RLOQ/w640-h428/P1040596.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sylvan Pool today</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Herman experimented for 20 years with paint attempting to capture the color of the water in alpine lakes. Goldfish were added and there are many to be seen swimming about today. He built a canoe to paddle around his family alpine lake, and a bathhouse changing room for swimmers.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8lERpKzrRyDl2sYDrRWNzazeavLdIb8DoiPJhWEQggphmHBM-tL6RbaL-5udPU6i98H2JU7tu77m9pIC2EsJDZvuCBZf-Q8S68oe1Nl-RUnt3ZPMHTeF1mP_-jKX0EKWSzv8SmYKcK0w/s3776/P1040620.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8lERpKzrRyDl2sYDrRWNzazeavLdIb8DoiPJhWEQggphmHBM-tL6RbaL-5udPU6i98H2JU7tu77m9pIC2EsJDZvuCBZf-Q8S68oe1Nl-RUnt3ZPMHTeF1mP_-jKX0EKWSzv8SmYKcK0w/w640-h428/P1040620.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfish in the Sylvan Pool</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Walls were built with stone moved to create areas for gardens and lawns. Over time hundreds of tons of rock were transported and placed by hand. Slabs were split with sledge hammers and wedges, and once unloaded they were shifted in to place using a crow bar. Paths and steps built with flat stones were arranged to emulate naturalistic trails seen in the mountains and rougher stones were used for walls and to create naturalistic planting areas.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtbAvgsHPLwckv5eIWsZzOcLKnGnkMz4yxUxi1LZ9f0wPKcw487iJzP_OPbG_xg4t92Ws1wERCQ9s2fgDNehAYXgF_4akxIYwhyphenhyphen6LOTU-ndpAldN4SSgQ48EC3qCXHOHvAJAvfKDe4Q1V/s3776/P1040771.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEtbAvgsHPLwckv5eIWsZzOcLKnGnkMz4yxUxi1LZ9f0wPKcw487iJzP_OPbG_xg4t92Ws1wERCQ9s2fgDNehAYXgF_4akxIYwhyphenhyphen6LOTU-ndpAldN4SSgQ48EC3qCXHOHvAJAvfKDe4Q1V/w640-h428/P1040771.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native Lady Ferns, Athyrium felix femina growing along a moist section of pathway<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Ruth soon gave birth to two sons, Calvin in 1931 and Gordon in 1934. Gordon inherited his parents passion for building in the garden and was carrying stones at an early age. He and his children would dedicate their lives to continuing work to build what you see today. After the Sylvan pool and pool house were finished, a fireplace was constructed against a rock outcrop.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHw-lkI7_KKVEqfKOK-RgF3POV4dYBhkAt0aTrF2rncAsykAFUSp_47_tDGLrZ7R-S3OgiI6vk7Ma4eaCs3hyphenhyphen6Fsshr2M6Tp-voEZx-FxWoXvYusaDQbHziJevRuHtZxFwuSJYZSURKOh/s3776/P1040747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHw-lkI7_KKVEqfKOK-RgF3POV4dYBhkAt0aTrF2rncAsykAFUSp_47_tDGLrZ7R-S3OgiI6vk7Ma4eaCs3hyphenhyphen6Fsshr2M6Tp-voEZx-FxWoXvYusaDQbHziJevRuHtZxFwuSJYZSURKOh/w640-h428/P1040747.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The fireplace is a remarkable construction that beautifully blends the natural and man made. The lintel is about 6 feet long and a large oval specimen of quartzite was placed in the center of the chimney. The arrangement of stones if very organic but also alludes the to work of the Civilian Conservation Corps, workers camps during the Great Depression who built rustic structures in parks and planted millions of trees. Originally the fireplace was fronted by a lawn where the family would gather to roast hotdogs and marshmallows. Trees have grown to great size around it so that it can no longer be used for fires, but until then it was a gathering place for the family after hard days moving stone.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3_e7uwtLNTN0o2NH1pZFEHKr8wsJfAeBLcCWAuAtuLWlmgGJTmrPZWjlCbIneM3J0B7qTRaIdMHe9R2loNEEM_o4ZSjldsfU_ezZ3FEMLKrLlvaQrQL6VsWfK6bedsk1FLcCo3kSq_zrmNYxFfsZUqY5cc354iSUSoIiW8ZHodkY4UwSZ7LLQRUizg/s604/HistoryofOhme7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="418" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3_e7uwtLNTN0o2NH1pZFEHKr8wsJfAeBLcCWAuAtuLWlmgGJTmrPZWjlCbIneM3J0B7qTRaIdMHe9R2loNEEM_o4ZSjldsfU_ezZ3FEMLKrLlvaQrQL6VsWfK6bedsk1FLcCo3kSq_zrmNYxFfsZUqY5cc354iSUSoIiW8ZHodkY4UwSZ7LLQRUizg/w442-h640/HistoryofOhme7.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fireplace in the early 1930's</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbzW57Sc0iy54rNNwTqPtVP_Yu3LJRoEDqflUq2Tvf12tt9D4aLYFbeq21DGsI6-ALG1h6etrQaB3hsxqQG_lfJ9D-KHNIyo9hKwSpIyFsKx9zEYlW1Xp0k2WGp_owjq8m3Q-xUl_wbvpt5cw_LB3qcTBD1GaLOF3vIrWUS4vpyIs2s-8i-dSePtqgA/s3776/P1040735.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbzW57Sc0iy54rNNwTqPtVP_Yu3LJRoEDqflUq2Tvf12tt9D4aLYFbeq21DGsI6-ALG1h6etrQaB3hsxqQG_lfJ9D-KHNIyo9hKwSpIyFsKx9zEYlW1Xp0k2WGp_owjq8m3Q-xUl_wbvpt5cw_LB3qcTBD1GaLOF3vIrWUS4vpyIs2s-8i-dSePtqgA/w640-h428/P1040735.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fireplace now</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Herman then built the Ox Yoke Lodge, named for a hand hewn Ox yoke hanging the the center gable. Logs were hauled from the mountains to build the columns and walls that were chinked with lichen to seal the gaps.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7FvyiFOldAWM1bPk57bsZqkWA6M2ld7kJsjhM8ExuPw4qyNcJJ4uci01vtbr8SeQmuGpOVTTuq9cC5LbcaWkZuqdF3o0RPjEDDFE8NDReFqhBWafiIRxot4XSkD8qlc2s9WbZtT7Z4NI/s3776/P1040588.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7FvyiFOldAWM1bPk57bsZqkWA6M2ld7kJsjhM8ExuPw4qyNcJJ4uci01vtbr8SeQmuGpOVTTuq9cC5LbcaWkZuqdF3o0RPjEDDFE8NDReFqhBWafiIRxot4XSkD8qlc2s9WbZtT7Z4NI/w640-h428/P1040588.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The roof and siding was made from strips of cedar bark as there was no money to purchase building materials. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEqZShGyqgf5m0GL8FB1yxK0OcV5KTkMUFBANZX5hzu_Tx990sY54mKb5aiPNwKdyGlJJX7gS5pxzR7PVcUi658sHAsNNpFkYUOo4CXvKwM_JHN6mZBylDCL0HJ0T2PVaESYA-7qJ7toZ/s3776/P1040591.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEqZShGyqgf5m0GL8FB1yxK0OcV5KTkMUFBANZX5hzu_Tx990sY54mKb5aiPNwKdyGlJJX7gS5pxzR7PVcUi658sHAsNNpFkYUOo4CXvKwM_JHN6mZBylDCL0HJ0T2PVaESYA-7qJ7toZ/w640-h428/P1040591.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hGIs4lJXsq14-NFx97FlABTwRGmJ9ok38Hy3i8ZCMH3YHhiO-iHsOLHxGKuJH_7STCyreCZbYwwaZbN9xlMLKNMUabd8TdOrZq14XQBKRCslZMIkK01bJ6B5tf2_JySgyqE4OIbLf7tP/s3776/P1040819.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hGIs4lJXsq14-NFx97FlABTwRGmJ9ok38Hy3i8ZCMH3YHhiO-iHsOLHxGKuJH_7STCyreCZbYwwaZbN9xlMLKNMUabd8TdOrZq14XQBKRCslZMIkK01bJ6B5tf2_JySgyqE4OIbLf7tP/w640-h428/P1040819.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ox Yoke hanging from the front gable</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>The lodge was furnished with hand made tables using electric cable spools and hand carved log chairs, warmed by a stone fireplace, creating a family gathering place on rainy days. The structure has been preserved in its original state but is closed because of collapsed logs in the walls and sagging sections of cedar bark in the roof.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh486BpE9kzawrF11RuqcWCm6TAjxZXCV4v1za_VmzTVLHg1t9bsthjr3B8kNYIFeHCWm_hM3jfUzHDt96vWVOhlTK4Ycdh4cilujVBvU_zh-kSa_am1tZq8Yh9-cS0-wa_KH2_HewskE6x/s3776/P1040590.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh486BpE9kzawrF11RuqcWCm6TAjxZXCV4v1za_VmzTVLHg1t9bsthjr3B8kNYIFeHCWm_hM3jfUzHDt96vWVOhlTK4Ycdh4cilujVBvU_zh-kSa_am1tZq8Yh9-cS0-wa_KH2_HewskE6x/w640-h428/P1040590.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Furniture in the Ox Yoke Lodge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Next came the construction of the Wishing Well in a steep area below where the Vista House would later be built. Water trickles down a vertical rock outcrop in to a round pool. A cedar tree has grown to envelope one side of the pool. There is an intimate feel to this destination along a meandering path and steps. Coins collected from the well were originally donated to the Children's Orthopedic Hospital.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4r8SL6zq-3WsgUuwvFbJfE1yg5kx4bPGU_JhBFOWl31MBpAgbwIFemLlsmX100wuuYUwDexqQcnz_da0RTzg2jZx16PSlxvbS1AKJSVzb9bsKOTEY3j7Wii0kwsquRGKTNv9IygIKpjn/s2048/P1040782.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4r8SL6zq-3WsgUuwvFbJfE1yg5kx4bPGU_JhBFOWl31MBpAgbwIFemLlsmX100wuuYUwDexqQcnz_da0RTzg2jZx16PSlxvbS1AKJSVzb9bsKOTEY3j7Wii0kwsquRGKTNv9IygIKpjn/w480-h640/P1040782.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5PLPqsZFAZe2FvkzxY8Syl0zLjkGzlD3-mM1qdhy8zqoYtMROrwOFtDvZFUMsH2OvX4VfDsBJ5iHHXThhz99lIpvIdTNs5LS5vRdNN6GyD28wxVg7HHjcacL91IK3jGloJbrac5x_kza/s3776/P1040785.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5PLPqsZFAZe2FvkzxY8Syl0zLjkGzlD3-mM1qdhy8zqoYtMROrwOFtDvZFUMsH2OvX4VfDsBJ5iHHXThhz99lIpvIdTNs5LS5vRdNN6GyD28wxVg7HHjcacL91IK3jGloJbrac5x_kza/w640-h428/P1040785.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wishing Well Pool</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Friends of the family would come up to enjoy the gardens and swim in the Sylvan pool. Eventually word spread of this wonderful green sanctuary on the otherwise barren hillside and visitors started to come in larger numbers. In 1939 the local newspaper published an article with photographs and people started to come in greater and greater numbers. Herman eventually conceded to open the gardens to the public and charged 25 cents a carload to keep the gardens from being overrun. But people would drive to the base of the hill and then cram themselves in to a single vehicle for the final leg to save money. Eventually there were so many visitors that Herman leased the apple orchard so that the family could dedicate itself full time to the gardens. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEita6gjBG30a7jKXos4TVyGeCKydGFLkgcQPKt1Iz4798jhpztk5hDpa0wjLOytM4DmBL4T15yVeqwlGTBsEmWlTTZY8Yarsap42RMsSvTJhsz0q1xv0fikGvvRc15J_wLPvxDKOlZXfOTVPE4QButrRhoASRAnYaIwR2YOZVUqNntzFt3kr1hD59OgFg/s960/HistoryofOhme5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="960" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEita6gjBG30a7jKXos4TVyGeCKydGFLkgcQPKt1Iz4798jhpztk5hDpa0wjLOytM4DmBL4T15yVeqwlGTBsEmWlTTZY8Yarsap42RMsSvTJhsz0q1xv0fikGvvRc15J_wLPvxDKOlZXfOTVPE4QButrRhoASRAnYaIwR2YOZVUqNntzFt3kr1hD59OgFg/w640-h408/HistoryofOhme5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gardens in 1939</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Family and friends would still swim in the Sylvan pool but would have to hide behind trees when visitors came along so that they wouldn't be encouraged to hop in as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next structure to be constructed in the gardens was the Totem Lodge, dating from the 1940's. Built using fantastically burled logs for columns, the cedar bark roofed structure has a rock fireplace and blue stained plank walls. Structurally it is much better condition than the Ox Yoke Lodge. Round tables and hand carved log chairs were used for picnics, which are no longer allowed in the gardens. The lower lawn is surrounded by low beds of creeping phlox, ajuga and other ground hugging plants to replicate alpine meadows. My Grandparents lived in Bend and had an immaculately tended garden and lawn. In the high desert well tended bright green lawns are a trademark oasis of region to contrast the dry native scrub.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fPJYx_Fr0cRhMRExXO51iXt1JxYsuRBZACIGfsJnHlG7UcOucFHRG4hbz9i8hTRvPEGgMER5DLIw09adUc3lgVLbyiIXei7IC1xaEbIchJxypYCVIrBaa1RhgspU7drzuUeBee9cWl0a/s3776/P1040598.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fPJYx_Fr0cRhMRExXO51iXt1JxYsuRBZACIGfsJnHlG7UcOucFHRG4hbz9i8hTRvPEGgMER5DLIw09adUc3lgVLbyiIXei7IC1xaEbIchJxypYCVIrBaa1RhgspU7drzuUeBee9cWl0a/w640-h428/P1040598.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQA5irDyZRcgwRygU2tyZhq0CtXBQoCl66lE-FBF6JB0_POa3ONKcq8d4KLacuLgUsvvSKf8RyL20gDLVuPx-PLwICJqhkjuzhZu4rS55-SNzOSp9ymvIkZxuVkVZIW24iwPjko12wqz3/s3776/P1040600.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQA5irDyZRcgwRygU2tyZhq0CtXBQoCl66lE-FBF6JB0_POa3ONKcq8d4KLacuLgUsvvSKf8RyL20gDLVuPx-PLwICJqhkjuzhZu4rS55-SNzOSp9ymvIkZxuVkVZIW24iwPjko12wqz3/w640-h428/P1040600.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burl log columns in the Totem Pole Lodge</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaHlgc_AeEWBr5_GImYW49mjcfGbiFaCDxo9SgacNPoFyYwh2t_RGIBOZTfBRzwimG6aYmvv8YN_RH2KLSzbN-MFESuaJrNRcLgf19qbnNt70nAq4IuuQrKipWtKhW1yRx9RkYMc3ngO2/s3776/P1040599.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmaHlgc_AeEWBr5_GImYW49mjcfGbiFaCDxo9SgacNPoFyYwh2t_RGIBOZTfBRzwimG6aYmvv8YN_RH2KLSzbN-MFESuaJrNRcLgf19qbnNt70nAq4IuuQrKipWtKhW1yRx9RkYMc3ngO2/w640-h428/P1040599.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue stained plank walls and rustic furniture in the Totem Pole Lodge</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJan5H2r7NZUWBIBY-SG-bsP-lwJk4FWA6bxTHMQtGiSSd_wzoJ9g_BZMJmQoBKaf6tUXah7GGpeElS2RZonk9DKPhAin2pnVXQ9TywbGrdAxg9MeFltpd4CwT8PC0apxfSaegYmTmdvyIuz7SS2Fwzo00jymuj6tNonSGihJxuNUaC5nbbfIGNFyiHA/s540/Vintage%20Herman.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJan5H2r7NZUWBIBY-SG-bsP-lwJk4FWA6bxTHMQtGiSSd_wzoJ9g_BZMJmQoBKaf6tUXah7GGpeElS2RZonk9DKPhAin2pnVXQ9TywbGrdAxg9MeFltpd4CwT8PC0apxfSaegYmTmdvyIuz7SS2Fwzo00jymuj6tNonSGihJxuNUaC5nbbfIGNFyiHA/w568-h640/Vintage%20Herman.jpg" width="568" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herman kneeling by an inscribed poem about the garden written by Bertha Whitley Graham</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IqujVu3f82O4_XrfPzK5YuoYQKpHhsmzH8l5jXpgVUH-K2R4oQc43YPugoCoB3RBUiwf82fY3CmGWBbSw3My1KqpNM180Ql36PBZ3Cul40tttGVflFoqkWmJzBXa0mrteeW7_260j7TI/s3776/P1040607.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IqujVu3f82O4_XrfPzK5YuoYQKpHhsmzH8l5jXpgVUH-K2R4oQc43YPugoCoB3RBUiwf82fY3CmGWBbSw3My1KqpNM180Ql36PBZ3Cul40tttGVflFoqkWmJzBXa0mrteeW7_260j7TI/w640-h428/P1040607.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vinca minor, Ajuga reptans, and Cotoneaster horizontals along a rustic path</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>The gardens were continuously developed and expanded, with new paths and plantings using native plants and non natives that were available at the time which were propagated on site. Alpine meadows are planted with a variety of plants collected by the Ohme's, including creeping phlox, sedums and thyme, hardy geraniums, ajuga, and native Lewisia tweedyi that sprouts from rock crevices like they do in nature.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2dAOmU0j3aN6-sT1q169FXnvUemXqd_E5vSJxWi8GphhswIg2QcQblNLBwD7WpMqRxDILMZ893qrxWoc0ZQ_6M4K5fJp3EFGUb_bJzqs1I3d0r0-BgrVO52F7PnUwh1IPIiWbM8-DAqu/s3776/P1040750.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2dAOmU0j3aN6-sT1q169FXnvUemXqd_E5vSJxWi8GphhswIg2QcQblNLBwD7WpMqRxDILMZ893qrxWoc0ZQ_6M4K5fJp3EFGUb_bJzqs1I3d0r0-BgrVO52F7PnUwh1IPIiWbM8-DAqu/w640-h428/P1040750.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creeping thyme, Ajuga, and Mahonia nervosa</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxtAxj51bGmKBthNrmKZvjlFabSZzFYIaistWWmyN8i5CY116nl2wcoXkcJOCn_vUL6vBLl1F_mv0K5RPfL3npreuYmPo733jGHK4g2xlfED7tsZtxuaSU5IFGvASWnd7vVZKpjm-T2ua/s3776/P1040764.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxtAxj51bGmKBthNrmKZvjlFabSZzFYIaistWWmyN8i5CY116nl2wcoXkcJOCn_vUL6vBLl1F_mv0K5RPfL3npreuYmPo733jGHK4g2xlfED7tsZtxuaSU5IFGvASWnd7vVZKpjm-T2ua/w640-h428/P1040764.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armeria maritima, Sea Thrift growing in a moist rock outcrop</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfKkIt7_T6ajJMnFDfN3sziWmHCTrfvuBwS9rgUw_XndhQzhGU2i1Gk4RhfeWqm9939mHSxsx08JeHSHtuRdni3Zy12QLa7ka-eqgltfnvkF--i0A6tSZ40nmWv9sF-xm15PWZCZEY286ajSF97r5aJEQToJzniTXiWf7BF0No7iGniE5u7MeO-VR5A/s3648/P1040704.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfKkIt7_T6ajJMnFDfN3sziWmHCTrfvuBwS9rgUw_XndhQzhGU2i1Gk4RhfeWqm9939mHSxsx08JeHSHtuRdni3Zy12QLa7ka-eqgltfnvkF--i0A6tSZ40nmWv9sF-xm15PWZCZEY286ajSF97r5aJEQToJzniTXiWf7BF0No7iGniE5u7MeO-VR5A/w640-h480/P1040704.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native Lewisia tweedii</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The paths themselves are some of the masterpieces of the garden. Each one is different in character, crossing meadows, winding along steep cliffs and leading to grand viewpoints. The growth of the trees has changed the character of the landscape so that many of the paths lead through wooded areas now. There are small lawns and many stone slab benches to rest and take in the views.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4g3ALsm9hT0xox3LS3ALndBHiG9xGHH0t0QrrnXj_vD2CQiOWk2VQwOpxyTTKzU1i4tJVTR8o4es6kjF7QQUxkGpQG2FeXg5P8-hO42InUhIpuh6nzN82A7830kwPG05V45uu_t4oosto_Br6DgH4UWWBfYyDh8N6yhAWZKDpgCN8UafhzLgxVflJQ/s3776/P1040604.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4g3ALsm9hT0xox3LS3ALndBHiG9xGHH0t0QrrnXj_vD2CQiOWk2VQwOpxyTTKzU1i4tJVTR8o4es6kjF7QQUxkGpQG2FeXg5P8-hO42InUhIpuh6nzN82A7830kwPG05V45uu_t4oosto_Br6DgH4UWWBfYyDh8N6yhAWZKDpgCN8UafhzLgxVflJQ/w640-h428/P1040604.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An alpine meadow path</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhalrARW3SVJlWJIQEozoijBVgmMh0lpangGhpTW-NRgQ5860nI_l0IoTIMU1XE_FrDodsTtIyfmn4YKp2iKF4HeNaKUVg878JPhF3bFrpYFuW7ZQnhSOD22b7tzpXMS0PfSwemSHfYvnu/s3776/P1040741.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhalrARW3SVJlWJIQEozoijBVgmMh0lpangGhpTW-NRgQ5860nI_l0IoTIMU1XE_FrDodsTtIyfmn4YKp2iKF4HeNaKUVg878JPhF3bFrpYFuW7ZQnhSOD22b7tzpXMS0PfSwemSHfYvnu/w640-h428/P1040741.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A path crossing the Hook Lawn</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlvqm_aQX6K-Po8SIDEaiZVfOXBonwuE-LaYS4QSSL2x0qBecmBzxPsr9he3fv46E6wqUXdPGkfGoV9rCxsd9G7VHfOJR-dRdKZ2I-yP1ATU8-T4QnBX4xyqWMXpznLUoR508FjfAbz2G/s3776/P1040742.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlvqm_aQX6K-Po8SIDEaiZVfOXBonwuE-LaYS4QSSL2x0qBecmBzxPsr9he3fv46E6wqUXdPGkfGoV9rCxsd9G7VHfOJR-dRdKZ2I-yP1ATU8-T4QnBX4xyqWMXpznLUoR508FjfAbz2G/w640-h428/P1040742.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A forest path</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>One of my favorite paths comes to a rock outcrop and like a steep trail in the mountains you have to climb using your hands to get to the top of the slope.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemOzdikNlnO1WvfvJqysKqLeoHuXuP7iTk4rDdFPPdisOjVCtic0jEg7ZY5Q8wl5rrfMjvltAUz_H66VYM6bIDcDym3zEBgGVyoybMRQfsLdO8DXwEJyWXX2U-GmCFBvt00T3TckRzXE0/s3776/P1040794.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemOzdikNlnO1WvfvJqysKqLeoHuXuP7iTk4rDdFPPdisOjVCtic0jEg7ZY5Q8wl5rrfMjvltAUz_H66VYM6bIDcDym3zEBgGVyoybMRQfsLdO8DXwEJyWXX2U-GmCFBvt00T3TckRzXE0/w640-h428/P1040794.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing a steep path</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v8HgpC9UClS_WK9nXs_lgfaRfjL27nOYTwcc00RdVbYGFk0QHKs7JUWuHG_dk0f-dqy_Oq70Xv07_QUVEGjHod47-SG9bsVNr4Q_YYe8skvrLrdK0ixI1CV6Gx3SGZ42OPm31ITLLZfU/s3776/P1040774.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v8HgpC9UClS_WK9nXs_lgfaRfjL27nOYTwcc00RdVbYGFk0QHKs7JUWuHG_dk0f-dqy_Oq70Xv07_QUVEGjHod47-SG9bsVNr4Q_YYe8skvrLrdK0ixI1CV6Gx3SGZ42OPm31ITLLZfU/w640-h428/P1040774.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wandering the extensive path system is a journey of discovery</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigG_KO3BYTiRu4BRiMDaqXJnJAJWcapdzUFfamMGkeQrxvO2GglNtaHGpsZK-kAisUtTuTQ3gzDLvpVgYFq1BeeqdS08NInC4_SRyQgAUhj0T9iC0HvLSJQ6JYsnhx89Rz1l2gM7Mkogzg/s3776/P1040792.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigG_KO3BYTiRu4BRiMDaqXJnJAJWcapdzUFfamMGkeQrxvO2GglNtaHGpsZK-kAisUtTuTQ3gzDLvpVgYFq1BeeqdS08NInC4_SRyQgAUhj0T9iC0HvLSJQ6JYsnhx89Rz1l2gM7Mkogzg/w640-h428/P1040792.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large stones were hauled on a stretcher or by a sled pulled by a mule to create the many sets of steps that navigate the steep slopes</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipm6WeA5W6cbyB4J0726zuCUUQJPSxzPTuFFgvj2x0gaiBrM0R7gm_EmYgmOe3csuSudmlLRSLY3kV1IImTWSO7xFeWauCZYZ3p5spsy20oMEwkqRWcoFOQh5ibCZGPZ1itV2WWk_vvnG1PBtlUtmziyLDZpeD-K5C2Lyz5YQAP4WCl9pvs0WdB1142A/s3776/P1160609.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipm6WeA5W6cbyB4J0726zuCUUQJPSxzPTuFFgvj2x0gaiBrM0R7gm_EmYgmOe3csuSudmlLRSLY3kV1IImTWSO7xFeWauCZYZ3p5spsy20oMEwkqRWcoFOQh5ibCZGPZ1itV2WWk_vvnG1PBtlUtmziyLDZpeD-K5C2Lyz5YQAP4WCl9pvs0WdB1142A/w640-h428/P1160609.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gordon Ohme and his son Brian carrying stones on a stretcher</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Paths were laid without the use of a plan. Stones were placed to fit the topography to feel like mountain trails. They were hand swept for many years until the advent of backpack blowers.</div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EbQTGWD6HBKdN_JYrof_7fJ2zqzMeTNZc_JOfNPNJuikwSkoxe0e-cQUNCRwLF8sfah_R0ot8ZRVhsmBdnc0ITn6yjS_5bRZoPZ7vka5jcysQKM7QleaynMMVprsN2AlAe2s2VDoYV7kdcUf7ttlcAxWL6qPeNRmnv5acFVZWNr9eca4qYbIcJugow/s3776/P1040605.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EbQTGWD6HBKdN_JYrof_7fJ2zqzMeTNZc_JOfNPNJuikwSkoxe0e-cQUNCRwLF8sfah_R0ot8ZRVhsmBdnc0ITn6yjS_5bRZoPZ7vka5jcysQKM7QleaynMMVprsN2AlAe2s2VDoYV7kdcUf7ttlcAxWL6qPeNRmnv5acFVZWNr9eca4qYbIcJugow/w640-h428/P1040605.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cactus Point used to display a collection of potted cacti that were brought out in the Summer. They were overwintered in the old house but were lost in a fire.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wREV-8KFzd-5_W7vMAzlrPcXpNlqfoJSZQKxgeU4B55aHB9nM19OgbuYlnyY0ZkVs1snXbfmi8UVutPR4XyEwIVZGPIZbdPVxzUptzekX3cD_RXSc-KxUh9H4KlzoIMi_6bYAt0zD8dZ/s3776/P1040770.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wREV-8KFzd-5_W7vMAzlrPcXpNlqfoJSZQKxgeU4B55aHB9nM19OgbuYlnyY0ZkVs1snXbfmi8UVutPR4XyEwIVZGPIZbdPVxzUptzekX3cD_RXSc-KxUh9H4KlzoIMi_6bYAt0zD8dZ/w640-h428/P1040770.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steps are not always even, to feel more natural<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXdK4igvX6k637fxycC8S5nPjMLwSNYbBJ0nK2XDx3N0QlhhGR4LAtp7_fs66jEywcfabaf_i9TZBn8RcNOYzKX-ub8H3T9ZZ6CfqT4feKA8jaUdo_nKwdQlT0-e7vXtWN_hbk_qZO6Tob06UxAlSxA9HTEZuR5cmcbnFmOAW59jLStnqbNjayc2LCg/s3776/P1040759.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXdK4igvX6k637fxycC8S5nPjMLwSNYbBJ0nK2XDx3N0QlhhGR4LAtp7_fs66jEywcfabaf_i9TZBn8RcNOYzKX-ub8H3T9ZZ6CfqT4feKA8jaUdo_nKwdQlT0-e7vXtWN_hbk_qZO6Tob06UxAlSxA9HTEZuR5cmcbnFmOAW59jLStnqbNjayc2LCg/w640-h428/P1040759.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steep slopes are navigated by laboriously engineered paths that now have railings for safety<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1PzPHqGHaIsBgMeC3-tjZiX09vju1I4zfxpgImyBMbgRPEHmyu4HxWI6_ibl-u1WAPegYpTGF_yDeWfZWZ0AzTWjdCX9SQz7aUGHBFboe3chZ61xearU3qOFk1dzrdcLMSZelCTvJh19/s3776/P1040768.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1PzPHqGHaIsBgMeC3-tjZiX09vju1I4zfxpgImyBMbgRPEHmyu4HxWI6_ibl-u1WAPegYpTGF_yDeWfZWZ0AzTWjdCX9SQz7aUGHBFboe3chZ61xearU3qOFk1dzrdcLMSZelCTvJh19/w640-h428/P1040768.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NDJGNHpABJyumLT98ABYJjL5uuXlabSai084ahoSm-U-aNVT1ryRVw4tHN3LDN6ol4CfCBVztPd0q8pW9L0OGLVKoPiIfRVO7Eg16NJbLAHLCNCoivZuJlVnyvfXVQYoXj9OsfwtkXwU/s3776/P1040816.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NDJGNHpABJyumLT98ABYJjL5uuXlabSai084ahoSm-U-aNVT1ryRVw4tHN3LDN6ol4CfCBVztPd0q8pW9L0OGLVKoPiIfRVO7Eg16NJbLAHLCNCoivZuJlVnyvfXVQYoXj9OsfwtkXwU/w640-h428/P1040816.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paths can feel like trails in the wilderness</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1UNvb8sykNsNxJMZI41QWmGOr9Qb4MJubsJ1aX4jEiMkrcjow286z4GcBLIaw3FN-NT_5Z4j5HZjCzbxbumqsg7WCMgZrDve9eQXnKlmhxZV4jVndM1SdfskpXz1Vd8NDeSve3hu5LvB/s3776/P1040617.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1UNvb8sykNsNxJMZI41QWmGOr9Qb4MJubsJ1aX4jEiMkrcjow286z4GcBLIaw3FN-NT_5Z4j5HZjCzbxbumqsg7WCMgZrDve9eQXnKlmhxZV4jVndM1SdfskpXz1Vd8NDeSve3hu5LvB/w640-h428/P1040617.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A path leading to Hidden Pool</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>In the early 1950's, Herman's and Ruth's youngest son Gordon built the Hidden Pool at the bottom edge of the garden. He inherited his father's intuitive skill at design, and was quoted saying "It gives me a creative outlet. To build something that brings enjoyment to other people is very satisfying." A tractor was used to excavate the pool, the first piece of machinery used for construction in the garden. The steep slope made it impossible for a cement mixer truck to access the pool so the concrete had to be wheelbarrowed by hand to the site. A dramatic stone outcrop at the edge of the pool can be climbed via sets of winding stone steps to a dramatic view over the city of Wenatchee.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1ytdsUlS7mHwquEgkVCSKt2eF4zA6NRPlIxkTZWbeCFIP19eNQAkCuX-1fH2gOQkpgosDz5Q4YUQj1QGFWN5DZd6c-czrmiHgL2h6Ao1Dx2cr_5LFvMXMLgmkaEBv2EsYrKwGwt_B83wiLGUnFED9NGjiCWDHtsQnsYEt6hPfF_tyCIioDM0LMqHsA/s3776/P1160610.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1ytdsUlS7mHwquEgkVCSKt2eF4zA6NRPlIxkTZWbeCFIP19eNQAkCuX-1fH2gOQkpgosDz5Q4YUQj1QGFWN5DZd6c-czrmiHgL2h6Ao1Dx2cr_5LFvMXMLgmkaEBv2EsYrKwGwt_B83wiLGUnFED9NGjiCWDHtsQnsYEt6hPfF_tyCIioDM0LMqHsA/w640-h428/P1160610.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hidden Pool in the early 1950's</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwcZHBnOYKJx56X6fAXTbafvBvGJzX2ePF49iuiRHhaVswWm5dbW44pg6We43cXIxKIOevMQdUjg_1DyIyoCC2O5gppvPRYw6cEX44GXN5LmSQ4GfOIVHUY_R7f-PURrmpWJjDBl0qOOTt7Fs1Rc4VrQuYvupm9F65WbTw_zk-34vnjYtZJ_ICvP9WA/s3776/P1040640.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwcZHBnOYKJx56X6fAXTbafvBvGJzX2ePF49iuiRHhaVswWm5dbW44pg6We43cXIxKIOevMQdUjg_1DyIyoCC2O5gppvPRYw6cEX44GXN5LmSQ4GfOIVHUY_R7f-PURrmpWJjDBl0qOOTt7Fs1Rc4VrQuYvupm9F65WbTw_zk-34vnjYtZJ_ICvP9WA/w640-h428/P1040640.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Path around the edge of the Hidden Pool</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ifIpBCqHbLm2lHa_T0k-fmmWI-h_h9WxzlTSd571oSgh1aH0_8gMGYS4qHnfZ_bU_9HF440rKv2E1wgmrX32JTp3dIDRODTNEd3uB6AVc7VjE8GT1M_acJ6rsSc1YS0mn4qTGxctsaP2Mbsk8hJduqjkqFy5RMH5pw7RrfIZBVgoyLCk3McQGltZTg/s3776/P1040627.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ifIpBCqHbLm2lHa_T0k-fmmWI-h_h9WxzlTSd571oSgh1aH0_8gMGYS4qHnfZ_bU_9HF440rKv2E1wgmrX32JTp3dIDRODTNEd3uB6AVc7VjE8GT1M_acJ6rsSc1YS0mn4qTGxctsaP2Mbsk8hJduqjkqFy5RMH5pw7RrfIZBVgoyLCk3McQGltZTg/w640-h428/P1040627.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall at the Hidden Pool</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The gardens were meticulously maintained, 7 days a week. Paths were swept by hand, the expansive beds were laboriously watered using hoses and sprinklers until the 1960's when Gordon took on the considerable task of installing a sprinkler system with 140 impact sprinklers ingeniously hidden on high points in the garden to reach the expansive garden beds. This relieved him of the task of having to get up in the middle of the night to move and roll up hoses as all watering was done after the gardens closed.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioL094GUFjwRVeMBnjQakoO0-eYV5ZmoCPRTjaCE6_wnmlf6QcXMHrYhQLVg2xTaqbdZkk8tIU8-rFhydivqHF-sg_w3OB8mkhOVmetOzywb9WFyorwRnkDZlzaDuinW69x7QBG5yNqvXlM8cl5PXuHUQXl5ufwPYOEUDOos4JbrJrgGsNUmezhiszZA/s3776/P1040611.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioL094GUFjwRVeMBnjQakoO0-eYV5ZmoCPRTjaCE6_wnmlf6QcXMHrYhQLVg2xTaqbdZkk8tIU8-rFhydivqHF-sg_w3OB8mkhOVmetOzywb9WFyorwRnkDZlzaDuinW69x7QBG5yNqvXlM8cl5PXuHUQXl5ufwPYOEUDOos4JbrJrgGsNUmezhiszZA/w640-h428/P1040611.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden Pool seen from the stone outcrop</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In 1965 Gordon and his wife Carol took over management from his aging parents. Gordon continued to expand and develop the gardens, expanding them from the 4 acres Herman and Ruth developed to the 9 acres that the gardens cover today. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCc6WeCvTr7BQuAUDC1xQ7BCB5Rc1lZgBjIuFclOTwxsI1APKILO9N5LlpBEsvXElSlWC0De-vVjebcsmZ8dcdTBmAx8Ot60U-VbXMLn4n2AL2XUoZZTHv6OYz0pUhO_8m0iVfdhv18Sg5klV3bp-O5wCuav9CqmdgZUY-blEUvBqCgjocayZzhqvCSA/s3776/P1040631.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCc6WeCvTr7BQuAUDC1xQ7BCB5Rc1lZgBjIuFclOTwxsI1APKILO9N5LlpBEsvXElSlWC0De-vVjebcsmZ8dcdTBmAx8Ot60U-VbXMLn4n2AL2XUoZZTHv6OYz0pUhO_8m0iVfdhv18Sg5klV3bp-O5wCuav9CqmdgZUY-blEUvBqCgjocayZzhqvCSA/w640-h428/P1040631.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hidden Pool</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Gordon built the Twin Pools in the 1970's using a Caterpillar Tractor borrowed from a neighbor to excavate them. A cement truck was able to access this area making the construction considerably easier. A stream was built that connected them to the Sylvan Pool, which continued down the slope to the Hidden Pool. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ScHWJvqwYSUCjS76mb7JSHdgtneltJVIHeCuDDo3DdvYdh4LlL7m4AVl2ULqJOKypa-NWMbH2cN1YpE3dfjFH7A2gI5ffTHhZw72GHsZ-jrWVx9cXMlZGRHMu3RVe67bzpKJ7SdmZZYlkcB4SPaygNPoIsa0MgT0kv8kq_jdirl9LeIHeQs44dv75w/s540/2683.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ScHWJvqwYSUCjS76mb7JSHdgtneltJVIHeCuDDo3DdvYdh4LlL7m4AVl2ULqJOKypa-NWMbH2cN1YpE3dfjFH7A2gI5ffTHhZw72GHsZ-jrWVx9cXMlZGRHMu3RVe67bzpKJ7SdmZZYlkcB4SPaygNPoIsa0MgT0kv8kq_jdirl9LeIHeQs44dv75w/w568-h640/2683.jpg" width="568" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pouring concrete for the Twin Pools</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDDMoqeZQwE2CWu-d8TpuS2RrzEsCvp7NgoCmg22NiXdhYqAByoIS8zt1FX3NadOuL9j9SyNQ1DObmNv3dsrvD8yMqGSqVmMpp6TP9ZzXy3xrK0parNGNrUvKGG0E6vdynu3LIG_3_kq_WG81L_kAUdF6KgeNBdAfJxLbETYwBfdgJxm4kQmB5eIkHw/s3776/P1040606.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDDMoqeZQwE2CWu-d8TpuS2RrzEsCvp7NgoCmg22NiXdhYqAByoIS8zt1FX3NadOuL9j9SyNQ1DObmNv3dsrvD8yMqGSqVmMpp6TP9ZzXy3xrK0parNGNrUvKGG0E6vdynu3LIG_3_kq_WG81L_kAUdF6KgeNBdAfJxLbETYwBfdgJxm4kQmB5eIkHw/w640-h428/P1040606.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enchantment Falls cascade down a rocky face in to one of the Twin Pools</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxQq-jjD0eP2tazCWWrMTLpw0m3tjxXEFDPQv32ExVcIVe4sDL2M9fid5hVVJAJJxfEKViyjFQ_VugPbd8JaBHB-dWAldghlr-uMGXf_wJu6mRbwKGjY_7VtFaz8YbWAnLbQMxK9P0jqtMeL7NmrkbeRKCarSXhU5vCC0TNTnUYKFpR_GEAP2kHlMdQ/s3776/P1040612.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxQq-jjD0eP2tazCWWrMTLpw0m3tjxXEFDPQv32ExVcIVe4sDL2M9fid5hVVJAJJxfEKViyjFQ_VugPbd8JaBHB-dWAldghlr-uMGXf_wJu6mRbwKGjY_7VtFaz8YbWAnLbQMxK9P0jqtMeL7NmrkbeRKCarSXhU5vCC0TNTnUYKFpR_GEAP2kHlMdQ/w640-h428/P1040612.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A naturalistic stream flows in to one of the Twin Pools</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUj2msmks7GQqiiazyPtXtToQ7NfG4XIC5PbJPnmTvaznc8jTNPFmJuPK7lNmrQmmqdt3Db3Ox7ZvFraJyyMuz0lPYsLiN0Z18sVl-13S2D8ehR020MEcMCyfkbMYVtORs0ZsBVByUJ5rIHqW9llur4bhHFwqOj-VorbrZkLoLz7EXUWI0eEUMnDbMQ/s3776/P1160469.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUj2msmks7GQqiiazyPtXtToQ7NfG4XIC5PbJPnmTvaznc8jTNPFmJuPK7lNmrQmmqdt3Db3Ox7ZvFraJyyMuz0lPYsLiN0Z18sVl-13S2D8ehR020MEcMCyfkbMYVtORs0ZsBVByUJ5rIHqW9llur4bhHFwqOj-VorbrZkLoLz7EXUWI0eEUMnDbMQ/w640-h428/P1160469.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a natural stream in Mt. Rainier National Park</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>One of the most impressive features of the garden are the more than 50 rock benches that were built to rest and contemplate the views along the more than a mile of stone paths. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgEe9Yw0OYSXe3lzjwJ9Xru1QQ_4TZllz6asZnoIDbQ9Osv0tHmeL6kx28RkdFjwwG2_mzBRZRNgwCsFHNaakEZVkSCKN5SIYSLmX3XV6573QOAWRVXtcNu-e9DmnqtOgMIXmdSO2hjYY/s3776/P1040626.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgEe9Yw0OYSXe3lzjwJ9Xru1QQ_4TZllz6asZnoIDbQ9Osv0tHmeL6kx28RkdFjwwG2_mzBRZRNgwCsFHNaakEZVkSCKN5SIYSLmX3XV6573QOAWRVXtcNu-e9DmnqtOgMIXmdSO2hjYY/w640-h428/P1040626.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rock bench makes a pleasant place to sit and admire Hidden Pool</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgd9yvQazOeLp3QMK0JPVxblB0an41eC5r_QSMzwnbi2-Hd2ZfnfMTVyFU3RRn03KPF2U1L8ew0LpegG-wBxjNOHtGkucViy1e1syBKSfWTgoo07xEj9JCFeXqJaaza3WQ_m-zCzoTaRw/s3776/P1040619.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgd9yvQazOeLp3QMK0JPVxblB0an41eC5r_QSMzwnbi2-Hd2ZfnfMTVyFU3RRn03KPF2U1L8ew0LpegG-wBxjNOHtGkucViy1e1syBKSfWTgoo07xEj9JCFeXqJaaza3WQ_m-zCzoTaRw/w640-h428/P1040619.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large stone slabs were built in to stone outcrops to create natural looking resting spots along the paths</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z23ytA9ya91OkKhj6Ghehr53I8zj1xgNl7dz3iZwd8KpvS2ybCpdVk4dgju1Fi8O0S9cEoTGyaXD-nO_TSxGnbDPeeFI0VZazrQviCdkVzrjGOqBKgib5ObF6MHgiuae7Qgff5FrvGz7j459sn2R-WCrZbb5AnLONzWt2K7L3RolzCPnRgldeQkBTA/s3776/P1040641.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z23ytA9ya91OkKhj6Ghehr53I8zj1xgNl7dz3iZwd8KpvS2ybCpdVk4dgju1Fi8O0S9cEoTGyaXD-nO_TSxGnbDPeeFI0VZazrQviCdkVzrjGOqBKgib5ObF6MHgiuae7Qgff5FrvGz7j459sn2R-WCrZbb5AnLONzWt2K7L3RolzCPnRgldeQkBTA/w640-h428/P1040641.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large bench with a sloped back takes in the view of the Hidden Pool</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisD5UVpTiy6K2WlVkkN-T2oi0Ng4DJCjKYy4rc3rW9ckpwFJ4wdRPbEK78wJWzp9G8XaRcQg1jAqZCsK3BLUZYxL1E6bzmNUxdTWOXxlK22n6ZG1F0X4xK3DC6DhulVaOImGRdWvBiwWUh8ENuzjOuJp9i7td50QFpAhs1oEpHDuQBE2Df5geOMqIUjA/s3776/P1040646.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisD5UVpTiy6K2WlVkkN-T2oi0Ng4DJCjKYy4rc3rW9ckpwFJ4wdRPbEK78wJWzp9G8XaRcQg1jAqZCsK3BLUZYxL1E6bzmNUxdTWOXxlK22n6ZG1F0X4xK3DC6DhulVaOImGRdWvBiwWUh8ENuzjOuJp9i7td50QFpAhs1oEpHDuQBE2Df5geOMqIUjA/w640-h428/P1040646.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A piece of Petrified wood tree trunk makes an attractive arm rest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBklgv8bXh14AvkPCak0xqj7ocKjgYPMFMxmuLl3TBnCK3haAmEwECqiq9WtI_88J2LNYMjF0al__6a13_uETFcHbHp2tJ0HyWTmWONmIFiXcDovLj7CxF0ofFRPSiJpw8II0uggpldHh08-_RekcqaLfSg_EwWMeN6pUTd17hjxRwgaZyyolg6MOn5w/s3776/P1040657.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBklgv8bXh14AvkPCak0xqj7ocKjgYPMFMxmuLl3TBnCK3haAmEwECqiq9WtI_88J2LNYMjF0al__6a13_uETFcHbHp2tJ0HyWTmWONmIFiXcDovLj7CxF0ofFRPSiJpw8II0uggpldHh08-_RekcqaLfSg_EwWMeN6pUTd17hjxRwgaZyyolg6MOn5w/w640-h428/P1040657.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love these benches built in to stone outcrops</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1SCoaL6gNzOPYujnr82-i_DLsWuPHZ0Ob9PA-5OzcI6NQs7TP7z-8HujZdUI_sV-usquTEvl0Sc6fOgPcqGZM1nd_HYHOCv_0molTMRuza1do5PkJwnzCkXKvxDvLX6PIYP0Xd9rWqUyIlp1YeuhgjqiOXQEE13d4LTajYjn2y3ubzsT9dY0Mx3rTg/s3648/P1040681.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1SCoaL6gNzOPYujnr82-i_DLsWuPHZ0Ob9PA-5OzcI6NQs7TP7z-8HujZdUI_sV-usquTEvl0Sc6fOgPcqGZM1nd_HYHOCv_0molTMRuza1do5PkJwnzCkXKvxDvLX6PIYP0Xd9rWqUyIlp1YeuhgjqiOXQEE13d4LTajYjn2y3ubzsT9dY0Mx3rTg/w640-h480/P1040681.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shady nook</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqQLRUGhX3VMqCZck7yO0RHZJiNluDJPJjG7HWUd1BjdsaKdTWY0hnpEGijsS5esfusr8CCTDevYoqfSb5vdfbpGFp-nSsJjitpZP7yitQIWiqVVPv083H0KWBZ9gW5eE1UGzexqycgu07BQF30Qf_Z6-XS5Xzi9baFjkzw_429igwjq0MsolFMkc1w/s3648/P1040697.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqQLRUGhX3VMqCZck7yO0RHZJiNluDJPJjG7HWUd1BjdsaKdTWY0hnpEGijsS5esfusr8CCTDevYoqfSb5vdfbpGFp-nSsJjitpZP7yitQIWiqVVPv083H0KWBZ9gW5eE1UGzexqycgu07BQF30Qf_Z6-XS5Xzi9baFjkzw_429igwjq0MsolFMkc1w/w640-h480/P1040697.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another enchanted place to sit</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Herman was always looking for new features to add to the gardens. This stone table was built in the 1940's. The original slab cracked when it was being installed. A group of Eagle Scouts recently built a jumbled looking waterfall adjacent to this area that could use some remodeling to make it more in fitting with the standard of the work done by the Ohme family.</div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiTzoEXsBFGZJRZQcuA7BLVDHsgkbgbqkul8UqSNRZxsERXJsIyBAIWTGXyV3lY8lmXTP4nDXUUCj3bWk7Xw9t5OrkdHKFVGFBisTLlnQl-53lkbNWz37EOjx_gFP4T9_jte_jtTRuud7dCVsyzfmAdNoSf02D_bz6QivklHgRISJZLlmi1IQhcLrCQ/s3776/P1040811.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiTzoEXsBFGZJRZQcuA7BLVDHsgkbgbqkul8UqSNRZxsERXJsIyBAIWTGXyV3lY8lmXTP4nDXUUCj3bWk7Xw9t5OrkdHKFVGFBisTLlnQl-53lkbNWz37EOjx_gFP4T9_jte_jtTRuud7dCVsyzfmAdNoSf02D_bz6QivklHgRISJZLlmi1IQhcLrCQ/w640-h428/P1040811.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stone Table</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdkBYEUBg-U-qiqOG6N7UMhcqI_jp8ug4_rD2dcmgK4MFL9PjJXmsB69ErQiB_LOoztUOp1KBe0j8G2Kn-SBZKYZW2ssI54jrUskzUKn-KdJeZ4NTIhihZk378mtTXsn68WzTsis2ixuY/s3776/P1040814.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdkBYEUBg-U-qiqOG6N7UMhcqI_jp8ug4_rD2dcmgK4MFL9PjJXmsB69ErQiB_LOoztUOp1KBe0j8G2Kn-SBZKYZW2ssI54jrUskzUKn-KdJeZ4NTIhihZk378mtTXsn68WzTsis2ixuY/w640-h428/P1040814.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A waterfall adjacent to the Stone Table</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Weddings have been held in the gardens since the 1940's and steps leading down the slope to the Entrance Lawn are called the Wedding Path, where brides traditionally process to the ceremony.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTqXQ6Fjds660XhKlYtspttQESatiOb2od-X6UTBoWqE15BLng96Q1Z--TAzUbQMZ-2jK6z8xOy04QkM41_WOSp0m-Cbo6fe12wzCmVy2U6oy7W6p82DB_kqW3dYtl6pNJv5I_lMyXUoIIEAHcwRgJd-tw5pMPrKugcMLCtNah7BWXJTEDMcYtvQiTg/s3776/P1040796.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTqXQ6Fjds660XhKlYtspttQESatiOb2od-X6UTBoWqE15BLng96Q1Z--TAzUbQMZ-2jK6z8xOy04QkM41_WOSp0m-Cbo6fe12wzCmVy2U6oy7W6p82DB_kqW3dYtl6pNJv5I_lMyXUoIIEAHcwRgJd-tw5pMPrKugcMLCtNah7BWXJTEDMcYtvQiTg/w640-h428/P1040796.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wedding Path</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8d3QSrDu5UpKk3KCQWosPnO3c9e_SnJtQkDoiLyOGaNF7iU7S95YcFlYxxksFkCINBIpO2nY-ytDRPLGKXnvM3Z8uzM408Mixrv0lTu51aT2aYyRmDc1ngeRc1AAqtfvVOzCd3nUCikJ/s3776/P1040751.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8d3QSrDu5UpKk3KCQWosPnO3c9e_SnJtQkDoiLyOGaNF7iU7S95YcFlYxxksFkCINBIpO2nY-ytDRPLGKXnvM3Z8uzM408Mixrv0lTu51aT2aYyRmDc1ngeRc1AAqtfvVOzCd3nUCikJ/w640-h428/P1040751.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A path leading to the high point<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Herman had one unfulfilled fantasy, to build a Medieval Castle on the highest point on the property. He wished that a millionaire would come along and finance its construction since he lacked the funds to do so himself. In the end he built a humble wooden Vista House on the promontory in the style of a lookout.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCSv2cBtIfQmMyB0zwxVK7TiuapovM87Upmfgu_8RoM8znbCRD0BNJBxUf5lMc4AS_7v8Y4o9wQr4hkJg06Y5C-vWeY1XhLT8l9gvDKSnHRafZISD67wyImfo_VuvdKMSXtB2DJzoNGsc/s3776/P1040779.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCSv2cBtIfQmMyB0zwxVK7TiuapovM87Upmfgu_8RoM8znbCRD0BNJBxUf5lMc4AS_7v8Y4o9wQr4hkJg06Y5C-vWeY1XhLT8l9gvDKSnHRafZISD67wyImfo_VuvdKMSXtB2DJzoNGsc/w640-h428/P1040779.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The current Vista House</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbQ3Blw0i4tChbs-yydGIJU_N7IJ4A__xm1n3kMVJeZoSuA-A28nIB-OGamycOPBsPBF8Bi7JsvIEu_jcxF-qrOliFOgRfjyTYVMaeTEjJEc2UBB4mJS0igkfQZ_6-QEG8ErdBCLt95KwDSwbMOveMLoPibN00Wp-bTVKwAhccaQ8rKr23g-5V8GmKQ/s540/2674.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbQ3Blw0i4tChbs-yydGIJU_N7IJ4A__xm1n3kMVJeZoSuA-A28nIB-OGamycOPBsPBF8Bi7JsvIEu_jcxF-qrOliFOgRfjyTYVMaeTEjJEc2UBB4mJS0igkfQZ_6-QEG8ErdBCLt95KwDSwbMOveMLoPibN00Wp-bTVKwAhccaQ8rKr23g-5V8GmKQ/w568-h640/2674.jpg" width="568" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original log Vista House, built in the 1930's<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Gordon rebuilt the Vista House using stone and logs in the 1970's.</div><div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghldjlHHu-9GnEUEmtw3FV5PhUhGPbWbU9pdvT6PV_IXkCH1hZrdNiNAlHLH3zzuaw3-n-G0b2TB4flAatsWwx3GBQhfdLU1RBW5iJ2_G6pHtERu8n6VcC-6YEwC6V9UY_k0aurWP4pEWx/s3776/P1040803.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghldjlHHu-9GnEUEmtw3FV5PhUhGPbWbU9pdvT6PV_IXkCH1hZrdNiNAlHLH3zzuaw3-n-G0b2TB4flAatsWwx3GBQhfdLU1RBW5iJ2_G6pHtERu8n6VcC-6YEwC6V9UY_k0aurWP4pEWx/w640-h428/P1040803.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The current Vista House</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgWXvoGmAC1dAlbnWq7pamrNDhQdbHAFWjAQ5hXHoaCBBI7G2eHcsR-twxNygRQSL3aWDFd-S77IEWIwuwwWXkcHgySDxOPvhTlTYQadrS8wyokLkWW_Sdh8b46XJZpFVaeqenGooRpR8XDFVJoZA4rYIg3O7RPM-NNiM24yBLPa2MOlpDwzr1p6Oaw/s3968/P1040804.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgWXvoGmAC1dAlbnWq7pamrNDhQdbHAFWjAQ5hXHoaCBBI7G2eHcsR-twxNygRQSL3aWDFd-S77IEWIwuwwWXkcHgySDxOPvhTlTYQadrS8wyokLkWW_Sdh8b46XJZpFVaeqenGooRpR8XDFVJoZA4rYIg3O7RPM-NNiM24yBLPa2MOlpDwzr1p6Oaw/w640-h360/P1040804.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the Vista House</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Today the magnificent views from the gardens are sullied by the huge agricultural warehouses that have replaced the orchards and riparian landscapes of the Columbia River with pavement a expansive roofs.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37lbDzDZHvzCDUS0i6sVvzzISY1Bs11KujGACm-QSHO3ZCDJB4h3hLDTgM4-cnO-kjWHHcMPobWqY-N9KZ21N9C6jzJX1AnpipdVES5fOX1AkqoP_Rv41wQWKRj9IqLAqBDyzL11rnrBY-JlN0rML4b8vnoxmXnnret5TYB9z2CUr5txbLFlAWHodzA/s519/2965.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37lbDzDZHvzCDUS0i6sVvzzISY1Bs11KujGACm-QSHO3ZCDJB4h3hLDTgM4-cnO-kjWHHcMPobWqY-N9KZ21N9C6jzJX1AnpipdVES5fOX1AkqoP_Rv41wQWKRj9IqLAqBDyzL11rnrBY-JlN0rML4b8vnoxmXnnret5TYB9z2CUr5txbLFlAWHodzA/w592-h640/2965.jpg" width="592" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An photo from a 1960 article in Look Magazine with a view of the Columbia River</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HGLvErtgatpVgGhv9hL0YtUSU8EwuPWJm3LKqU9Eb6AuZaIp0bOYbeL2oNxlxaoJPLD3iAYIaOdtgtTzUcyGOEt7FexWaLPTsPuP11XS3Vo98gkAVxQwwvMuz-G0wJOOnpLDSW78WbXl/s3776/P1040788.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HGLvErtgatpVgGhv9hL0YtUSU8EwuPWJm3LKqU9Eb6AuZaIp0bOYbeL2oNxlxaoJPLD3iAYIaOdtgtTzUcyGOEt7FexWaLPTsPuP11XS3Vo98gkAVxQwwvMuz-G0wJOOnpLDSW78WbXl/w640-h428/P1040788.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br />The gardens came to the attention of the wider public in the 1960's with the publication of articles in popular magazines such as Life, Good Housekeeping, Look, Women's Day, Holiday, and Better Homes and Gardens, along with a number of books like Gardening America. Visitor numbers climbed as a result to 30,000 annually. The old wind break of poplar and black locust trees were cut down and replaced with conifers and the parking lot was expanded. In 1965 Herman and Ruth sold the garden to Gordon and Carol for $60,000. That same year the Washington State Arts Commission gave the family a State Beautification award. Herman Ohme passed away in 1970 at the age of 81. 10 years later the family negotiated the sale of the gardens to the State of Washington, and Chelan County later took over management as a county park. Ruth continued to work a few hours a day at the ticket booth late in to her life. Gordon passed away on October 15th, my birthday, in 1993 at the young age of 53. Ruth passed away in 1997 at the age of 86.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtfo3OIciLnLEcThg1bbfPzRaNGEJH_Fp0uW-beC9OQsdrWCwmBoSBRnvB0e7OTuwmEJPkp5_hzXZAnjsm8_E5X-GTi6q-uaPRlRUUWqn5vwY68BykF6cROLztaHYuGfAgctEWPFpr0sG9HnLULmyYKZulArwOqcRul0RuBfdd8pr2Ko3KEpcmLHDWA/s540/2660.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtfo3OIciLnLEcThg1bbfPzRaNGEJH_Fp0uW-beC9OQsdrWCwmBoSBRnvB0e7OTuwmEJPkp5_hzXZAnjsm8_E5X-GTi6q-uaPRlRUUWqn5vwY68BykF6cROLztaHYuGfAgctEWPFpr0sG9HnLULmyYKZulArwOqcRul0RuBfdd8pr2Ko3KEpcmLHDWA/w568-h640/2660.jpg" width="568" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gordon, Ruth, and Herman Ohme taking a break on a rustic bench by the Sylvan Pool</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJHmW97kM_NOiOYZyJoNo_Raro83pbHcOMKN8bNWQHxrQr-8tMSghPQNFVssua4B_7xyF_JKiJe1WiIjepf0nB8zSmUMEcrwFjxR4riaMBP98mlc6O0zTgggjUYaSVcnurTSRQAOToQpPMeFpCCTTnojsUToXBRx5LBil0ioM_kyoJ47PSbLe9ni5uw/s3776/P1040610.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJHmW97kM_NOiOYZyJoNo_Raro83pbHcOMKN8bNWQHxrQr-8tMSghPQNFVssua4B_7xyF_JKiJe1WiIjepf0nB8zSmUMEcrwFjxR4riaMBP98mlc6O0zTgggjUYaSVcnurTSRQAOToQpPMeFpCCTTnojsUToXBRx5LBil0ioM_kyoJ47PSbLe9ni5uw/w640-h428/P1040610.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An man made alpine paradise</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Today the gardens remain a popular wedding venue, and hosts concerts, yoga sessions, outdoor movies, and Gnome and Fairy hunts for children. The garden is maintained by a hard working staff and volunteers. My last visit was during the height of the Covid pandemic. I spoke to a maintenance worker who was busy weeding. She told me that the garden had been closed for a while prior and the renovation of large planting beds was undertaken at that time.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWAMI-TpxuqHDzlcDSapG9K4C-rPiPe5ITyVPl4Qs3_M0LEfDpYtkGjQ97OS6Lz30wPYT7IbAF-QqCCSQj3ZENqEOhE8P3RuxcLCpFexHrynsqK1Eg0FRtarBgAToQfxPL1Iazi7hBFnL/s3776/P1040798.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWAMI-TpxuqHDzlcDSapG9K4C-rPiPe5ITyVPl4Qs3_M0LEfDpYtkGjQ97OS6Lz30wPYT7IbAF-QqCCSQj3ZENqEOhE8P3RuxcLCpFexHrynsqK1Eg0FRtarBgAToQfxPL1Iazi7hBFnL/w640-h428/P1040798.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pieces of glacially striated stone brought to the gardens</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OZd3Rvvu4DysC1OrDwIsZoSI7hdKKzNISEpYaKCPPbayE35rIbs-R6fpyLyvfUPIlsxLldQs9H4JkuAPIAkHVL6XpRk-efr9HY89xl_RKnRQJP1qSiSmkdzUpgi5GrL5gui6B-5LkBlX4Fs2E3uBTlTW2IOZqJP3CyiqcjWz9klc5axuiF_TK-i9Wg/s3776/P1040799.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OZd3Rvvu4DysC1OrDwIsZoSI7hdKKzNISEpYaKCPPbayE35rIbs-R6fpyLyvfUPIlsxLldQs9H4JkuAPIAkHVL6XpRk-efr9HY89xl_RKnRQJP1qSiSmkdzUpgi5GrL5gui6B-5LkBlX4Fs2E3uBTlTW2IOZqJP3CyiqcjWz9klc5axuiF_TK-i9Wg/w640-h428/P1040799.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Top Pool undergoing restoration</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyqZz86Fp_A23ocmN8bGkVW9Hv0fjjG_A1oQhMjqs89zqOzA8DCez5B8X7HuYR6iJ8T0Sc_4bVM5wW0axu-tJ1_Y4WYQCPMKiiy6hP-6IRUk_wtfoHZ4AMOsfdQtFz8NSsHuUfWmRxu3A/s3648/P1040800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyqZz86Fp_A23ocmN8bGkVW9Hv0fjjG_A1oQhMjqs89zqOzA8DCez5B8X7HuYR6iJ8T0Sc_4bVM5wW0axu-tJ1_Y4WYQCPMKiiy6hP-6IRUk_wtfoHZ4AMOsfdQtFz8NSsHuUfWmRxu3A/w480-h640/P1040800.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Ohme Gardens is open to the public from April 15th to October 15th, 7 days a week. Adult admission is $8. The gardens website is Ohmegardens.org</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno0jVhW6Cu6YSod4ttIxoOThdaZQJqmKI8KBOyCFGyEh1RulE_iBgaCdfOxu7GJ6oZeBlAl0miXtJiL2P2RjyxrSR8epnPT-bTPXPWadnQh0cVUau024-b_jHR2h9wruFsXohF916cMxb4n3oz4i52WLL90kJvFnP7Uhqy5zTaafdVhxcWqDBmn265w/s3776/P1040584.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno0jVhW6Cu6YSod4ttIxoOThdaZQJqmKI8KBOyCFGyEh1RulE_iBgaCdfOxu7GJ6oZeBlAl0miXtJiL2P2RjyxrSR8epnPT-bTPXPWadnQh0cVUau024-b_jHR2h9wruFsXohF916cMxb4n3oz4i52WLL90kJvFnP7Uhqy5zTaafdVhxcWqDBmn265w/w640-h428/P1040584.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wood carving of Ruth Ohme carrying a bucket of water</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cES3RD-xdpN0ampnLsVH5XbEIaO_QfVSsGGG_ry3ybCX9sDHCIjNP6ioceo7A7g4iwdmI5w-YV-wcFYjPqQCGUpToNZMPaUSOePGBB8kKtQovw7_LUFRKKJUQ4JaZW-ttA1kKsZP4pONTiYmd_XAZF0YF1u2SBjLI-_cslNYpDpDgRV0XAw1G0a26Q/s3776/P1040822.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cES3RD-xdpN0ampnLsVH5XbEIaO_QfVSsGGG_ry3ybCX9sDHCIjNP6ioceo7A7g4iwdmI5w-YV-wcFYjPqQCGUpToNZMPaUSOePGBB8kKtQovw7_LUFRKKJUQ4JaZW-ttA1kKsZP4pONTiYmd_XAZF0YF1u2SBjLI-_cslNYpDpDgRV0XAw1G0a26Q/w640-h428/P1040822.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The parking lot has an adjacent picnic area outside the gardens and an entrance ticket window</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Gardens that take 40 years to build, especially those built by hand with a fresh and unique vision inspired by Nature are a rare and extraordinary occurrence in the United States. I know first hand as a garden builder and a person who has spent nearly that long working with stone how difficult that labor can be. It requires extraordinary perseverance and strength that is often born out of necessity because the material is heavy, challenging to transport, and takes natural and acquired skill to do well, especially on steep inaccessible terrain. There are recent renovations that have happened in the garden that I don't believe meet the standards that the Ohme family would approve of, but there really aren't that many great stonemasons available and few opportunities for people to learn the craft. I shouldn't be too critical though.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaEdNRboYwXE0E5cnOKfVr3uzhsS_97vBiThAXvXg7OmfJuRP2RkvQp-24xBW73j4RaAXZ_Ylll0k0L1OkSIi6f8qZOXBBRpuzBo5Pr9n4Jb534Avsfb-yO1M-AiW2R4ESny3pCgwzGtwi3VUpn00iEump7buKAngvr65aldu7rY4ZeUJBh3D7dxUJg/s3776/P1040715.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaEdNRboYwXE0E5cnOKfVr3uzhsS_97vBiThAXvXg7OmfJuRP2RkvQp-24xBW73j4RaAXZ_Ylll0k0L1OkSIi6f8qZOXBBRpuzBo5Pr9n4Jb534Avsfb-yO1M-AiW2R4ESny3pCgwzGtwi3VUpn00iEump7buKAngvr65aldu7rY4ZeUJBh3D7dxUJg/w640-h428/P1040715.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new path leading to nowhere is made of a exotic sparkly quartzite commonly available in stone yards that doesn't match the native stone used by the Ohme family.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>It takes patience and drive and endurance. I was so impressed the first time I visited Ohme Gardens by the way they translated the inspiration of the Washington Cascade mountain landscapes in to a much drier environment, working with the topography of the magnificent site. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcb4a5og7hZIgiVmD9j_fnsAS2ByjAebrzJrcvEJtG7ZI845Ym_DuW0F3v9X9HL2X1zJ83okVGB8USHEr6fCHjTm5tiizJv9TKqJBauuWQxb1WUZgso6boB_MvUE5G_x3w0DJgox19ekt/s3776/P1040781.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcb4a5og7hZIgiVmD9j_fnsAS2ByjAebrzJrcvEJtG7ZI845Ym_DuW0F3v9X9HL2X1zJ83okVGB8USHEr6fCHjTm5tiizJv9TKqJBauuWQxb1WUZgso6boB_MvUE5G_x3w0DJgox19ekt/w640-h428/P1040781.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basket of Gold, Aurinia saxitilis is an old fashioned trailing garden plant used well on this rock outcrop</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I am always absorbing what I see in my travels, observing how things are built and composed and studying the motivation behind design concepts. I utilize those things that inspire me the most in my own work, Nature being the foremost of those inspirations. I have a fond affinity to the masterpiece that the Ohme family manifested on 9 acres of challenging terrain overlooking the city of Wenatchee.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOY7NzJ6rhH0aEfoYZs1LFvnJrpljgpUY_Zq8hmiZYrN6u-HiDTnXHErWLo4RbZ9gsG1rL6TzYJMKdvQ-ItPQoIKWwCcQlEzsQlELYBz1HfVlHQlkKOPjD6K2N06YWQTpCUh3iUFwxYJE5lEa7oLE25V-rppqCW-Awx9Mh4gk6Z8NLo5kD6PoGEVJfQ/s4272/P1410051.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2856" data-original-width="4272" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOY7NzJ6rhH0aEfoYZs1LFvnJrpljgpUY_Zq8hmiZYrN6u-HiDTnXHErWLo4RbZ9gsG1rL6TzYJMKdvQ-ItPQoIKWwCcQlEzsQlELYBz1HfVlHQlkKOPjD6K2N06YWQTpCUh3iUFwxYJE5lEa7oLE25V-rppqCW-Awx9Mh4gk6Z8NLo5kD6PoGEVJfQ/w640-h428/P1410051.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A path I built using native Schist at Camp Glenorchy on the South Island of New Zealand</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaormL-sUUztFUmOOwxkOuSqiAv4BOz1e1wyYBfOOFoYs6-oAfMaM9qab_oojkYr3_rL8_uNSsAN4fqzvsX_3iFxdN_PVOZLc0W1ZHg_IngoTT5rsPyU6llPCG7qnycKexFBcV5-7rR9LhlCvO-gKjMh79wYcpwDUIcY7TbRKQvYc_TVcpwYUDAHoRA/s3776/P1160604.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaormL-sUUztFUmOOwxkOuSqiAv4BOz1e1wyYBfOOFoYs6-oAfMaM9qab_oojkYr3_rL8_uNSsAN4fqzvsX_3iFxdN_PVOZLc0W1ZHg_IngoTT5rsPyU6llPCG7qnycKexFBcV5-7rR9LhlCvO-gKjMh79wYcpwDUIcY7TbRKQvYc_TVcpwYUDAHoRA/w640-h428/P1160604.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A recent patio project using Bluestone imported from the East Coast and modifying an old existing retaining wall.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Thank you for reading, Jeffrey<br /><p></p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGisf_HcZDnlpy2r6KVhEUbKQOiC58Y6uj0LIf-00jwGPqjhF7BFrFS0dgeJXk8JnC-Ekce1RySO5I-h4uL-BGgqY45NbYGqgSE2eEQ8ioCjvWZgPnjBIUOViRH1IgSJxIS_HIXZ2lUZ4U/s3776/P1040625.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGisf_HcZDnlpy2r6KVhEUbKQOiC58Y6uj0LIf-00jwGPqjhF7BFrFS0dgeJXk8JnC-Ekce1RySO5I-h4uL-BGgqY45NbYGqgSE2eEQ8ioCjvWZgPnjBIUOViRH1IgSJxIS_HIXZ2lUZ4U/w640-h428/P1040625.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfish in the Sylvan Pond</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9KM61BH8Xjx3lbBoCGWJsyjuwGG9zmcmX_-pbamC1svvME7k55mu-d9pldXF7jG_IxwS7lzC_JB8v7BuiPy5bWnCm53UCXMHtNOzpTLmwoCvqYMpgEPazOWMbFDyMXMoUHghXufimBnh2mzyW9LrWl61DlN7U2Fxl8cOLK-BdHxA_4uhrc9qNVFOIg/s973/Ohme%20Gardens%20hill%20view.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="973" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9KM61BH8Xjx3lbBoCGWJsyjuwGG9zmcmX_-pbamC1svvME7k55mu-d9pldXF7jG_IxwS7lzC_JB8v7BuiPy5bWnCm53UCXMHtNOzpTLmwoCvqYMpgEPazOWMbFDyMXMoUHghXufimBnh2mzyW9LrWl61DlN7U2Fxl8cOLK-BdHxA_4uhrc9qNVFOIg/w640-h404/Ohme%20Gardens%20hill%20view.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A post card view of the gardens from the dry slope below</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-42895264604001256972022-01-06T13:15:00.001-08:002022-01-06T13:15:20.997-08:00Sueño de una Tarde Dominical en la Alameda Central, by Diego Rivera<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJdnEafoaam02H_zwYZBK0_ZByKJqcoZ8iLHCko-cgfBIbhdsHUtA5gjKv9yp2Z8cwADcRgg69reKo_2QQrKgRUDDziPB06ppPgFZkPzVHNJJBpOHgd0ULd6lFjKE8MmLZKV_JkL4aKd4-LljNX4HMwOmXzprGHOWnWH98LOAs9oKUC0EWzHJ3pZ66Xw=s600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The central section of the mural, with the Skeleton Catrina holding Diego Rivera's hand, as a boy, with Frida Kahlo standing behind him holding a yang yin symbol. On her right she hooks arms with José Guadalupe Posada, the political cartoonist who created the Catrina's original image.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In 1984 I made my first trip to Mexico City. It was the year before the great earthquake which struck the city on September 19th the following year. I stayed in a hotel off the Alameda Central Park in the Centro Storico that had a large photo mural of Mt. Hood in Oregon in its lobby. The hotel I stayed in was destroyed in the earthquake. One of the places I visited while there was the fabled Hotel Del Prado on the Parque Alameda Central, who's lobby contained the grand mural "Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Central" by the artist Diego Rivera. The hotel had an art deco style and there were columns that obscured parts of the mural.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHYxkFJBHcLvEAxSokhic1y8v4uB9-qrxJH-jCN_S0bdDgufuYrKr4shCM91ymTKWO1l0fJKkH637-cjWV_TU8qpsE3JOeJvJvTlMvf1-aeV__rMOHUDvXtiJud93WsIZ57xBrdmYwXRHCxVzI6gGqxyB9cl-NXAiIne69wvLox7hrng44Bm8LddANAA=s405" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="405" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHYxkFJBHcLvEAxSokhic1y8v4uB9-qrxJH-jCN_S0bdDgufuYrKr4shCM91ymTKWO1l0fJKkH637-cjWV_TU8qpsE3JOeJvJvTlMvf1-aeV__rMOHUDvXtiJud93WsIZ57xBrdmYwXRHCxVzI6gGqxyB9cl-NXAiIne69wvLox7hrng44Bm8LddANAA=w640-h486" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mural as it appeared in the lobby of the Hotel del Prado</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was my second foray in to Mexico, the country where I honed my skills as a world traveler. I was quite naive at that point and had never seen artistry on such a scale. The work had a profound affect on me as I was swept up in the epic tales of Mexican history.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIYtAKQDnIxV6RoPQmg6bFN-GBdfyORVOaDehPKLrxx-J_6Ll_14kGkFJwPNzTMDdo9LbozPku6kzEnuoP24PDc6INy7xAUNoCxiIjjdsJh2fZSfnOEaU46-xa0Vcsg6PbtXP1_ReVFtw5JbNHT_gUBj1V2C6GdBQYLBkGzqkTIruaWNkosdi1dj9p_w=s688" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIYtAKQDnIxV6RoPQmg6bFN-GBdfyORVOaDehPKLrxx-J_6Ll_14kGkFJwPNzTMDdo9LbozPku6kzEnuoP24PDc6INy7xAUNoCxiIjjdsJh2fZSfnOEaU46-xa0Vcsg6PbtXP1_ReVFtw5JbNHT_gUBj1V2C6GdBQYLBkGzqkTIruaWNkosdi1dj9p_w=w416-h640" width="416" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An advertisement for the Hotel Del Prado</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The mural was originally commissioned by the prominent Mexican architect Carlos Obregón Santacilia for the west wall of the Versailles Restaurant, but it was later moved to the lobby because the wall was sinking because of its weight, causing cracks, and humidity in the dining room was damaging the painting. Curtains in the restaurant also obscured sections of the mural, which could be closed perhaps because of controversial elements in the painting that offended conservative Catholics and Capitalists.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWHhgy91BSoJBx0cifkWciJZIPWNzDjavaTzYMYxoarYM9A10c8O87rkCLIRas6WgGkd3nBD7YwhmQwrjc4WjiIX04XUPW8leIGQWCdlsM9Jpn4qFQHNJiD-ckjsc5JUiqHULMnxNSRyQckMacVeri1r0oeHsMZmvFGG9csSIyiQ5Qqso1Pmu81tPv8g=s960" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWHhgy91BSoJBx0cifkWciJZIPWNzDjavaTzYMYxoarYM9A10c8O87rkCLIRas6WgGkd3nBD7YwhmQwrjc4WjiIX04XUPW8leIGQWCdlsM9Jpn4qFQHNJiD-ckjsc5JUiqHULMnxNSRyQckMacVeri1r0oeHsMZmvFGG9csSIyiQ5Qqso1Pmu81tPv8g=w640-h400" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old photo of the Versailles Restaurant with the mural partially covered by curtains.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Rivera painted the mural in 1946 and 47. It is 15 meters long and 5 meter tall and weighs 35 tons with the supporting wall included. The painting represents a dream, which allows it to cover 400 years of Mexican history, with 100 definable people incorporated in its narrative. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVkPbrd1_amR56bxkYOwxpQudzuIvyENdFbJPwFK1kiCncox_tcE2xlQGlCke0bwEX_-MgmtJgsXy3x-mE95JHt5ei0rCxxpGfjB2Aow8a0uZQ41KjaOlqDVcZ0vWXLWbApyLCfIATof0qSTz1hZvOMvbN5895u1FejWPhtsa5welitbyDwVvUwq_6ew=s2736" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVkPbrd1_amR56bxkYOwxpQudzuIvyENdFbJPwFK1kiCncox_tcE2xlQGlCke0bwEX_-MgmtJgsXy3x-mE95JHt5ei0rCxxpGfjB2Aow8a0uZQ41KjaOlqDVcZ0vWXLWbApyLCfIATof0qSTz1hZvOMvbN5895u1FejWPhtsa5welitbyDwVvUwq_6ew=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photograph from 1947 showing Diego Rivera working on the composition sketch for the mural</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><br /></div><div>The 1985 earthquake registered 8.1 on the Richter scale, followed by two later powerful aftershocks which collapsed about 400 buildings and severely damaging a thousand others which had to be demolished. The death toll was over 5,000 people. The soft sediments that underlies Mexico City, which is built on what was once Lake Texcoco make for an undulating base during seismic activity. The lake was subsequently drained in by the Spanish after the conquest of the Aztec capitol of Tenochtitlan. Mexico City has the most dramatically altered landscape of any city in the world. The vibration of the ground was amplified in buildings ranging from 6 to 15 stories tall as they shook at the same frequency. Most ancient colonial buildings in Mexico have survived a number of earthquakes because they are less than 6 stories tall. I returned to Mexico City in January 1986 and was shocked to see so many buildings that were no longer there.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6lBgeGrfMBpt7ovF47O9w1DRAKRhy9aosro_aHSU_UnBbHJ3hKG8Wq0ub2Jn6o8Z7ikbttJR5fJbzLxjGqwRaQ-AE2gcNfqnns89hFPJAQFyyAw9thDr36rdB3p4tAPv0pVfEIpKPE-6fz3-4QmoJnrpnZg3u-hSa7KOwBCHMrjJDeFEQy-4Yfptq7g=s3776" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6lBgeGrfMBpt7ovF47O9w1DRAKRhy9aosro_aHSU_UnBbHJ3hKG8Wq0ub2Jn6o8Z7ikbttJR5fJbzLxjGqwRaQ-AE2gcNfqnns89hFPJAQFyyAw9thDr36rdB3p4tAPv0pVfEIpKPE-6fz3-4QmoJnrpnZg3u-hSa7KOwBCHMrjJDeFEQy-4Yfptq7g=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The collapsed Hotel St. Regis during the 1985 earthquake</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The Hotel Del Prado was irreparably damaged and had to be demolished but the mural survived relatively unharmed. It was padded with rubber mattresses and wooden panels and while being seranaded by Mariachis, was lifted by crane and relocated to it's new home across the street. It took 12 hours to complete the move, and the building where it is housed today, the Museo Mural Diego Rivera was later built around it.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVhPW0lxFT0iyMJa0_RhjdV9QKuyEYZfD_pW3Boo-G3N_CAk3udC6m74EgynrbmSWnVCVcwmI8_f1oUyq0FKYPFGS7DY_L8MQMUq3LciEGLEqquA8SOQwWcvG1-nHAdz3SBKOH6m7UvqbRFILHTW9krZlQEx8p82YpFQQv9wFTiSyi1lVp4eg43pdniQ=s3648" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVhPW0lxFT0iyMJa0_RhjdV9QKuyEYZfD_pW3Boo-G3N_CAk3udC6m74EgynrbmSWnVCVcwmI8_f1oUyq0FKYPFGS7DY_L8MQMUq3LciEGLEqquA8SOQwWcvG1-nHAdz3SBKOH6m7UvqbRFILHTW9krZlQEx8p82YpFQQv9wFTiSyi1lVp4eg43pdniQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo in the museum showing the mural being transported to its new location.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidQ7gb-T5H3K_SZ5oE7fds_J9wJaqcw3lm-iTOTr1FwcfsnQO9Ant_6wClsBal_W1cCJW9uQQubs3AGul3LIjdBNBnn_GL1H7TPrUo74LnB0Q3kNtsGvtyz3U2yr0_2sgfn_q2iI0Wlt3pZNEbK7tUOfsbiWC0DMOOjvBgp07CGP3GrRfQmAjVGVMHPA=s3776" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidQ7gb-T5H3K_SZ5oE7fds_J9wJaqcw3lm-iTOTr1FwcfsnQO9Ant_6wClsBal_W1cCJW9uQQubs3AGul3LIjdBNBnn_GL1H7TPrUo74LnB0Q3kNtsGvtyz3U2yr0_2sgfn_q2iI0Wlt3pZNEbK7tUOfsbiWC0DMOOjvBgp07CGP3GrRfQmAjVGVMHPA=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Museo Mural Diego Rivera</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The mural represents a dream, which allows it to cover four centuries of Mexican history in a colorfully dramatic display. It reads from left to right, beginning the the Spanish conquest of what became New Spain and ending with the relative political stability of the mid 20th Century. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI-FCHbyhIwTcouSp91OOdymaExWuHkLMisdMjN-EPdEXYr1De96Vjs8k4OCMq0_5U8L2HVdwmUFZZlHKTxv4vdW0zH4NAseck-YIXF8yhsWHRSsU3tA5WXTdwetIfoOGd9laMec_dQIdEAIAyZ08MSrjil-f6-_HkXp6TYoTbddrvtuCex4o9UHmjJQ=s3913" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1469" data-original-width="3913" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgI-FCHbyhIwTcouSp91OOdymaExWuHkLMisdMjN-EPdEXYr1De96Vjs8k4OCMq0_5U8L2HVdwmUFZZlHKTxv4vdW0zH4NAseck-YIXF8yhsWHRSsU3tA5WXTdwetIfoOGd9laMec_dQIdEAIAyZ08MSrjil-f6-_HkXp6TYoTbddrvtuCex4o9UHmjJQ=w640-h240" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sueño de una Tarde Dominical en la Alameda Central<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>On the left side Conquistador Hernan Cortez is depicted with bloody praying hands, as his Catholic faith was the justification for the rapid destruction and subjugation of once great indigenous cultures. Fray Juan de Zumárraga, the first bishop and leader of the Holy Inquisition stands next to him. The poetess and early protagonist of women's rights, Juana Inés de la Cruz wears a nun's habit, next to the eighth Viceroy of New Spain, Luis de Velasco II, who instigated the creation of the Alameda Central Park in 1592, on what was formerly and Aztec marketplace. Looming large in the background is Benito Juarez who served as the 26th President of Mexico. He was driven in to exile during the French invasion, when the Austrian Hapsburg royal family member Maximilian was declared Emporer of Mexico. Maximillion was executed when Juarez regained control of the country after the brutal execution of 10,000 of Juarez's supporters. He is depicted in significantly smaller size with his wife, Empress Carlota to the left of a cluster of colorful balloons. </div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgunKPJDlmWbxaTMFx1wryodTmWSAgPNFEGZB7LHjegwZ1OVJVd-DsggC8ShUh1aZmcAs2e2YF8oSByASY7WfJz1UhwE48jFNsLs-c9dM4glvg_yTuSOgDuPgcwjcaeYjI6KrBhwFhItAShxLznFB6_4K260zHpIPxuUG2X0XgY32ar7Sh-yW8-qIfCMg=s3776" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgunKPJDlmWbxaTMFx1wryodTmWSAgPNFEGZB7LHjegwZ1OVJVd-DsggC8ShUh1aZmcAs2e2YF8oSByASY7WfJz1UhwE48jFNsLs-c9dM4glvg_yTuSOgDuPgcwjcaeYjI6KrBhwFhItAShxLznFB6_4K260zHpIPxuUG2X0XgY32ar7Sh-yW8-qIfCMg=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: center;">This side of the mural shows the conquest of New Spain, the Inquisition, the French invasion, petty thievery, and two borrachos on a park bench, oblivious to it all.</span><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis9MAW4JJyhfpPHdR02XSg22r3zBZcEqePORD0h_2DMzRPwBpibqWTr_R64zWcAgbOz2Sv3pltvy1MQaYJH-jVQZ4alfe-O-YDFVSXINla7po0NJGkDBMR9_mT6DlwClxBX2hkS31PAwzn--kMthEHR1zVDDTWnUXNur62rbxmLkPVrQbTSteHBnL27A=s3776" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis9MAW4JJyhfpPHdR02XSg22r3zBZcEqePORD0h_2DMzRPwBpibqWTr_R64zWcAgbOz2Sv3pltvy1MQaYJH-jVQZ4alfe-O-YDFVSXINla7po0NJGkDBMR9_mT6DlwClxBX2hkS31PAwzn--kMthEHR1zVDDTWnUXNur62rbxmLkPVrQbTSteHBnL27A=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los Borrachos</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The Alameda Central is considered the oldest public park in the Americas. It was created as a green space on the Western edge of the growing city with a formal layout of straight interesecting paths marked by fountains. The name Alameda is derived from Poplar Trees (Alamos) which are planted throughout the park. The park used to be half the size of what you see today and was just an open space called El Quemedero, that was used as a place to burn heretics during the Inquisition. A charming beginning for the first park in the Americas. By 1770 the Inquisition had come to an end and the plaza was demolished to enlarge the park. It was expanded again in 1791 and a wooden fence was built around it to make it exclusive to nobility. Mexico declared independence from European rule in 1821, and the park became a popular place to celebrate freedom from colonial rule. When General Santa Anna rode in to Mexico City he ordered the fountains in the park be filled with alcohol. That must have been a messy party.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxE7-S3ioGxfLh8-9aOAlxtLB849e9Tn7bRIV6mpnCgY6GDMLcjJac7p9h03HL0zAq3co-nMrhr5859u1Ki8z5r4DgfoKS87ZIn-Fsio1-4y7iCf5jlkT4u0CKOzv2F62l4f8zXOC95TmBHDZI_uSGpfhDjy1FP3IiDnlGtTZGFiP4Ui9YFtcdKTYJZQ=s3922" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1555" data-original-width="3922" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxE7-S3ioGxfLh8-9aOAlxtLB849e9Tn7bRIV6mpnCgY6GDMLcjJac7p9h03HL0zAq3co-nMrhr5859u1Ki8z5r4DgfoKS87ZIn-Fsio1-4y7iCf5jlkT4u0CKOzv2F62l4f8zXOC95TmBHDZI_uSGpfhDjy1FP3IiDnlGtTZGFiP4Ui9YFtcdKTYJZQ=w640-h254" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A design plan for the Alameda Central</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>There are five fountains with round basins containing French designed statues with Roman themes. One of them holds a muscular figure of Poseidon wielding a trident that I fell in love with on my first visit in 1985. I always walk by it when I return to the park over the years as if visiting an old friend.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTeCgj_jRqPHNp0eIpjtvOvhQo1rIkpL5FjBpZQV0bzag_L9voesRFCPLPRGZ1DqQi51xAirg-4-ftpysKxF1Fm-xpDsURgx1EL_a0znMzTus4vyMt-vqXQqH71_gb5rA0rtP5p0eAEf2wTaiQw8g3Ve-oRApwjym26Lqht0c74xKIqqBUkClbM2inog=s3648" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTeCgj_jRqPHNp0eIpjtvOvhQo1rIkpL5FjBpZQV0bzag_L9voesRFCPLPRGZ1DqQi51xAirg-4-ftpysKxF1Fm-xpDsURgx1EL_a0znMzTus4vyMt-vqXQqH71_gb5rA0rtP5p0eAEf2wTaiQw8g3Ve-oRApwjym26Lqht0c74xKIqqBUkClbM2inog=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A statue of Poseidon in Alameda Central</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The park as you see it today was mostly developed in the late 19th and early 20th Century and by then had become popular with all social classes. The mixing and resulting struggles between the rich and poor and European and Indigenous peoples is clear in the mural. In 2012 the park underwent improvements with the paving of the paths with smooth marble tiles and modifications to some fountains with popular jets of water spouting from the pavement for children to play in on hot days.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIdOdL3BnupEJB2HcO7O10Yi1lQqKWLn2krGPgyVh17sAHkG3W5ujxsTa1q_PjkdOurmkmWjdWgptCCGXQTzXXL1OE6kYiAfoYLH_DufTa_srluvGlx0rGnz6G_gF4HCQH7yEhj69AheYNKtvyybn2dPjwoudFacA7HCyOEyDU4dA1wC119uC-1ZU-rw=s3776" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIdOdL3BnupEJB2HcO7O10Yi1lQqKWLn2krGPgyVh17sAHkG3W5ujxsTa1q_PjkdOurmkmWjdWgptCCGXQTzXXL1OE6kYiAfoYLH_DufTa_srluvGlx0rGnz6G_gF4HCQH7yEhj69AheYNKtvyybn2dPjwoudFacA7HCyOEyDU4dA1wC119uC-1ZU-rw=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alameda Central today is a gathering place for people from all walks of life.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The center of the Diego Rivera's mural has interesting dynamics. The centerpiece is the Calavera de la Catrina. Catrina was a nickname for an upper class woman who wore European dress. In 1913, political cartoonist José Guadalupe Posada created an etching depicting Catrina as a skeleton, as death is the great equalizer. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihXdhSgBsSrzA4R0VF4XjTb452oVFnXaZSNea_QjR5qocWPEJwLOf5hFV6l04A1rImtOhGlzKpZ5qwTjE5F1yNd-j9UkaHCZFJDTNl3rMyn5bODM09eBWtYn2B0bCS0cgd8eKQUPI9sdhRb_NWyn0lIzvKdznkKPJTCKkPo_jGGG_oFVniR2BiR1jbIg=s350" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="350" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihXdhSgBsSrzA4R0VF4XjTb452oVFnXaZSNea_QjR5qocWPEJwLOf5hFV6l04A1rImtOhGlzKpZ5qwTjE5F1yNd-j9UkaHCZFJDTNl3rMyn5bODM09eBWtYn2B0bCS0cgd8eKQUPI9sdhRb_NWyn0lIzvKdznkKPJTCKkPo_jGGG_oFVniR2BiR1jbIg=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calavera Catrina, an etching by José Guadalupe Posada</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7L8q8ms6fzZkzI5dI5buBEaKGcO-P1QQGQeDq_vyAB01xEMtcY5LfyWYBIy4hNxfSx5IDXZaOe6ypsDI-9m_ebVMVNNcZ4RkM_bvVhJrNUwv7GuIEYCgszUr_UxVezoCikA_6tVm559GclKicr8_F7QThhnoMAuOdll-76w5upn_t0TtNGDKRtD_EOA=s3702" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2470" data-original-width="3702" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7L8q8ms6fzZkzI5dI5buBEaKGcO-P1QQGQeDq_vyAB01xEMtcY5LfyWYBIy4hNxfSx5IDXZaOe6ypsDI-9m_ebVMVNNcZ4RkM_bvVhJrNUwv7GuIEYCgszUr_UxVezoCikA_6tVm559GclKicr8_F7QThhnoMAuOdll-76w5upn_t0TtNGDKRtD_EOA=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noble classes surround la Catrina, flanked by Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and José Guadalupe Posada</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Diego Rivera replicated this etching in homage to the cartoonist who died in obscurity. He wears a dark suit and bowler hat and affectionately locks arms with the Catrina on her right hand side. She wears a feather boa with a snakes head, a representation of the god Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent which is frequently represented on Precolombian religious structures. Her belt buckle is ornamented with an Aztec symbol.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN8ftuEhEDQUvfLICc9VwZm9vAK4OH6_4K4xP-Oqs-3YnP1uE9q1zAQufKnhiFOvZUHWkCyaY2drfhLJAn0U81tLuJysduNX5zt8qR7LXoJ3VC0Sh0Nx6coLXKETsYY_ROd1KrbdBEVPJ1Yc_mTtx5Cvem6k5kSPWgI2fNvSUl1FrRwCl0LdrHGPzDlQ=s3776" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjN8ftuEhEDQUvfLICc9VwZm9vAK4OH6_4K4xP-Oqs-3YnP1uE9q1zAQufKnhiFOvZUHWkCyaY2drfhLJAn0U81tLuJysduNX5zt8qR7LXoJ3VC0Sh0Nx6coLXKETsYY_ROd1KrbdBEVPJ1Yc_mTtx5Cvem6k5kSPWgI2fNvSUl1FrRwCl0LdrHGPzDlQ=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent from a pyramid at Teotihuacan, Museo Antropoligia, Mexico City</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Rivera painted himself as a boy, the boy who has the dream, holding hands with the Catrina on her left. Behind him stands his wife of 25 years, Frida Kahlo, with one hand resting protectively on his shoulder. In her other hand she holds and yang and yin symbol, which speaks to the dynamics of their troubled relationship. Frida Kahlo was bedridden from a serious trolley accident during the time he was painting the mural which may have influenced him painting himself as a boy, expressing some insecurity. Yang and Yin represents male and female duality, dark and light, good and bad. The dream is also a nightmare. She referred to him as the Toad, one of which he carries in his pocket. He holds a vulture headed umbrella in his right hand.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga704LT0Yow2RTHtkojlPjEkYlWxvfVoneaAGe8rUQk2CRos5pgZ7QxgTDcQOtKjW9HUYbcAuuWm9wIXPlYaL1z03H1S9rpoH2_a3EuQqD12HPvnZAZhaWK6Upl95y9MQ8IL1g_YY-kqjZXG-KZ4On2LbiyUOatR1NKVVbaQ3DoCvDT_ApuvDv7QdokA=s3776" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga704LT0Yow2RTHtkojlPjEkYlWxvfVoneaAGe8rUQk2CRos5pgZ7QxgTDcQOtKjW9HUYbcAuuWm9wIXPlYaL1z03H1S9rpoH2_a3EuQqD12HPvnZAZhaWK6Upl95y9MQ8IL1g_YY-kqjZXG-KZ4On2LbiyUOatR1NKVVbaQ3DoCvDT_ApuvDv7QdokA=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diego Rivera as a boy, Frida Kahlo, and la Catrina</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The noble classes promenade in their Sunday finery under the protective gaze of dictator Porfirio Diaz, decked out in an elaborate military costume and a plumed hat. A soldier with a club confronts a finely dressed Mayan girl in a gesture of segregation. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIjnorziHGYhvkJeFCrMRPrS5J2zejEG52QaS6-VK5k9F8ynHdbnwFUUURzYk9ORq1J2YSRiNWqyn6zZiy6ptYRYGTQ9CtJay2-iViiWSinXKClhvgoShTgitjzMRi2rPW66IldkQUVV7T5N7Er4QO7olkTsKJQF0vNgsvxLx3FeiPSZMJTlR0MdDdhg=s3776" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3776" data-original-width="2520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIjnorziHGYhvkJeFCrMRPrS5J2zejEG52QaS6-VK5k9F8ynHdbnwFUUURzYk9ORq1J2YSRiNWqyn6zZiy6ptYRYGTQ9CtJay2-iViiWSinXKClhvgoShTgitjzMRi2rPW66IldkQUVV7T5N7Er4QO7olkTsKJQF0vNgsvxLx3FeiPSZMJTlR0MdDdhg=w428-h640" width="428" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div>The struggle between classes is clear throughout the mural. Diaz's dictatorship is overthrown in the Mexican revolution, which lasted 10 years. A Zapatista (follower of revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, who inspired the agrarian movement) rides a horse while another shoots a man in the head. Even though democracy and reforms brings Mexico in to a new and more hopeful era, the classes are still segregated by police forces according to class. Beyond them in the trees in front of a Mexican flag, President Francisco Madero tips his hat. He assumed the presidency after the fall of Porfirio Diaz's 6 term dictatorship, starting the Mexican Revolution. But he violently opposed the Zapatistas and was later assasinated in a coup during a period called the 10 tragic days.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPe-nIUU75o5wtHO5vWtgSSPFDw8xNm2X0umCmx9K3mP7lBbvnK3dg5VfSbc6UQeUiGlb8xqIG26uRf08b7DBOx-B97UsH6S3l4AZJYSlIhTjs6xj__cZWXmuHKPkTuTfbTthPOUwjIzmXCNvDKZpHjNDpw3Kh6U9F_DWqysX4pzR90RSvLmIJH6Kryw=s3776" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPe-nIUU75o5wtHO5vWtgSSPFDw8xNm2X0umCmx9K3mP7lBbvnK3dg5VfSbc6UQeUiGlb8xqIG26uRf08b7DBOx-B97UsH6S3l4AZJYSlIhTjs6xj__cZWXmuHKPkTuTfbTthPOUwjIzmXCNvDKZpHjNDpw3Kh6U9F_DWqysX4pzR90RSvLmIJH6Kryw=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>But as the mural moves further to the right side, there is a more peaceful resolve that comes perhaps from hope for the future, intertwining with the branches of the trees. The dome of the Palacio Bellas Artes is seen the background, along with the Torre Latinoamerica. The workers wave flags, while menacing gazes lurk amongst the crowd, who all have identities and significant meanings in the political struggles that followed the fall of the Madero government. Men with stacks of money represent the corruption and disparity of the distribution of wealth. In the bottom right hand corner, Diego as a middle class boy eats a Torta de Jamon purchased from an indigenous woman sitting at a table. He is surrounded by his family as he dreams them, including his daughters Ruth and Guadalupe Rivera Marin and their mother Guadalupe Marin, the second of his four wives.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3ZH5P62v_dC2EgvwFAJw_WBwcGDn9djx1ENv-Nx0_R783bP8PQSUEtTkgjLnWBKBP8AwMuMoj2euO_2seyd1_OR6rRnGdliJuxlkzwwKZUQmHkFpp4xiePN4WOdDBSBH_sJ7dLbOzjsdbo1vdjDU8cLh-4u0u404s2wnESgOpkAC_AyJQyHWMQtQ3kg=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3ZH5P62v_dC2EgvwFAJw_WBwcGDn9djx1ENv-Nx0_R783bP8PQSUEtTkgjLnWBKBP8AwMuMoj2euO_2seyd1_OR6rRnGdliJuxlkzwwKZUQmHkFpp4xiePN4WOdDBSBH_sJ7dLbOzjsdbo1vdjDU8cLh-4u0u404s2wnESgOpkAC_AyJQyHWMQtQ3kg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLNszCTvFdrPD4Yr1RvU8a4vul2uV4tJt8IDbsP7_L7MAn6ZEVASGSYsb2eE46HkcByB4O_zFJx37ZRBX5jtspg4guRcrF-2NBdZZw9eBuLteXzTh9Kf2yUCkLlkHPrvo7uVxNPVmrcARn6sZAfldG7OPhqbCn2SBV4f_URItrV8bNkRONGEuy1iqUVQ=s3776" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3776" data-original-width="2520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLNszCTvFdrPD4Yr1RvU8a4vul2uV4tJt8IDbsP7_L7MAn6ZEVASGSYsb2eE46HkcByB4O_zFJx37ZRBX5jtspg4guRcrF-2NBdZZw9eBuLteXzTh9Kf2yUCkLlkHPrvo7uVxNPVmrcARn6sZAfldG7OPhqbCn2SBV4f_URItrV8bNkRONGEuy1iqUVQ=w428-h640" width="428" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And so the epic dream of a Sunday afternoon in the oldest public park in the Americas plays itself out in the never ending drama that is the history of Mexico. Its been overwhelming but very educational to research this essay and I have a vaguely improved insight in to the history of the republic. I love this country and am so happy to have the opportunity to revisit and explore its many fascinating and beautiful landscapes, ruins, cities and towns over the years.<div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSz9JAnIncm4t7c4qoO8GzWZpq2CvF1adZt8RYdvxOtFrnpaUFUyGpq6bmINiodjl8Qcsn5iJtfMxeTh8L25cFgDSFjQBjuefmvHRFwyyb3miwnKih737n6r9zKinsQ0OEplcU26Mr94KoU346almhPyPV6NyNPQzHPxDWvtaUcuQ70EG48kLOWvUuxw=s3648" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSz9JAnIncm4t7c4qoO8GzWZpq2CvF1adZt8RYdvxOtFrnpaUFUyGpq6bmINiodjl8Qcsn5iJtfMxeTh8L25cFgDSFjQBjuefmvHRFwyyb3miwnKih737n6r9zKinsQ0OEplcU26Mr94KoU346almhPyPV6NyNPQzHPxDWvtaUcuQ70EG48kLOWvUuxw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diego Rivera with an assistant working on the bottom right hand corner of the mural</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Thanks always for reading, Jeffrey</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYKP1v09DWBu1U32j5Ar0YqmBI2OlmuebUnkrkgGHoJHI4TJ1eQqfy1pqd_FAj2OiLu_A_jAtouomTnima7qpW00wGvOK-1bmiIIt7LT1H-RyrLS5mLE1VgReT3FsQA_4RuhV7sXa3t21txAWklSBo8eytffuCim4WmhvpvL9gboGRa0VxosPYxWw_dw=s3968" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYKP1v09DWBu1U32j5Ar0YqmBI2OlmuebUnkrkgGHoJHI4TJ1eQqfy1pqd_FAj2OiLu_A_jAtouomTnima7qpW00wGvOK-1bmiIIt7LT1H-RyrLS5mLE1VgReT3FsQA_4RuhV7sXa3t21txAWklSBo8eytffuCim4WmhvpvL9gboGRa0VxosPYxWw_dw=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sueño de una Tarde Dominical el la Alameda Central viewed from the upstairs balcony</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiEaEWaAEEZaxzqOBmHLPPw0FYS2J3_Kt--FWhzoaHf44I7_z4FHiJMbZfunM3AqA8XIC8fom-7A8-8okmYZfF3WJWdlvSdlo1lgkphKIQf_upQGTYK_ugyt6gt_G_AHVAju5M3t5wp_pRKpjLVZSqbum3BJ5T1DSR7G7-UPBPJf0Lsomm4RisNsvioQ=s3776" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiEaEWaAEEZaxzqOBmHLPPw0FYS2J3_Kt--FWhzoaHf44I7_z4FHiJMbZfunM3AqA8XIC8fom-7A8-8okmYZfF3WJWdlvSdlo1lgkphKIQf_upQGTYK_ugyt6gt_G_AHVAju5M3t5wp_pRKpjLVZSqbum3BJ5T1DSR7G7-UPBPJf0Lsomm4RisNsvioQ=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A girl photographs a section of the mural with her cell phone</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-76138333393346838802021-01-28T13:20:00.012-08:002021-01-29T19:32:42.148-08:00I love lava<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lgApotT5peqhnPmn77rCQgv9LhHFOxuvOxycXggm8TYZ5iWtyKJm7bOHVSoW9m1V301EmynAjgnoATkg2EnK_HiAXcQkyj6rfsGrSSq32XuA5goKnEPRrZjqRrew_UbzhLBlgBidc-TR/s2048/fullsizeoutput_89a3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lgApotT5peqhnPmn77rCQgv9LhHFOxuvOxycXggm8TYZ5iWtyKJm7bOHVSoW9m1V301EmynAjgnoATkg2EnK_HiAXcQkyj6rfsGrSSq32XuA5goKnEPRrZjqRrew_UbzhLBlgBidc-TR/w480-h640/fullsizeoutput_89a3.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mandala offering to the New Year, 2021. Isaac Hale State Beach, the Big Island of Hawaii</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Its the beginning of the New Year, one that many hope is a reprieve from the previous one. I've been flying away to some far flung destination to escape Oregon winters for almost 4 decades. The past winter I would have returned in mid March from an overland journey from Paris to Crete. I made it as far as Nice on the French Riviera when my beloved Mother suddenly passed away on New Year's Eve. Needless to say, this was a drastic change and shock to suddenly be back in my home town to process everything Mom had accumulated in her lifetime. What a way to start the year. Though it was a difficult time, I feel like I maneuvered it in a way that was meaningful and often beautiful. Then Covid arrived. I had flown to Mexico City for a month of sun in the mountains and beach as I needed to regain my sanity. I flew home mid March, just as everything was going in to lockdown for the first time. I live alone and spent a few weeks hunkered down, enjoying my cleaner than usual house and garden. I created a sanctuary for myself in my home and garden in preparation for such times. It has paid offl. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySix4xyx6FpLL5J_kXeYxEmQQmNcKwfSqFzW4xXnhyDYxVVsfYjCnjqgwV-M28fZjKZhRw91u2b6L6Hb-I3ZJ8Kzzev5U4hgp71uFPkfxHTROhczXjiuPlfLIuYgJly2pom4ajx3BF5PW/s3776/P1110510.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3776" data-original-width="2520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySix4xyx6FpLL5J_kXeYxEmQQmNcKwfSqFzW4xXnhyDYxVVsfYjCnjqgwV-M28fZjKZhRw91u2b6L6Hb-I3ZJ8Kzzev5U4hgp71uFPkfxHTROhczXjiuPlfLIuYgJly2pom4ajx3BF5PW/w428-h640/P1110510.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A waterfall trickles over a lava cliff on the east side of Mt. Rainier, Washington</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>As the weather warmed, I began to venture out on solo camping trips that I normally didn't have time for. Oregon and Washington are beautiful states with vast wild spaces and there is so much to explore.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VMi7JW6I2Ae5VBRo_M1c3-m9JAK45PpiHAV-O7jCuM-BV2lrtW8j8El32HAx1k-q58l4Aw_qYiuJUVkBQIA_OelV3NugX_BcDZR9h-LO-48WYxGKcxrtes7TbwrrFAlXR0KilVblbb2d/s3776/P1100984.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VMi7JW6I2Ae5VBRo_M1c3-m9JAK45PpiHAV-O7jCuM-BV2lrtW8j8El32HAx1k-q58l4Aw_qYiuJUVkBQIA_OelV3NugX_BcDZR9h-LO-48WYxGKcxrtes7TbwrrFAlXR0KilVblbb2d/w640-h428/P1100984.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lava assemblage wall at Peterson's Rock Garden, near Redmond</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I was born and grew up in Eugene, Oregon, 100 miles south of Portland, the beautiful city where I have lived since 1982. To the east, running north to south from British Columbia to Northern California lies the Cascade Mountain Range, known to geologists as the Cascade Volcanic Arc. It's North America's section of the Ring of fire, a string of volcanoes that fringes the Pacific Ocean. A few times a year my parents would drive us over the mountains on a highway that passes through lava flows to visit my Grandparent's in Bend on the east side of the mountains. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HfM6ryQZR40j6RZUFAKeKM3cX-aIBoVzWiXyMnXAekKYNuBLViCV6dUcUqe2t9wrxd0N1q86ci3yt-Yyw_K9bpNdTvUaGSpYfAc1xItKaWyajrh_7fL_kIXds0yI6JvDQzAOCxCEL9Kq/s2048/P1190886.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HfM6ryQZR40j6RZUFAKeKM3cX-aIBoVzWiXyMnXAekKYNuBLViCV6dUcUqe2t9wrxd0N1q86ci3yt-Yyw_K9bpNdTvUaGSpYfAc1xItKaWyajrh_7fL_kIXds0yI6JvDQzAOCxCEL9Kq/w640-h428/P1190886.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Washington and Jefferson rising above the lava flows at McKenzie Pass</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div> The old McKenzie Highway passes over a major flow that was once used as a training ground for astronauts preparing to land on the moon.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC6mic1Ekwn-GjBXmV40ygelV1ncnloswQ5k9U7CNZOFX458Va2SczS05EJ_LXhhaXReIEokq9p_zxNN_T03DvtHafacE1Lad4KynCCMyFv1dvQ5mK5XBwojOXzPGS4vtUSvIG2igZNSx/s567/69315224_10215629213908859_4306877699873308672_o-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="567" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC6mic1Ekwn-GjBXmV40ygelV1ncnloswQ5k9U7CNZOFX458Va2SczS05EJ_LXhhaXReIEokq9p_zxNN_T03DvtHafacE1Lad4KynCCMyFv1dvQ5mK5XBwojOXzPGS4vtUSvIG2igZNSx/w640-h436/69315224_10215629213908859_4306877699873308672_o-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Grandparent's Elmer and Edith in front of a lava rock fireplace he built in their garden in Bend</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>On camping trips we hiked through forests growing on lava, and fished in lakes surrounded and sometimes formed by lava. The road to Bend follows the McKenzie River, one of the most beautiful in the American West. It emerges from the Great Spring, flowing in to a lake that was formed when a lava flow blocked the river. Clear Lake is known for its clarity and the drowned forest seen in the transparent depths. From there it makes its way to merge with the Willamette River near my home town.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_M8S9gTYn8J6FvuRyVJQObLgMMfmwr6I9eZa8B5D42P5Vdo7b6uTPtVo-d6_DHKu9plEy-7hHVCu-iKja0_ifQeWKs3qaFaOiybOOyXtcsO3g-529O2I9on8HygJGbiJ1xOli8sssalS/s3776/P1120367.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_M8S9gTYn8J6FvuRyVJQObLgMMfmwr6I9eZa8B5D42P5Vdo7b6uTPtVo-d6_DHKu9plEy-7hHVCu-iKja0_ifQeWKs3qaFaOiybOOyXtcsO3g-529O2I9on8HygJGbiJ1xOli8sssalS/w640-h428/P1120367.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Spring, from which the fabled McKenzie River emerges.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQv7r7S8RZKOppfvxzzwTxMD0CyHpOLDNyKN7Nc6nmDTOFzqD2guG3r7yp8MyCKPmdQabyHI3B4cGjNmKUnb1prscyIbiTJ4d5BH4HRrHy2qGPNFiLeFLf5oE5OuUMf7ayLcmxKa_ROILw/s3776/P1120377.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQv7r7S8RZKOppfvxzzwTxMD0CyHpOLDNyKN7Nc6nmDTOFzqD2guG3r7yp8MyCKPmdQabyHI3B4cGjNmKUnb1prscyIbiTJ4d5BH4HRrHy2qGPNFiLeFLf5oE5OuUMf7ayLcmxKa_ROILw/w640-h428/P1120377.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear Lake was formed when a lava flow blocked the McKenzie River, about 3,000 years ago. It is 120 feet deep.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAKTedTfusZh6NQ5aJBg85-MC52pqVng1gbxT8onFRLl85u57eEsbCgAUt4HKm6ES79oMxdlmcdwazEp2itmXQX3ojL4t4JjK-uaIg7DuIJtmQyq365FieYPnDDUgDuEndWVqT-gzUOSQ/s2048/Headwaters+of+the+McKenzie.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAKTedTfusZh6NQ5aJBg85-MC52pqVng1gbxT8onFRLl85u57eEsbCgAUt4HKm6ES79oMxdlmcdwazEp2itmXQX3ojL4t4JjK-uaIg7DuIJtmQyq365FieYPnDDUgDuEndWVqT-gzUOSQ/w640-h428/Headwaters+of+the+McKenzie.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The McKenzie River flows out of Clear Lake breeching the point where the lava had blocked it.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>When I was 16 I got a summer job working as a boat man at East Lake Resort, which was owned by friends of the family. East Lake is one of two sizeable bodies of water inside Newberry Crater. The crater is actually the caldera of a huge shield volcano, the largest in the what is called the Cascade Volcanic Arc. The extent of its lava flows cover 1,200 square miles. It is massive compared to any other mountain in this entire subduction zone. Geology is a hard read when you try to do research, extremely technical and geeky, so I am copying and pasting this description from the Wikipedia page on Newberry Volcano. "<span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">The origin of the volcano remains somewhat unclear; while some scientists believe it originated from an independent </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotspot_(geology)" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Hotspot (geology)">hotspot</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">, most evidence indicates that it formed from the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subduction" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Subduction">subduction</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> of the oceanic </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_de_Fuca_Plate" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Juan de Fuca Plate">Juan de Fuca</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorda_Plate" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Gorda Plate">Gorda</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> tectonic plates under the continental </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Plate" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="North American Plate">North American Plate</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">. Eruptive activity at Newberry Volcano began about 600,000 years ago and has continued into the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holocene" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Holocene">Holocene</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">, the last eruption taking place 1,300 years ago. Unlike other shield-shaped volcanoes, which often erupt </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basalt" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Basalt">basaltic</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> lavas only, Newberry Volcano has also erupted </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andesite" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Andesite">andesitic</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyolite" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Rhyolite">rhyolitic</a><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> lavas."</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyhNpA71SmVlkc_qUmMQZR4WprsnsHhRANbUu-qIqGiFfUlARL7sBsz8aodMOMdq2pcOFmNRnJxCLNJacXoMB82q70pwMsCDmeuPXWXwr5bhNwEh-chnIDAIkifVuVbNqN055SlCQf23v/s1000/newberry-volcanic-monument.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyhNpA71SmVlkc_qUmMQZR4WprsnsHhRANbUu-qIqGiFfUlARL7sBsz8aodMOMdq2pcOFmNRnJxCLNJacXoMB82q70pwMsCDmeuPXWXwr5bhNwEh-chnIDAIkifVuVbNqN055SlCQf23v/w640-h480/newberry-volcanic-monument.jpg" title="Paulina and East Lakes in Newberry Caldera" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paulina and East Lakes, separated by a cinder cone and lava flows, inside the Newberry Caldera. Paulina Peak and the Obsidian flow are at the top of the photo.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>We rented very heavy old wooden boats and gas motors, which I carried across the beach an inhumane number of times from dawn to dusk so that fishermen could try to hook one of the legendary Brown, Brook, and Rainbow trout that ply the deep blue waters. Underwater thermal vents provide for a rich aquatic food source that produces record breaking sized fish. .Near the lake, the world's largest obsidian flow sparkles with black glass in a thick flow at the base of Paulina Peak, the tallest remnant of the caldera rim. I used to climb all over it, which in hindsight is rather dangerous. Obsidian makes the best points for spears and arrows and blades, so this was an important destination for native people who have inhabited this region for 12,000 years. I found two arrowheads on the beach, a rare find. Again I'll let Wikipedia explain what Obsidian is:<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-4" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11.199999809265137px; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;"></sup></div><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;">"Obsidian is produced when <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felsic" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Felsic">felsic</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lava" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Lava">lava</a> extruded from a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcano" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Volcano">volcano</a> cools rapidly with minimal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_growth" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Crystal growth">crystal growth</a>. It is commonly found within the margins of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyolite" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Rhyolite">rhyolitic</a> lava flows known as obsidian flows. These flows have a high content of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_dioxide" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Silicon dioxide">silica</a>, which gives them a high <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscosity" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Viscosity">viscosity</a>. The high viscosity inhibits <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_diffusion" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Atomic diffusion">atomic diffusion</a> through the lava, which inhibits <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nucleation" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Nucleation">nucleation</a> of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Mineral">mineral</a> <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystals" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Crystals">crystals</a>. Together with rapid cooling, this results in a natural glass forming from the lava. Obsidian is hard, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittleness" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Brittleness">brittle</a>, and <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorphous" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Amorphous">amorphous</a>; it therefore <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fracture_(mineralogy)#Conchoidal_fracture" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Fracture (mineralogy)">fractures</a> with sharp edges. In the past, it was used to manufacture cutting and piercing tools, and it has been used experimentally as surgical <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scalpel" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Scalpel">scalpel</a> blades."</p><div>Newberry Volcanic National Monument was designated by congress in 1990 and covers 54,000 acres, and is well worth visiting. There are amazing lava tube caves, flows that made casts of trees, and cinder cones that dot the high desert landscape.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPR8pPcq6gYaeqUCBhcpAeraFmH6WQ5RhVOWFOFKc3w2C63GLU3ZKjKwmJVho19kE-rSb1rYG8z35_Ud7iokIDEOAiqgllERm43_1LuioT8wkqT_S3VqpyRbTwgSz6jHOFF_Tg_bgWubCe/s3776/P1110110.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPR8pPcq6gYaeqUCBhcpAeraFmH6WQ5RhVOWFOFKc3w2C63GLU3ZKjKwmJVho19kE-rSb1rYG8z35_Ud7iokIDEOAiqgllERm43_1LuioT8wkqT_S3VqpyRbTwgSz6jHOFF_Tg_bgWubCe/w640-h428/P1110110.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crack in the Ground is a mile long gap formed when the ground collapsed during an eruption of craters connected to the super volcano Mt. Newberry</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>When I was 18 I got a summer job working for the concessionaire that ran boat tours on Crater Lake. The lake is the centerpiece of Oregon's only national park, and is in some ways the most extraordinary body of water on Earth. This is another caldera of a large volcano that collapsed after a violent eruption that covered the entire west in ash about 7,800 years ago. The depression when the mountain fell in to itself was 4,000 feet deep, and it took about 750 years for the caldera to fill halfway with water, making it one of the deepest lakes in the world. Precipitaion in the form of rain and the heaviest snowfalls in Oregon keep the lake at a fairly consistent depth of 1,949 feet. The sides are nearly vertical and there are no streams flowing in to the lake, making the water some of the clearest on Earth with visibility to nearly 150 feet. A cinder cone that formed inside the caldera emerges from the water as an island, with lava flows forming small bays and pools, the only shallow areas in the lake. The spectacular boat tour takes you from Cleetwood Cove at the bottom of a steep switchback trail on the opposite side of the lake from the Rim Village and Lodge, where all the facilities are. We drove around the lake every morning in a van and we hiked, often with a hangover down to the impossibly blue water. The water is really cold but its incredible to swim in this seemingly bottomless lake. I was usually dropped off at Wizard Island to be there to meet and tie off the boats when they pulled in to the dock and help passengers disembark so they could hike to the top of the cinder cone. Its one of the more unusual places to work that I can think of, being surrounded by 2,000 foot walls and often being entirely alone. Up to that point "working inside a caldera"made up most my job resume. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyow9-SxZC6gP-fFBeYzRnBBgb0EvAKHCCWvtiqjj671ZyC1kxxaPy1FB_VI2xZNRS7CcmcKMlvhyU0sRCMBM6sCKa0SH7v7dteEAaRQIoboIUfAKQrpaXPIScjIcelmmIVwWGMau4dYPe/s3776/Crater+Lake.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyow9-SxZC6gP-fFBeYzRnBBgb0EvAKHCCWvtiqjj671ZyC1kxxaPy1FB_VI2xZNRS7CcmcKMlvhyU0sRCMBM6sCKa0SH7v7dteEAaRQIoboIUfAKQrpaXPIScjIcelmmIVwWGMau4dYPe/w640-h428/Crater+Lake.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crater Lake, with Wizard Island</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>In March of 1980, Mt. Saint Helens exploded in a massive eruption that gave me a first hand experience of the potential fury a volcano can unleash. Everything within an 8 mile radius was devastated. Ash covered 22,000 square miles. including the city of Portland, which is only 50 miles away. The mountain used to be a 10,000 foot tall symetrical cone like a smaller version of Mt. Fuji in Japan. 3,000 feet were blown off one side and it looks very different today from what it once was.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi025CSYbK5OOqwWOjZ2jExGXFZCn6dC7i64SMjGi8qNNHanTXMVkuwHYKkEFQXzme5yElugh1k9XxrOhMT7jP-geSPqCPjVllLYu1mVyus-uOvn9cnTZOeXP-tmMO2P62rW4a_QuE7ZaYN/s600/tumblr_n3bns5mnoj1slvjoqo1_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi025CSYbK5OOqwWOjZ2jExGXFZCn6dC7i64SMjGi8qNNHanTXMVkuwHYKkEFQXzme5yElugh1k9XxrOhMT7jP-geSPqCPjVllLYu1mVyus-uOvn9cnTZOeXP-tmMO2P62rW4a_QuE7ZaYN/w640-h412/tumblr_n3bns5mnoj1slvjoqo1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A postcard showing the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens from Portland in March 1980</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I've mentioned many times in my essays that my grandparents were rock hounds. They came out in to the lava lands of Eastern Oregon to dig for minerals to cut and polish to sell at their small rockshop and at gem shows. They were very knowledgable and we would go out to places that held promise by geologic structure to look for special stones. We also hunted and fished so I got to know the mountains and lava encrusted high deserts landscapes intimately, I am still exploring places in this vast expanse I hadn't seen before while revisiting others. Because of Covid and the cancellation of my Spring garden projects, I decided to go car camping every week by myself. My first adventure was to Central and Eastern Oregon, stopping at Peterson's Rock Garden, and Fort Rock southeast of Bend. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaHQ7iyuN4JZCcmqAjIbNE5gGEHn6YU7sHNhudbe5a89jveRZ8U4wDC-qEWjiHEtlByxP8dOZd-3R2BW-Ee0FndW7C1Lr-XUIdhyphenhyphen250uC7YdHLSCIB4knaJ0zx19i7okUj1fcgCvYimYn/s2048/P1110030.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaHQ7iyuN4JZCcmqAjIbNE5gGEHn6YU7sHNhudbe5a89jveRZ8U4wDC-qEWjiHEtlByxP8dOZd-3R2BW-Ee0FndW7C1Lr-XUIdhyphenhyphen250uC7YdHLSCIB4knaJ0zx19i7okUj1fcgCvYimYn/w640-h428/P1110030.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bridge encrusted with black obsidian at Peterson's Rock Garden</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Oregon is big, and I covered hundreds of miles, to the Steens Mountains in the far southeast corner of the state, and north through vast lava formations surrounded by forest and forests surrounded by lava as vegatative islands. I continued to go on an adventure every week for 4 or 5 days exploring parts of the Pacific Northwest I'd been wanting to experience. Most of the land here was formed by volcanic activity. Fort Rock isn't all that far from Newberry Caldera but I had never seen it in person. Again, I'll use the Wikipedia description of its geologic formation: "<span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">Fort Rock was created when</span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basalt" style="background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Basalt">basalt</a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magma" style="background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Magma">magma</a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">rose to the surface and encountered the wet muds of a lake bottom. Powered by a jet of steam, molten basalt was blown into the air, creating a fountain of hot</span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lava" style="background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Lava">lava</a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">particles and frothy</span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_ash" style="background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Volcanic ash">ash</a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">. The pieces and blobs of hot lava and ash rained down around the</span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_vent" style="background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Volcanic vent">vent</a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">and formed a saucer-shaped ring of</span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapilli" style="background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Lapilli">lapilli</a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuff" style="background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Tuff">tuff</a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">and</span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_ash" style="background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #0b0080; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" title="Volcanic ash">volcanic ash</a><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span face="sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">sitting like an island in the lake waters. Steam explosions also loosened angular chunks of black and red lava rock comprising the valley floor. These blocky inclusions are incorporated into the fine-grained tuff layers at Fort Rock. Waves from the lake waters eroded the outside of the ring, cutting the steep cliffs into terraces 66 feet (20 m) above the floor of Fort Rock Valley.</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-USGS838_4-1" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11.199999809265137px; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Rock#cite_note-USGS838-4" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;">[4]</a></sup></div><p style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;">The wave-cut terraces on the south side of the ring mark former lake levels of this now-dry lakebed. Southerly winds, which are still predominant in this region, apparently drove waves against the south side of the ring, eroding the soft ash layers, breaching it, and creating a large opening on the south side."</p><div>The well preserved woven sagebrush sandals found in a cave in the formation date from as far back as 13,000 years, making them the oldest known in tact footwear in the world. The people who lived here reached the island by canoe, whereas today it sits dry above the high desert.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgPwwBO_A0_xcrxhgm1YxqZs5CejGyVLv9Df2p9Td5mHukWlycshAVwStmZe7x6CMu9eE3nMWQF_VMUOcJeWzHddECSD75a5JTLt3wvrnuk-FFr0xmDlHbQC-5R2dQ5B9oWhVezP-lAVT/s2048/fullsizeoutput_85dd.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgPwwBO_A0_xcrxhgm1YxqZs5CejGyVLv9Df2p9Td5mHukWlycshAVwStmZe7x6CMu9eE3nMWQF_VMUOcJeWzHddECSD75a5JTLt3wvrnuk-FFr0xmDlHbQC-5R2dQ5B9oWhVezP-lAVT/w640-h428/fullsizeoutput_85dd.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort Rock, Oregon</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>On my Mother's birthday in early October I took her ashes to the Headwaters of the Metolius, a truly enchanted river that rises directly from a spring at the base of Black Butte, a giant cinder cone. The emerging river flows over a bed of lava rock and cinders, through towering Ponderosa Pine forests towards Mt. Jefferson, a 10,000 foot volcanic peak off in the distance. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2Wrp5gc3gxCWNFE1Coul-fr0NtoFZh61SGdHVhjybQcCeD5QrhiVjaoCXyvUESrwgi1idB7PD9MoqbEgRd4vCmG_Sm4m3Ipn4rdhc9jJRXdfxitz3vrSXKZprl1pSloldB3LNJYws8Ks/s2048/fullsizeoutput_87c7.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="2048" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2Wrp5gc3gxCWNFE1Coul-fr0NtoFZh61SGdHVhjybQcCeD5QrhiVjaoCXyvUESrwgi1idB7PD9MoqbEgRd4vCmG_Sm4m3Ipn4rdhc9jJRXdfxitz3vrSXKZprl1pSloldB3LNJYws8Ks/w640-h478/fullsizeoutput_87c7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A painting of the Headwaters of the Metolius River and Mt. Jefferson by my Grandmother Edith Hudson for my Mother in the 1960s</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>It was her wish to be a part of what she called God's Country. The dust of her remains swirling off in to the rippling current to mingle with the lava. It was a beautiful, moving experience to fulfill. While there I hiked for 3 days along the banks of the crystal clear river, watching countless fish preparing to reproduce in perfect spawning habitat. The cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, never-ending.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg8L2DHOgRqL9k0bjEhkNVU9wju_Pv4Rs2FugbV85A9g0xjZ4z7ByphTk0g1IRMzqJYnhxV1IV0jDVYgLs3lt1-UkjEK73TPMPhgQnJ4qyMWNiEitvPUwQZ_69rUSVumglEQHYptIcm5V/s3776/P1130096.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3776" data-original-width="2520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg8L2DHOgRqL9k0bjEhkNVU9wju_Pv4Rs2FugbV85A9g0xjZ4z7ByphTk0g1IRMzqJYnhxV1IV0jDVYgLs3lt1-UkjEK73TPMPhgQnJ4qyMWNiEitvPUwQZ_69rUSVumglEQHYptIcm5V/w428-h640/P1130096.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Headwaters of the Metolius River on October 6th, 2020</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>I've always tried to incorporate meaning in to my work, including expressions of our relationship with the universe we inhabit. My first stone projects were built using native basalt, which is the primary local material quarried in the region. Basalt is the most common form of rock formed by volcanic activity, making up 90% of the igneous rock on the planet. It is common on the Moon and Mars as well. When thick flows of lava cool, fractures can form creating columns. These are usually but not always hexagon in shape. Columnar basalt when exposed has a dramatic character.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJx8p4GTUk2cwOZSzPjZGJWAzeQH6apTpl0yq3LjZinMzyIGnqm6qOR5MYJgbDh1_OyWdXgsAhB3krkdKNUfD-JemlfUrO5LubP4mFgvnZP4_f906sQ5Kj4puXvDt9eCosFPXnMx-Db0Hu/s2048/P1190753.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJx8p4GTUk2cwOZSzPjZGJWAzeQH6apTpl0yq3LjZinMzyIGnqm6qOR5MYJgbDh1_OyWdXgsAhB3krkdKNUfD-JemlfUrO5LubP4mFgvnZP4_f906sQ5Kj4puXvDt9eCosFPXnMx-Db0Hu/w640-h360/P1190753.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columnar basalt forms a vertically striped band in contrast to a variety of lava flows in the Deschutes River canyon in Central Oregon<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />One of my favorite rock quarries is outside of the town of Corbett in the Columbia River Gorge east of Portland. The tall vertical basalt columns are blasted from the slope and sold as columns or broken up in to blocks and slabs for building stone, or even crushed to make gravel.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiBvM2Zh2IT51r00nN2ca_bYdz8v5Dq1W1gm3keGLjUdo34WxqrlNG7VDsQU2R4aDWaHbGdVD2ex_zphKDK5Zl2dP3sm73NxnpGtFT-46qcu83E1m9BSS0Hnh1EYawIkJtI2gRilxkW5G/s3776/Corbett+quarry+columns.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiBvM2Zh2IT51r00nN2ca_bYdz8v5Dq1W1gm3keGLjUdo34WxqrlNG7VDsQU2R4aDWaHbGdVD2ex_zphKDK5Zl2dP3sm73NxnpGtFT-46qcu83E1m9BSS0Hnh1EYawIkJtI2gRilxkW5G/w640-h428/Corbett+quarry+columns.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basalt Columns in the Corbett Quarry</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I would love it if somebody would commission me to design and build a Stonehenge type project with standing columns. Basalt columns are popular and can be purchased from many good stone yards in the Pacific Northwest. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIm_5Atg9Rqqqg6027VRTXnF-t-xfDpcRioppkfepPeSipSiSvTuX5I0AO2G7lf9FZB-zBgftKIXF3uMtraRuZEneHiQmjYsXPdSBbPfoRD22MYDhh4qZw40gdozKpPSluToQF0vjdLIU/s3776/Basalt+birdbaths.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIm_5Atg9Rqqqg6027VRTXnF-t-xfDpcRioppkfepPeSipSiSvTuX5I0AO2G7lf9FZB-zBgftKIXF3uMtraRuZEneHiQmjYsXPdSBbPfoRD22MYDhh4qZw40gdozKpPSluToQF0vjdLIU/w640-h428/Basalt+birdbaths.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basalt column pieces with dished tops are sold as hefty bird baths </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>We bought a selection of basalt pieces from the above quarry that I had cut in to sections and blocks. I used these to build a circular wall around a mosaic of a spiral galaxy, with cut marble circles representing the phases of the Moon. The wall forms a round seat for people to gather and meditate on the mosaic and my client has begun to hold rituals in the garden on the full moon.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwWElGNr_EriQ4gowZn_KtpqPDpuOvcX4WVJXFBfeAUHhkzM6G1rR9pBbSNgei3-WAgTFkJRqT7g_Ig5ESVeUyIL2_nZI6ZV1DM5Wn0WK6SB4SmRYFgpkUcLPwyv99FvBr4nz1Bna6Rwz/s3776/Nancy%2527s+wall+mockup.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwWElGNr_EriQ4gowZn_KtpqPDpuOvcX4WVJXFBfeAUHhkzM6G1rR9pBbSNgei3-WAgTFkJRqT7g_Ig5ESVeUyIL2_nZI6ZV1DM5Wn0WK6SB4SmRYFgpkUcLPwyv99FvBr4nz1Bna6Rwz/w640-h428/Nancy%2527s+wall+mockup.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arranging cut basalt pieces for the wall around a mosaic representing the Phases of the Moon</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The wall has niches at the cardinal points in which to place offerings and candles. The moon has a number of volcanoes and vast lava flows, all of which are currently dormant. A detailed description of the volcanology of the moon can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanism_on_the_Moon</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hib9owF8K8XsHgiWhPFxy0yV8QmGE2ZLy0pyATx6d5inUSFmsWBLpp2XU8bC5_sWWUfP3FfUbLhw3tXgKjhqbIN7jFKLeeRn0-e_DHDsXCACM0u7JijnyQ3e8gznNw6os2GZC6oc32RJ/s3776/P1150619.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hib9owF8K8XsHgiWhPFxy0yV8QmGE2ZLy0pyATx6d5inUSFmsWBLpp2XU8bC5_sWWUfP3FfUbLhw3tXgKjhqbIN7jFKLeeRn0-e_DHDsXCACM0u7JijnyQ3e8gznNw6os2GZC6oc32RJ/w640-h428/P1150619.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished seat height wall, a mixture of basalt and river stones</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The Ring of Fire is an epic chain of volcanos that makes a horseshoe shape around the Pacific Ocean. I've traveled the full length of the Andes in South America, which has a number of active volcanoes. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeLcn96dhV7RME5i2tU-1gfpr-Z5_KwbTyEw4g501NIMA8nSu6SNIjzWXqs3qB8nxx_p0rxHdJz9toUUuGbQk_xI_rpmd0zyno3q8OYRAxZW42NSXPQUJVJIQDiTXwShNEDDrw-1uPzlS/s1400/AP-APTOPIX-Ecuador-Volcano_001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1400" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeLcn96dhV7RME5i2tU-1gfpr-Z5_KwbTyEw4g501NIMA8nSu6SNIjzWXqs3qB8nxx_p0rxHdJz9toUUuGbQk_xI_rpmd0zyno3q8OYRAxZW42NSXPQUJVJIQDiTXwShNEDDrw-1uPzlS/w640-h426/AP-APTOPIX-Ecuador-Volcano_001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 16,480 foot Tungurahua Volcano south of Quito, Ecuador is a dramatic sight when erupting.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I've visited the World's second largest crater on the island of Isabela in the Galapagos. I've watched smouldering volcanos southeast of Mexico City. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMp1lkQQTM9XC0o5QzUlO_c__5tetMcytWjwBFQtLJ_WNc-Bmsu8bp-Y0qwDR5Y7Jq2memvx0QJuiXpcSMbpPkt5ZAYUw3OutAmCAtn3cppnJqJaocEYrYB-aNxj5DvlfCUXySewaoXO-/s2048/img_2291.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMp1lkQQTM9XC0o5QzUlO_c__5tetMcytWjwBFQtLJ_WNc-Bmsu8bp-Y0qwDR5Y7Jq2memvx0QJuiXpcSMbpPkt5ZAYUw3OutAmCAtn3cppnJqJaocEYrYB-aNxj5DvlfCUXySewaoXO-/w640-h480/img_2291.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Caldera of Sierra Negra on the Island of Isabela in the Galapagos is classified as the second largest in the world, after the supervolcano that makes up the Yellowstone Basin in Wyoming.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I hiked up to hot steaming sulpher vents and spent a week on beautiful Samosir Island in Lake Toba, which lies inside another giant caldera. Mount Merapi on the island of Java is erupting as I write this.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Wcoeh2MLAi2w1YWmO1KRkMuqH_K9sh9dWyjaAf0K4mEaQjfofyL50kLic6kMcW6dW9vCHlGIT5irmegYV0MVyHPDPN0H60GpE40ERhW_v7t-lnAyffjBnYwIP4bkaTTHIBf24-kbpV8_/s800/14.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="800" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Wcoeh2MLAi2w1YWmO1KRkMuqH_K9sh9dWyjaAf0K4mEaQjfofyL50kLic6kMcW6dW9vCHlGIT5irmegYV0MVyHPDPN0H60GpE40ERhW_v7t-lnAyffjBnYwIP4bkaTTHIBf24-kbpV8_/w640-h420/14.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samosir Island in Lake Toba on the Island of Sumatra, Indonesia</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Europe has volcanoes too. In February 2013 I took a ferry to the island of Santorini in Greece. It was another pilgrimage trip for me, to see a massive caldera similar in ways to the ones I worked at in my teens. Originally the island of Thera, the volcano underwent a violent eruption that blasted out it's center, altering the climate of the planet in a prolonged winter. Earthquakes and massive tsunamis wiped out much of Europe's earliest advanced civilization, the Minoans centered on the island of Crete. I'm going to refer you to Wikipedia again for an in depth description of the event, as it is fascinating. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minoan_eruption</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVsgvCT31JhegDEcnbZvye0ej2EOQsd_m-WJNBI5k_kwKSJ4-p_vIp1_-ypBUGXtVoi8JnCCAMH7U31stz377LtjUs33FUmg-W6yIGlwAkIWnE00e4aU8x4wiDDB0aCCaf7covtcNFopA/s3776/P1110181.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVsgvCT31JhegDEcnbZvye0ej2EOQsd_m-WJNBI5k_kwKSJ4-p_vIp1_-ypBUGXtVoi8JnCCAMH7U31stz377LtjUs33FUmg-W6yIGlwAkIWnE00e4aU8x4wiDDB0aCCaf7covtcNFopA/w640-h428/P1110181.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The massive caldera filled with sea water on the Island of Santorini</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The steep walls and deep blue water reminds me of Crater Lake in Oregon. The thick ash deposits have been carved in to cave dwellings over many centuries since the eruption, creating the famed whitewashed cliffside towns that make Santorini famous. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgj-AZ9httOl-i9VIejloy_OqqMeT-j_YiIaRB88z4CBAYudHRMIEPmaB8zQUqmzXFstPC719OPheq7ygvvS2_DzjHvb3I4i7-oLGt3qErjkMMmDr2SyHvZWg165_IeJn8YHoPC0n9eAMH/s2428/P1100446.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="2428" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgj-AZ9httOl-i9VIejloy_OqqMeT-j_YiIaRB88z4CBAYudHRMIEPmaB8zQUqmzXFstPC719OPheq7ygvvS2_DzjHvb3I4i7-oLGt3qErjkMMmDr2SyHvZWg165_IeJn8YHoPC0n9eAMH/w640-h188/P1100446.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whitewashed towns of Oia on the left and Thira on the right looking like snow on the caldera rim</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Lava and red cinder collected from along the shoreline is used to and build walls, that are usually stuccoed and painted white to reflect the intense Summer heat. Some old roads are still paved in lava and cinder cobbles.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RLBcIGxAdTloZMsxO_5yvfTIrR3mWoC8L95u74T6Oed8H_zFS7YDW6B4ZzCOo9uu55yEVM0jQM5foczJ_ra_v-slbW9ME7hKfT2x2TlbGvSoP2-QpHhqLEo5OBGmtzgGQ7bKNvSAQeVJ/s3776/P1100524.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RLBcIGxAdTloZMsxO_5yvfTIrR3mWoC8L95u74T6Oed8H_zFS7YDW6B4ZzCOo9uu55yEVM0jQM5foczJ_ra_v-slbW9ME7hKfT2x2TlbGvSoP2-QpHhqLEo5OBGmtzgGQ7bKNvSAQeVJ/w640-h428/P1100524.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oia flows along the slopes like lava might.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljI3BOKhDk-8LJj4FE2GUc9x5eV4ub64ZIUTqYb2WduhxQXDRA2iPWs1vhbXZ03Z7i2C8L-yvvXPrS-nBDdnt5bBbV7gwEWGJlUZMQzHFb_n82vLXCBM9litMgkFa3lBZoDpYkAsrJssR/s3776/P1110314.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljI3BOKhDk-8LJj4FE2GUc9x5eV4ub64ZIUTqYb2WduhxQXDRA2iPWs1vhbXZ03Z7i2C8L-yvvXPrS-nBDdnt5bBbV7gwEWGJlUZMQzHFb_n82vLXCBM9litMgkFa3lBZoDpYkAsrJssR/w640-h428/P1110314.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mortared cinder walls of a church that was destroyed by an earthquake shows the mortared cinder and lava structure that would later be stuccoed. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ohk7WPUkg3MI2f1IuyNQSybMOMK8_TjXF5Amjx4vKlPxyyBE3BL6mJfMmpNEY-I21sG-IXJ7RRIETte7wo-0XsnRgcKseyw1yTv_DrQSColiwtS4q0GZKhEckdtGG0nmuC78NXziMAZc/s3776/P1100694.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ohk7WPUkg3MI2f1IuyNQSybMOMK8_TjXF5Amjx4vKlPxyyBE3BL6mJfMmpNEY-I21sG-IXJ7RRIETte7wo-0XsnRgcKseyw1yTv_DrQSColiwtS4q0GZKhEckdtGG0nmuC78NXziMAZc/w640-h428/P1100694.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I had rented a small cave apartment for a week online, and by chance was moved to another unit, which turned out to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever stayed. Building by digging in to the ash, and using rough stones for walls and stucco makes for a splended curvaceous organic architecture that compliments the dramatic natural landscape. The walls in my cave were all soft curves. A steep set of stairs leads down the slopes to a blue domed church seen in countless photos taken from around my porch of one of the most famous images in Greece. <div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0G0w4jt4lKlF3rxmHJF06RMdeHBCXxodoYbS2UrGlTV3-b3vzYY2Yo9lJ_j4X705CxtC9aQTcb-hDtgu5Et_N4ozgRKrBhjTSjuCQF_chP519BUdNeRQGb-3gAIKIU9HUH9tmXqUPJg75/s3776/P1100471.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0G0w4jt4lKlF3rxmHJF06RMdeHBCXxodoYbS2UrGlTV3-b3vzYY2Yo9lJ_j4X705CxtC9aQTcb-hDtgu5Et_N4ozgRKrBhjTSjuCQF_chP519BUdNeRQGb-3gAIKIU9HUH9tmXqUPJg75/w640-h428/P1100471.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my porch is one of the most famous in Greece.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Winter is a great time to visit the southern islands of Greece as there are few tourists and the weather is pleasant. Santorini had the most tourists of the 12 islands I visited but it was still very quiet. There was one excellent restaurant open in Oia and breakfast was provided by hotel that rented me my little cave. I rented a car one day and toured the island with a woman from Latvia I met at breakfast. We visited the ruins of Akrotiri, the Minoan settlement on the island that was buried in ash. Like Pompeii, the ash preserved ancient frescos and artifacts frozen in time in an instant.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZliC7cJ3H1QnJtpLYbjs9i4d75d5DB_L78UIPqr15C6Aloh4ao-EUUas5-g5hcljpbrRn4coyjHwDK_fGYQneGAPsE2Q0DpUVe6u5CoN-j15FV-KwKP5fYIgr8pPqq65B5BG88tfxJ8eu/s2048/P1110007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZliC7cJ3H1QnJtpLYbjs9i4d75d5DB_L78UIPqr15C6Aloh4ao-EUUas5-g5hcljpbrRn4coyjHwDK_fGYQneGAPsE2Q0DpUVe6u5CoN-j15FV-KwKP5fYIgr8pPqq65B5BG88tfxJ8eu/w480-h640/P1110007.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresco found during excavation of the ruins of Akrotiri</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MCF0yQaCL36QEKOYErhLe_5-bZOuOdJmv8iYBRkH7YuM1jFeTSL5wGqoS6FSHKkRzeNGsC5p8eWkKZsBZ5mO6unZjFjrDYdvHWdpuBwEFReXIEchqzyvB5Xr0Dgh2cPKR3Y3MD9iSeh2/s3968/P1100947.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="3968" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MCF0yQaCL36QEKOYErhLe_5-bZOuOdJmv8iYBRkH7YuM1jFeTSL5wGqoS6FSHKkRzeNGsC5p8eWkKZsBZ5mO6unZjFjrDYdvHWdpuBwEFReXIEchqzyvB5Xr0Dgh2cPKR3Y3MD9iSeh2/w640-h360/P1100947.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pebble mosaic parking area in the town of Thira</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>Vesuvius and Mt. Etna are the best known volcanoes in Europe and are something to behold when traveling to Napoli and Sicily in Italy. The city of Naples is a potential ticking time bomb if the mountain were to have a major eruption again, as approximately 3 million people live within 20 miles of the crater. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNcLiSmYjMvzbTZLUi03Sk9mX3G4oD9__hr3TKmdqw6ijl1FS43_-ymQaFdWzVg3nQP1P-lOrULDm2bctdo8FpVAWBIU5i0Bo3J22HdicGP2KQN1JL3qMInbteWrw4ydb9d5zPfKXBvFz/s2048/P1040427.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNcLiSmYjMvzbTZLUi03Sk9mX3G4oD9__hr3TKmdqw6ijl1FS43_-ymQaFdWzVg3nQP1P-lOrULDm2bctdo8FpVAWBIU5i0Bo3J22HdicGP2KQN1JL3qMInbteWrw4ydb9d5zPfKXBvFz/w640-h360/P1040427.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Vesuvius, which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 AD rises above the city of Napoli in Italy</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Mt. Etna on the island of Sicily is the largest active volcano in Europe, and is currently has lava flowing from its crater. The glow can be seen from the city of Catania 26 miles away. In 1669 a massive eruption created lava flows that reached the city. The fortifying city walls diverted the majority of the flows which then filled the harbor. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7h5YuvGjRXORGDxWgXIE0vuCvIitYTGxmBaNWYTndHaOtYT57KCfjYVkn7BvNtXNb1G2UYaF0X201SrWX_vFJ-HJgvmqZWYcKHjF8nul6lAtLiv99qKGcw8OTFUZrMI2sGQeQh-_VfN1/s1024/Mt.+Etna.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7h5YuvGjRXORGDxWgXIE0vuCvIitYTGxmBaNWYTndHaOtYT57KCfjYVkn7BvNtXNb1G2UYaF0X201SrWX_vFJ-HJgvmqZWYcKHjF8nul6lAtLiv99qKGcw8OTFUZrMI2sGQeQh-_VfN1/w640-h360/Mt.+Etna.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image of Mt. Etna was taken on January 17, 2021 from a news story.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>A massive earthquake 24 years later destroyed the city, which was rebuilt in a unified plan using the local black volcanic rock and white limestone. This redevelopment is considered the first example of a cohesive urban planning design in Europe.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisap4-JKpgqA8XnFpBtBWwuO-JPOHB0GFAHFzcR2-9bg-pudo1eKK4PwiZ2l7ky8Ea_yRwgVz5DEtfIIuRqBRq5kSOtwAq4siOKHz3dyQ0kwXvzqXPk0Zp-wXsWW1qirmVmabPvjvdL1Xc/s3776/P1130969.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisap4-JKpgqA8XnFpBtBWwuO-JPOHB0GFAHFzcR2-9bg-pudo1eKK4PwiZ2l7ky8Ea_yRwgVz5DEtfIIuRqBRq5kSOtwAq4siOKHz3dyQ0kwXvzqXPk0Zp-wXsWW1qirmVmabPvjvdL1Xc/w640-h428/P1130969.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The current eruption in Halema'uma'u Crater on the Big Island of Hawaii from the Kilauea overlook in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>When winter came this year it was the first time in ages that I didn't have a plane ticket somewhere exotic. I stayed home for as long as I could bear, and then decided to go to Hawaii for the first time. It has a low covid infection rate and if you had tested negative within 72 hours of flying you didn't have to quarentine for two weeks in a hotel room. The Big Island is essentially the largest volcano on the planet, and if measured from its undersea base to the top of Mauna Kea is 1,050 feet taller than Mt. Everest. </div><div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWb76IaFNs6JLu66mhiLTBwlHaeJEdv6NAdWfwmpbb52xYAkiJpo_qCR9JgZBQE2BZOhyXLl1eUUPThJ1mFFXrBEUNpb06woP2d2Mh5aCPhVkeU4u6e2G2DMDW_wJZp5bPtzCow6UwSer/s3776/P1140484.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWb76IaFNs6JLu66mhiLTBwlHaeJEdv6NAdWfwmpbb52xYAkiJpo_qCR9JgZBQE2BZOhyXLl1eUUPThJ1mFFXrBEUNpb06woP2d2Mh5aCPhVkeU4u6e2G2DMDW_wJZp5bPtzCow6UwSer/w640-h428/P1140484.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mauna Loa Volcano from Kilauea Iki Crater</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>The island is the youngest and largest in the Hawaiian Islands chain and Kīlaeua is the most active volcano in the world. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnK88MGSH0G12YIEeh3Qz3IJJ7F0lOxLIW0SchLSgOaPDj9KXtkw2vAMjlYjoXRJ_w1kJA5c2VFO-D-avDxUiVu-pppciafDSCiIktOEZMValxamEqCB17_prSXCXMJzEa1Cwxwfy5cXNh/s2048/Halema%2527uma%2527u.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnK88MGSH0G12YIEeh3Qz3IJJ7F0lOxLIW0SchLSgOaPDj9KXtkw2vAMjlYjoXRJ_w1kJA5c2VFO-D-avDxUiVu-pppciafDSCiIktOEZMValxamEqCB17_prSXCXMJzEa1Cwxwfy5cXNh/w640-h360/Halema%2527uma%2527u.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An incredible aerial view of the Halema'uma'u Crater.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I had never been to Hawaii because I like to get out of the US and away from Americans for at least a few months every year. Its nice to not have to listen to people using the word like in every sentence. Coming to the Big Island now has been fortuitous, as tourism is down, and I have been able to visit people who have built some extraordinary gardens. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdsJM9Wh48jLGLbdzqLcyuJa9PSmKtrCCm1-n7SsatuAmzA5ijUQrxesfuLi067JhfdPLD6DttmZjDpVscaZT3WorykTjK6qPAmCGyl37SJff5-IkIcAUU3bM0jFb1AN1-3GUSR3BC3zM/s2048/fullsizeoutput_88a0.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdsJM9Wh48jLGLbdzqLcyuJa9PSmKtrCCm1-n7SsatuAmzA5ijUQrxesfuLi067JhfdPLD6DttmZjDpVscaZT3WorykTjK6qPAmCGyl37SJff5-IkIcAUU3bM0jFb1AN1-3GUSR3BC3zM/w640-h428/fullsizeoutput_88a0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nurseryman Tom Pierigrossi made this concrete path to mimic Pāhoehoe lava, which is found in other parts of the garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The Big Island is very active volcanically and just two years ago, massive flows buried entire subdivisions and the famed shorelines of the Puna area where I am staying, creating new spectacular lava landscapes. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsrnZDP96SQeaIQ1CIZln-SO2I-lgnYImLX3XG_EK-ukQBgfjmXDOGh0KUqr2qPg0u_DpQHoOayBnkqTXjqXMl4tcghg58iKG3qSevoHHd5Jy7LqCSnbVts2H1k1Op_ys2XqOk3UbICSG/s2048/fullsizeoutput_88df.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsrnZDP96SQeaIQ1CIZln-SO2I-lgnYImLX3XG_EK-ukQBgfjmXDOGh0KUqr2qPg0u_DpQHoOayBnkqTXjqXMl4tcghg58iKG3qSevoHHd5Jy7LqCSnbVts2H1k1Op_ys2XqOk3UbICSG/w640-h428/fullsizeoutput_88df.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lava flow in 2018 buried the road to Kapoho on the south end of the island.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>The Goddess of fire and volcanoes of Hawaiians is Pele. There is so much lore attached to her that again I will refer you to wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pele_%28deity%29. I was told repeatedly by friends on the mainland that I must not bring lava stones home with me as they might provoke Pele's wrath. I learned that cinders are quarried and exported in large quantities and used in planting mixes. Hopefully your potting soil won't bring you bad luck!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd2U76AtFfgVtJItt6AnaKtYUci3ENwPhrBqF5IcIG3xTtTJ3W_eUWLnvj9TCOqfDA2toonefK7SI8UAeQneg0zCK7376Oimwwht2MzcpImgsyb0RLKQqLszbk2zscFfNe8JphJuM7j39/s3776/P1140651.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd2U76AtFfgVtJItt6AnaKtYUci3ENwPhrBqF5IcIG3xTtTJ3W_eUWLnvj9TCOqfDA2toonefK7SI8UAeQneg0zCK7376Oimwwht2MzcpImgsyb0RLKQqLszbk2zscFfNe8JphJuM7j39/w640-h428/P1140651.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goddess Pele mural in the town of Pahoa</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxIdbhVYSYjueavhgRsbeprWLu5SEplbu5Fu_4kdhSzGlFz3QBcTTinVihDtOO7qqm5m1IwS4z0OccXaNnZ7g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div> The late December eruption of Halema'uma'u Crater in Hawaii Volcanoe's National Park</div><div><br /></div>There are two types of solidified lava found on the island, and everywhere else there is lava. A'ā is rough and jagged, with lots of air bubbles. It is very difficult to walk on. This is the kind most commonly found in Oregon. It is formed by the speed the molten lava is flowing and how much air is mixed in with it, and the speed with which it cools, which creates the the porous rough texture. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjI6_kURliSSw_ujUhtSpmUBIJroSEelZdWaKb9yoSJrygHDCNXcjotWpHr4jE2hlQ2S_GqJfOJ1XO4TuPA-BrBn0Oef22kt1RlTvSQWqOi55m9UN569DKAhiDf859l7qZ9oYCHJ0j3en/s3776/P1140161.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjI6_kURliSSw_ujUhtSpmUBIJroSEelZdWaKb9yoSJrygHDCNXcjotWpHr4jE2hlQ2S_GqJfOJ1XO4TuPA-BrBn0Oef22kt1RlTvSQWqOi55m9UN569DKAhiDf859l7qZ9oYCHJ0j3en/w640-h428/P1140161.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A'ā lava is distinctive for its rough jagged air bubble pocked surface. It is hard to walk on. This is the floor of Kilauea Iki Crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEI__HjNa6wONHRtl1WAC8SEp8eVRhavd4YNFbvc9MG4889zw6ON8AvJcIBTmNNSYFngV5MeBvKMi4SDvnuKH0QpBWEhoUiKbmst6mbYc1K6kpSzRwVXJkXu_w-Mnb2Qmjd4TRghIDLCUN/s2048/P1140502.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEI__HjNa6wONHRtl1WAC8SEp8eVRhavd4YNFbvc9MG4889zw6ON8AvJcIBTmNNSYFngV5MeBvKMi4SDvnuKH0QpBWEhoUiKbmst6mbYc1K6kpSzRwVXJkXu_w-Mnb2Qmjd4TRghIDLCUN/w640-h428/P1140502.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pāhoehoe lava formations along the Chain of Craters Road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Pāhoehoe is much more liquid in appearance with pillowy and ropey textures. It can take on the most fantastic forms imaginable, smooth and shiny or twisted and rippled like solidified liquid. It is much easier to walk on and is fascinating to behold. A number of endemic ferns and the red flowered Ohia Tree, <i>Metrosideros polymorpha</i> evolved to colonize the flows, showing remarkable tenacity.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOa75wxPA3rCm_9Q-AGXNj6WIJeOU0mLz3bh2Ee15G4EZButviIqyjkpC0XFDcSUgQufor-zVFN2cICX7BbTsSdVXnZ6tukfiS3d91VATJKHDhTJz370bkL3Q68qIPsihETjPfGMsS9LJ/s2048/P1140496.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOa75wxPA3rCm_9Q-AGXNj6WIJeOU0mLz3bh2Ee15G4EZButviIqyjkpC0XFDcSUgQufor-zVFN2cICX7BbTsSdVXnZ6tukfiS3d91VATJKHDhTJz370bkL3Q68qIPsihETjPfGMsS9LJ/w640-h428/P1140496.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantastic flowing forms of Pahoehoe lava along the Chain of Craters Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div>In 2018 a major lava flow buried entire sections of the coastline in the Puna area south of Hilo, which was famous for its snorkling pools and black sand beaches. The beach in Isaac Hale Park now ends in a 40 foot high flow that pushed stones and sand in massive quanities along the shore, creating a new coastline and hot pools. The largest is where the boat launch used to enter a bay, now hundreds of yards from the new shoreline. This became my favorite part of the island, with its lush forests and dramatic coastline.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpz-5M7AS83ONKd9RzUbSTe8qnXPoTzsStlSbutqVMRMD7qnMGMLhlD7je1u2JzFydamT-GEpmyTPhQNZih7IVqtJo-GtI2w0Kp3A8CUEUz3QD3b2auik0evFiHiWG6D4QXSGNty19iJu/s2048/P1130861.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpz-5M7AS83ONKd9RzUbSTe8qnXPoTzsStlSbutqVMRMD7qnMGMLhlD7je1u2JzFydamT-GEpmyTPhQNZih7IVqtJo-GtI2w0Kp3A8CUEUz3QD3b2auik0evFiHiWG6D4QXSGNty19iJu/w640-h428/P1130861.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Churning seas and tropical vegetation fringe the beautiful Pune coast</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3p1-6XFd514un_T_sv-uy0EPayt-44DDvi41SKF0SlKfEQ8mPNbsuyXMkky5cSM64sUice6ZIlyAUXi2PWPhup3SE6b6dDc54YjMw_b1F4N7Wbe7Osbgh-Susx4e52B5egB-i8qK1fGw/s1200/2018-11-02-usgs-maps.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3p1-6XFd514un_T_sv-uy0EPayt-44DDvi41SKF0SlKfEQ8mPNbsuyXMkky5cSM64sUice6ZIlyAUXi2PWPhup3SE6b6dDc54YjMw_b1F4N7Wbe7Osbgh-Susx4e52B5egB-i8qK1fGw/w640-h360/2018-11-02-usgs-maps.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A map showing the 2018 lava flows in red.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvUhojvT9elgUOKyCjReXKhDQzA-rZJbPCSyF8JVhJd-t9YeYmBsN8MA7fiAv0VPC6c2dxoaZJ-QIEoDFvN3krVKGiP8V3DwyXyegtcx9QeMYiXZNpMcd6B6eld364wo4SZe_06fLgYA9/s3776/P1140829.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvUhojvT9elgUOKyCjReXKhDQzA-rZJbPCSyF8JVhJd-t9YeYmBsN8MA7fiAv0VPC6c2dxoaZJ-QIEoDFvN3krVKGiP8V3DwyXyegtcx9QeMYiXZNpMcd6B6eld364wo4SZe_06fLgYA9/w640-h428/P1140829.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new rock beach and lava flow at Isaac Hale Beach Park at Pohoiki.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3nOpnE3cHdZ2Ro6nL40fakQIzPPDwDPjNCcDDw0nRKRBiO9pXivRyKUw54z8hhlaTn_xqEjHnlUUNh73i3t93MXhmDXBDRxCSXU75uO69K8MaQCRNWwOghj5WLqiAROZWsRhHTo7x2PA/s2048/IMG_7530.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3nOpnE3cHdZ2Ro6nL40fakQIzPPDwDPjNCcDDw0nRKRBiO9pXivRyKUw54z8hhlaTn_xqEjHnlUUNh73i3t93MXhmDXBDRxCSXU75uO69K8MaQCRNWwOghj5WLqiAROZWsRhHTo7x2PA/w640-h480/IMG_7530.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretending to use a now defunct beach shower at Isaac Hale Beach Park, the former beach now covered in a thick layer of lava.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The newly formed hot pools became my favorite destination for evening soaks, heaven on Earth to me. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1m7T90vJ_eiOsIkuAShStYyjDErNmLHD3k7kRXL0Yzkdj7ZaZ-apDP5YHUVE3iOGe3R6BkSwegsu5hSzDw74hAzppNEPg5UoWcGIJI5DCBH0mL0SR3Da3sgmKMLIhkBTevF-gt8Jfll_b/s2048/IMG_7554.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1m7T90vJ_eiOsIkuAShStYyjDErNmLHD3k7kRXL0Yzkdj7ZaZ-apDP5YHUVE3iOGe3R6BkSwegsu5hSzDw74hAzppNEPg5UoWcGIJI5DCBH0mL0SR3Da3sgmKMLIhkBTevF-gt8Jfll_b/w640-h480/IMG_7554.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pool is where the boat ramp once allowed fishermen to launch their boats in to a bay, now hundreds of feet from the new shoreline.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The crashing waves shape broken pieces of lava in to wonderful beach stones that captured my attention for many hours, perusing their fantastic shapes and textures.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdLtC5i4F8y9cJvMw78LoTidSPRliUZBkkvgm7BShfoB-Yw3-w-Qd6xPbeGTKYZEy39E4-yvcrbWOr3RcdcA1FWyoATxd7PbNGr1p8466Uj1iJa1ZmKCj1lyCNhlcv-t3GmNhmF6jvKjh/s2048/fullsizeoutput_89bf.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdLtC5i4F8y9cJvMw78LoTidSPRliUZBkkvgm7BShfoB-Yw3-w-Qd6xPbeGTKYZEy39E4-yvcrbWOr3RcdcA1FWyoATxd7PbNGr1p8466Uj1iJa1ZmKCj1lyCNhlcv-t3GmNhmF6jvKjh/w640-h428/fullsizeoutput_89bf.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lava has been tumbled by the pounding surf in to beautiful rounded stones at Isaac Hale Beach Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I met a number of people on the island who's properties were destroyed or dramatically affected by the flows. An old friend of mine I visitied lost his Macadamia orchard and for a time lived in a park until taken in by friends. Toxic gases from the hot flows damaged or killed a variety of plants in people's gardens. Seeing what survived and quickly bounced back was a study in botanical resilience. With substancial recovery and replanting these magnficent gardens are once again resplendent technicolor wonderlands.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJPs_1KIqc5OlpsNt82BXX13_zhSTyzDaemiislbDmuOlmJRgfyAY_vJFhG5Mykj5A1ys5jJjoQPcSrUOcZCTztcC4TvtLyhaT8YePqUrSEESIzrrfI0m2t-FkTG12x9G2vzVEHs4xel0/s3776/P1150288.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJPs_1KIqc5OlpsNt82BXX13_zhSTyzDaemiislbDmuOlmJRgfyAY_vJFhG5Mykj5A1ys5jJjoQPcSrUOcZCTztcC4TvtLyhaT8YePqUrSEESIzrrfI0m2t-FkTG12x9G2vzVEHs4xel0/w640-h428/P1150288.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A curvaceous red cinder driveway snakes through a breathtaking collection of tropical plants in the garden of Davis Dalbok in Puna.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>It is surreal to drive through areas that were once subdivisions or forests now black with thick flows of lava. There were heavy rains, more than 30 inches while I was there and the water percolation in to the flows rose in plumes of steam from the still hot rock underlying the flows. New roads had to be cut through the lava to access neighborhoods cut off from the town of Pahoa.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsReH3VKSm58AmSizY0YaDoNsf_crSoj6gBTxbDPPY6q7lBOXP-l7Lp3AkinSnPOp8sXzEpkvg0RMEliRJzzEMt2N_lmhFw0SjJIpkiZ9dXA3k74XEXIHnXgMmvxWYPuwVu7z3gwgcFScP/s2048/P1130685.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="2048" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsReH3VKSm58AmSizY0YaDoNsf_crSoj6gBTxbDPPY6q7lBOXP-l7Lp3AkinSnPOp8sXzEpkvg0RMEliRJzzEMt2N_lmhFw0SjJIpkiZ9dXA3k74XEXIHnXgMmvxWYPuwVu7z3gwgcFScP/w640-h350/P1130685.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new road through the Wa'a Wa'a area near Pahoa steams after heavy rains.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>I made several trips up to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to explore the forests and craters that pockmark the region. The day after Christmas I hiked with a group of friends across Kilauea Iki Crater, an amazing experience, as this was once a molten inferno.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVBUdW88oxMmqMjvyBaFOYB2cIYjuRG9WMiBLsAVr0yeGEtw5d8H3FVRfLFCiK3CKSirhejb0mVmmITG2bOcfwEMqDodlmCiFbqhFJDODb_0nQdid_S50Ms4tFdMgGzEcN5JT6OlUPVdd/s3776/P1140161.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVBUdW88oxMmqMjvyBaFOYB2cIYjuRG9WMiBLsAVr0yeGEtw5d8H3FVRfLFCiK3CKSirhejb0mVmmITG2bOcfwEMqDodlmCiFbqhFJDODb_0nQdid_S50Ms4tFdMgGzEcN5JT6OlUPVdd/w640-h428/P1140161.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking across the floor of the Kilauea Iki Crater</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDnz1wHhieOuCRm2cfAZQe7W05tb4E7fL54O5XNvkbUP7ss8VBD_9u8PiDQTIJQ5U3dYx7ga4AYufdfLxQsRG81T3jK0b7yjqjNtt18xjOQ3yrX6KNLFlAocthCC5Dt6-CVw_9WvEIt-G/s2048/P1140481.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDnz1wHhieOuCRm2cfAZQe7W05tb4E7fL54O5XNvkbUP7ss8VBD_9u8PiDQTIJQ5U3dYx7ga4AYufdfLxQsRG81T3jK0b7yjqjNtt18xjOQ3yrX6KNLFlAocthCC5Dt6-CVw_9WvEIt-G/w640-h428/P1140481.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red cinders mark a vent hole in the bottom of Kilauea Iki Crater.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>The Chain of Craters road is a wonderful drive from Kilauea Crater down to the sea, with many turn outs to see deep craters and the expanse of massive lava flows. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNzu76dbcAR5fEYzvMmeFuKxZP2u8YZgLj2keg4qwvjio-PMlfiNzZV7drW3eM2NQoqWeMq8MRNHRB2OzBFhGY9dWFD7tCOaCHkXrzWUCZ1OJR0viLizLHI68UePURB61buXfdtVYFKte/s2048/P1140480.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNzu76dbcAR5fEYzvMmeFuKxZP2u8YZgLj2keg4qwvjio-PMlfiNzZV7drW3eM2NQoqWeMq8MRNHRB2OzBFhGY9dWFD7tCOaCHkXrzWUCZ1OJR0viLizLHI68UePURB61buXfdtVYFKte/w640-h428/P1140480.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pauahi Crater on the Chain of Craters Road</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Massive flows from eruptions that happened between 1969 to 1972 blanket the slopes in an incredible gallery of geologic sculpture. Being the geology geek that I am I took endless portraits of the beautiful forms that resulted from lava as it cooled. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8K5e9XKpN6GeQ23pLj7fADaVPapXQhMnnur4yqrmxvESiBl_siNlvFNDvcQP7hZWOSU7YCWRjlKPRe9DlAPSH_URXEDBMHeQx079OQ37zo8qkb99g0sIX8D10I26c_YTXDfAEFUGUGuX/s2048/P1140488.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8K5e9XKpN6GeQ23pLj7fADaVPapXQhMnnur4yqrmxvESiBl_siNlvFNDvcQP7hZWOSU7YCWRjlKPRe9DlAPSH_URXEDBMHeQx079OQ37zo8qkb99g0sIX8D10I26c_YTXDfAEFUGUGuX/w640-h428/P1140488.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My rental car from a hike out on to the lava near Mau Loa o Muana Ulu on the Chain of Craters Road</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LnNodxl3loP3pWWIKX5P7YNF1nB2EpSLreEKcUuv4mUkmjYUWfBfoeV1h1UbU1Fnh2U6U0wFTSZF1-BL2XmC7v_us1fS4GO86zfjVR_w1Q1OzaIRXyn9Uto4FXZsqnyPuhwQWwYz7rUD/s2048/P1140491.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LnNodxl3loP3pWWIKX5P7YNF1nB2EpSLreEKcUuv4mUkmjYUWfBfoeV1h1UbU1Fnh2U6U0wFTSZF1-BL2XmC7v_us1fS4GO86zfjVR_w1Q1OzaIRXyn9Uto4FXZsqnyPuhwQWwYz7rUD/w640-h428/P1140491.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooth shiny Pahoehoe contrasts with the rough surface of A'a lava</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>The beautiful stone work found in National Parks is one of the inspirations that made me want to work in this medium.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvxB3gCW9MOTJaYF3DFiM90tTelH-JTiYcBxJCkwxFOH7Fn1jirtQrfuVHM6xayg_ztdpLI8SdjKiNgOYWUySLWxRvIsxcMvc13DehBKJ2_PbAe1RkKL0KF4hD0iTkhsGp9RpgVDB_0nP/s2048/P1140478.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvxB3gCW9MOTJaYF3DFiM90tTelH-JTiYcBxJCkwxFOH7Fn1jirtQrfuVHM6xayg_ztdpLI8SdjKiNgOYWUySLWxRvIsxcMvc13DehBKJ2_PbAe1RkKL0KF4hD0iTkhsGp9RpgVDB_0nP/w640-h428/P1140478.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A crenalated wall at the edge of a crater on the Chain of Craters Road<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>A none too bright goose native to the Hawaiian Islands, the Nēnē barely escaped extinction when its numbers dwindled to 50 birds due to invasive mammal predators. A captive breeding program has increased their numbers and allowed them to be released back in to the wild, although the one I saw hardly looked wild as it wandered up to my car begging for handouts. Don't feed them! Native Hawaiian species make up 25% of those on the endangered species list in the United States.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUgm8SF0kZMfxWVNT3zXncYOicA2gQhLGlxKisEQYYKPVrbsbv31O1m57harGiKZRDZrQP5F6CS895hoezeUW7XvixsI8rCQbHJBmKNy8oiCiOE-uXzbIDyPA6osFqukNdA8mRG43ZSEK/s3776/P1140485.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUgm8SF0kZMfxWVNT3zXncYOicA2gQhLGlxKisEQYYKPVrbsbv31O1m57harGiKZRDZrQP5F6CS895hoezeUW7XvixsI8rCQbHJBmKNy8oiCiOE-uXzbIDyPA6osFqukNdA8mRG43ZSEK/w640-h428/P1140485.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An endangered Hawailan Nēnē Goose</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It was a wet day when I drove down to the sea on the road, which made for few tourists and everything was glossy wet. I kept pulling over and hiking out on to the flows in wonder of this hallucinogenic landscape. I was quite a distance from the car when a squall hit and instantly destroyed my umbrella. I was thoroughly soaked by the time I got back to the car. A hundred feet onward and I was pulled over again and wandering out in to another wonderland of lava. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUzs3a93UkxzXILnBgcf0vt23oEac01lG1k2JV4wSRshQU4xNGrz5Rw7P3jifUQD41yqieQ1uJvb7T4Ov1jiyNkB8wNqWUCHzCsfqxvYMfgFD2_Fwncj169Tho4Iqe7_eFOA9yD1gA5Xf/s2048/P1140504.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUzs3a93UkxzXILnBgcf0vt23oEac01lG1k2JV4wSRshQU4xNGrz5Rw7P3jifUQD41yqieQ1uJvb7T4Ov1jiyNkB8wNqWUCHzCsfqxvYMfgFD2_Fwncj169Tho4Iqe7_eFOA9yD1gA5Xf/w640-h428/P1140504.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivndxm2orZTZLb8hXTSdetPhCCKgxXDEExWFk7Y6s9hGjWkZrJSr5mY7bHBaHu1h3jFxCXL9CX1dnJOJ71A3EKdx2Co-Sc-y8GuLaIv9dhVZyr15OrJdcsJol_tJhzoB_ByvAyz-SkMXQf/s2048/P1140508.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivndxm2orZTZLb8hXTSdetPhCCKgxXDEExWFk7Y6s9hGjWkZrJSr5mY7bHBaHu1h3jFxCXL9CX1dnJOJ71A3EKdx2Co-Sc-y8GuLaIv9dhVZyr15OrJdcsJol_tJhzoB_ByvAyz-SkMXQf/w640-h428/P1140508.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89TklnbocD_p2vTZ9DIhzDhyphenhyphenOhyphenhyphenRCn0qKE83IFTeMZB0hQObgdYkn9bDfh_1qSD2s3BozY_j9JeAvh4JmJS2ibqmW2rQnT0jCkKimon3lAsQSQJG9OerwZdMIbP6IEwHrYqv3176uJGpp/s2048/P1140518.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89TklnbocD_p2vTZ9DIhzDhyphenhyphenOhyphenhyphenRCn0qKE83IFTeMZB0hQObgdYkn9bDfh_1qSD2s3BozY_j9JeAvh4JmJS2ibqmW2rQnT0jCkKimon3lAsQSQJG9OerwZdMIbP6IEwHrYqv3176uJGpp/w640-h428/P1140518.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The shapes and patterns and ropes and wrinkles are utterly surreal.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8N4Qtk9pQmiKYzgO82P2dBWfSQA5km8E5iY8Nx1ZZgwD95-Fis0-1_1dJbXrzwq6d-ES0SD2VQCHWCRiNLjDRit6lqBSVO9EnaHislvyRz9xKtGJsBuhRVvIf_gl-bJ2SBii8Dxqatet/s2048/P1140527.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8N4Qtk9pQmiKYzgO82P2dBWfSQA5km8E5iY8Nx1ZZgwD95-Fis0-1_1dJbXrzwq6d-ES0SD2VQCHWCRiNLjDRit6lqBSVO9EnaHislvyRz9xKtGJsBuhRVvIf_gl-bJ2SBii8Dxqatet/w640-h428/P1140527.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjDx604jYG_H74EE77U8NE41pQ5skgdfhK5DpfmQt2eUYv2wkWIjJXqa8myjw3_yS9KT54Wtx-H91e6oIB977sx7DQ0Es9p0-3XHeES5RIpFEnjnDVbWLh-cxlPoVXALvb9CDTIelFOuA/s2048/P1140536.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjDx604jYG_H74EE77U8NE41pQ5skgdfhK5DpfmQt2eUYv2wkWIjJXqa8myjw3_yS9KT54Wtx-H91e6oIB977sx7DQ0Es9p0-3XHeES5RIpFEnjnDVbWLh-cxlPoVXALvb9CDTIelFOuA/w640-h428/P1140536.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiws8jlTRURb2ZrD951GbUu-FvIaNXuTMdEqnWiCJcKB_RcM6m35uJxUsOOyBfHx3B3-IudEfb61cj2MHA_nbADYK_4sL85cwyyYWR2hgD-8_aisDAU6sjhv84xZR4_06yso593C_JU2Ai-/s3776/P1140537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiws8jlTRURb2ZrD951GbUu-FvIaNXuTMdEqnWiCJcKB_RcM6m35uJxUsOOyBfHx3B3-IudEfb61cj2MHA_nbADYK_4sL85cwyyYWR2hgD-8_aisDAU6sjhv84xZR4_06yso593C_JU2Ai-/w640-h428/P1140537.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgCgh0MKDts3zYyh1gO_f-NAQfU69stSdQ_Y57ZscHvXwx5kwBIcofTSPwJjt5Ys8dkBeboLF5uZ9XQrYr709lKVNVYjzZD9xs0k7kcO-LIF7_w__wKmJ-MUf4W6v34znaFCtgKD7AmOJ/s3776/P1140539.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgCgh0MKDts3zYyh1gO_f-NAQfU69stSdQ_Y57ZscHvXwx5kwBIcofTSPwJjt5Ys8dkBeboLF5uZ9XQrYr709lKVNVYjzZD9xs0k7kcO-LIF7_w__wKmJ-MUf4W6v34znaFCtgKD7AmOJ/w640-h428/P1140539.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pacific Ocean shines through a squall in the distance beyond the expanse of massive lava flows</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As the road draws close to the sea cliffs, a kilometer long trail leads to a low hill of old Pahoehoe lava pocked with petroglyphs. The hill, called Pu'u Loa contains over 23,000 symbols carved over the centuries by the Hawaiian people. Chisled with a stone harder than the soft lava, the predominant markings are simple holes in which the <i>pika</i> (umbilical cord) of newborns was placed to invoke the spiritual guiding energy of the venerated hill as a blessing for a long healthy life for the child. A ring around the dot indicated a first born child. Two rings represents the first born of a ruling chief. Symbols are also believed to communicate about journeys completed around the island, with human figures and circles, arcs, lines, abstract zigzag lizards and boat sails. </div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVImbEX1ki_1C4EWg1ieJhCVhFwRS1QX8eaLNwTZ2LW1oM6s_olAAu7u04l1cHukM7ysHEGKb_0T3L-gjMdC9WB7z3_hLJaBbw1vda7i2uEmXrhpXBjdQNZFNDFTEMdxieAFG8PfgoLHo/s2048/P1140549.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVImbEX1ki_1C4EWg1ieJhCVhFwRS1QX8eaLNwTZ2LW1oM6s_olAAu7u04l1cHukM7ysHEGKb_0T3L-gjMdC9WB7z3_hLJaBbw1vda7i2uEmXrhpXBjdQNZFNDFTEMdxieAFG8PfgoLHo/w640-h428/P1140549.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The rain and light that afternoon made the markings contrast nicely with the shine of the surface of the Pahoehoe lava, perfect for studying and photographing them. You can feel the presence of generations born and moving through life in this sacred place. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLzA-p1n_rbtfAqBGTLWVSCUwHt57wMbDODIWtSn2hfV0sAGAoKauyuFwVOGJOwn7z25ms1hM5t9qyk-4Lv1J8J_AVVKhZ7JhGGKpIZfZWcCzIiF9OT1Jd4Mx9ibg8V6KVDa3qjQFetlL/s2048/P1140566.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLzA-p1n_rbtfAqBGTLWVSCUwHt57wMbDODIWtSn2hfV0sAGAoKauyuFwVOGJOwn7z25ms1hM5t9qyk-4Lv1J8J_AVVKhZ7JhGGKpIZfZWcCzIiF9OT1Jd4Mx9ibg8V6KVDa3qjQFetlL/w640-h428/P1140566.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A human figure, perhaps dancing</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOS4QvATyqLBkfuffRm8KANtraup_ubduMcGzSXdpDuXutrnBNgxTRQKGWSCDcYf_LWafz3voKyPuQf_HN2brD8ypBRFONwxTKd-LT6DWp_B10BMYMfsEXlP-7uGZu9t6a5SUL0b0OQWy/s2048/P1140565.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOS4QvATyqLBkfuffRm8KANtraup_ubduMcGzSXdpDuXutrnBNgxTRQKGWSCDcYf_LWafz3voKyPuQf_HN2brD8ypBRFONwxTKd-LT6DWp_B10BMYMfsEXlP-7uGZu9t6a5SUL0b0OQWy/w640-h428/P1140565.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A storybook of abstract forms telling the stories of many generations of Hawaiians.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The skies can be so beautiful in Hawaii in the winter, with clear rainwashed air and dramatic clouds, making the walk back to the road yet another magical experience. .<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRqqDCU5170Bl9Ndlz-XSQMxEzVhtU19u46EoPXw9qFG6HlTTC0wvvHEOTY_5ZHUQT2A4bPu7YdTulle2rJBZ_AR4rmbRM5g8_WFYv6JBOgXHJobF79FeHRaiYFnb5XHI6Ekpy1Q8PGO9/s3776/P1140571.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRqqDCU5170Bl9Ndlz-XSQMxEzVhtU19u46EoPXw9qFG6HlTTC0wvvHEOTY_5ZHUQT2A4bPu7YdTulle2rJBZ_AR4rmbRM5g8_WFYv6JBOgXHJobF79FeHRaiYFnb5XHI6Ekpy1Q8PGO9/w640-h428/P1140571.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />A short distance further on the Chain of Craters road ends at the sea, which pounds relentlessly at the vast thich lava flows that once poured molten in to the sea. It is a very dramatic juxtaposition of water, stone, and air. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gUAX-yzVOijA8Jy1FWgbToPpTm42OrBfOQhmw3qt-brCkh9-Oea7s_B__xzxBI02mek8-GPouVo4buxkMubPlEvuqDgNXcKarDn7N0wYo3me8cGsxhByMWqNmudUUI4h0jYX7R11W6F7/s2048/fullsizeoutput_894a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gUAX-yzVOijA8Jy1FWgbToPpTm42OrBfOQhmw3qt-brCkh9-Oea7s_B__xzxBI02mek8-GPouVo4buxkMubPlEvuqDgNXcKarDn7N0wYo3me8cGsxhByMWqNmudUUI4h0jYX7R11W6F7/w640-h428/fullsizeoutput_894a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near the end of the Chain of Craters Road.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwLog6lPcnIZUu_Q_udcWKeWvfkg_LjW6tFRv0j9rnhihD2J6kAHH1prDd7JnLW3GXphrzc-tT26useQwDW_g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span><span><span><span>Waves crashing in to the lava cliffs at the end of the Chain of Craters Road</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><div><br /></div>I was the only one out there, perhaps because of this sign, but I stayed back from the edge.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7_h-vbr8FMKlJegmdnJ_TW89YlgdzVZ4OaqYu0fl8JMRjub03tckOcAdbx0huhNOC4GMPOtmTdAfiK7PkP7TZyvP-fiyq88jXBLEIhJMbstYbwndZ4jK16FAF9gnU2YjXYEdM3spzhzE/s2048/P1140579.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1964" data-original-width="2048" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7_h-vbr8FMKlJegmdnJ_TW89YlgdzVZ4OaqYu0fl8JMRjub03tckOcAdbx0huhNOC4GMPOtmTdAfiK7PkP7TZyvP-fiyq88jXBLEIhJMbstYbwndZ4jK16FAF9gnU2YjXYEdM3spzhzE/w640-h614/P1140579.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The road ends at a parking lot and a popular trail to the Hōlei Sea Arch, which I avoided because thats where everybody was. Here are more images of Pahoehoe lava from the 2018 flows from the Puna coast. It is so fascinating to behold.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back near the village of Kalapana, close to where I stayed is the Lava Viewing area, where you could watch the molten lava flow in to the sea. For now this has stopped but there are more wonderful formations to ogle.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM4LwSxDR5JrxcIyRdhSEx12MvN9cigg_Iow7hW-YR9r11El_mUp-dXyaSphUAw6kXOlXIqDbhCNekddlKr9QSWc47RhvBAir3oARj8SCUOo_AHVNqLtKIo20SGTX53x_S6MkjUDb7hbG/s2048/P1130772.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM4LwSxDR5JrxcIyRdhSEx12MvN9cigg_Iow7hW-YR9r11El_mUp-dXyaSphUAw6kXOlXIqDbhCNekddlKr9QSWc47RhvBAir3oARj8SCUOo_AHVNqLtKIo20SGTX53x_S6MkjUDb7hbG/w640-h428/P1130772.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuWRoJICSwHuakxk17kineu7ZJ-kf93zz6F7LnWQCEneHM7GvFKVHaKvNEMXaVI3Jt7sDeYAKEfSSj2ngKUEJqGcm1lM84Wdg2JyhMbndVWy6ETZSztNg6-0fonqbBTDODGfRLbtDOQ3J/s2048/P1130791.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuWRoJICSwHuakxk17kineu7ZJ-kf93zz6F7LnWQCEneHM7GvFKVHaKvNEMXaVI3Jt7sDeYAKEfSSj2ngKUEJqGcm1lM84Wdg2JyhMbndVWy6ETZSztNg6-0fonqbBTDODGfRLbtDOQ3J/w640-h428/P1130791.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYW_TI0qtf9EhqmejaTqw0qYhRyoeEAKV6uUevmU8skePKRVUHG8-K3yiKnL_ehzNfipKwQs-XVXLavGmy0CBdD85ZCREryrxyB_FQbRnVN9TiqmgTv0Rph9lkPQ5Ti-ZPN4qNMvaLzzf/s2048/P1130792.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYW_TI0qtf9EhqmejaTqw0qYhRyoeEAKV6uUevmU8skePKRVUHG8-K3yiKnL_ehzNfipKwQs-XVXLavGmy0CBdD85ZCREryrxyB_FQbRnVN9TiqmgTv0Rph9lkPQ5Ti-ZPN4qNMvaLzzf/w640-h428/P1130792.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjayDRfgVANAjVVDQKUZ7d4ame4lMecwI6boCgnHXyruC-3AaOfqanHm9KeqvZe7cS2tCaaCExgq954BRpqC8gemK6dCElytQ1sXqrH6a7856uLcifowxkzQJ3t_DvGfEx3SNMfrvgGuO/s2048/P1130794.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjayDRfgVANAjVVDQKUZ7d4ame4lMecwI6boCgnHXyruC-3AaOfqanHm9KeqvZe7cS2tCaaCExgq954BRpqC8gemK6dCElytQ1sXqrH6a7856uLcifowxkzQJ3t_DvGfEx3SNMfrvgGuO/w640-h428/P1130794.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An elephants eye</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pE92I660jbiA-G4HsFPtkgub54_wmU3vOWKGpal04TuY71s09hUKONe9TkboAxHSd3ZK5Hf7lartgH8lUsp3DDlhyRX77hToU1mzkyxMlWCvJ54oE82w3cQUsfrlIRJIso9Ac6e9EHH3/s3776/P1130797.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pE92I660jbiA-G4HsFPtkgub54_wmU3vOWKGpal04TuY71s09hUKONe9TkboAxHSd3ZK5Hf7lartgH8lUsp3DDlhyRX77hToU1mzkyxMlWCvJ54oE82w3cQUsfrlIRJIso9Ac6e9EHH3/w640-h428/P1130797.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rZv9CTOvxADCsysuO6tn4cTVWDMOW5lai0eNWTFAKrY9cPhYdklAUvZFWTb49NOPnHpr_P2slbGD8S3BdqpgtWgdkYwHWkJHXuHdDtrBiUYP4GC0OUUwMjkwaHCVwn08VMUltSuaIBeg/s2048/P1130798.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rZv9CTOvxADCsysuO6tn4cTVWDMOW5lai0eNWTFAKrY9cPhYdklAUvZFWTb49NOPnHpr_P2slbGD8S3BdqpgtWgdkYwHWkJHXuHdDtrBiUYP4GC0OUUwMjkwaHCVwn08VMUltSuaIBeg/w640-h428/P1130798.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5cPeBDPW4xVCabuYs_0LD1my2hG01bVTMysld2HbtFSHxZaIgzHoW-31YhqPuA_BkuHNbD_CqlezB-BDBMF88TLBbtRAcexehHzKPNWB0AZH5D_0FnELQfarV63ADHUdkxFylmut9Hr2/s2048/P1130801.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5cPeBDPW4xVCabuYs_0LD1my2hG01bVTMysld2HbtFSHxZaIgzHoW-31YhqPuA_BkuHNbD_CqlezB-BDBMF88TLBbtRAcexehHzKPNWB0AZH5D_0FnELQfarV63ADHUdkxFylmut9Hr2/w640-h428/P1130801.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pele's hair</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMo5OGGyNmkpH0v-M5Kiz1l9x40i5CbeVcYnYHR39vs5FCDVLt3hJlV67QUMpD2bJKyKUPcBWed_6lzzKvoascGsF5vm9uiyiGeuQTb_4eN1Ed8gIulxTKTa4nkahcXpr_MukNuOX0X8To/s2048/P1130803.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMo5OGGyNmkpH0v-M5Kiz1l9x40i5CbeVcYnYHR39vs5FCDVLt3hJlV67QUMpD2bJKyKUPcBWed_6lzzKvoascGsF5vm9uiyiGeuQTb_4eN1Ed8gIulxTKTa4nkahcXpr_MukNuOX0X8To/w640-h428/P1130803.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDQrMXURY9vjVk7XEv7WNmmZXa8LrYUrsS_FRA4px4HDhNpjUH2Hex1LAous80YnvrhIQ_3vLdi6YtGEoEVeSxYf0RdV-aLWZZlSu6lGK5JBlminRwpi1q5qwXOZ3kvytZ2qncfdqcEo9/s2048/P1130804.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDQrMXURY9vjVk7XEv7WNmmZXa8LrYUrsS_FRA4px4HDhNpjUH2Hex1LAous80YnvrhIQ_3vLdi6YtGEoEVeSxYf0RdV-aLWZZlSu6lGK5JBlminRwpi1q5qwXOZ3kvytZ2qncfdqcEo9/w640-h428/P1130804.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQh9k_WmQ7wy-nuvo-Hhz1LDfWpVK6ixfvDMVLFr11r7DSPPHhQGDZ-_dX94iED4f3qBg7uMMoAIK-k-pUbr4F_urHW1fK-C3se2TLxAZkt-u3C-43wxFdb7lQ9gZ4LnSEBDbUb-FGjTP/s2048/P1130806.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQh9k_WmQ7wy-nuvo-Hhz1LDfWpVK6ixfvDMVLFr11r7DSPPHhQGDZ-_dX94iED4f3qBg7uMMoAIK-k-pUbr4F_urHW1fK-C3se2TLxAZkt-u3C-43wxFdb7lQ9gZ4LnSEBDbUb-FGjTP/w640-h428/P1130806.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVldyusVopFykDmxb186RXe1xM5eo-KbmLwxKD8G9wBQf6mSp_yGymvPr8zLw5oFFUh6hwYwb0MQRDi8X7r4NHVcHND7WM7dqILLmd31PYP7gZx3rWkdCKGUeFVSjlMczmwjoI-GOzVeEY/s2048/P1130807.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVldyusVopFykDmxb186RXe1xM5eo-KbmLwxKD8G9wBQf6mSp_yGymvPr8zLw5oFFUh6hwYwb0MQRDi8X7r4NHVcHND7WM7dqILLmd31PYP7gZx3rWkdCKGUeFVSjlMczmwjoI-GOzVeEY/w640-h428/P1130807.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vOXeWpL35HLKDx0nFtFfkTB7H0eAo6V91hvf5Ad_rYXIm4vmeghfXKy0ZdmlD8WhyphenhyphenGRyupnpom-sWnC_OnMH4m9n-ziOcsG1DyHUusoi4-DmBPQZvNwsmncOou02ZF5eotnyO7S_q1zj/s2048/P1130809.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vOXeWpL35HLKDx0nFtFfkTB7H0eAo6V91hvf5Ad_rYXIm4vmeghfXKy0ZdmlD8WhyphenhyphenGRyupnpom-sWnC_OnMH4m9n-ziOcsG1DyHUusoi4-DmBPQZvNwsmncOou02ZF5eotnyO7S_q1zj/w640-h428/P1130809.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsXSBGHW7xmYhfTBGItFwl4gq1ko9LV3yhMTmu67jOu8Pl6jhhKXLfgWXdZc7nn9qNNpqsR2Lhn-D0fCuoJUz5xzNC9t6z_N2jhIzLrqOjumJd6Kulpq0-KH80FTiYu90SIQiTZoF4d2Q/s2048/P1130810.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsXSBGHW7xmYhfTBGItFwl4gq1ko9LV3yhMTmu67jOu8Pl6jhhKXLfgWXdZc7nn9qNNpqsR2Lhn-D0fCuoJUz5xzNC9t6z_N2jhIzLrqOjumJd6Kulpq0-KH80FTiYu90SIQiTZoF4d2Q/w640-h428/P1130810.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7vvy7J3ExAJm-3elII_QvPPJ_67TyexXsOiC-4DF4CITVDBWzREegKonwmzZBFHSXvnXFVPSMC8ldiY0jV7bSc6fB5fJRZFe3NF_qZCPGHLg9MMne04GxTN8G_G-fpEVkN9OdipLSqCD/s2048/P1130812.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7vvy7J3ExAJm-3elII_QvPPJ_67TyexXsOiC-4DF4CITVDBWzREegKonwmzZBFHSXvnXFVPSMC8ldiY0jV7bSc6fB5fJRZFe3NF_qZCPGHLg9MMne04GxTN8G_G-fpEVkN9OdipLSqCD/w640-h428/P1130812.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rope Lava</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghLbNzE5-5dwc6L5fu0CrmFPWSm47wotjKfxijnEUj-RmH7BWNgPTNeReldfL71r9eV5c0PRwvxJQjn17vSlTGPcpnp9NH8RKp2jWO9Kn_Ofe-bdirjzvKzFVuSwCAqfaZhkpvA53OU4N/s2048/P1130816.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghLbNzE5-5dwc6L5fu0CrmFPWSm47wotjKfxijnEUj-RmH7BWNgPTNeReldfL71r9eV5c0PRwvxJQjn17vSlTGPcpnp9NH8RKp2jWO9Kn_Ofe-bdirjzvKzFVuSwCAqfaZhkpvA53OU4N/w640-h428/P1130816.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLzwzO-pdowqX2DX5muovavj8rZL1zKlbe_AoMaYIMJ7Deod4jyJdYIp7T60ChypzFx1wpJkRnEi7RtFyYgxVzb51N2lapbfJgbz86ivaG5xnvZdtsugeNIo-FxLlM0cLkw-tPDrJP645/s2048/P1130821.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLzwzO-pdowqX2DX5muovavj8rZL1zKlbe_AoMaYIMJ7Deod4jyJdYIp7T60ChypzFx1wpJkRnEi7RtFyYgxVzb51N2lapbfJgbz86ivaG5xnvZdtsugeNIo-FxLlM0cLkw-tPDrJP645/w640-h428/P1130821.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1nhWg8IBCv7aKJrS8jexk7D5LtsMCewzcaQ1wzbmFqeuYXrXh4gmcwTmHSG918VKoLh2Rv7QbfXUQm_zOSyypGgsLi9xm6so0y1y0Xv7tKmE_VkOdsYD6UQVERUg56CB-qilAGUQ1WJq/s2048/P1130823.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1nhWg8IBCv7aKJrS8jexk7D5LtsMCewzcaQ1wzbmFqeuYXrXh4gmcwTmHSG918VKoLh2Rv7QbfXUQm_zOSyypGgsLi9xm6so0y1y0Xv7tKmE_VkOdsYD6UQVERUg56CB-qilAGUQ1WJq/w640-h428/P1130823.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEj2iq5LXRTcBPzshsDtRYz-w6G_wNeeBB9KZiAiPBc-gvKJNF-g1MSiD40TVZ6IJT0drIkTJANjDTX5nr6_GXvudxsNWlpAq_JGSZEiB64hwZz3UI1Z7qiqflhnzMnFtyRY1QCCWjAPRj/s2048/P1130826.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEj2iq5LXRTcBPzshsDtRYz-w6G_wNeeBB9KZiAiPBc-gvKJNF-g1MSiD40TVZ6IJT0drIkTJANjDTX5nr6_GXvudxsNWlpAq_JGSZEiB64hwZz3UI1Z7qiqflhnzMnFtyRY1QCCWjAPRj/w640-h428/P1130826.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DzSWoA0S9HwIl9YQ7Fe9OJsujNzqs-zP2D4WIU1QAK8_ZTi3AmjCNTrXLa4tALjuFhfMfPWPU1iaP6uB0r-AfDT4NJ2WyQ74bb4-ys9L1pd_FMSnIglgl_sHNLuyNQZKQovA0VjQGvvn/s3776/P1130658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DzSWoA0S9HwIl9YQ7Fe9OJsujNzqs-zP2D4WIU1QAK8_ZTi3AmjCNTrXLa4tALjuFhfMfPWPU1iaP6uB0r-AfDT4NJ2WyQ74bb4-ys9L1pd_FMSnIglgl_sHNLuyNQZKQovA0VjQGvvn/w640-h428/P1130658.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The strangest subdivision I have ever seen is near Kalapana. The raw lava has been divided in to harsh but affordable house lots that have been developed in to a hellish piece of paradise. This is a great article written for Honolulu magazine about this unlikely neighborhood. https://www.honolulumagazine.com/the-lava-dwellers-big-island-hawaii-these-people-live-on-one-of-the-most-active-volcanoes-on-earth/</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxf8mFzS2PQjBS2NY101wXtGz17TQgkYd6UOC8WNm3QAQ9c8tTc_MyR8sjKNjgq7XqAox-xmTIv5wO-a6xanv2jI8ZJQuvCRyLKpnWgBKjSX8NR9lgSnlIBf1B-7BoT7ECVK6wWb-LdUU/s3776/P1130763.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxf8mFzS2PQjBS2NY101wXtGz17TQgkYd6UOC8WNm3QAQ9c8tTc_MyR8sjKNjgq7XqAox-xmTIv5wO-a6xanv2jI8ZJQuvCRyLKpnWgBKjSX8NR9lgSnlIBf1B-7BoT7ECVK6wWb-LdUU/w640-h428/P1130763.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humble abodes dot the Pahoehoe landscape at Kalapana Gardens</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Waa Waa is another area inundated by flows a couple of years ago, once a populated area close to Pahoa.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSPDfa_Sju6mnOWYHmJGYNIT6qHZ37e_ZWLF1-4QhcryLiUi051wRnAdJaPJ0rgGIJaija1Z0xrSIyFAReUyr5yuGG7eu6BLe5oFX3w7059IwF0ITunRH7SzmPVX72qwf1qxfVruCiLYg/s2048/P1130660.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSPDfa_Sju6mnOWYHmJGYNIT6qHZ37e_ZWLF1-4QhcryLiUi051wRnAdJaPJ0rgGIJaija1Z0xrSIyFAReUyr5yuGG7eu6BLe5oFX3w7059IwF0ITunRH7SzmPVX72qwf1qxfVruCiLYg/w640-h428/P1130660.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHE6j0efM1puS1vnZGdGbf0YnKLZYd9RoIBq76XkTxKR3m6znff6K70B7iOBv-7BXnMVWsyLUuuDbqB7MEHdstF1Oz8SYD6sc7g0LZmrprkZTwTRWxRxd_1PMv1bA2O-CPC7rrWv7-Qb5/s2048/P1130664.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHE6j0efM1puS1vnZGdGbf0YnKLZYd9RoIBq76XkTxKR3m6znff6K70B7iOBv-7BXnMVWsyLUuuDbqB7MEHdstF1Oz8SYD6sc7g0LZmrprkZTwTRWxRxd_1PMv1bA2O-CPC7rrWv7-Qb5/w640-h428/P1130664.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVWEcAQ_umX8QE-29Lmq-gPzD8uKukDHwSGz_1-9gGxHKH5TdIkgKC-sj5t8ADUP0Jz575FlLIrshtyXfxkEYvJ4tl7bpsfD9IZqKHuBzuJQUP3ok0MvZZYnMW3BEBOJfh6FwNXZ5NZYf/s2048/P1130668.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVWEcAQ_umX8QE-29Lmq-gPzD8uKukDHwSGz_1-9gGxHKH5TdIkgKC-sj5t8ADUP0Jz575FlLIrshtyXfxkEYvJ4tl7bpsfD9IZqKHuBzuJQUP3ok0MvZZYnMW3BEBOJfh6FwNXZ5NZYf/w640-h428/P1130668.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG5_vzeQwzbo-xhNFo8DgtIuXNT8mOXkcic4WmCxDE8s6TQbzDJ9UghnNEwTcRS3BXk5C20hjb3gyUlgI93IannjmXH1Ke89TjIzsaqlr2Gk-Zs5FXYgfZ9vQO4gtcJjzY8yQZKn6JT2n/s2048/P1130670.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyG5_vzeQwzbo-xhNFo8DgtIuXNT8mOXkcic4WmCxDE8s6TQbzDJ9UghnNEwTcRS3BXk5C20hjb3gyUlgI93IannjmXH1Ke89TjIzsaqlr2Gk-Zs5FXYgfZ9vQO4gtcJjzY8yQZKn6JT2n/w640-h428/P1130670.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A casualty of molten lava</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_hBR1kpJdAojTLr8JDP0PDqRFPbwU503qeSe_q7609Bc8BLwj4I610CthgetChT4ze1wVJreG0UaDO15HK_zA7_r5uD3oobc35q9uz7dT4d04EJWYKu95yzQfo_iymoZ98Pm6rn3OoDh/s3776/P1130682.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_hBR1kpJdAojTLr8JDP0PDqRFPbwU503qeSe_q7609Bc8BLwj4I610CthgetChT4ze1wVJreG0UaDO15HK_zA7_r5uD3oobc35q9uz7dT4d04EJWYKu95yzQfo_iymoZ98Pm6rn3OoDh/w640-h428/P1130682.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shoreline along the Red Road leading from Kalapana to Pohoiki</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I did bring a number of stones back to the house I was staying in to make the gardens more beautiful. After all it is the main local building material. Everything here rests on a bed of lava. Roads are flanked by lava walls stacked with the stone that needed to cleared for the paths. Usually these are just piled, but I did see some creative constructions in my travels.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk4Rjp2WqSW5h2xGiaBU3v3t8wGMB_QJAZ-6JFiy9kYwPOKVcHLBi3Y0Jr_MKCBpusrqcw9Bl8wYHoV7poy7Til8WWf1Aae2C5sFplh2MirNUWiI_c4MzbeNxPNvxm9THsqwc26aqIVH1/s3648/P1150215.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk4Rjp2WqSW5h2xGiaBU3v3t8wGMB_QJAZ-6JFiy9kYwPOKVcHLBi3Y0Jr_MKCBpusrqcw9Bl8wYHoV7poy7Til8WWf1Aae2C5sFplh2MirNUWiI_c4MzbeNxPNvxm9THsqwc26aqIVH1/w640-h480/P1150215.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lava gate posts on the Red Road in PunaI </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div> I am a consumate beach comber and I gifted a few extraordinary stones I found to people I visited.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm7koChcBaeYpaatU0mCr9ClH004T6BhbBjj-Kt3L5UbyNEIqYIm4fWB9qgp6jWKPyTDTKVU3sgPWKxOdRCq9YZTQ_Zr7SyIVow11J_fF8Y4ZR_8jymXdebf1tuu84_d_XIHpZYpioFXz/s3776/P1150246.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm7koChcBaeYpaatU0mCr9ClH004T6BhbBjj-Kt3L5UbyNEIqYIm4fWB9qgp6jWKPyTDTKVU3sgPWKxOdRCq9YZTQ_Zr7SyIVow11J_fF8Y4ZR_8jymXdebf1tuu84_d_XIHpZYpioFXz/w640-h428/P1150246.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bowl shaped stone I found on a beach that I gave to Davis Dalbok for his birthday<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivN8nbAZZgoz6NlL6G1-fD4vrki_WMom2drby2MBXBqtBscCa9arKIt-atIZWSQI95Si-v7md2u2KIKfhB5Cq9IX0ET1JoqtQ2Q1bCvdCMC0vzLdrJ_WtM-JHT6cMC8lSrPmWVH-KpncK7/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8a2e.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1662" data-original-width="2048" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivN8nbAZZgoz6NlL6G1-fD4vrki_WMom2drby2MBXBqtBscCa9arKIt-atIZWSQI95Si-v7md2u2KIKfhB5Cq9IX0ET1JoqtQ2Q1bCvdCMC0vzLdrJ_WtM-JHT6cMC8lSrPmWVH-KpncK7/w640-h520/fullsizeoutput_8a2e.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dog checks out an arrangement I made for my friends Mathew Mercury, David Davenport, and Robert Welch, who tend an extraordinary garden next door to where I stayed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqCk36Qxk7-DmQCxbJa0ohjdJ9jcm1lsY3c6kc5thf5NmeFrAEQzAwGPPreyCfY43iFJEaX4qRSWJgCSpzpitbpsSTpgiqW4Uc8EI3d7Eq6N70aqZFrKFac_j1sLo3MT_x0oW3oOi4PlD/s3776/P1130694.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqCk36Qxk7-DmQCxbJa0ohjdJ9jcm1lsY3c6kc5thf5NmeFrAEQzAwGPPreyCfY43iFJEaX4qRSWJgCSpzpitbpsSTpgiqW4Uc8EI3d7Eq6N70aqZFrKFac_j1sLo3MT_x0oW3oOi4PlD/w640-h428/P1130694.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful Bromeliads can be planted directly on to lava rock. The garden of Robert Welch and David Davenport in Puna.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_FzJERlQo759gnOWCMO99X9jd-lgBWc_JTO17Sq7EqnFdIp1kvVSZQ-n0HJHmAetMvSYy-UpgxcnYpqdDFLpjVvwA6OPnJr3XQlKVMJVwT7lRJbP2paUc7vSHcpXV1qXPHxKnef6ZZG_/s2048/P1140930.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_FzJERlQo759gnOWCMO99X9jd-lgBWc_JTO17Sq7EqnFdIp1kvVSZQ-n0HJHmAetMvSYy-UpgxcnYpqdDFLpjVvwA6OPnJr3XQlKVMJVwT7lRJbP2paUc7vSHcpXV1qXPHxKnef6ZZG_/w640-h428/P1140930.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ancient Pu'u'ō'ō Trail connecting Mauna Kea and Kilauea Crater</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>It was not easy to leave the paradise of Hawaii. I was transfixed by the variety of landscapes and the stark beauty of this young land forming in our lifetimes. I loved the nearby black sand beach down at Kahena where I would swim in the blue sea with nudists and sea turtles.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRxPogwYK3qfRa5H0qbaRs3YEFuE3vPP_ucvjGpVw66Vss9CMt6GMHWGKJjbfSX5jv-1pNGG9gkRkVQYIBOih0ve1Gl_Nz4toDlXbOmvgLS91shhEExrsnHyZH5OYvZSkJEZLO4UabRTZ/s3776/P1140942.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRxPogwYK3qfRa5H0qbaRs3YEFuE3vPP_ucvjGpVw66Vss9CMt6GMHWGKJjbfSX5jv-1pNGG9gkRkVQYIBOih0ve1Gl_Nz4toDlXbOmvgLS91shhEExrsnHyZH5OYvZSkJEZLO4UabRTZ/w640-h428/P1140942.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kahena Beach on the Puna Coast</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>And the lure of the hot pools at Pohoiki will stay with me as long as I have memory.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIYnrJX3xpKaxlS_0JLrnHnRuCl7Iw1wsH17PYxqT9TEsWBFqqYYtbFr4X6Om4PTV5XiYAPaKHgGA9EYh1E077hWqt9iWpAnyoE9eFFKMoOJ3pXTDYsIuxDFQhyeP2yatIoX4J_k6mS80/s2048/IMG_7570.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIYnrJX3xpKaxlS_0JLrnHnRuCl7Iw1wsH17PYxqT9TEsWBFqqYYtbFr4X6Om4PTV5XiYAPaKHgGA9EYh1E077hWqt9iWpAnyoE9eFFKMoOJ3pXTDYsIuxDFQhyeP2yatIoX4J_k6mS80/w640-h480/IMG_7570.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pele's Hot Pool at Isaac Hale Beach Park, Pohoiki</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I made a mosaic on the beach at Pohoiki to show people what I could do with hand picked lava beach rock just in case somebody might like to hire me. I didn't get any takers but who knows...</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayQ1KQdfxRxFhiJuHQjFyXfUkL_LW96o1fqUuYPLGWzitsdE-g42sJAyzfQ4I2qbsFdHxeQZZ_6CN3kS1NEplwYwNpkCdjSZhoCHAvmWlNGpW4ykAEQN6VUCSlMAMCnpwllZ55L3_Q_K8/s3648/P1150081.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayQ1KQdfxRxFhiJuHQjFyXfUkL_LW96o1fqUuYPLGWzitsdE-g42sJAyzfQ4I2qbsFdHxeQZZ_6CN3kS1NEplwYwNpkCdjSZhoCHAvmWlNGpW4ykAEQN6VUCSlMAMCnpwllZ55L3_Q_K8/w640-h480/P1150081.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lava beach rock mosaic I built one afternoon to show its potential.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Like so many others captivated by the magic of the Big Island, I looked at real estate. The cheapest land is in those areas that are most likely to be covered by future flows. I don't think I could endure the surreal subdivision on barren Pahoehoe flows near Kalapana where I found a lot for $9,000. I didn't end up buying anything but I had to look. I reluctantly flew home rather than embark on the creation of my own piece of paradise. I already have one of those at home that I can hopefully continue to flee during the winter months, returning to the floral explosion of Spring in Oregon.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE14JU0RZk_Itjy2o4QThDLze4UjJW3YQQrjLYCfWTCnOA-rMqcNH_JsTS-BDfcqvoUSsMVD7f2W-GngI0iOk0SkTpr1NlZHTCA7CrXtVf23buVV_ocW8SKReLSoPLbKjuT4aAVfla-zm/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8a46.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE14JU0RZk_Itjy2o4QThDLze4UjJW3YQQrjLYCfWTCnOA-rMqcNH_JsTS-BDfcqvoUSsMVD7f2W-GngI0iOk0SkTpr1NlZHTCA7CrXtVf23buVV_ocW8SKReLSoPLbKjuT4aAVfla-zm/w640-h428/fullsizeoutput_8a46.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My last drive down the Red Road after a final soak in the hot pools.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacgJUNsi6T_P4hFA1licGGL3AOAZP5pf49hwQxtW5EaQfQuid1mibzkzDYJMaiMWcdYOyChLVR5E-pLTAjW9wIpLbjSHmtJUdCDdWF6uiN5LoRgsCI1tcjbLX8e1_AMiXCRC9iN337rsN/s3776/P1150527.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacgJUNsi6T_P4hFA1licGGL3AOAZP5pf49hwQxtW5EaQfQuid1mibzkzDYJMaiMWcdYOyChLVR5E-pLTAjW9wIpLbjSHmtJUdCDdWF6uiN5LoRgsCI1tcjbLX8e1_AMiXCRC9iN337rsN/w640-h428/P1150527.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mahonia x Arthrur Menzies eruption in blooms in my garden in mid January</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>It takes a fair amount of time for me to complete these essays. I've been home for two weeks now. Its been the mildest winter in history in Portland, which is alarming but pleasant. We haven't even had a frost yet. Unseasonably warm sunny days arrived with my return after deluges of rain that ended as my plane landed in heavy turbulence. One lovely afternoon I drove out to the Columbia River Gorge, where the mighty river cuts through thousands of feet of ancient lava flows. The gorge was scoured to its present form by as many as 100 catastrophic ice age floods caused when a glacial ice dam would form a massive lake in what is now Montana. The thousand foot deep walls of water that raged down the canyon cut the steep walls of the gorge east of Portland and created the largest concentration of high waterfalls in North America. I leave you with this video of Latourelle Falls, one of my favorites, in part because of its columner basalt lava formations. I won't go in to the geeky process of how those are formed, but I so love lava. Thanks for reading, Jeffrey</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyQG4R7AeXCAFzNubSqClTb6ci7-7DGtbJEfaBsFQBAzLqj9bDpC4hBF9w7lxLq4jsYW5pnHtlWoTelDy1E2w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> Latourelle Falls in the Colombia River Gorge, Oregon<br /><div><br /></div>Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-6656781499750132282020-09-17T23:53:00.005-07:002020-12-20T00:35:08.015-08:00Garden Paths, A journey <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYuJKCj8hBw-Lx1rzE3GGiriOYPMzDWYdxcgKh_93VHSzsn6OtMuE9XAoUr5810Wtzz6gTJKiHnjGbz-Y1SkxipJhSvXXgAGhxdpZtExXkJUtrjIfS4ZHzejb3LKblYZRveTqlJLVofjM/s3776/Stepping+stones.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2MpZ_DTYansziw17hNsJ5dVN4bAcB-gWp7w6pxH9Wle_Dhe2wYqZ_QrY6mrVF5m7D5VFnJW2G3eNm7hHK7uj39ajvp8EBArEF3CiRZg3nsHovzkFY9FZTp4QWz32C354JXlvkcZFhYmu/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Stepping stones made of pieces of local basalt and veins of hand picked river stones" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2MpZ_DTYansziw17hNsJ5dVN4bAcB-gWp7w6pxH9Wle_Dhe2wYqZ_QrY6mrVF5m7D5VFnJW2G3eNm7hHK7uj39ajvp8EBArEF3CiRZg3nsHovzkFY9FZTp4QWz32C354JXlvkcZFhYmu/w427-h640/image.png" width="427" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local basalt and river stones mortared together to make stepping stones between two houses</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've been building gardens for over 30 years now. Most of my work has been residential and often involves the removal of lawns and generic hardscapes so that I can replace them with something more inviting and complimentary to the natural world. If you aren't going to be walking around the house on a lawn anymore, then you'll need a path. A path takes you somewhere. I try to make that journey an interesting one, something that you will pay attention to, that changes the way you feel. Life is a path in itself, and by choice I've followed an interesting one, marked by moments of unfathonable beauty. If possible I try to translate those sensations in to my work. Lets take a walk.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrio01JXvBcecHKd59Url8502la-ofognY1HKet901axtSimAQ9xkgxh5C9NQuTSsUqVpJY7rVoi5fsLL-Ivgb6gPEzgz9ZYCqADlZ_vLf-aakE-U6aoxhns6PEcbw19JgiO0BGFO_OJ_/s2048/Randy%2527s+entry+walk+5%253A13.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrio01JXvBcecHKd59Url8502la-ofognY1HKet901axtSimAQ9xkgxh5C9NQuTSsUqVpJY7rVoi5fsLL-Ivgb6gPEzgz9ZYCqADlZ_vLf-aakE-U6aoxhns6PEcbw19JgiO0BGFO_OJ_/w480-h640/Randy%2527s+entry+walk+5%253A13.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to Randy McChormach's Portland garden emulates a creek that flows from a hot spring at a cabin they own in Eastern Oregon</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've been working with stone for a long time, so I've built a lot of stone paths. My first stonework was at my own home, using rock that I scavenged from old abandoned quarries in the hills outside of Portland. These were usually sources of stone that would be crushed to make road beds for highway construction. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzfgHVXq9sPLmCnOmdpFSPCPPnF8ChfaEh4SfODKX2gxYMd4dX4arLmM7SRzbyzEoZjugMoFlRz2AYVnNqLZFY8ss0jecmcMCj5mqVgQPG5l7k0KtCwBLigCkZ3Wyu3YFkD6cnhDkgZnW/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8760.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="2048" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzfgHVXq9sPLmCnOmdpFSPCPPnF8ChfaEh4SfODKX2gxYMd4dX4arLmM7SRzbyzEoZjugMoFlRz2AYVnNqLZFY8ss0jecmcMCj5mqVgQPG5l7k0KtCwBLigCkZ3Wyu3YFkD6cnhDkgZnW/w640-h432/fullsizeoutput_8760.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basalt stones laid flat in fine crushed gravel form 3 rectangles leading to the side of the house.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I hadn't worked with river rock yet, but after a trip to Spain and Portugal I was exposed to pebble mosaic and began to incorporate naturally water smoothed rock in to my work. It kind of took over my career eventually, although I prefer to work with plants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwGijAHO4aZkZTZSv9vXqEQBBnan-0O9LLd-HKZzGr_r1yF-dd0KKu89hu_b4wclsuk2uEty1dvexMd7CXfpkZM92TMpxQGzExqPfi8HYxAJHAnCmf_txBpBIMPb9yfItYkfyfo-Zg9gt/s2048/fullsizeoutput_875b.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwGijAHO4aZkZTZSv9vXqEQBBnan-0O9LLd-HKZzGr_r1yF-dd0KKu89hu_b4wclsuk2uEty1dvexMd7CXfpkZM92TMpxQGzExqPfi8HYxAJHAnCmf_txBpBIMPb9yfItYkfyfo-Zg9gt/w428-h640/fullsizeoutput_875b.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These small pebble mosaic stepping stones lead to a hose faucet. I built them without forms, just pressing the pebbles in to a flattened mound of wet mortar and then carefully leveling them with a piece of plywood. I called them pebble cakes at the time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3c8onB80MKimUw-Bj6x2HZOiMnZPeQCJKd-cmWwHeI-zfEY1EDeMggkWVgCxXXh7xHPySBjwAC6-aHUNG7w50A_hAKxzax1vswc9A7kmGpxokRXkbhdkryC04U3YRmjeUJybSnCgES9H/s3776/P1120535.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3c8onB80MKimUw-Bj6x2HZOiMnZPeQCJKd-cmWwHeI-zfEY1EDeMggkWVgCxXXh7xHPySBjwAC6-aHUNG7w50A_hAKxzax1vswc9A7kmGpxokRXkbhdkryC04U3YRmjeUJybSnCgES9H/w640-h428/P1120535.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Split basalt makes a nice solid stepping stone. These are at Marenakos Stone outside of Seattle.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I quit doing lawns years ago, removing them rather than installing them. A path through a beautifully planted garden is way more interesting to me than a swath of grass. When you get rid of the lawn, you don't have to mow anymore, and your neighbors don't have to listen to a lawn mower every week! Nature benefits from the shelter and sustinance provided by biological diversity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK632G06Svm64o5khif086fLwXCCiWQzm1B8guG7KRJ3nJUla-XRk_LKICmL_Nr8JblVyrKKi2OIw37AAQR2rCw42vhhF7P5eUqp_6-6UY3s6uLhq0IKWE15sYblMhw8u8wmbfp7ZPrLTH/s3776/P1100854.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK632G06Svm64o5khif086fLwXCCiWQzm1B8guG7KRJ3nJUla-XRk_LKICmL_Nr8JblVyrKKi2OIw37AAQR2rCw42vhhF7P5eUqp_6-6UY3s6uLhq0IKWE15sYblMhw8u8wmbfp7ZPrLTH/w640-h428/P1100854.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A once grass covered parking strip is now a diverse garden of heat and drought tolerant plants with mosaic stepping stones connecting the sidewalk to the street.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In this garden in the Beaumont neighborhood of Northeast Portland I built a set of stepping stones in 18 inch square forms that represent lotus blossoms. The idea comes from the Jataka tales, the story of the life of Buddha. When he first walked as a baby, lotuses sprung from his footsteps. You see literal depictions of this tale sometimes in sacred Buddhist shrines, most notably at Bodhgaya in India at the place the Buddha attained enlightenment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjFvgH4Bhlv6Ebp1U999HxOW7oxYMSblYa3Izg33c5nCmaDbqeeRwGqhrz1W18tYl-cf_oSiNS35xOaO61FTpMYBqWAWrJFlygssI1ntA2odSah6wqp6ULJoZqNoKA4ASfzlAI062EZ-U/s2048/Sam%2527s+step+stones.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjFvgH4Bhlv6Ebp1U999HxOW7oxYMSblYa3Izg33c5nCmaDbqeeRwGqhrz1W18tYl-cf_oSiNS35xOaO61FTpMYBqWAWrJFlygssI1ntA2odSah6wqp6ULJoZqNoKA4ASfzlAI062EZ-U/w428-h640/Sam%2527s+step+stones.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished stepping stones in their forms</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>So the idea for this path is that you can conciously tap in to an enlightened state of being if you are perceptive and aware. Each step is a meditation as you walk through the garden. In Japanese and Chinese gardens paths are often built with intention in mind. I could post a zillion photos of paths that have inspired me but I am going to stick to my own work to keep from writing a novel.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJD6uDmuBsxIpb_HNiJ1L14k4-uNm3ja1MCFuhu-pJoWQRpLA7lNJltZuT2HHmu9QI7fAozhLYIbasJP2-cnWxUixJEC2DzugFkwLDqr8vpD4lMjQvi3wf9EQuNWeJW_zM-rumdj9S2Sd/s2048/Lotus+Path.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJD6uDmuBsxIpb_HNiJ1L14k4-uNm3ja1MCFuhu-pJoWQRpLA7lNJltZuT2HHmu9QI7fAozhLYIbasJP2-cnWxUixJEC2DzugFkwLDqr8vpD4lMjQvi3wf9EQuNWeJW_zM-rumdj9S2Sd/w480-h640/Lotus+Path.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lotus stepping stones inspired by the Jataka Tales from Buddha's life</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The most readily available material in my early years as a garden builder were split basalt slabs from a huge quarry on the Washington side of the Columbia River near the town of Camas. Stone is blasted from the slopes and then manually split in an arduous process of drilling and jackhammering large chunks of rock in to usable slabs. They are nice and thick and very heavy, and often not perfectly flat. I spent many hours picking through piles of heavy stone for the best pieces. Clients rarely fully understand how intensly laborious this kind of work is. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO5H4fS85vE9HvEN93VXJtClsImbi5W1QB4IlEZLjQTutLhARh95buS_4HLDlHZVWClxMV3cEm67ejVFOh99ItAvz60wyPqKO65548OjW1FCelpAAk0uCJWTO_m7WmhOLoYItXq6nV92x/s2048/fullsizeoutput_875d.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO5H4fS85vE9HvEN93VXJtClsImbi5W1QB4IlEZLjQTutLhARh95buS_4HLDlHZVWClxMV3cEm67ejVFOh99ItAvz60wyPqKO65548OjW1FCelpAAk0uCJWTO_m7WmhOLoYItXq6nV92x/w428-h640/fullsizeoutput_875d.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A basalt slab path connects the front and back gardens of a suburban house in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The stones are arranged to be picturesque and to slow the pace that a straight line of stones might not encourage.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Back then I was able to drive in to the quarry and pull unprocessed blocks of stone from the slopes. A lot of my work was in the suburbs where houses were built on scraped hillsides leaving barren inaccessible yards with terrible subsoil. I was young and strong and under the influence of old European gardens with stone paths and terraces, constructed by generations of hardy stone masons. The stones I was able to collect at the quarry were special in that they had split naturally and had substancial dimensions. I was young and very strong. Eventually liability restricted my access to the quarries and stone vendors were starting to set up shop in the region, so I quit going directly to the quarry. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXbizWKKMPspaaIvYtLMy4FMa5SWrVM0VS9-DdrJ_MRCWymSgSJsKM-fqeEuVlkWkw36sLBzVK-lUf01DwVPWhXe64PCS7OU3avYrAqP-S2ZoAzYcuhip08EqCXHASiva0YBkOieRxaKN/s3776/P1120695.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXbizWKKMPspaaIvYtLMy4FMa5SWrVM0VS9-DdrJ_MRCWymSgSJsKM-fqeEuVlkWkw36sLBzVK-lUf01DwVPWhXe64PCS7OU3avYrAqP-S2ZoAzYcuhip08EqCXHASiva0YBkOieRxaKN/w640-h428/P1120695.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavy natural slabs of basalt make inviting steps up a retaining wall. I mortared the stones together but in a way that the mortar doesn't show.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Gravel makes the easiest path to install. It can be crushed or rounded pea gravel. I prefer 3/4 inch river rock to pea gravel as it is larger and less apt to stick to your shoes and feet and get tracked around. A gravel path should be fairly level so that you don't slip on it. Crushed gravel is essential if there is a slope. You just wheelbarrow it, dump it and rake it smooth and hose it off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQM1uKUvVHfc_lRnJYeBjg0xxVtKrIRLQqmIx07FjXJed2dsy5t7vMFvhP8X4dzq7hkA8h35p84YiRW7ytJ1RMLcT4saPnLY9ABeUp_KSaaNwmlyZSpr5WcQl9_f-UIo8DJoOk5k5mRYW/s3776/P1120696.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQM1uKUvVHfc_lRnJYeBjg0xxVtKrIRLQqmIx07FjXJed2dsy5t7vMFvhP8X4dzq7hkA8h35p84YiRW7ytJ1RMLcT4saPnLY9ABeUp_KSaaNwmlyZSpr5WcQl9_f-UIo8DJoOk5k5mRYW/w640-h428/P1120696.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wide gravel path on a level terrace.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For years I built staggered basalt stepping stone paths down the narrow strips between houses and anywhere a path was needed, to get to a hose faucet, a garage door, a storage shed. The work was brutal but fairly quick and affordable. I was known as the guy who liked the largest slabs, which I would dig through the piles, moving tons of rock to find and then wrestle up ramps in to my battered truck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjYzPDkbMLgJsukkxKOh-E9ewMck2M-DwniNP7KFQhOqEcbVmzXDQlvIQ7r5VfUiZEnNGN9gvdlD4TWIiIAlV1QNWTGiu-Um0x3USykXuFkj8UYPFGzMGAWkajAi_gWzmwVVd9RMx2ALH/s2048/fullsizeoutput_875e.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1417" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjYzPDkbMLgJsukkxKOh-E9ewMck2M-DwniNP7KFQhOqEcbVmzXDQlvIQ7r5VfUiZEnNGN9gvdlD4TWIiIAlV1QNWTGiu-Um0x3USykXuFkj8UYPFGzMGAWkajAi_gWzmwVVd9RMx2ALH/w442-h640/fullsizeoutput_875e.jpeg" width="442" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basalt slabs winding through a forest garden in Lake Oswego</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">American gardens usually get a slab of white concrete for a patio and strips paths down the sides between the houses. Sometimes budget constraints required recycling the concrete I was breaking up in to a more interesting path. Hauling away heavy waste material is laborious so I often found creative ways to recycle it back in to the garden, sometimes using it to thicken a mortared wall with a stone face and occasionally for paths. Recycled concrete is sometimes referred to as Urbanite.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x9LsqJz8ktlo8l2KAkTGAFuv-vCYQgJL097qiWaUfkcs8WhbCZt4ePOx1aBodRk3cfw8zqyBtElbBlkAGLRZ_EgSR4OIt_21irBzfB4vkRqy1GsQ5LCtOVPPrS7mC0x7PnQTghlh6E2w/s2048/fullsizeoutput_875c.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1379" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4x9LsqJz8ktlo8l2KAkTGAFuv-vCYQgJL097qiWaUfkcs8WhbCZt4ePOx1aBodRk3cfw8zqyBtElbBlkAGLRZ_EgSR4OIt_21irBzfB4vkRqy1GsQ5LCtOVPPrS7mC0x7PnQTghlh6E2w/w430-h640/fullsizeoutput_875c.jpeg" width="430" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I broke a narrow concrete path between two houses in to rectangles and then rearranged them with bands of large river stones to create a more inviting garden path</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My garden has always been my guinea pig for exploring new ways of using materials and plants. I taught myself how to lay stone here, to work with mortar, and I developed the techniques I use today for building pebble mosaics surrounding my home. I had time to build things that took many years to complete. I inherited the usual concrete paths to the front steps and around the sides of the house. I recycled the concrete in to my walls as back fill and began replacing the paths and steps with stone work. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76N-r5vfLZjDKkRyilQIOKGEeOjRdusWQ9GEdY9xfAFDZLgn9TBzG9Ue4gcJWXL3EafjFhJm6snxY5uw3a6oX-LZgJWlR1kzYQfIqOPijhA6QxMJu8h2xzXKZmRMweat4NrTU8oBro_5E/s3776/P1120712.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76N-r5vfLZjDKkRyilQIOKGEeOjRdusWQ9GEdY9xfAFDZLgn9TBzG9Ue4gcJWXL3EafjFhJm6snxY5uw3a6oX-LZgJWlR1kzYQfIqOPijhA6QxMJu8h2xzXKZmRMweat4NrTU8oBro_5E/w640-h428/P1120712.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front of the Crack House (I still call it that) when I first bought and started working on it.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I created a mosaic with a pair of eyes for the threshold. I had spent parts of 3 winters in Nepal and loved the Buddha eyes painted on stupas there. But it is bad form to walk on Buddha's eyes, so I made the eyes at the entrance to my garden green, like mine. I live in a former Crack House and the property had a tumultuous and sometimes violent history. A man was killed here in a drive by shooting before I bought it. I was living in the house net door at the time. So my eyes now watch over the entrance to my home. Up the steps I built a landing with a Tibetan endless knot. This represents Samsara, the endless cycle of life and death and its infinite potential. This mosaic turned out to be kind of wonky and off center but moss has softened and partially obscured it over time so this is less obvious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIgxj_zxF3xl1p6fkL8tPOPKmRfLhbT9yy_HlCS79d06OZ6ONEcfeAoCPJe8299dy9uuihuEyX_z5KrIjiPOhtlUKdIUN4qiKi9bYWblrzIgWrYxcPzHywgGtLiRIBS3d6Gd5VK8w73UQ/s3776/My+Eyes+3%253A2013.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIgxj_zxF3xl1p6fkL8tPOPKmRfLhbT9yy_HlCS79d06OZ6ONEcfeAoCPJe8299dy9uuihuEyX_z5KrIjiPOhtlUKdIUN4qiKi9bYWblrzIgWrYxcPzHywgGtLiRIBS3d6Gd5VK8w73UQ/w640-h428/My+Eyes+3%253A2013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My eyes and a Tibetan endless knot mosaic</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5L_XSXbR4OPUdDvH7CEh3_FPUtG0PCLHwG8TbgTjLSEU5llbvqQYaP53XFzBF24iVcJl6AbYQDINjho5Dty0I80M-ONUBlSmryWNPB2QTOwCw44lfBuCxHser6O6cuO3we8IZji53be5/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8773.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5L_XSXbR4OPUdDvH7CEh3_FPUtG0PCLHwG8TbgTjLSEU5llbvqQYaP53XFzBF24iVcJl6AbYQDINjho5Dty0I80M-ONUBlSmryWNPB2QTOwCw44lfBuCxHser6O6cuO3we8IZji53be5/w428-h640/fullsizeoutput_8773.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original concrete walk between my two houses.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The rattlesnake path that runs between my two houses took 7 years to build. That was mainly because it took so long to collect the specific colors and shapes of stones I needed. There is an island in the Colombia River where pebbles come up through the sand when the river drops in Summer. I would beach comb for gold quartzite and black basalt, red jasper and white speckled granite. Uniform shapes are needed to create the even bands in the design. I needed thousands of these for the 35 foot long mosaic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTTv-s0RYw7QvjpbxBey32_gxPjsow9q8snutWx8LGsPoShqKLnxrv2e2NNSvb3YbcedMYokX0mDHZrlzbONb31DzCyO1p4aiSRhsCxj45GdtLcdJT2EQd8pmdzEYf3KACPaz1VCJyZDG/s543/Rattlesnake+path+start.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="372" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTTv-s0RYw7QvjpbxBey32_gxPjsow9q8snutWx8LGsPoShqKLnxrv2e2NNSvb3YbcedMYokX0mDHZrlzbONb31DzCyO1p4aiSRhsCxj45GdtLcdJT2EQd8pmdzEYf3KACPaz1VCJyZDG/w438-h640/Rattlesnake+path+start.jpg" width="438" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning what would become a 7 year project.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I chose a native Western Rattlesnake for the design because it is a symbol of protection and they shed their skin as they grow. I've always felt a sense of awe when I see them in the wild, not as menacing but as quiet, shy, camouflaged magical creatures. They are carved in to temples in Mexico to guard gateways and slither as a shadow down pyramids on Solstices. 7 headed cobras, called Nagas wrap around the temples at Angkor in Cambodia, again prividing a border of protection. My house has never been broken in to, so there may be something to this.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra_Na30I22aM8sT7E4vXA8e6ceRfK1zGBXLdSiEJLRWhNXpaShPpmdLUe9hR2myFWI_3NJwqNBpkZu68kbuabPcNJ5CS9pZ60rEKksZ9wyJ37nLoI1t7Td4gqZyMxTb6Wp0q-5_3P617t/s2048/Rattlesnake+Path+2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra_Na30I22aM8sT7E4vXA8e6ceRfK1zGBXLdSiEJLRWhNXpaShPpmdLUe9hR2myFWI_3NJwqNBpkZu68kbuabPcNJ5CS9pZ60rEKksZ9wyJ37nLoI1t7Td4gqZyMxTb6Wp0q-5_3P617t/w480-h640/Rattlesnake+Path+2.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Western Rattlesnake path leading from my front entry around the corner of the house.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>My garden is very small, so mosaics bring a level of detail that makes it feel bigger by drawing your attention to it's intricacies. The wavy edge of the path makes it look much longer than a straight line would, and the pebbles massage my feet when I walk on them barefoot. As I proceeded towards the back of the house I felt the need to end the first rattlesnake as it was losing its biological accuracy. I wanted the mosaic to depict a real Western Rattlesnake, not be an characature of it. So to finish the path I created a more tightly coiled baby snake at the other end who would receive you when coming from the back. It wasn't easy to build but turned out nicely. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg_BLCueoq9xAEvInk6f7m8oeoY6usxEkuZ0ZjtHy-5nOBBSOqtq6JH0NFk9BCqZWED5fWCc7Xa3hJvTL3paFo9zpRL6VWlsYFCGyKvfQAdKpqA9O2kbC84PIirQk5U1GDT5XIXVXOdV1/s2048/Snake+mosaic+7%253A28%253A14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg_BLCueoq9xAEvInk6f7m8oeoY6usxEkuZ0ZjtHy-5nOBBSOqtq6JH0NFk9BCqZWED5fWCc7Xa3hJvTL3paFo9zpRL6VWlsYFCGyKvfQAdKpqA9O2kbC84PIirQk5U1GDT5XIXVXOdV1/w480-h640/Snake+mosaic+7%253A28%253A14.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Rattlesnake completed 7 years later.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In front of the house on the other side of the entrance I built a Persian prayer rug that leads to a beautiful statue of a Buddha that I bought from a master carver's shop in Bhubaneswar, India. This mosaic took 2 years to collect the stones I needed. Large river stones make an informal path to get me from there around the corner of the house in that direction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhZA2C6x8pc3rRUwgn1-5pRLrLSSfwtd5uNGO3B_NzYmoTFErH0QH6v5SYI9Rrayi-j6VBfAwJozxTgQ2HxH2Zdj2PxWA6FZ__o7Nb0EVgRj8lqhqFZgeEYcJmBZuZsPeltGeKi3NpN2R/s2048/Carpet+Patio+%2526+Buddha2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhZA2C6x8pc3rRUwgn1-5pRLrLSSfwtd5uNGO3B_NzYmoTFErH0QH6v5SYI9Rrayi-j6VBfAwJozxTgQ2HxH2Zdj2PxWA6FZ__o7Nb0EVgRj8lqhqFZgeEYcJmBZuZsPeltGeKi3NpN2R/w480-h640/Carpet+Patio+%2526+Buddha2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prayer rug and Buddha in my front garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was able to take down the fence between the two gardens when I bought the boarded up Crack House next door, and built a connecting path with nice slabs of orange oxydized basalt I had collected over the years. I'm gradually replacing parts of this path with mosaic medallions made of stones I've been gathering on my travels in the US and around the world. They remind me of the places I've been and the experiences I had there. That is something you don't get from buying rock from a supply yard. You need to be discreet and conscious when collecting stone from the wild, leaving no trace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r6CLQfqVZ6Toz9bQm13iecip7UmG2y9bzCQ6wyOXp1-uhoxYUGxsvGZvj_Lg4yQeEdcYjzCPSsOpFqOlF7LXAYekTjv1sthL8y1p-fr4GTM2KYwEHBDIYnkYoPFzmDUkODNljNxIkb3u/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8775.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r6CLQfqVZ6Toz9bQm13iecip7UmG2y9bzCQ6wyOXp1-uhoxYUGxsvGZvj_Lg4yQeEdcYjzCPSsOpFqOlF7LXAYekTjv1sthL8y1p-fr4GTM2KYwEHBDIYnkYoPFzmDUkODNljNxIkb3u/w428-h640/fullsizeoutput_8775.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening up and connecting my two gardens.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>The garden has obviously changed dramatically over the years as I built my well known altar wall and the plants I added have matured.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNZyn5-2OWg4bCOiVitH5MWynRhS9eyKu4otfFRHUX_t9ANYIYmL-Y6CsX1Vm0ymF0yQUOvJ7qmO87Ht-aDqzkF6WsxEhBPUv645G_EwSDvUdicG9ish460lz5DACfexZCOndIvB8QuBI/s2736/Egypt+Step+stone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNZyn5-2OWg4bCOiVitH5MWynRhS9eyKu4otfFRHUX_t9ANYIYmL-Y6CsX1Vm0ymF0yQUOvJ7qmO87Ht-aDqzkF6WsxEhBPUv645G_EwSDvUdicG9ish460lz5DACfexZCOndIvB8QuBI/w640-h640/Egypt+Step+stone.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the stepping stones I built using pieces I collected over a year, including ones from Egypt, Jordan, and Israel.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When you design <i>and</i> build a garden it can be tailored to the space rather than plunked down according to what's on a plan. I like to mock up the spaces I'm working in so that I can fine tune it in real time. I end up doing simple drawings just to give clients a conceptual idea of what I am hoping to accomplish. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IKwmTRAc5BK_lEa6oJbaSyWCnxQRSesiT9Hp6OCbq6QSdtwxOqF9FIaFvLd4bh-22EGDxia_h37OBBVr2IiB4t2fXBQ1bHEjW5tj480lYTRUcWjfUYytZ82z7gXYYba6kXhXDlOuxKGW/s2048/fullsizeoutput_8757.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="2048" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IKwmTRAc5BK_lEa6oJbaSyWCnxQRSesiT9Hp6OCbq6QSdtwxOqF9FIaFvLd4bh-22EGDxia_h37OBBVr2IiB4t2fXBQ1bHEjW5tj480lYTRUcWjfUYytZ82z7gXYYba6kXhXDlOuxKGW/w640-h398/fullsizeoutput_8757.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple sketch of a patio and path design.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My work is dependent on the materials I am able to procure. I will spread out a pallet of flagstones that I can trim and shape with a diamond blade stone cutting blade mounted in a large size angle grinder. I can lay out the stones to the desired arrangement and fill in gaps with handpicked river rock after I've set the larger stones, making sure that everything is flat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OBZABHvPqL_DVprqMY7XbiVsD_v0U3nq6zJsdrUWwDiZHpysN8BviQhrWQvxEqVt-CQfdHYj7I24CivvFZj5hVxVXGFHMhryatmcpG_5X2by-zRDs5tCq53z3KhhicWFpj_9TPOUTtdj/s5152/Camp+Glenorchy+Stepping+Stones.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOrSklnPLeU0OJjpgrybVpQqapJc1q2uuCHfSO0QjsyP4vMPHDozra52Ii_73MWmmfADQlQFrrSbhWcpuGUmYLlZ7nxWP1ggJ79dq6hXAWJm_vlGhVah5AF9zpbdJEhakiws0SElsX85f/s3648/P1190004.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOrSklnPLeU0OJjpgrybVpQqapJc1q2uuCHfSO0QjsyP4vMPHDozra52Ii_73MWmmfADQlQFrrSbhWcpuGUmYLlZ7nxWP1ggJ79dq6hXAWJm_vlGhVah5AF9zpbdJEhakiws0SElsX85f/w640-h480/P1190004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A basalt slab and pebble mosaic mimics a stream flowing between boulders for the entrance to this West Hills Portland home.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBVQ8zf848ynyIkgTIEy7WX__EGiydTKXTV4mazgf-_vhe3p2nuOC3Y8ChD7apWXxCdiqtJyuZXlxOI1c7-KSs5_BpN0bjldlgu10BYDxDrrkp3Geh7PdUuk8Thq-uMMsUKSkdkghu30k/s3776/Durand+Gardd+5%253A19.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBVQ8zf848ynyIkgTIEy7WX__EGiydTKXTV4mazgf-_vhe3p2nuOC3Y8ChD7apWXxCdiqtJyuZXlxOI1c7-KSs5_BpN0bjldlgu10BYDxDrrkp3Geh7PdUuk8Thq-uMMsUKSkdkghu30k/w640-h428/Durand+Gardd+5%253A19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A basalt stepping stone path takes you in to the sloped garden from the entry path.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">I used the same basalt material used to edge the mosaic entry to the home.<br /><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hXqa3fZGFJqM548lmdpekxp2cBm0PzUEs-os0lzRQuVsjG6l-XBt6ZrHHTxC5cqjOkTe5leLhDeu5R0AU-ZzFvfGhi2OC45o5I7Odv0r-2pkZDABwFKq1clEcHz6QieG1-JzvPiBw5gO/s3648/Durand+stone+steps.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hXqa3fZGFJqM548lmdpekxp2cBm0PzUEs-os0lzRQuVsjG6l-XBt6ZrHHTxC5cqjOkTe5leLhDeu5R0AU-ZzFvfGhi2OC45o5I7Odv0r-2pkZDABwFKq1clEcHz6QieG1-JzvPiBw5gO/w640-h480/Durand+stone+steps.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The slab stepping stones become a staircase leading down the slope to the lower parts of the garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Sometimes I was able to buy really thick slabs that we muscled in to place using pry bars, to create substantial steps. I avoid these types of projects now unless the budget allows for craning large stones in to place.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHXp_K4dbrB12egj593S_v2DhMnRwDD5HmKYbJ4LycHJua7tv-bzfuNNAks4oaPuV0QRvwHZ9NTeiQ1um95OrA8kl-RW-o9iwjK9M7cpMgAjabFRRE5VuSlxNsB5l5qrINLxZIXfzqNeo/s2048/Chris+Page+Full+Steps.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHXp_K4dbrB12egj593S_v2DhMnRwDD5HmKYbJ4LycHJua7tv-bzfuNNAks4oaPuV0QRvwHZ9NTeiQ1um95OrA8kl-RW-o9iwjK9M7cpMgAjabFRRE5VuSlxNsB5l5qrINLxZIXfzqNeo/w640-h480/Chris+Page+Full+Steps.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large slabs of basalt built in to a retaining wall lead to a patio at the top of the slope.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I worked with an assistant named Henry Mansfield for several years who had the enthusiams to saw cut and shape basalt to fit tightly together. The gardens we constructed as a team were always laborious endeavors. In one garden in the West Hills of Portland we built a low seat height wall that mirrored the shape of the house, and framed the entry court in basalt with a natural winding zen stepping stone path surrounded by gravel to create an integration between the architecture of the house and the natural forest garden beyond.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUJs7Lk56MrgRUgIeXNjSrYIlKCQSdeI3wSR1047sOWPqwUvwolZi3MdKyim4MLWX3ScCRJSvtlTxLqrl4SK4ELuASQXmetcqzt06_hSM_XsMO3UDOVNvGLfMDTm6iBj8RY9CANmijAmQ/s2048/Front+Garden+from+Porch.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUJs7Lk56MrgRUgIeXNjSrYIlKCQSdeI3wSR1047sOWPqwUvwolZi3MdKyim4MLWX3ScCRJSvtlTxLqrl4SK4ELuASQXmetcqzt06_hSM_XsMO3UDOVNvGLfMDTm6iBj8RY9CANmijAmQ/w640-h480/Front+Garden+from+Porch.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A seat height wall frames an entry court with a stepping stone path leading to the front entrance. The paving is entirely permeable.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I got tired of using basalt because I didn't love the grey color, and the variety of material sold at stone yards was becoming more diverse. More generous budgets allowed for using bluestone imported from the East Coast of the US. I used beautiful sandstone that comes in a variety of colors, mixed with pebble mosaic for clients with more adventurous tastes. I called the multicolored curving entry walk and steps I built to Randy McChormach's Southeast Portland home the Candyland Walk because of its colorful compostion. The walkway has become famous on the internet and Randy is a fastidious gardener who maintains her place in immaculate condition, something that is frustratingly rare amongst clients.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uUqPo0hBNvgH0xdY25ingOjvcBanm_PgSj7b5SXl-IhAnmjIty6ME6dMjCBHHZyGqj5cHRJ36hQLRTZ9OIXau53VxfrFYm9mJG0EQYI0FtTFIvHKL30ZIb1uWHXqwclQUHqHjHUoKfmb/s2048/Randy%2527s+Steps+2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uUqPo0hBNvgH0xdY25ingOjvcBanm_PgSj7b5SXl-IhAnmjIty6ME6dMjCBHHZyGqj5cHRJ36hQLRTZ9OIXau53VxfrFYm9mJG0EQYI0FtTFIvHKL30ZIb1uWHXqwclQUHqHjHUoKfmb/w640-h480/Randy%2527s+Steps+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I call the Candyland walk and steps leads to the front door. You used to have to squeeze past cars in the driveway to reach the front porch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another garden in the Irvington neighborhood of Portland was built in phases over a number of years. The Goodfriends had spent time in Barcelona, Spain and loved the paintings of Joan Miro, which became the theme for a patio and later paths in the front garden. In one phase I removed the old cracked concrete entry path and built a set of wide pads framed in local Mollala basalt with pebble mosaic veins that related to the patio mosaic in the back garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f0vnOckEZ9Hk2J99HsGHeb0S9_r9TGmAEbJds2HsoFpl15Ip9WU-LFbFjpVEfow_5g1NhQls9A9bwaj3NMWOx9AGFqHKUWiI1BJkaiOp31kGIy8o6rNX-uAasuxxUQxEX8hNJxWnHOJ6/s2048/Entry+walk+before+from+steps.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f0vnOckEZ9Hk2J99HsGHeb0S9_r9TGmAEbJds2HsoFpl15Ip9WU-LFbFjpVEfow_5g1NhQls9A9bwaj3NMWOx9AGFqHKUWiI1BJkaiOp31kGIy8o6rNX-uAasuxxUQxEX8hNJxWnHOJ6/w640-h428/Entry+walk+before+from+steps.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original walkway, which I removed.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The design allows for permeability, with gaps to allow for water to percolate in to the ground rather than run off to the street.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UoNhAQn0g26yq6OR6bk_7LIxv-hzTBC4UByx5auhUSfQ-3gApqPB2VEFICAx6hzX6fBVEqSx8WNdDEPKxNWettlVED2k99qFIAQ8q7lcW1i3QYxy7gERMS_a7nw-a5ZcFhNgTyTPhPnB/s2048/Entryway+stone+layout.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UoNhAQn0g26yq6OR6bk_7LIxv-hzTBC4UByx5auhUSfQ-3gApqPB2VEFICAx6hzX6fBVEqSx8WNdDEPKxNWettlVED2k99qFIAQ8q7lcW1i3QYxy7gERMS_a7nw-a5ZcFhNgTyTPhPnB/w640-h480/Entryway+stone+layout.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I laid out the basalt flagstones in frames made with 2x4's which were later removed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once the flagstones were set I filled in the gaps with pebble mosaic. When the work was finished the spaces between the pads were filled with potting soil and planted with Baby's Tears, <i>Soleirolia soleirolii</i>, a flat bright green ground cover. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3O2vOTOzon2RZYn7c2AiQXX_i0vSjOM-kfmlgH8hKmuuQyStnc5jHG_X_k4-Ofj0_Wksg6tsFHr7kSn4KsUtlouaUIuvuLYzGWM-Px2ugFzQEqYCmSDADiM79r8omtx1LY73Mo0eZrNj/s3648/Goodfriend+entry+6%253A13.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3O2vOTOzon2RZYn7c2AiQXX_i0vSjOM-kfmlgH8hKmuuQyStnc5jHG_X_k4-Ofj0_Wksg6tsFHr7kSn4KsUtlouaUIuvuLYzGWM-Px2ugFzQEqYCmSDADiM79r8omtx1LY73Mo0eZrNj/w640-h480/Goodfriend+entry+6%253A13.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished entryway is divided in to panels to allow for permeability and to break up the expanse of paving.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There are stepping stone pads leading from the entry to both sides of the house. We recycled the broken concrete by jack hammering it in to stepping stone size pieces with stone like shapes to make paths in less prominent areas beside the house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNdLkGHaeH_XQfzQ1E78B5lGP6E1qKb3JTiM281nJ5gAyqPgS0GcmYxtJ-wLIy09n2cnYBIZLtqOMf6ZlMp4TDyyziastcgFt2Kwi54GTJhuv3jLvQYNnv8eYlEQMiSep7r4vaF9p3E1h/s2048/Goodfriend+path+const.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNdLkGHaeH_XQfzQ1E78B5lGP6E1qKb3JTiM281nJ5gAyqPgS0GcmYxtJ-wLIy09n2cnYBIZLtqOMf6ZlMp4TDyyziastcgFt2Kwi54GTJhuv3jLvQYNnv8eYlEQMiSep7r4vaF9p3E1h/w640-h480/Goodfriend+path+const.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building a stepping stone path to connect the entry to the former driveway.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The driveway to the house was steep and too narrow to use for parking. The beautiful but sagging garage in the back of this handsome home was torn down to create a more spacious back garden, so we decided to break up the old cracked driveway. We jackhammered the pavement in to nice square panels which we then relayed for a generous path surrounded by leftover pebbles I sorted to build the mosaics with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKM-ooAuEmqew53K5dYCshOBtvgrNcnbwGkHAlTqxnOtMg1Tsz44A3C3t6GgT-PAgvZN5HFQ34L5jKCCXgn4fAa6F68ktoJWNB1LnqRapgpEV3DybVi3HvcNiKCxitgdSKWCxx-BzVzuAM/s2048/Jackhammering.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKM-ooAuEmqew53K5dYCshOBtvgrNcnbwGkHAlTqxnOtMg1Tsz44A3C3t6GgT-PAgvZN5HFQ34L5jKCCXgn4fAa6F68ktoJWNB1LnqRapgpEV3DybVi3HvcNiKCxitgdSKWCxx-BzVzuAM/w640-h480/Jackhammering.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackhammering out the old driveway</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjDQRIsybkdW3WTWjpT4_6CETyfiooq3SHnq_sodfi0AP8L_gWZM9fYMxHPCreqrwfFACukEb-Ca8ILSXkttE4RHwWJdyQJcQ8t5j44BqmIjEMLCv9DI_VoUU20exviBCBJzIokYI_GkD/s2048/Relayed+Driveway.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjDQRIsybkdW3WTWjpT4_6CETyfiooq3SHnq_sodfi0AP8L_gWZM9fYMxHPCreqrwfFACukEb-Ca8ILSXkttE4RHwWJdyQJcQ8t5j44BqmIjEMLCv9DI_VoUU20exviBCBJzIokYI_GkD/w640-h480/Relayed+Driveway.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaying the best slabs of old concrete to make a permeable path connecting the front garden to the back patio mosaic.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>Later we removed the sloped part of the driveway and I built a set of sets laid out to have a zen Japanese feel after my clients made a trip to Kyoto.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0E1kIKFpVwgHd141iJGKbIp2izz3Gzf8TXihO-Ck6seQIp0WKkPSS9TUxUWwXzrDbkM2vMVDfvfAfEH_VF7YjpF9Th2S-D2eQ8YPraDA90H9ypAhT9bATZpqJF4XYCAZp5iaTY8wvxe2/s2048/Goodfriend+Steps.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0E1kIKFpVwgHd141iJGKbIp2izz3Gzf8TXihO-Ck6seQIp0WKkPSS9TUxUWwXzrDbkM2vMVDfvfAfEH_VF7YjpF9Th2S-D2eQ8YPraDA90H9ypAhT9bATZpqJF4XYCAZp5iaTY8wvxe2/w640-h480/Goodfriend+Steps.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These steps were built to connect the driveway to the entry </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjeivvh4JZqVuGIBmdNub1_G1emt7-DQIBC9ZxseXR7a3XAyXaN6w4KqpaPRKRGLpaVjJ6ufXXCqTLaVVakDVoCfKCTzmjc6Rp3-gzBJcZzDDCXk9Z5eZrcLMMQryXzZA305RSqG16G9X/s2048/Goodfriend+Steps+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjeivvh4JZqVuGIBmdNub1_G1emt7-DQIBC9ZxseXR7a3XAyXaN6w4KqpaPRKRGLpaVjJ6ufXXCqTLaVVakDVoCfKCTzmjc6Rp3-gzBJcZzDDCXk9Z5eZrcLMMQryXzZA305RSqG16G9X/w640-h428/Goodfriend+Steps+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The former driveway replaced with an inviting set of steps</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Every project is different and requires a personalized design that best resolves the needs of the property. Incorporating imported from the east coast raises the carbon footprint of a project significantly but the smooth flatness of the stone is great for situations that call for it. I've worked on a number of historically significant homes, some of them on the National Register of Historic Places. One of these homes, a Craftsman Bungalow in the Ladds Addition neighborhood of Portland needed a low retaining wall along the sidewalk and a new entry walk to the house. The river rock wall curves in to the walkway and forms a pedastle for a Craftsman style lantern. The flagstone is called Peacock stone as there are shades of purple in the variegation. I added small spiral mosaics to represent the four seasons in to the step landing and veins of hand picked flat topped river rock.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6svG-yhovQ68_hu8yqEWuNfYIR0KqYc7xHhdYdCM8lUwGvVZJnfXy1vYC8FqJqdnuC3U0VdQn55LA2Kovhcyk6Tu66qGyLW1l0IZxT9QMa65GVvHQF41B-1P-35wa7D_SnysKA40YWRvz/s3776/2j+Columbo+Steps.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6svG-yhovQ68_hu8yqEWuNfYIR0KqYc7xHhdYdCM8lUwGvVZJnfXy1vYC8FqJqdnuC3U0VdQn55LA2Kovhcyk6Tu66qGyLW1l0IZxT9QMa65GVvHQF41B-1P-35wa7D_SnysKA40YWRvz/w640-h428/2j+Columbo+Steps.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Flat topped river rocks frame the flagstones and fill gaps, integrating the river rock wall in to the paving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QIgG2OwajMNU8mPg6SGQxvlsJaZo2lH4GVz4h27JMMgOBiAT9aUrsoKjJ8vnpfZv-d6dcN9oeIKHG0Vao5P0sAK22HYR8TKw7b5X9TSMdofrC7_cJL9EtJD4KkHyM18bzDy9W8Dvr0-k/s2048/R.+Colombo%2527s+Spiral.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QIgG2OwajMNU8mPg6SGQxvlsJaZo2lH4GVz4h27JMMgOBiAT9aUrsoKjJ8vnpfZv-d6dcN9oeIKHG0Vao5P0sAK22HYR8TKw7b5X9TSMdofrC7_cJL9EtJD4KkHyM18bzDy9W8Dvr0-k/w640-h480/R.+Colombo%2527s+Spiral.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of four spirals in the landing of the entry path.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At another historic residence on Alameda Ridge in Portland I replaced the old concrete walk with a generous path using cut bluestone squares set as diamonds. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_iofcmydCZaiAn3y_JGlGFAx_dEhvMdZFv52w8F6QmqvJ5Z7yv-XChtau_epilLoqjjlppcP-iXm0b5ZPgBIFND66EyTOL-l9h6xaaeP_zAI_SjQYIced-mLr4D1hi3BTnfxQKbcYgJp/s2048/P1360394.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_iofcmydCZaiAn3y_JGlGFAx_dEhvMdZFv52w8F6QmqvJ5Z7yv-XChtau_epilLoqjjlppcP-iXm0b5ZPgBIFND66EyTOL-l9h6xaaeP_zAI_SjQYIced-mLr4D1hi3BTnfxQKbcYgJp/w640-h428/P1360394.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A matching mosaic and bluestone panel connects the front entry path to the street.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The family name is Rowan and the Rowan tree, a Mountain Ash, <i>Sorbus aucupari</i>a was historically used to carve staffs used in healing rituals in ancient Germanic Rhunic cultures. There are a number of Rhunic alphabets including the Elder Futhark, which consists of 24 symbols which I made in pebble mosaics leading to the grand chimney of the house, where I created a Rowan Tree mosaic with characteristic red berries and a petrified wood trunk and branches. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnFhxDY8G6vrpVI3tlGViRECQC2bsBdy7WzWAzloMPeXX9LiKOo22ZEpfVj99DqyYEyHFWyS7WqwYIuusnKNagP26FK2mkJGYw4sLoLk0lNXTm0O5Enn33c-a5UoDyCZwvv1rujkPM00b/s2048/Rhun+walk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnFhxDY8G6vrpVI3tlGViRECQC2bsBdy7WzWAzloMPeXX9LiKOo22ZEpfVj99DqyYEyHFWyS7WqwYIuusnKNagP26FK2mkJGYw4sLoLk0lNXTm0O5Enn33c-a5UoDyCZwvv1rujkPM00b/w640-h428/Rhun+walk.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 24 letters of the Elder Futhark Rhunic alphabet <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yx7KyXxBc70khEV_EqNhDaSwANvwV3n2TZWBcUADSIjj_GdHGrAJ4c1B1y_T3aIQVMo2noHKEAWXnIW1UQAuLkA4_D0dPY4Ord9AVWiGbSii9b4dT2WlOojh3C7G51SjlJPvx9pKsjPF/s2048/Rowan+Tree+mosaic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yx7KyXxBc70khEV_EqNhDaSwANvwV3n2TZWBcUADSIjj_GdHGrAJ4c1B1y_T3aIQVMo2noHKEAWXnIW1UQAuLkA4_D0dPY4Ord9AVWiGbSii9b4dT2WlOojh3C7G51SjlJPvx9pKsjPF/w640-h428/Rowan+Tree+mosaic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rowan Tree</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I spelled out the name Rowan in the diamonds in front of the entry steps. The entry is expansive and the budget required limiting the amount of pebble sorting so I used a full range of mixed pebbles normally used for decorative mulching that is imported from Montana.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkowATiewd9ZbKRd_wXZrVJ972GeQg_4SmtiQGk-2mAFBupKr0LLCl9aT2XauW9hGbY8mMmgclvmRnf22E-dEU-P_lhWlXzWJmoz34FoWqjqnOe-JWtb6r1LmQzGk4nIoBljFWcNnnbqlX/s2048/Front+entry+mosaic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkowATiewd9ZbKRd_wXZrVJ972GeQg_4SmtiQGk-2mAFBupKr0LLCl9aT2XauW9hGbY8mMmgclvmRnf22E-dEU-P_lhWlXzWJmoz34FoWqjqnOe-JWtb6r1LmQzGk4nIoBljFWcNnnbqlX/w640-h428/Front+entry+mosaic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The path splits at the Rowan Tree, the left side leading to the front entry steps.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The side path going to the covered porch is much less prominent so that guests are directed to the front door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIadRZTwri3ByUrd8gyoJmTMqE5_6lkASI0a_QJofaT1daDfvcLCrV4nXeTNZJQx19QxqD4w2Gvw_hGYM4xkEiBnfixnovmTlEFAYrI8oE_HG8GvtqY5jh75sXWWzA4IylSAwuWNNwZcB/s2048/Curved+path.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIadRZTwri3ByUrd8gyoJmTMqE5_6lkASI0a_QJofaT1daDfvcLCrV4nXeTNZJQx19QxqD4w2Gvw_hGYM4xkEiBnfixnovmTlEFAYrI8oE_HG8GvtqY5jh75sXWWzA4IylSAwuWNNwZcB/w640-h428/Curved+path.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like how this simple path curves around the corner.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I later built a set of round stepping stones leading from the driveway to a fancy picket fenced dog kennel incorporating paw prints in to the design.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgTH6_NGhhIHikM8knMJqcrutDhM8bWrlTwCQRjI53ae5-eulsZrn5cc2w_SwYn4myUxGlEptk6GOGuKwj9vInPeg6LDuPGZhh9UC_trkytSoFOu07_-Q2Sc7D1GLAseOJqW0V2LduuXo/s2048/P6040079.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1532" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgTH6_NGhhIHikM8knMJqcrutDhM8bWrlTwCQRjI53ae5-eulsZrn5cc2w_SwYn4myUxGlEptk6GOGuKwj9vInPeg6LDuPGZhh9UC_trkytSoFOu07_-Q2Sc7D1GLAseOJqW0V2LduuXo/w478-h640/P6040079.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paw prints in round stepping stones leading to a dog kennel</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The first historic house I worked on was in NW Portland has a well known Persian carpet styled patio and pebble mosaic parking strip panels. A path of 3x3 foot squares flows from the entry landing to the patio. I made a wavy pattern of lines to emulate water flowing and called the path "The River of Life". The plantings have filled in around the square panels softening the look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu_AIZtxhEhrf2PRkB9hddbLy-wWEbBnns3AdVAMjv6b3TKVHgkucr1uCbYdjhrqvsRO58oBh52q-qkdI6rfY8UMREQEZDf9KnJ6EmvtoJ0if2LBX7URgWBp1EkYq0e1Gj5r8Gt8zA9mp/s3776/River+of+Life.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu_AIZtxhEhrf2PRkB9hddbLy-wWEbBnns3AdVAMjv6b3TKVHgkucr1uCbYdjhrqvsRO58oBh52q-qkdI6rfY8UMREQEZDf9KnJ6EmvtoJ0if2LBX7URgWBp1EkYq0e1Gj5r8Gt8zA9mp/w640-h428/River+of+Life.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The River of Life Path</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The later addition of a garage built in to the slope behind the house involved pouring graphite tinted concrete, which I find much more appealing than bright white concrete. The roof of the garage is paved in cut stone tiles, so I had insets formed in to the concrete work so that I could lay complimentary panels of cut stone to decorate the paving.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgokCC0m5kNU0wYpTo-NNhPI8kQ-dJUzcPMp8sqK6bZFfrAoGn9REL0Uyh4iPODH-0MlEBhNkCyH9pCJz_eEeUhGEJTt7Og8yvz-gqkCXQKymrrbS2ODqX_8C7dMnU_Nya1YxEL3Ef_An/s2048/Dan%2527s+Slate+Walk+inset.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgokCC0m5kNU0wYpTo-NNhPI8kQ-dJUzcPMp8sqK6bZFfrAoGn9REL0Uyh4iPODH-0MlEBhNkCyH9pCJz_eEeUhGEJTt7Og8yvz-gqkCXQKymrrbS2ODqX_8C7dMnU_Nya1YxEL3Ef_An/w480-h640/Dan%2527s+Slate+Walk+inset.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut stone inlaid in to a poured tinted concrete path.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The garden of another stately home in the Piedmont neighborhood of Portland became a project I had wanted to work on for years. The distinctive home is made of cast concrete to look like stone and was billed as a house that wouldn't burn, since most houses in Oregon are made of wood. The 3 story round tower explains the nickname that kids give the house around Halloween, of Dracula's Castle. The house was undergoing extensive restoration and the gardens needed a lot of attention from inappropriate installations over the years. Because the house was concrete, I opted to use inexpensive concrete 24x24 inch pavers with bands of pebble mosaic for the patio and walkways.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3L_Ft24KHD6bwl4kub8FYCCmmnZMxd6tSqcyXkBskPhf_yYRSGJEQ4_pMUu4W-crXwAAGGs9WJljI6tMHQSeDygo9PWWcqDf7sPcRhCFC4OeEVDjb3ZiAYlc3hkH8XYYW8avYMuMeo12/s2048/Castle+Entry6%253A16.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3L_Ft24KHD6bwl4kub8FYCCmmnZMxd6tSqcyXkBskPhf_yYRSGJEQ4_pMUu4W-crXwAAGGs9WJljI6tMHQSeDygo9PWWcqDf7sPcRhCFC4OeEVDjb3ZiAYlc3hkH8XYYW8avYMuMeo12/w640-h480/Castle+Entry6%253A16.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The historic Jenny Bramhall House in NE Portland's Piedmont neighborhood got a simple new entry walk with bands of Mexican Beach Pebbles set on edge. The landing widens to connect to the wide steps.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The entry walkway connects to a straight path that turns at a right angle beyond the balustraded porch, which was totally rebuilt with cast replicas of the original decaying ones. A Thai spirit house sits at the turn of the path, centered on the axis viewed from the patio, which has the same grid pattern. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Z1VIxmw2vzLP5YzxirEzXjE11eOLs_zE5LKnEDVEQ6ze1Sp2fbPtPQ6JTUQ6tMqPemZ_tUdCb0KvKxoIwbA_vmRzzIwRBjaRoBG5DJ7Y1CQ5FI1N0Y569nbOc-fPqtkiB9lti-Udku1D/s3776/Walkway.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Z1VIxmw2vzLP5YzxirEzXjE11eOLs_zE5LKnEDVEQ6ze1Sp2fbPtPQ6JTUQ6tMqPemZ_tUdCb0KvKxoIwbA_vmRzzIwRBjaRoBG5DJ7Y1CQ5FI1N0Y569nbOc-fPqtkiB9lti-Udku1D/w640-h428/Walkway.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple walkway composed of two 24x24 inch concrete pavers with a band of Mexican Beach Pebbles takes you around the corner of the house.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A tessalated Moroccan design pebble mosaic sits in a small square patio by a fountain midway down the side path and can be viewed from above on the terrace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb6f9rv_DzL7891zX7lX8C9i7u_pXUmdSNLmX5ev0a12iGzeGXD87AniyDxurVPPYlGHHQGpnVEw0S-fGU5mDNqrgzqcxCn8snEHlxVOxD-kuzSe4CTR6s1EgjYS7baflb7plEeTOyzK9/s2048/Tesselated+Mosaic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1547" data-original-width="2048" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb6f9rv_DzL7891zX7lX8C9i7u_pXUmdSNLmX5ev0a12iGzeGXD87AniyDxurVPPYlGHHQGpnVEw0S-fGU5mDNqrgzqcxCn8snEHlxVOxD-kuzSe4CTR6s1EgjYS7baflb7plEeTOyzK9/w640-h484/Tesselated+Mosaic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An 8 pointed star in a Moroccan style mosaic ornaments a small patio centered on a path leading to the main patio.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Later on a parking area was added for two cars that could be used as a patio during events. The same grid pattern was poured in the reinforced concrete, and wide steps and a pad with the same design leads up to steps in to a side door. Originally there was supposed to be a colonade that matched the house on the square plinths in the wall around the parking court but this was never finished.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuEbR3ha6IEpHSjF6yD05rtgrK5Wney_W-ShyphenhyphenOWCGMxsvwg8T3Q11ZaFuwvTWVRFBotE9-EF4XSNrMRsUFc6MQa45buAj0zUjv99qgg42Z1ym4zesjf4T-_LUHu-eYeMHr4gvbYgBbGk4/s3776/Grewe+parking+area.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuEbR3ha6IEpHSjF6yD05rtgrK5Wney_W-ShyphenhyphenOWCGMxsvwg8T3Q11ZaFuwvTWVRFBotE9-EF4XSNrMRsUFc6MQa45buAj0zUjv99qgg42Z1ym4zesjf4T-_LUHu-eYeMHr4gvbYgBbGk4/w640-h428/Grewe+parking+area.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A parking area doubles as courtyard patio with wide steps and a landing leading to the house and garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I worked for several years on another stately home in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. I was originally commissioned to build two mosaics but later renovated the design of the garden to take it to another level. Part of this was removing a most of the lawns and replacing them with drought tolerant plants and to eliminate the need for mow and blow maintenance, which involved terrible pruning work. I made simple stepping stones with concentric squares of alternating black and gold Mexican beach pebbles that lead to an Indonesian tea pavilion and a gated area behind the garage where the pool equipment was located. I surrounded the stepping stones with Del Rio pebbles and set a collection of pots containing bromeliads under the canopy of a large Leptospermum tree tht had a significant root system, which made it difficult to grow plants in the ground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpOglHwwg5pt_9dyGgo8ovxJo1xQSv5g_R3TRYBJ-m5nLlNdxl5-ckqs4xwW4jV5ledfH2YkrurMv9Ds_86kEfUDQG9lHktEUw1AioxstACXZnohklBc0yKFv7ZFoAdXVJaoMAlFUp-i_/s2048/Stepping+Stones+5%253A31.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpOglHwwg5pt_9dyGgo8ovxJo1xQSv5g_R3TRYBJ-m5nLlNdxl5-ckqs4xwW4jV5ledfH2YkrurMv9Ds_86kEfUDQG9lHktEUw1AioxstACXZnohklBc0yKFv7ZFoAdXVJaoMAlFUp-i_/w640-h480/Stepping+Stones+5%253A31.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stepping stones leading from the outdoor kitchen to the tea house and pool equipment storage area.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I continued to add to the garden over the years. When we removed an inset trampoline to make a sunken garden, I made a set of 3x3 foot square mosaic pads leading to the pebble mosaic steps in to the round depression.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nUi5eAf2kgPpK2HskjKlewxPMAc6h_AtI6Cp52Smiq00h51GZcfU1jY8yPOulM_b08wlwFxMgcELLCmwjYIEqEJ5-GQnkCGOhkQJSc5kguz6driuHsXZExrDSBXFWqoXOOvNXRB9gmqN/s2048/The+Sunken+Garden+4%253A12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2nUi5eAf2kgPpK2HskjKlewxPMAc6h_AtI6Cp52Smiq00h51GZcfU1jY8yPOulM_b08wlwFxMgcELLCmwjYIEqEJ5-GQnkCGOhkQJSc5kguz6driuHsXZExrDSBXFWqoXOOvNXRB9gmqN/w640-h428/The+Sunken+Garden+4%253A12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large square mosaic step pads lead to the Sunken Garden</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The last project was to remove the thirsty lawn in front and install a dry garden with a collection of plants inspired by the gardens at Lotusland in Montecito. I trimmed to shape large sandstone pavers to create a path connecting the driveway to the entry walk and a bench. I planted Dymondia around the stepping stones, a durable flat ground cover that wont grow over the edge of the stones that has yellow daisy like flowers when in bloom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7D_GSXqDvEc2sy58Azco7RWQf9-v56tQqN5On9SunSxgcY9xaCOKcgMBqfOKb618vZmWjRBXis2ZFg33BWrwNnQ8phtOhCQp1ZfKc89ZrW0HqsHhxvckSusTasP8Y27vJstM9PVAHMUO/s2048/View+looking+down.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7D_GSXqDvEc2sy58Azco7RWQf9-v56tQqN5On9SunSxgcY9xaCOKcgMBqfOKb618vZmWjRBXis2ZFg33BWrwNnQ8phtOhCQp1ZfKc89ZrW0HqsHhxvckSusTasP8Y27vJstM9PVAHMUO/w640-h428/View+looking+down.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaped sandstone stepping stones leads across the front garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A friend of these clients hired me to renovate the front of her home nearby. The budget was modest but I was able to maximize the effect by using large sandstone pavers once again. I trimmed the corners to make softer shapes, reminiscent of the look from Flintstone cartoons I used to watch when I was a child. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6jPS-5VmpYZaHwHA7sdEBsNhPafGsElt2p08Dw-9lRa0QLniw5hYmD1Ym3yW7faidB-qldtdFr1mhrbE5SAdRzfC3mPgeoOOwY5DvydHXiinuiJ7lGWu4HecL5omhX1HpjRHpxEoUsq2/s2048/Carolyn+Brookes+4%253A11.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6jPS-5VmpYZaHwHA7sdEBsNhPafGsElt2p08Dw-9lRa0QLniw5hYmD1Ym3yW7faidB-qldtdFr1mhrbE5SAdRzfC3mPgeoOOwY5DvydHXiinuiJ7lGWu4HecL5omhX1HpjRHpxEoUsq2/w640-h428/Carolyn+Brookes+4%253A11.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large sandstone stepping stones enhance the setting of this cute stucco house off Wilshire in Los Angeles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The same clients I worked for over the years in LA hired me to do their garden in Chilmark on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. The house underwent a substantial addition and needed new paths and steps. Because it is an island all of the materials had to be shipped there by ferry. I was able to buy beautiful old granite curbs for steps and several pallets of bluestone for the paths. Again I trimmed the stones to have softer corners and arranged them in to picturesque arrangements. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXGIY6ulUqB6RiyRDJ4thyphenhyphen8UNqzzIYtKVmTJz5m1OtqAf4zIHAX-0MR93BBsm4yz4I3PONvO1UVtSeHWTHwZbvq4_YpU_02BJI4sFYR0f3qvD2tnU_QV33OsqO6I6qyKyWbE45jT-siLn/s2048/Building+the+walls.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXGIY6ulUqB6RiyRDJ4thyphenhyphen8UNqzzIYtKVmTJz5m1OtqAf4zIHAX-0MR93BBsm4yz4I3PONvO1UVtSeHWTHwZbvq4_YpU_02BJI4sFYR0f3qvD2tnU_QV33OsqO6I6qyKyWbE45jT-siLn/w640-h428/Building+the+walls.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavy equipment was handy for placing boulders.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Martha's Vineyard has a distinctive style that I tried to compliment. Unfortunately rowdy dogs reaped havok on the garden after I left, digging deep holes all over the place, and the potential of the place never happened, but the hardscape bones of the garden remained largely intact. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRmnIGrqG9zdSNIiUKh72yKUF_oAU27_V_aBR59CPosw7siJXRaCCNmsV3kA4oA4qqyzklm4oL9CWDuzUtfAT-g0NgVT8jopXej7FBfHHdjSVIwzJ77OaNWQrhn_dlXsXtFkJzcN967s6/s2048/House%252C+6%253A19%253A11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRmnIGrqG9zdSNIiUKh72yKUF_oAU27_V_aBR59CPosw7siJXRaCCNmsV3kA4oA4qqyzklm4oL9CWDuzUtfAT-g0NgVT8jopXej7FBfHHdjSVIwzJ77OaNWQrhn_dlXsXtFkJzcN967s6/w640-h428/House%252C+6%253A19%253A11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 sets of stairs designed by the architect seemed unnecessary but required two paths to connect them to the garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiA3oMv_vpjZZdZjjKH4iEtSmkDOR6mfTh0CjxdKv2QAFX4HJq9HeQ8HvQ6GSQyV4ZCEGGi-G8XYK15hNNYSaIents9Ehn8Fq4n8KsOgY2FAInfc4Tu18lPji4InR_mKKF9x370EDughz/s2048/P1280866.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiA3oMv_vpjZZdZjjKH4iEtSmkDOR6mfTh0CjxdKv2QAFX4HJq9HeQ8HvQ6GSQyV4ZCEGGi-G8XYK15hNNYSaIents9Ehn8Fq4n8KsOgY2FAInfc4Tu18lPji4InR_mKKF9x370EDughz/w640-h428/P1280866.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old granite curbs from Vermont make wonderful steps.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-LIYc9v-DKryE47jiTtDQIO_4RFq9tFO-OB9uqGGo3JBfF3BeFjy8Bx8wtrd6eRHupEBioIIq1OQM0wkL6bfhvbto0Vo9CQztIhEfUy121-GoS6TxWG9fMVGMuetlBPQstGQyuPLM3Og/s2048/Secret+Garden+Gate.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-LIYc9v-DKryE47jiTtDQIO_4RFq9tFO-OB9uqGGo3JBfF3BeFjy8Bx8wtrd6eRHupEBioIIq1OQM0wkL6bfhvbto0Vo9CQztIhEfUy121-GoS6TxWG9fMVGMuetlBPQstGQyuPLM3Og/w640-h480/Secret+Garden+Gate.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old picket gate leads to a Secret Garden circle made of bricks I relayed that had long since been buried by time.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I returned a few years later and attempted to rejuvinate the garden, and built a picket fenced cutting garden that would be safe from the dogs who had destroyed much of the earlier planting. I had leftover bricks which I used to make step pads leading to a bird bath at the center of the cutting garden.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87alKwjMB3JNbQEM4ihkUEOC9MVCaIQ_GIsCLi78wCDciwAEqFkdgprYlqKAPW6y7hXJyXg8isSAL2ENeV7_6e3sbYqgsfad2fY517FNkmDiKagefZcLFzbGe4lZ2Ad1RXybFDUjh1C1U/s2048/brick+step+stones.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87alKwjMB3JNbQEM4ihkUEOC9MVCaIQ_GIsCLi78wCDciwAEqFkdgprYlqKAPW6y7hXJyXg8isSAL2ENeV7_6e3sbYqgsfad2fY517FNkmDiKagefZcLFzbGe4lZ2Ad1RXybFDUjh1C1U/w480-h640/brick+step+stones.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bricks set on a mortar pad with pebbles added for detail lead in to the cutting garden.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I like making round mandalas, and had the opportunity to do a commission on Fire Island in New York. All of the materials had to be delivered to the island by ferry with no idea what we would be building. Because the project was not focused on any particular result I ended up making mandalas with what we had on hand. First I built a simple step with a spiral incorporated in to it, alluding to the turning and expanding of the Universe. This takes you from a boardwalk entry to the path around the house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49yo_SHgTPAbcJSmw0H1seGFgodqfU_prtRVN8xSmIklVEqWZpgcwLqcy9fosqHcvRiXZdlhLIzggRv2DiPKbyOSEYF6ty85EaQCGkAEJbqH37pq2V28-JPC50D1Nids3Q6jM3QQufWGF/s2048/34b+Fire+Island+Step.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49yo_SHgTPAbcJSmw0H1seGFgodqfU_prtRVN8xSmIklVEqWZpgcwLqcy9fosqHcvRiXZdlhLIzggRv2DiPKbyOSEYF6ty85EaQCGkAEJbqH37pq2V28-JPC50D1Nids3Q6jM3QQufWGF/w480-h640/34b+Fire+Island+Step.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A spiral mosaic step leads down to a permeable path made of a variety of stones set in fine gravel.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheh9QZgerPdxEv6T12XL6tAijUHIOsqoAUNmqQXkG9cXvjjvhQ1Djl3K0LvaUnTzsq_g5cCs5xlJdH50JY8tm_AUqHivzabv-Bn5d1ffNUMd117UJ3JyKysx7y-kM7iCi9wndyX6p-V2dA/s2048/Rebecca%2527s+Circle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheh9QZgerPdxEv6T12XL6tAijUHIOsqoAUNmqQXkG9cXvjjvhQ1Djl3K0LvaUnTzsq_g5cCs5xlJdH50JY8tm_AUqHivzabv-Bn5d1ffNUMd117UJ3JyKysx7y-kM7iCi9wndyX6p-V2dA/w640-h480/Rebecca%2527s+Circle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A round mandala marks a turn in the path.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Halls Hill Labyrinth was by far the most profound project I have worked on to date, and is the most used path I have constructed. The 11 circuit path winds in and out in the style of the famed Chartes Cathedral labyrinth with the addition of a vast amount of additional symbolism. There are a series of essays on this project at https://jeffreygardens.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-halls-hill-labyrinth-essay.html Its even been listed on the Washington Trails Association website. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2015-05-28.7585165232</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVbTYV8nHJvgzq2GQjWPHYHXN9mnH_crQJRK6Vc58Y8z4m2cyl3pqR_kgtgnP477GEj_ZWnV9AGW_eXibxrMxX67LiTahPDPCDu9DkD2NnoMHB0_NwnKYaWs8380r3CYUe9Ti-cbMlxF8/s1080/Halls_Hill+drone+view+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVbTYV8nHJvgzq2GQjWPHYHXN9mnH_crQJRK6Vc58Y8z4m2cyl3pqR_kgtgnP477GEj_ZWnV9AGW_eXibxrMxX67LiTahPDPCDu9DkD2NnoMHB0_NwnKYaWs8380r3CYUe9Ti-cbMlxF8/w640-h640/Halls_Hill+drone+view+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Halls Hill Labyrinth is one of the largest stone mosaics in the United States.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After I finished the Labyrinth project I was commisioned to build a meditation path of round stepping stones using left over stones I had collected up north for a Portland area yoga teacher. The goal was to create 108 step pads so that she could do a circumambulation of her house barefoot, while creating a Tibetan mala necklace around the building, but the project was never completed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIMm-eZ-XzEBM6M6Xf1DW1tUWPhrASD9U_qdm0Jh1PTK0PM8b7PzDNDZg2W05_tkVy3MeeojBeLAuGsBI3TO77Y8KCDYE1UK4gZzgV20JG_KTtmcGeI6L53hotZRHVImnf51qY4Sor3l4/s2048/Lily+pad+path.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIMm-eZ-XzEBM6M6Xf1DW1tUWPhrASD9U_qdm0Jh1PTK0PM8b7PzDNDZg2W05_tkVy3MeeojBeLAuGsBI3TO77Y8KCDYE1UK4gZzgV20JG_KTtmcGeI6L53hotZRHVImnf51qY4Sor3l4/w428-h640/Lily+pad+path.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flexible plastic lawn edging used to form round mosaic pads. Large nails hold them in place.</td></tr></tbody></table> The forms are removed after the mortar has set.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2BttMVWQY_en1oIeF3zF2k2BVz4RhgEQLRN1zgTGo6-Z7pCR5LoKTBs7RVkmLr8h8LfmtoIwoQM1xoqCVQeeyy-zzDU1Ssdho4vi0wrj2aoY-F-A2npM1MtmSQ-0dxuldVK3Y_P4-wWj/s3648/Pearlstien+step+stpnes+maple+leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2BttMVWQY_en1oIeF3zF2k2BVz4RhgEQLRN1zgTGo6-Z7pCR5LoKTBs7RVkmLr8h8LfmtoIwoQM1xoqCVQeeyy-zzDU1Ssdho4vi0wrj2aoY-F-A2npM1MtmSQ-0dxuldVK3Y_P4-wWj/w640-h480/Pearlstien+step+stpnes+maple+leaves.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stepping stones and a carpet of Japanese Maple leaves in November</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3F9OGtHAImckujVr4dVS-Kd1VYfb3LWDcse6QREXLX_A0vuvTLKP39wHoBLoazuSoj98nYDGGhRFCJwNANH_9e_GuOXhefknrbP1nRNX8YHtLJScynDxkqePCd8uAuTJ6mMvKZY2WgkyH/s2048/stepstone+path+w%253Agravel.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3F9OGtHAImckujVr4dVS-Kd1VYfb3LWDcse6QREXLX_A0vuvTLKP39wHoBLoazuSoj98nYDGGhRFCJwNANH_9e_GuOXhefknrbP1nRNX8YHtLJScynDxkqePCd8uAuTJ6mMvKZY2WgkyH/w480-h640/stepstone+path+w%253Agravel.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mala step pads forming a necklace around half of this house.</td></tr></tbody></table>To learn how to make these stepping stones you can find detailed instructions at https://jeffreygardens.blogspot.com/2011/08/building-pebble-mosaic-stepping-stone.html<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>I traveled to New Zealand three times and spent over a year working on the Living Building Challenge rated project at Camp Glenorchy. Origianlly commissioned to develop mosaics that emulated the braided rivers that flow from glaciers in to Lake Wakatipu near the town, I embarked on an intesnive series of projects, much of it creating paths to connect the various parts of the project. Not all of them turned out the way I had envisioned them but some of the work is quite beautiful. Because the site was fully under construction the first year I ended up building over 100 mandala stepping stones meant to mimic the endless number of stars visible in the clear night skies there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzrhL7ouaaH9favp-BtH6h9-rJJwpbVrZ8Jem4Z5QVxX1xoh-Om7__c_PmLQ83D-ZBQYBnql4N-zg4X2RsNGexX2TEo5KTyksBlHEGUv32Aodp1vuF7m9FFcxiWd7thZQiOEFvA9iWZ8g/s2048/Summer+Solstice+Mandala.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1739" data-original-width="2048" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzrhL7ouaaH9favp-BtH6h9-rJJwpbVrZ8Jem4Z5QVxX1xoh-Om7__c_PmLQ83D-ZBQYBnql4N-zg4X2RsNGexX2TEo5KTyksBlHEGUv32Aodp1vuF7m9FFcxiWd7thZQiOEFvA9iWZ8g/w640-h544/Summer+Solstice+Mandala.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large solar mandala I made to celebrate the Summer Solstice for the Southern Hemisphere.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>As exposed aggregate paths were poured during my absence, these mandalas were incorporated in to important points in the path system, such as intersections, creating a celestial necklace around the camp. The mandalas were often made from stones I collected in the region as geologic samplers of what you would find in specific locations. I left them on pallets with numbers corresponding to a plan so that their placement would be oriented to the direction from which the stones came. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc6xW1VyyAJZ6Ns-Ik0jdIulbkl6cFeI_3LwkJITA-cezV3DBXjCgVQlEp6v2QwV4VNTkCb4OL5H3RdKEnrcdGdSvYGaeyEhPqOAOLa7EVyfM1oDXLCS5tZ4rZxKL_lw4yqQo1Zgz5NRJ/s5152/Path+Mandalas.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc6xW1VyyAJZ6Ns-Ik0jdIulbkl6cFeI_3LwkJITA-cezV3DBXjCgVQlEp6v2QwV4VNTkCb4OL5H3RdKEnrcdGdSvYGaeyEhPqOAOLa7EVyfM1oDXLCS5tZ4rZxKL_lw4yqQo1Zgz5NRJ/w640-h480/Path+Mandalas.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic mandalas I left behind to be placed in the paths during my absence over the winter.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhveuszA1o_0-10CWqcw54_n0LA6PYj0mdZT0poyCmlriKlpN57JZy0f9GvIyHe59TTfQdB6D2uoBQziM8kefoyPnzOEWcmB0tR7buEnBkIabC4ZKEA221sH9liS_L5RSAdi_9070eN_Y/s2000/Path+forms+w%253Amandala.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhveuszA1o_0-10CWqcw54_n0LA6PYj0mdZT0poyCmlriKlpN57JZy0f9GvIyHe59TTfQdB6D2uoBQziM8kefoyPnzOEWcmB0tR7buEnBkIabC4ZKEA221sH9liS_L5RSAdi_9070eN_Y/w640-h426/Path+forms+w%253Amandala.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandala placed at the intersection of paths.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Many stepping stones went in to the graveled area in front of Mrs. Wooly's General Store, a popular market and gathering place across the street from the camp. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3bijSDKuTKiHaJDMwGy0e48CGDgl0zxDhE9OFFPubmnQbackmQu6HvB-sV1UWhjHbJw93fYZcWOYFER3B9wQyZsM8ozt7-uFV-90lhSj204Xo_36zhJs44w2nEx4kuBqNLafM6POKRdJ/s3776/Stepping+Stone+Path.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3bijSDKuTKiHaJDMwGy0e48CGDgl0zxDhE9OFFPubmnQbackmQu6HvB-sV1UWhjHbJw93fYZcWOYFER3B9wQyZsM8ozt7-uFV-90lhSj204Xo_36zhJs44w2nEx4kuBqNLafM6POKRdJ/w640-h428/Stepping+Stone+Path.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic stepping stones set in gravel lead to a potting shed and a parking area behind it.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Others were meant to create geologically significant paths to cabins, surrounded by beautiful river stones I collected from the vast wilds outside of town. I wanted to recreate the experience of walking along the lake shore and rivers in the camp.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYnYaYqVMyJ80mWHxMDHp1802guIrJuo1qK01OZZVdiAn80M6i6X4KcZut0-rp53IjO7zkdNPzkFYh_ZLQkVEvo-lHOhrcckywbUTLZxkbqBtOyujPbC5hf8xCA2j_fCsK-Tpo5D0DSIa/s5152/Dart+River+Path.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYnYaYqVMyJ80mWHxMDHp1802guIrJuo1qK01OZZVdiAn80M6i6X4KcZut0-rp53IjO7zkdNPzkFYh_ZLQkVEvo-lHOhrcckywbUTLZxkbqBtOyujPbC5hf8xCA2j_fCsK-Tpo5D0DSIa/w640-h480/Dart+River+Path.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfinished path meant to connect to the Rees and Dart Rivers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Health and safety regulations were to be the bane of me. Although people come from all over the world to hike in these glorious mountains, bureaucracy dictates that there be no trip hazards. When I returned the following Spring I found my beautiful paths set in poorly executed exposed aggregate paths wide enough to drive a car on. The results were not to my liking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd9irxgGCx1Y54zitjp7IMC2jERy4ZdnumtesWlLtu3_oJCpfiC3waCWdjeFXFQ6XgdyzMgjuEeZu4njEE0QojdJLGm_2-BzTVxgOpkIofg7zSKpMtb7PHiWW9Sp7QmZa_LASFRcu2kXK/s2048/Aggregate+path.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd9irxgGCx1Y54zitjp7IMC2jERy4ZdnumtesWlLtu3_oJCpfiC3waCWdjeFXFQ6XgdyzMgjuEeZu4njEE0QojdJLGm_2-BzTVxgOpkIofg7zSKpMtb7PHiWW9Sp7QmZa_LASFRcu2kXK/w640-h428/Aggregate+path.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandala path turned in to a driveway.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I also built a series of landings at the entrance to various cabins to add to their individual identities. Some were like rivers, and others geologic formations, or celestial skies. While I was gone they decided that there could be no step from the cabin decks to the connecting path, only ramps. So several landings I built had to be dug up and lifted. The mandala paths were set in concrete, completely changing the intended look and eliminating permeability. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNnmNLIG52eSzWCz90jElpy1qGEGhY8YTsFg03eZtjy3TiKHWuzfTchv5wfqLcdDzpReOCtqJpilnbonfTmULhdniKMNubP6X22uY63u_G-KHyBeMwEHprKFWqRPj4P9Bu7mEeBiJgAoO/s5152/DSC00731.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNnmNLIG52eSzWCz90jElpy1qGEGhY8YTsFg03eZtjy3TiKHWuzfTchv5wfqLcdDzpReOCtqJpilnbonfTmULhdniKMNubP6X22uY63u_G-KHyBeMwEHprKFWqRPj4P9Bu7mEeBiJgAoO/w640-h480/DSC00731.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braided River mosaic landing</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidR9JJMmv-5zy47oZGs4epVSks_pvEycLKF3Wz0rB1g4P-ybwi_1U_jSFatNOobfNnIT84GFwqHuZH4FElebbYV_aC7P99jkunQ94T4brCUY9VWreiYu02tgAm2S-jmCJhMRLP4zEnBD-/s3776/Starry+Night+mosaic.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidR9JJMmv-5zy47oZGs4epVSks_pvEycLKF3Wz0rB1g4P-ybwi_1U_jSFatNOobfNnIT84GFwqHuZH4FElebbYV_aC7P99jkunQ94T4brCUY9VWreiYu02tgAm2S-jmCJhMRLP4zEnBD-/w640-h428/Starry+Night+mosaic.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starry Night mosaic landing detail</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8yAVtNQOzwBc5KluLwmbJ5_fiUBAqhuZ3tgI-G55_YWM24D-ZaUbvTsF9d2g8dFGhwXnHxNi8CjyX8_c4GJsxwQmOB45AsS36MjV_A1JwUmovVcW9ucrJRkSczySCSM5NtpFGGIJCCsA/s2048/Lancewood+Cabin+landing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8yAVtNQOzwBc5KluLwmbJ5_fiUBAqhuZ3tgI-G55_YWM24D-ZaUbvTsF9d2g8dFGhwXnHxNi8CjyX8_c4GJsxwQmOB45AsS36MjV_A1JwUmovVcW9ucrJRkSczySCSM5NtpFGGIJCCsA/w640-h428/Lancewood+Cabin+landing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lancewood cabin landing connected to a boardwalk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIGqyyOteOk6wguuXt5XPER7kj1W6_K02YG3Ol3R7ct8HcmwVMUa83Af1G1DJ8VzkMJRa_aJB_pS86MOm2j3Owaa_1E1RguvMCcweAye4ur9f9E9wixtbIaWNj_DeBiirupqC8EnY6YtY/s3776/7ff+Deathstar+Mosaic.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIGqyyOteOk6wguuXt5XPER7kj1W6_K02YG3Ol3R7ct8HcmwVMUa83Af1G1DJ8VzkMJRa_aJB_pS86MOm2j3Owaa_1E1RguvMCcweAye4ur9f9E9wixtbIaWNj_DeBiirupqC8EnY6YtY/w640-h428/7ff+Deathstar+Mosaic.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower mosaic landing using saw cut stones.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My main contribution to the camp was to be braided river inspired paths. I built two different sets, one representing the Rees River and the other the larger Dart River. The Rees River mosaic runs from the parking area through a breezeway at the entrance to the Homestead lodge building and on to the Scheelite campfire shelter. I used large amounts of stone that I cut on a rock saw as I needed thousands of them and cutting revealed the beautiful green interiors of various schist stones that I collected in great quantities. The braided river islands were made with cut granite giving the white appearance of gravel bars like I had seen from the helicopter rides I had taken over the rivers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkskzdgOMvWDCTMK-rpm0xO__fduRnI7NpSv3Qurjw_XZpz5S8DiWJ104YlIxiGeaPGihJOnPdkwhGsIaEJjoleuraRuafcZ67jnma75KRfxnTRCBHoQdNuKtdE6JV9KHG8uZPWi2bw6D/s2048/Dart+and+Rees+Rivers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkskzdgOMvWDCTMK-rpm0xO__fduRnI7NpSv3Qurjw_XZpz5S8DiWJ104YlIxiGeaPGihJOnPdkwhGsIaEJjoleuraRuafcZ67jnma75KRfxnTRCBHoQdNuKtdE6JV9KHG8uZPWi2bw6D/w640-h428/Dart+and+Rees+Rivers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braiding of the Dart and Rees Rivers flowing towards Lake Wakatipu.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I could drive in my 4 wheel drive Ute pickup out on to the vast river beds to collect stone, which changes every year during high water levels.</div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUn9cSWB9D7VVZSHSACOx53IVI4W_ViXEiM7gQNvu97l4rLfW2UzNt_2_YFn-FsivHo6gZHZ2xFrVugQDuxP3a2yUkDFdg5g5jgzY9FVJHBPW4N67s2P5rqda-cIabGZPP5nChLN0s2E-Z/s3776/Lonely+lil+Ute.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUn9cSWB9D7VVZSHSACOx53IVI4W_ViXEiM7gQNvu97l4rLfW2UzNt_2_YFn-FsivHo6gZHZ2xFrVugQDuxP3a2yUkDFdg5g5jgzY9FVJHBPW4N67s2P5rqda-cIabGZPP5nChLN0s2E-Z/w640-h428/Lonely+lil+Ute.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>When these paths were poured they formed indentations for me to fill in with mosaic work. The Rees River mosaic is about 100 feet long!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Omk-1eAplb1ylQZzvQxrKZa2nLQkjz_cR4XKwXvHgjf9WE7mbztMVxQYs2boeK9f00tPDSGyU1nCxBOZodlcKeZpkNxOq01Ce4mj7SrReReXTLl70tZgoUZZy_Dje7r_jRP3SduY9WBG/s2048/Braided+River+Path.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Omk-1eAplb1ylQZzvQxrKZa2nLQkjz_cR4XKwXvHgjf9WE7mbztMVxQYs2boeK9f00tPDSGyU1nCxBOZodlcKeZpkNxOq01Ce4mj7SrReReXTLl70tZgoUZZy_Dje7r_jRP3SduY9WBG/w640-h428/Braided+River+Path.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Path ready for the arduous task of filling in with mosaic<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>It took me several weeks to complete this project, while working simultaniously on others.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjXoyvLodlD4ZZokNO5qnpFNPRgiNayZkbgO8dTP2bo7S0ENLxNYDYtyYM-UyZa3bzWNwO02YnE6KssvU4tl4516GfbZIms402uvFqByD5V3ijEE0DgVZpWxGeSPBL0C7l4A4QpQdUO1Z/s2048/Braided+River.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjXoyvLodlD4ZZokNO5qnpFNPRgiNayZkbgO8dTP2bo7S0ENLxNYDYtyYM-UyZa3bzWNwO02YnE6KssvU4tl4516GfbZIms402uvFqByD5V3ijEE0DgVZpWxGeSPBL0C7l4A4QpQdUO1Z/w640-h428/Braided+River.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working my way down the path</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIa3643k9T8tk1ORQDfvz9D1p76i_w5HuOG168jj5wt1_aGg3bTKTp1BdCdSuaLw2RtkdAjxT2ULMz20S7KaLREDgCCiIPv4NraX5JOW-PSnl3qZT65xDoEMF71PuyIClfSm-TMHaggeyn/s2048/Rees+River+Mosaic+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIa3643k9T8tk1ORQDfvz9D1p76i_w5HuOG168jj5wt1_aGg3bTKTp1BdCdSuaLw2RtkdAjxT2ULMz20S7KaLREDgCCiIPv4NraX5JOW-PSnl3qZT65xDoEMF71PuyIClfSm-TMHaggeyn/w640-h428/Rees+River+Mosaic+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished Rees River path</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The Dart River path starts on a half circle terrace outside the Conservatory and runs through the Homestead Building to the Greenstone Room, and out through the back terrace to a curved wood bridge over a gray water treatment wetland. The floors inside the building were polished and the cut stone is gorgeous.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWNFzQ4fXCrVSM9eSeHhY8AXWT4gTC3nwN9FpnV0dLYwsa-kGs1WB7z6FNMyHH7TjtwBUPXOTMbT9CnqTBh1E871wLjz19qCr3yswBI8WYz9pC50TXushMKpi5mgFEaG8SRr5a6LI2lHD/s2048/Conservatory+terrace+mosaics.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWNFzQ4fXCrVSM9eSeHhY8AXWT4gTC3nwN9FpnV0dLYwsa-kGs1WB7z6FNMyHH7TjtwBUPXOTMbT9CnqTBh1E871wLjz19qCr3yswBI8WYz9pC50TXushMKpi5mgFEaG8SRr5a6LI2lHD/w640-h428/Conservatory+terrace+mosaics.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of the Dart River mosaic on a terrace outside the Conservatory.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtrm9itzQlBJbE3eKY8cH4f7MvHsE6UAk69yWsXih4ae1IFvYvF7XCjsvPXZPCbvpPI6xMU3C01Hvj5hmGUsfpkkwzDEj2dM-4P8PBVOOpCbMpvtgcjeVnD3uh9S9EUW9EzECC361K7qa/s2048/Braided+River+polishing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtrm9itzQlBJbE3eKY8cH4f7MvHsE6UAk69yWsXih4ae1IFvYvF7XCjsvPXZPCbvpPI6xMU3C01Hvj5hmGUsfpkkwzDEj2dM-4P8PBVOOpCbMpvtgcjeVnD3uh9S9EUW9EzECC361K7qa/w640-h428/Braided+River+polishing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polishing the Braided River floor in the Greenstone Room</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEl7jH0G8P8QxMxwyXyk334LzIUPoIDTpQEagGOZusZbD4ZFUD89pyYRbABCdm6jRJFeJUS263-uoM7Z4j4NAMVmZ4gy0AmjMqvpP33B41Caj1jzleO9MYtPGmSOwTDqi6hg56vYk249tD/s2048/Homestead+Terrace+River+Mosaic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEl7jH0G8P8QxMxwyXyk334LzIUPoIDTpQEagGOZusZbD4ZFUD89pyYRbABCdm6jRJFeJUS263-uoM7Z4j4NAMVmZ4gy0AmjMqvpP33B41Caj1jzleO9MYtPGmSOwTDqi6hg56vYk249tD/w640-h428/Homestead+Terrace+River+Mosaic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dart River mosaic connecting to the bridge over the wetland.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I finished these mosaics and built the Geologic Wall inside the Conservatory, and began construction of Garden in front of the building. There was so much concrete work at the camp that I begged to be able to do a garden that looked more like it was part of the breathtaking landscapes of the surrounding region. The finest schist stone in New Zealand comes from the Dart River Valley and the owners of the quarries on the vast Paradise sheep station were willing to sell us magnificent slabs of stone to build the path with. I wanted to create a garden that felt like you were out in the natural countryside. All the plants used at the camp are native to New Zealand, though not necessarily to this particular region. We had a nursery full of potbound plants waiting to get in to the ground including lots of grasses and sedges to make it feel like the edge of a meadow.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcw3ClpljkxJoTYz3VKVybTxk__t71z2PHDneHVkpb246CHBz7KXCPqfT2UuB7TeC_C3t2ZNoxSYP_P5TtEsgqKeUrEj9HoNAh5SIFhlgyPTKvGgST4MD2KHbhvrKziflGD6rWdeOVuu6/s3776/P1040537.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmcw3ClpljkxJoTYz3VKVybTxk__t71z2PHDneHVkpb246CHBz7KXCPqfT2UuB7TeC_C3t2ZNoxSYP_P5TtEsgqKeUrEj9HoNAh5SIFhlgyPTKvGgST4MD2KHbhvrKziflGD6rWdeOVuu6/w640-h428/P1040537.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Homestead Building before the gardens were created.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I had spent so much time out in the wilds collecting and observing the natural landscapes that I was permeated with it. Building the garden was one of my favorite parts of my year there and was an opportunity to express an understanding of the wilds of Glenorchy in a creative manifestation. I used cut stones to make a beautiful strip along the curb so people wouldn't have to step in to the planting beds that distracts your eye from the expanse of grey pavers in the entry drive and parking area.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZ4YbxJtQgRX7XLgHI0BL6GQdQg_z5k3bi_JlmKpeDBjnKvk0svAQ4XGDc-jiQm4WQwG1iR8_hzvlFVlL-feinOluJ4UdAgPb6PawXWRbpPqtSh5hTMD5UmkDfC80IDMejkp1csZsiF9g/s2048/59178074_438800316920961_3631151457266302976_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZ4YbxJtQgRX7XLgHI0BL6GQdQg_z5k3bi_JlmKpeDBjnKvk0svAQ4XGDc-jiQm4WQwG1iR8_hzvlFVlL-feinOluJ4UdAgPb6PawXWRbpPqtSh5hTMD5UmkDfC80IDMejkp1csZsiF9g/w640-h480/59178074_438800316920961_3631151457266302976_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I even built a ramp for wheelchairs which works beautifully in an unorthadox way.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I laid the paths so that it would feel like you were hiking up in to the mountains in the distance, and planted it so that the adjacent road would be screened. It seems to have grown in nicely from these photos taken by friends who have visited since I left. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yl9PeM2tadG_atTSPZyTPKOPaVeaCvttEbLd9OqU0YTP_fDZNlJ7oyfCDRfIWbsxYQ7OqFqol5JXlWrAMGN7nzD-zzx-GV09WXK_uzdjWX3hTG420CO7caKVkFFAVixaqlaw98nkdwDz/s2048/82056682_1011129185930079_5187908601909346304_n-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yl9PeM2tadG_atTSPZyTPKOPaVeaCvttEbLd9OqU0YTP_fDZNlJ7oyfCDRfIWbsxYQ7OqFqol5JXlWrAMGN7nzD-zzx-GV09WXK_uzdjWX3hTG420CO7caKVkFFAVixaqlaw98nkdwDz/w480-h640/82056682_1011129185930079_5187908601909346304_n-1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the gardens have grown in it is looking like what I had hoped it would.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I continue to build paths in to my 60's. When will it end? Life is a journey and I want to make sure it is an interesting one. Sometimes we stumble and sometimes its hard, but hopefully we can find a beautiful and meaningful route to embark upon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thanks for reading, Jeffrey<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnCuLOO_ghXY01t4CalwxUqFne6kk69Mou0OSl7gCeJF3moWSyuR2asxC0BwvSdX3Y74HGUMS9DIX3eHWEPEY3EPXGqpFIzoVJ3KcXaiwgoh8UcqC_MLIv7FrCkwWN79NG6UgH_wbv1BL/s3648/Camellia+blossoms.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnCuLOO_ghXY01t4CalwxUqFne6kk69Mou0OSl7gCeJF3moWSyuR2asxC0BwvSdX3Y74HGUMS9DIX3eHWEPEY3EPXGqpFIzoVJ3KcXaiwgoh8UcqC_MLIv7FrCkwWN79NG6UgH_wbv1BL/w640-h480/Camellia+blossoms.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhSbIkgKxLwoOP7lHgiN-2ntsCnE6n4mGH65AwaA3IaXIQEMnkug3_QddVrowEZMUIDTZboQjQOmDccdEHQ0xzlVaUPrEJoyk4MkSGqnw_igeKkqiRpXGbZnvsw-nB8lzG-fBjeKnjdYw/s3776/Walkway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYuJKCj8hBw-Lx1rzE3GGiriOYPMzDWYdxcgKh_93VHSzsn6OtMuE9XAoUr5810Wtzz6gTJKiHnjGbz-Y1SkxipJhSvXXgAGhxdpZtExXkJUtrjIfS4ZHzejb3LKblYZRveTqlJLVofjM/s3776/Stepping+stones.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYuJKCj8hBw-Lx1rzE3GGiriOYPMzDWYdxcgKh_93VHSzsn6OtMuE9XAoUr5810Wtzz6gTJKiHnjGbz-Y1SkxipJhSvXXgAGhxdpZtExXkJUtrjIfS4ZHzejb3LKblYZRveTqlJLVofjM/s3776/Stepping+stones.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYuJKCj8hBw-Lx1rzE3GGiriOYPMzDWYdxcgKh_93VHSzsn6OtMuE9XAoUr5810Wtzz6gTJKiHnjGbz-Y1SkxipJhSvXXgAGhxdpZtExXkJUtrjIfS4ZHzejb3LKblYZRveTqlJLVofjM/s3776/Stepping+stones.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYuJKCj8hBw-Lx1rzE3GGiriOYPMzDWYdxcgKh_93VHSzsn6OtMuE9XAoUr5810Wtzz6gTJKiHnjGbz-Y1SkxipJhSvXXgAGhxdpZtExXkJUtrjIfS4ZHzejb3LKblYZRveTqlJLVofjM/s3776/Stepping+stones.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div></div></div></div>Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-25044824246708774092020-08-31T22:28:00.011-07:002020-09-01T06:22:07.163-07:00The truth about Portland, August 31 2020<p></p><p>Warning: liberal political content</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5k4vNpiag7rIjhJEP4kzRRKH9GpHb8k3IgOjGqBCKFybln9PM_o5Qmlb1XTGbg9U7wS7o7oJ16Bwp_5JFGPXTwK-_OGCDg39vXAqBmo31MuxK_2BHxVRWklHGi4Ei7jfVCxhU1VXhrSMb/w512-h384/P1120484.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="512" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art on the boarded up door to Tiffany and Company, 2 blocks from the Federal Courthouse</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The reason I am writing this is that astrologically I have a lot of planets in Libra, and I react to injustice. As a long time citizen of the city of Portland, Oregon, it is impossible to miss the fact that our fair metropolis has been in the headlines lately. Images of a chaotic city in flames show up all over the media making Portland look like a dangerous mess on the brink of anarchy. The president has made the largest city in Oregon in to a political flash point that only he can resolve with authoritarian crack downs.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluAsV_i6wEHvW964xpuO06I8fj5jyMs_1VxiwwkAoGfrnoQlfTRYeLaNoYkVevk3Zm4thYEsVD4I8dyVPJ4VLCaqnoSF6hCHFnc5aR56g1XEvmdU3Qx_xWxkjiY585uLqHF4umHH8IhH3/s1344/Screen+Shot+2020-08-31+at+6.46.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1344" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluAsV_i6wEHvW964xpuO06I8fj5jyMs_1VxiwwkAoGfrnoQlfTRYeLaNoYkVevk3Zm4thYEsVD4I8dyVPJ4VLCaqnoSF6hCHFnc5aR56g1XEvmdU3Qx_xWxkjiY585uLqHF4umHH8IhH3/w512-h452/Screen+Shot+2020-08-31+at+6.46.35+PM.png" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Headlines in the BBC</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>So I got on my bicycle today and rode downtown and took these photos, to see for myself what the city center of Portland is really like right now. By far the most noticeable thing besides the homeless population about downtown during the day is how quiet it is. Covid 19 had brought the closure of many businesses and most offices. Boarded up windows have become canvases for a great deal of meaningful art that is sensitive to the Black Lives Matter movement.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-48A8tz7FTpy8CheLQaH6przkcli2he9fYMIF48n8h3d7xtegZjuP7RRMBbL3JaITdVcVYqXaSxGsyuf25WCKZ-XU8fNwBq79pjjm9swPy0JtcRofIpbwVYSit1vXPxw-AVEj_AvlPHb_/s640/P1120471.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artwork on the front of the Apple Store, a few blocks from the site of nightly protests.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>And then this happened: Donald Trump paints a grim picture: "<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "sf ui text", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;">President </span><a href="https://ijr.org/tag/donald-trump/" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #007cff; font-family: "sf ui text", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px; outline: 0px; text-decoration-skip: objects; text-decoration: none;">Donald Trump</a><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; font-family: "sf ui text", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.23999999463558197px;"> has spent the past few weeks criticizing the civil unrest in cities like Seattle and Portland and this week he declared that if federal law enforcement officials had not gone to Portland, Oregon, the city would have been “burned and beaten to the ground.” This article New York Magazine explains the situation fairly well: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/07/trump-portland-protests-federal-agents-polls.html</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVcTaAhVlotrOGshBazXlTloJKAvG6kFIPctgSsGa3XQ75BNd9YbIsogpLC_fyBpUv1hkWp4KUr74TPej4gRX_iHuvd5XKCiEWF5JmFjgphPih3NwR0XQv6L7PmgW4ZghlJpB7xIZCBMK/s640/P1120479.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SW 3rd and Main, Downtown Portland</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This is the street where the heart of the nightly protests occur as I found it today. Its very clean, so people must volunteer to sweep it all up afterwards. Fox news isn't going to show you this. I've read that some of the images used in media and for political purposes have been from protests in other cities, including Barcelona, Spain and Seattle. Any car on fire will work. It creates a dramatic apocolyptic picture of what is allegedly going on. When federal troops were sent in by Trump the number of peaceful protestors in Portland grew 10 fold. The now famous "Wall of Mothers" made headlines as they linked arms to form a protective barricade for the crowd. They were teargassed nightly by the federal troops. My very sweet next door neighbor, the Mother of two toddlers left her kids with her husband and rode her bike downtown with a good friend who is also a Mother to join in the protests. It felt so powerful to me. We here in Portland feel as if we were being occupied by an oppressive force for political reasons. The injustice drew large numbers of peaceful protestors to downtown around the Federal buildings on SW 3rd Avenue. So I rode my bike downtown for the first time in a long time to see for my self and take photos to show what it looks like in reality. No burning cars to be seen. I participated in 3 marches that came close to my home, a moving gathering with speakers in Irving Park, and another in Unthank Park. I started to do research and learned about the history of racism in Oregon. In its inception, Oregon did not allow black people to live in the state. It wasn't until World War II that labor was needed that black people were allowed to enter the state. They lived in an area called Vanport, at the time the second largest city in Oregon near the Columbia River. In 1948 a flood breeched the dyke that surrounded vanport and 10 feet of water swept in and destroyed it. So Black Lives Matter is a long time coming. I know the police target black people. I've lived in this hood 36 years and I've seen it. My black friends are conciously afraid of the police because they have had or know people who have stories to tell. You hear them at the rallies. Racial injustice, it does us no good.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdFXdKd0oWp82b8XAxD4Wkh7JnBHHUurfLooY50WaFx_BLMkxEc1v1lceAMadAxGntVAER5H4pod4zAlCfV2U59kmdGtzU8bxB6szY7aL6VQS2og4iF5X01IZxR2zejIeOjZ1rAVZtqQr/s640/P1120473.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mark Hatfield Federal Building has been the center for nightly protests. This is a photo of the building I took this afternoon.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This weekend there was a Proud Boy rally of Trump supporters who came in to town from conservative outlying areas. They were encouraged to conceal their weapons rather than do a display of open carry, which is a frightening trend used in places like Lansing, Michigan when protestors occupied the State House. In Portland they did not have permits but the caravan of vehicles with large flags drove in to the city center after roaring around out 82nd way. They were met by indignant citizens and Portland's dysenfranchised, who were shot at with paint balls and sprayed with pepper spray by that sector of society I like to avoid. A man with a history of violent rhetoric wearing right wing clothing was killed in an altercation that has yet to be resolved. A black woman who was downtown working as a medic attempted to help him and was apparently clubbed by police and her medical equipment kicked away. I hope none of this really happened. She might have been able to save his life. Shouldn't we be treating people with compassion rather than contempt? Its all brought to you by the news sources of your choosing. I was treated to a lone Proud Boy who showed up late or wasn't ready to go home revved the engine of his giant truck and accelerated a little more than makes sense when the lights change so slowly. I was the only person walking on the block so I resisted the temptation to flip him off.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0k1AKWQ9fMXEqpfLvR6ksRhxo2u040OaRIChKlmmDDY8Mc7SjzaccTceOdrZYYq13chPPUqvwatHtdiaY9pSr77cucAqeoDNcYq-W7S_ZwotHQU-KN42IkUxjffR7vI30JzjVDl8PDdd/s640/P1120475.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of SW 2nd Avenue today in front of the Mark Hatfield Federal Building</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Portland is notorious for the injustices inflicted on the Black Community historically. Entire neighborhoods were demolished to clear the way for the Colesium, Emanuel Hospital and Interstate 5. I wasn't able to get a bank loan in Oregon when I wanted to buy my house in NE Portland because the entire area was redlined by banks, and that didnt end until 1995. The lovely neighborhood along Alameda Ridge east of me was designated a whites only development to get people to build there in the early 1900's.. So we seriously have to put an end to racial discrimination, and we can if we realize we are all made of the same stuff.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOKZfziP4d6PdlhE2_Zh_sv_6fNvlEp_DfO75RVIvtpcM4rgMvVjASKubJKqwFAOtVY_dIvnYiIJdvBFCdrqulabRfiD93raCS30pZGgK_dkGc3xubjCb08C8DwEAH1C0l67qg9UzHn5yE/s640/P1120492.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a lot of art to see downtown right now painted on window and door coverings. Louis Vuitton actually gets PC in Portland. I encourage you to check it out.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I dont know if anyone who is voting for Donald Trump has gotten this far with my rant, but here are some more photos from my bikeride downtown today.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKBW47qz4-0Z1pcRy5GZt6bfjjasOrwJf1P1uxMJXR_YB8Aw794BAjHEZaO_P0DuZWPc6BTGIkSK7aK-8q19K6RP2BSgcuuQ3dXXretheeQLDu0oyNI5UmZe1SgNJOIyDcxH15jTUUCW8/s640/P1120465.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Fremont Bridge from the Broadway Bridge<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsrS2kgc4-p_v5WyEyBYgKQP4AjMlPBfgnu_9QQNrMHOwZkUayQlNtyCdoxdwSn_1MunJcOJpgE4lPKDSRhgBhzzMDXYRcZIxF2Hj5CM9C3nx2BR63EEOvy6HDZGb_-Qm_cWnotpo-M6B/s3776/P1120466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsrS2kgc4-p_v5WyEyBYgKQP4AjMlPBfgnu_9QQNrMHOwZkUayQlNtyCdoxdwSn_1MunJcOJpgE4lPKDSRhgBhzzMDXYRcZIxF2Hj5CM9C3nx2BR63EEOvy6HDZGb_-Qm_cWnotpo-M6B/s640/P1120466.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The North Park Blocks</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The saddest part of Portland right now is the number of homeless people their are. Areas around social services downtown are like villages of tents on the sidewalks. There is one block with socially spaced canopies with facilities in a fenced parking lot. There are hundreds of people living on the street right now. And its going to grow very soon. Unemployment will run out for many people in the near future, and evictions will be commonplace. Affordable housing is rare to nonexistent. I couldn't afford to buy my house for what it is worth now. The fact that Covid has removed most of the workforce from downtown reduces the conflict that might arise if you start camping on the sidewalk with fewer passersby. Its a percentage of the population. More billionaires and millions of homeless people.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnQCR1AbyrX-S74RRj_Hc2TCvFuXhxIhu0kfuFZWZO2MVP4ROTnhr-6zaAO-L2uJd3XTJ_N2OnTuWmhHdR08JomwItxKwSOEVdnO3MJC1fcfE0EbEXoEX17igcFPEyZOW2BtCnJcnyPr8/s640/P1120498.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tents on the sidewalk on NW 3rd</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7CvyIEH5wYueA-vWi_QOIt69-f8WFN-84w8AmJFydhGMQS-Fn_cqMRKUqsoNEqcnl5e-2Z2epBdzE7yoN55yYW_eKr3pEcE7Zw5XHdqhM6cAsJ1J4pzSYedI8qd_6f3mQ2vM-ZOIEn21/s640/P1120497.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An organized camp in NW Portland<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTNukBRPrLUAKUsBv24LKPqKwFeSakPr9aGwnJVyFqwKHfNc2_0T4bDf3JUN48J-4Da3ukKYQMVskFaEiew2lGpDU4qL64r6GMBPtYOHbItUK_nKdqSAmgzNF6ezH2Vuzh7zW00qGZicR/s3776/P1120467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTNukBRPrLUAKUsBv24LKPqKwFeSakPr9aGwnJVyFqwKHfNc2_0T4bDf3JUN48J-4Da3ukKYQMVskFaEiew2lGpDU4qL64r6GMBPtYOHbItUK_nKdqSAmgzNF6ezH2Vuzh7zW00qGZicR/s640/P1120467.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">O'Bryant Square</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Parks are looking unmaintained with lots of weeds. O'Bryant Square, with its bronze fountain is fenced off and abandoned looking. Two kids were inside with skateboards.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTUIQhDPz2FOFwA1ZkC2DcEnrU773ufw0bUqgkUZ6Kc1dqkW_4hY5IsFUAa4wb-XEtym6l8ASd7o4sY5FMz9VWB4DemqaRDuCO2qfMFyRmFgcwa6rPxFRjRn6qPE8eiqivtePGtlthLS4/s3776/P1120468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTUIQhDPz2FOFwA1ZkC2DcEnrU773ufw0bUqgkUZ6Kc1dqkW_4hY5IsFUAa4wb-XEtym6l8ASd7o4sY5FMz9VWB4DemqaRDuCO2qfMFyRmFgcwa6rPxFRjRn6qPE8eiqivtePGtlthLS4/s640/P1120468.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Galleria</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The messages everywhere downtown seem to want to bring solace during trying times. There is plenty of angst some of the protest graffiti, but artists have been encouraged to paint the plywood window coverings all over town creating a gallery of statement art. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWZQHDWc8ZPJ3CC8mHAUPHQXCB5ZsnBbGkWJTLalQTQhf0gp6p4QylEkwx8XDLZLbb5ZOWpNx6JXiYWB0zy9fNOOAXj60K79kM8dEVmoF3egi7eVSkUJNl-iqX5CRixc3M2qTX2kYSHmM/s640/P1120491.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks hopeful<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXV6nAoyLZfYbWMOsSB13IolNUJIo8Eo7LrBICD0F_tuYYEcm6V0MomSflw4ellriJe3DKJZa3Zq9GiZ_8RcNqETRCcYWlxczQeXRisk7qN_3UxPcvBK43HINSZEOYCIgcMU17WRNj1_8/s3776/P1120469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXV6nAoyLZfYbWMOsSB13IolNUJIo8Eo7LrBICD0F_tuYYEcm6V0MomSflw4ellriJe3DKJZa3Zq9GiZ_8RcNqETRCcYWlxczQeXRisk7qN_3UxPcvBK43HINSZEOYCIgcMU17WRNj1_8/s640/P1120469.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nordstroms is open</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQSawU8m7xagy2w40MflSIV91DdHTahYa9v4GRIObTs538P8pzT4lxFvL7_dnYspifqDS8t9_kk-aoQArxXlJ64rpGIcNqlSq5GvM7y6xHSMGbVQIYoOwXhac1uMghCQ0ANVTS3zQ_fWo/s3776/P1120470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQSawU8m7xagy2w40MflSIV91DdHTahYa9v4GRIObTs538P8pzT4lxFvL7_dnYspifqDS8t9_kk-aoQArxXlJ64rpGIcNqlSq5GvM7y6xHSMGbVQIYoOwXhac1uMghCQ0ANVTS3zQ_fWo/s640/P1120470.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courthouse Square with social distancing spots<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZZM7mGfij2pEarSj8VpneK2P0TYGF8MKnO41u79fbJ1R4joYB-Bko9PqpFKAvd0pl-2j0VmPXqg9LwYMszsGo2VYETVtTnHD4H9CNJdMXMRo23hbxhV5ahwclWYtFqXbaKDvtUIWHhSd/s3776/P1120472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZZM7mGfij2pEarSj8VpneK2P0TYGF8MKnO41u79fbJ1R4joYB-Bko9PqpFKAvd0pl-2j0VmPXqg9LwYMszsGo2VYETVtTnHD4H9CNJdMXMRo23hbxhV5ahwclWYtFqXbaKDvtUIWHhSd/s640/P1120472.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pioneer Place</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kdLqpyHDf3kX86f6WMw_luJbyJiQQaBFwfmhPyhJchqhYJdSXGwc4kKBDUI6eL_x_TnaSD0LBZznX2G4PrjVJSwiWuYMp-DnBzpN7XOtmSyfspaMOLziY5cwoICz68kiJ0i6BxFfkgCm/s3776/P1120474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kdLqpyHDf3kX86f6WMw_luJbyJiQQaBFwfmhPyhJchqhYJdSXGwc4kKBDUI6eL_x_TnaSD0LBZznX2G4PrjVJSwiWuYMp-DnBzpN7XOtmSyfspaMOLziY5cwoICz68kiJ0i6BxFfkgCm/s640/P1120474.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ground Zero for the protests. </td></tr></tbody></table>The center of protest activity has occured around these buildings on SW 3rd for a while now, although marches have crossed many parts of the city. People at the protests are good about wearing masks, which is so important with so many people in proximity. We were able to social distance at the rallies.<p></p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NJNUvSNZYZTRdkJFU8qBHJgYE5MxofHsW6z8KICJXrC0RHb8FdDqQkdFmicxE4aGPv_UV8_5qTcPBGsAq0Ex-XINL5-qLScHZapQ7MpliSlaDNXhyphenhyphen65cDzARkXBghfeIbK7XpG72erXf/s3776/P1120476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NJNUvSNZYZTRdkJFU8qBHJgYE5MxofHsW6z8KICJXrC0RHb8FdDqQkdFmicxE4aGPv_UV8_5qTcPBGsAq0Ex-XINL5-qLScHZapQ7MpliSlaDNXhyphenhyphen65cDzARkXBghfeIbK7XpG72erXf/s640/P1120476.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Justice Center<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDSEqJYRNpqwxSR2mMjP1a8UgPNDGWnu2PNDVDzbuo9BXjkvNGgPqy3zbMv0B6ZtQnGqXiCMgCdiirc3CLHIhiCnspvKvec7lBuAQk_nGTpJPTyomvmzyNCp-k4jILAYwaWtDyN0SjroC/s3776/P1120477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDSEqJYRNpqwxSR2mMjP1a8UgPNDGWnu2PNDVDzbuo9BXjkvNGgPqy3zbMv0B6ZtQnGqXiCMgCdiirc3CLHIhiCnspvKvec7lBuAQk_nGTpJPTyomvmzyNCp-k4jILAYwaWtDyN0SjroC/s640/P1120477.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Edith Green-Wendall Wyatt Federal Building...looks unmolested, its too pretty to molest</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>Just a block away from the Federal Buildings the grass is green. There was only one person in Terry Schrunk Park. It used to be a place to eat lunch for office workers. I saw Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro speak here during their campaign in 1984. It was hopeful.</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaqUXX71zItUhB5j64hhw6mlZk_Hh8-WvT0MS4SqQ1pj4OgpfTHFLaNpLgqF_-y8Xd6fokhc-Hz8RSEv0pZUIKtxldtE9b88R1oRZYcZrOeWrE7n5yj6Zn7Wmc_FAKOpvc1fwuYCrJ-OF/s3776/P1120478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaqUXX71zItUhB5j64hhw6mlZk_Hh8-WvT0MS4SqQ1pj4OgpfTHFLaNpLgqF_-y8Xd6fokhc-Hz8RSEv0pZUIKtxldtE9b88R1oRZYcZrOeWrE7n5yj6Zn7Wmc_FAKOpvc1fwuYCrJ-OF/s640/P1120478.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terry Schrunk Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br />One of my favorite places to visit downtown is the Ira Keller Fountain. Designed by Angela Danadjieva with the firm of Lawrence Halprin, who also worked on the downtown bus mall and Freeway Park in Seattle. It is sculpturally significant enough to still be beautiful when it is dry, which it sadly was. Its hard to social distance in places like this when its hot out. During normal times this would be full of people on warm days.<p></p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVZQiK5Acd3MjqJZL4lz-QaJOlJKzi6QQH7HBea82TP-imxSacG5gQX97TVJ5Q7j2h8oPwe4Sl3QsEbT486U0ZbAbUTBlnotpaR2f8rraKLlFfOzavBgAabvxqLifWWwbaInXziQUZ19E/s3776/P1120480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVZQiK5Acd3MjqJZL4lz-QaJOlJKzi6QQH7HBea82TP-imxSacG5gQX97TVJ5Q7j2h8oPwe4Sl3QsEbT486U0ZbAbUTBlnotpaR2f8rraKLlFfOzavBgAabvxqLifWWwbaInXziQUZ19E/s640/P1120480.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ira Keller Fountain<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJb6jc0t7_i5LEn-Ol_Nc0xQ1BP9AUxX6cMbFwR1BEnHJVK0VY7FEP_ruV2P7IP2jp4BL02egwRcSHYiPx-H6a2v_WHlhbcMU4RjtJR-MRhpGE3CDak8_1wv3bqaWBTL1GYIP8avjr5qAA/s3776/P1120481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJb6jc0t7_i5LEn-Ol_Nc0xQ1BP9AUxX6cMbFwR1BEnHJVK0VY7FEP_ruV2P7IP2jp4BL02egwRcSHYiPx-H6a2v_WHlhbcMU4RjtJR-MRhpGE3CDak8_1wv3bqaWBTL1GYIP8avjr5qAA/s640/P1120481.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Edith Green-Wendall Wyatt Building across Terry Schrunk Park<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9y9YH6-HuZ098GmtXMT7B7TmtM1dBEreGZYcwR7cv4uuNPazu2qucNjRRV5hnjOtzJvCJBl2HjzSmi5iGW4eAWlXxfgtdbpGGejbbzEDphtSjJ9BLediHRnnWs0YFvix4MaRJ_PtNfUb/s3776/P1120482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9y9YH6-HuZ098GmtXMT7B7TmtM1dBEreGZYcwR7cv4uuNPazu2qucNjRRV5hnjOtzJvCJBl2HjzSmi5iGW4eAWlXxfgtdbpGGejbbzEDphtSjJ9BLediHRnnWs0YFvix4MaRJ_PtNfUb/s640/P1120482.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City Hall<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeI0q4y0zEmohmBpVdBfTnDHNhFExPuiESnJC-zdKsEUUnNYsFHibWf5ZNASOOrUBQBquBbhzeTeIOLENFx_XPyfwyGiTnNYkf3SNxTzoxzhrq779R25x7RHBO1GdV4c1x2sBRM7TJZN2/s3648/P1120483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeI0q4y0zEmohmBpVdBfTnDHNhFExPuiESnJC-zdKsEUUnNYsFHibWf5ZNASOOrUBQBquBbhzeTeIOLENFx_XPyfwyGiTnNYkf3SNxTzoxzhrq779R25x7RHBO1GdV4c1x2sBRM7TJZN2/s640/P1120483.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portlandia<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>Waterfront Park is 3 blocks from where the protests are held. It seemed pretty quiet for such a nice day.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeijJ0fPwRY_QUjN6vZB6aiMW8Sj00joy8MvqNRjkGmurcd_sYy97vn0sstlKfqbvr2B6HYck93hr12c4DTeK0fluzFDPvc5P9LgbsFR-ovRG8aZ-0moKPcUcT4zSuUTs9UR12dJX35LWl/s3776/P1120485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeijJ0fPwRY_QUjN6vZB6aiMW8Sj00joy8MvqNRjkGmurcd_sYy97vn0sstlKfqbvr2B6HYck93hr12c4DTeK0fluzFDPvc5P9LgbsFR-ovRG8aZ-0moKPcUcT4zSuUTs9UR12dJX35LWl/s640/P1120485.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfront Park (no scorched Earth to be seen here)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-2wMWdNQzWaAoIaWwMxBO12Qn_LfViuVA9UFaaZ3M2TzJOsNkUK9MEL6rTIp1UiWzGxIhjX7otYX0xA61C8x4IoXF1bLaImFo1OyFBEOrq_5IK1MJDyxhcZvQdyNUl0b5WeKwQYeZYmU/s3776/P1120486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-2wMWdNQzWaAoIaWwMxBO12Qn_LfViuVA9UFaaZ3M2TzJOsNkUK9MEL6rTIp1UiWzGxIhjX7otYX0xA61C8x4IoXF1bLaImFo1OyFBEOrq_5IK1MJDyxhcZvQdyNUl0b5WeKwQYeZYmU/s640/P1120486.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hawthorne Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLlB_baihzzO0XbvII7cvc5GQ6oluSNafyrkmumv0rgE6yor_Jwsi9gqjgKGHLbtLjXiuaraKbzi1g26ZH1G93QhRtZvu1YTb74HsQuakFYmER7aNm1wuvBKv1UZefl-ZFHm0KUIfTpuJ/s3776/P1120487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLlB_baihzzO0XbvII7cvc5GQ6oluSNafyrkmumv0rgE6yor_Jwsi9gqjgKGHLbtLjXiuaraKbzi1g26ZH1G93QhRtZvu1YTb74HsQuakFYmER7aNm1wuvBKv1UZefl-ZFHm0KUIfTpuJ/s640/P1120487.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfront Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMMIm1zrc6j6NynMHI6cipvlHJFoeI5UhyphenhyphenMV2ow6oYbTR1eVpdXBzO1CbcpsQsW4Ho6z68s87WJPBijt4HcUH8EfBx0lcugxfy6Kqjpgxs5mx6W9dqgZNPmMDS29DpDU5ML0_4tDEGuzi/s3776/P1120488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMMIm1zrc6j6NynMHI6cipvlHJFoeI5UhyphenhyphenMV2ow6oYbTR1eVpdXBzO1CbcpsQsW4Ho6z68s87WJPBijt4HcUH8EfBx0lcugxfy6Kqjpgxs5mx6W9dqgZNPmMDS29DpDU5ML0_4tDEGuzi/s640/P1120488.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfront Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTtdV-NieWOj7Q7PIWJFhBQ1lwPXFNnXTmLQm8tlRhcnRcn7HgAPc2MfEER6E2wLZWeqtU_sgs-jLxc6RSsjyi8DrJJMd2rkPak7e445dOtr2d4ZLugkc3UwRniLfunrtt6psOlheW-xI/s3776/P1120489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTtdV-NieWOj7Q7PIWJFhBQ1lwPXFNnXTmLQm8tlRhcnRcn7HgAPc2MfEER6E2wLZWeqtU_sgs-jLxc6RSsjyi8DrJJMd2rkPak7e445dOtr2d4ZLugkc3UwRniLfunrtt6psOlheW-xI/s640/P1120489.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Maritime Museum<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWD3TWOFxJaFXkTYCvT5GtvO5y-25FbAiZuzZY2holVpXOyx91NPqqZytpBSmt33WP87jI94RMevocEMZz5wCljA_pXIBvSjfPrUYcY01Y8xaFRYksGupfn88YaqesUCfUemb2PIaMsyU/s3776/P1120490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWD3TWOFxJaFXkTYCvT5GtvO5y-25FbAiZuzZY2holVpXOyx91NPqqZytpBSmt33WP87jI94RMevocEMZz5wCljA_pXIBvSjfPrUYcY01Y8xaFRYksGupfn88YaqesUCfUemb2PIaMsyU/s640/P1120490.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canadian Geese seem to like downtown</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFTxRnr2kJ3DUJT59yO5RsiX_3gLFIShSKYzeFN4clTOJmYmA-p1dNEgQpJGpNX1dut0sfg7b0RAIoyLQUOJxliKYOUynrJZDbX98rsdClQ5YiM4txSn2C1FTL89LcosdcYToJ33GZDE8/s3776/P1120493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFTxRnr2kJ3DUJT59yO5RsiX_3gLFIShSKYzeFN4clTOJmYmA-p1dNEgQpJGpNX1dut0sfg7b0RAIoyLQUOJxliKYOUynrJZDbX98rsdClQ5YiM4txSn2C1FTL89LcosdcYToJ33GZDE8/s640/P1120493.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some food carts are open</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5Qn1wCXHerl_8ZUUDJWc-de_0SKFvHkZFXxMX1GHOlK826Ff9tknosmjIOQNcNc-TWc8U7doVDIpWG0Tn0bdmvQT5P6R2m4uKrbcoUHR3j-ub8uqWhQYsFlTBzWx14sTEEOJxnLVRmJ-/s3776/P1120494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5Qn1wCXHerl_8ZUUDJWc-de_0SKFvHkZFXxMX1GHOlK826Ff9tknosmjIOQNcNc-TWc8U7doVDIpWG0Tn0bdmvQT5P6R2m4uKrbcoUHR3j-ub8uqWhQYsFlTBzWx14sTEEOJxnLVRmJ-/s640/P1120494.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Raman place</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdSakCPeVs6Aj4VAXLIBcFms2WL2OPLJdoYoiKGGm9CSud5682tar6FfdqA0tX3pHtmAENkzoJsaOW9OG8fNuCcjGbDKcZKRU1d0Asmqart6QQL6fT3IA3igcd1mbiVdXEQRGj__MWHOj/s3776/P1120495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdSakCPeVs6Aj4VAXLIBcFms2WL2OPLJdoYoiKGGm9CSud5682tar6FfdqA0tX3pHtmAENkzoJsaOW9OG8fNuCcjGbDKcZKRU1d0Asmqart6QQL6fT3IA3igcd1mbiVdXEQRGj__MWHOj/s640/P1120495.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is still a line at Voodoo Donuts</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxeLKITAlrLhcl7Hc72Fc7LU7rju9D8qSuQRoycW_ouc9vsvIYduC7-fRtjZV3lmvRy_ReT0ZlWoqbMhAJPF_03eLUSAHm8A2VNi8z2zOf73ItL0sHlb-CNURXUb_-3fRDGOb4JEWcD02/s3648/P1120496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxeLKITAlrLhcl7Hc72Fc7LU7rju9D8qSuQRoycW_ouc9vsvIYduC7-fRtjZV3lmvRy_ReT0ZlWoqbMhAJPF_03eLUSAHm8A2VNi8z2zOf73ItL0sHlb-CNURXUb_-3fRDGOb4JEWcD02/s640/P1120496.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Republic never changes</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I rode over to Northwest Portland to check on a couple of gardens I've built. One garden was a very recently finished one, and the people moved out after their car had been broken in to twice. There was some plant mortality from infrequent irrigation, sigh. On the way back I thought I would ride by the Chinese Classical Garden. Its open with a timed reservation. https://lansugarden.org/visit/a-worry-free-visit. I wish the president would start a program to help the homeless instead of sending in strongmen to harrass us. That tactic won't work in Portland anyway. I moved here because this place is special. The people are kind and involved and there is a great deal of vitality that makes the quality of life here wonderful. Covid 19 has certainly made a dramatic change to the city. That is when Nature comes to the rescue. This is a city of trees, and parks, within a region of great beauty. We're not America hating libtards, which I think one of my Gardens by Jeffrey Bale page followers called me! I'm a libtard! And I will never support fascism, so off you go! Because we need someone who wants to help us solve our problems, not create more. Portlanders are the largest per capita library card holders in America. Powell's Books is here for a reason. We've been reading, So we are less likely to want to be conned. Leave us in peace and love and harmony with Nature. Its all I ask.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4acLWbZ_-qyf2Dl_A9s41ZJQYg7EvXsvsPxgo886oC3PFmmZi0D8oeEpw2A8ccAJIKgkhTyTbv-7J32jZU2OkhX-QAnmD94qFHOFmdg9VE9k8I1G7ATWh5ZUGkhrlfKV1FyNUDRWGo1sD/s3776/P1120509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4acLWbZ_-qyf2Dl_A9s41ZJQYg7EvXsvsPxgo886oC3PFmmZi0D8oeEpw2A8ccAJIKgkhTyTbv-7J32jZU2OkhX-QAnmD94qFHOFmdg9VE9k8I1G7ATWh5ZUGkhrlfKV1FyNUDRWGo1sD/s640/P1120509.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are maybe 8 to 10 tents around the Chinese Garden</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>I believe there is only one principal gardener working inside these walls right now. Sanctuary in the heart of Portland.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMJ6zZDkIHvc1-TV1TBpyRuY6Evr0QmPEeuTalKCWzBp6c7g8sloo7Ozzh2cI9XdAFLMQC3DPlO3cj1Z0Sd01LEMF2hAF9reXQpsSVqw2cruHYlthXpMQ1DkpYrVV8CI3Kg7JfEcrfb8_/s3776/P1120510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="3776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMJ6zZDkIHvc1-TV1TBpyRuY6Evr0QmPEeuTalKCWzBp6c7g8sloo7Ozzh2cI9XdAFLMQC3DPlO3cj1Z0Sd01LEMF2hAF9reXQpsSVqw2cruHYlthXpMQ1DkpYrVV8CI3Kg7JfEcrfb8_/s640/P1120510.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peeking through my favorite screen in the south facing wall of the Chinese Garden</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> Well, its an election year, so whoever you vote for, hope they love this planet, because right now except for a few exceptions it aint getting any prettier. Thanks for reading, Jeffrey<p></p>Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-56618291098084807942020-06-26T08:26:00.001-07:002020-06-26T08:26:07.140-07:00The Sacro Bosco of Bomarzo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXO23GkMJtfXefdP6gWzXbUFN6RiY893MfZUSIULWu1h7vpcd68z607TgZytsD4AHgZZz9xzc4IVbAzEnhtd1HTwayfqZQg3nA8xCH_FdE8AiXMdHmze_v1czk2Bwkf2P5nf7UEwYeWiLU/s1600/P1030267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXO23GkMJtfXefdP6gWzXbUFN6RiY893MfZUSIULWu1h7vpcd68z607TgZytsD4AHgZZz9xzc4IVbAzEnhtd1HTwayfqZQg3nA8xCH_FdE8AiXMdHmze_v1czk2Bwkf2P5nf7UEwYeWiLU/s640/P1030267.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dragon attacked by Lions in the Sacro Bosco</td></tr>
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North of Rome there is a lovely walled city called Viterbo in the region of Tuscia, which can be used as a base to visit three of Italy's most important Renaissance Mannerist gardens, the Villa Lante in Bagnaia, the Villa Farnese at Caprarola, and the Sacro Bosco at Bomarzo. The region was for centuries inhabited by the Etruscans, a pre Roman civilization who's physical remains are mainly the tombs they built for the interment of the deceased.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Clock Tower in Bagnaia</td></tr>
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I like strange gardens, ones that break the mold of tradition and enter the realm of fantasy. The Sacro Bosco or Sacred Wood at Bomarzo is truly a fantasy world where stories from literature were carved in to stone. I had seen photos in books of the monumental sculptures carved from the volcanic boulders and outcrops in a wild forest and longed to experience it for myself. I even had dreams of this mysterious place, dark, damp and misty with a canopy of bare branches overhead. My dreams became reality on this moody day in early January, 2010.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like entering my dreams, Bomarzo fulfills brings stories to life.</td></tr>
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It was cold in Viterbo when I arrived. There were still holiday festivals and lights to brighten the dark winding medieval stone streets, but very few tourists plan visits to such places during the dim winter months. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNb9Ut-GCAKg375zHXz1EaVfLqIh6lFTggqUJbLx7ISd95s6qczpOzRxlDjORKtpomrnxiRml_qgbXs0xGcDZovyjpxVXDLXiojGUGi4n289DvBtW-GTzSu8SUAIlFCYUgJah3pyK43-mG/s1600/P1030110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNb9Ut-GCAKg375zHXz1EaVfLqIh6lFTggqUJbLx7ISd95s6qczpOzRxlDjORKtpomrnxiRml_qgbXs0xGcDZovyjpxVXDLXiojGUGi4n289DvBtW-GTzSu8SUAIlFCYUgJah3pyK43-mG/s640/P1030110.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A garden in Viterbo</td></tr>
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I first visited the Villa Lante, which is considered the most classic example of any Italian Mannerist garden. This period marked the glorious final phase of the Renaissance, before the excesses of the Baroque came in to favor. We had studied the Villa Lante in school because it exemplified in the most literal way the concept of transitioning from the wild of nature to the controlled hand of man through a series of metaphorical tableaus. Visiting these gardens was the fulfillment of a dream for me. Public transport was infrequent and I ended up walking to the medieval town of Bagnaia, which in retrospect made the experience more authentic than riding the bus. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A villa I encountered on my walk to Bagnaia</td></tr>
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I was the only person at the Villa Lante when I visited and it was a mild and magical day I will never forget. I scoured it from top to bottom and over and over again, capturing every niche and detail as if living a dream. The light was perfect and the moss growing on carved stone was vibrantly green.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0uBdX_3k2KU6MNxzzvuwEXRDMaq6uexh4YKzn6bIKMFdgrKmVxQW3Xkh63hbUgtA3XnW_RM3AVnM6zM4JPzxiENS7x3Hty0ZEiYdnmJj9r-dRufgkJHXdMlFLn1sYYtOB5yRiprV8mmG/s1600/P1020851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0uBdX_3k2KU6MNxzzvuwEXRDMaq6uexh4YKzn6bIKMFdgrKmVxQW3Xkh63hbUgtA3XnW_RM3AVnM6zM4JPzxiENS7x3Hty0ZEiYdnmJj9r-dRufgkJHXdMlFLn1sYYtOB5yRiprV8mmG/s640/P1020851.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting on the magnificent stone banquet table at the Villa Lante</td></tr>
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A couple of days later I made the journey to Bomarzo. I was too thrifty to rent a car, but managed to find out the location where the bus to Bomarzo embarked. It pulled up just as I arrived at the stop. We passed through Bagnaia and down in to a valley with fallow corn fields, over rolling hills and gloomy woods. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknn54CI3paF-VIfelyTHSjMS6gHWT6Af3JQpyKsVoZGQESQFReThkqlLo3l_nsCc8D44KGMeWing3Edb7_XpnWS9sFzD3zrnbFoOH4biY5sYa-k_InPYFAOkhxqrDlw-pKse8tMflZ4f8/s1600/P1030445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknn54CI3paF-VIfelyTHSjMS6gHWT6Af3JQpyKsVoZGQESQFReThkqlLo3l_nsCc8D44KGMeWing3Edb7_XpnWS9sFzD3zrnbFoOH4biY5sYa-k_InPYFAOkhxqrDlw-pKse8tMflZ4f8/s640/P1030445.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The edge of Bomarzo town</td></tr>
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This is the land of the ancient Etruscans, the civilization that preceeded the Roman Empire. Rock cut tombs and giant urns are the most recognizable remains of the people who ruled this region since the 6th Century BC.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31uK7uOmCuBvTcNiMi75xDZaeHcYsqqyna_Ao-9I35GUgr-CwCbIwhk_-Tmpbv_A6LAheSqehQjt9plQ32dTNM3F4kRkz_ImZw1qf6bjps_DZyyLT0MQzZrPAyvds48D5p7sw1cTRiKyJ/s1600/P1490891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31uK7uOmCuBvTcNiMi75xDZaeHcYsqqyna_Ao-9I35GUgr-CwCbIwhk_-Tmpbv_A6LAheSqehQjt9plQ32dTNM3F4kRkz_ImZw1qf6bjps_DZyyLT0MQzZrPAyvds48D5p7sw1cTRiKyJ/s640/P1490891.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Etruscan tombs at Orvieto in neighboring Umbria</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Sacro Bosco from the town of Bomarzo</td></tr>
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I was dropped unceremoniously at an interesection with a small cafe and a gas station. After inquiring as to where the hell Bomarzo was, I was directed down the cross road. The bus lets you off on the other side of the hill from town. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ67b6dO2ojUGA_B6xI4LtlCeqXoxtKaMioxY_2i5u-jMPz1iIRLkjhY_WHZhs5K_lKoRaI_TUXY0YYhn9IDCa1EXENoivFc7RLZes9kb1zEtcsu1dhPRPa2N8-o0IzkFgWYcllsHkCmV/s1600/P1030148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ67b6dO2ojUGA_B6xI4LtlCeqXoxtKaMioxY_2i5u-jMPz1iIRLkjhY_WHZhs5K_lKoRaI_TUXY0YYhn9IDCa1EXENoivFc7RLZes9kb1zEtcsu1dhPRPa2N8-o0IzkFgWYcllsHkCmV/s640/P1030148.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A door to a cave dwelling and a stone wall built over excavated Pecarino bedrock on the road in to town</td></tr>
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As I entered the quiet, otheworldly town it began to pour rain. The place felt deserted, ancient and forgotten as if life had moved either indoors or left for more favorable climes on this cold and dreary day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI99k-h_kQEI4UuA96uBFtajFEmz-2MHkByCDaLf9O4Qjez18VADts-KBQdgYTTk2SqpZc-fY6dItS08ZHA0ix3FHseAD5I8Y4DBYnsjAFj3kKz6gbxId75EUgQ0qp_mqXxHM35xMQ030N/s1600/P1030156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI99k-h_kQEI4UuA96uBFtajFEmz-2MHkByCDaLf9O4Qjez18VADts-KBQdgYTTk2SqpZc-fY6dItS08ZHA0ix3FHseAD5I8Y4DBYnsjAFj3kKz6gbxId75EUgQ0qp_mqXxHM35xMQ030N/s640/P1030156.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These curved stone steps, extending to the curb, left a lasting impression on me.</td></tr>
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Medieval towns are usually fortified, and perched on the edges of defensable cliffs for reasons of security. Who knows when a foriegn army might pass through, sacking the town for provisions, treasure, and access to women? It wasn't all that long ago that some people still lived in caves here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7BXUYoMi2aWK47V3CyOUvwvlBEMgFedfU5ld4wa0afN7ZcvuKgQTjP5G2LwvsvmT9RX3b2V34o1Acmxz3KSDgoQldwPsMIVkLDzqOqsUtx7dCPNZoTd7pNzWV79qw9_uEtXPRNrAiGIv/s1600/P1030152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7BXUYoMi2aWK47V3CyOUvwvlBEMgFedfU5ld4wa0afN7ZcvuKgQTjP5G2LwvsvmT9RX3b2V34o1Acmxz3KSDgoQldwPsMIVkLDzqOqsUtx7dCPNZoTd7pNzWV79qw9_uEtXPRNrAiGIv/s640/P1030152.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The door to a cave at the end of a narrow alley</td></tr>
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The town is compact and retains its ancient character through concious preservation and respect for history. The stone stairs on ancient houses are curvaceously worn by centuries of footsteps. These would be the horror of an American building inspector.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XdUm3_MnGfCBYNoPjJyASZLzDGkERC4tdwvjOEMcd5anLg1dZZyriAh0xCMdhdKI0-AyhTdYonC3_lc_RNIZ6aXezuRYjl29JH0wWCq2kTxLp23MClI61XPU0uV5EKGzUumqAQGfo7ds/s1600/P1030475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XdUm3_MnGfCBYNoPjJyASZLzDGkERC4tdwvjOEMcd5anLg1dZZyriAh0xCMdhdKI0-AyhTdYonC3_lc_RNIZ6aXezuRYjl29JH0wWCq2kTxLp23MClI61XPU0uV5EKGzUumqAQGfo7ds/s640/P1030475.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The visible wear of centuries of footsteps on medieval houses in Bomarzo</td></tr>
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Towering over the valley, the Villa Orsini is not the most beautiful palace in Italy, but it is imposingly larger than everything else in town. Patina from age softens its bulk. The majority of windows look toward valley and the Sacro Bosco below. Lord of the villa, Pierre Francesco (Vicino) Orsini was a condotierri, essentially a military contractor who ran merenary war campaigns for popes and monarchs. Orsini was aligned with the Farnese family cardinals, who constructed the fortress like Villa Farnese at Caprarola about 30 kilometers away. Once the source of three popes, the family name had fallen in ranks over the years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBJtw1Pkd8LC9LCRwE7ICt2oPrJARIF3P84ctnz1tSXOOsF7CU3HW-2kpbSaCfi_CSTzB_SP0SsMYeotyZPzLvuzw3l0DFKoos4rYTZV0Qle9ZKdvkZBkarAfc_AXnb5_8pSyiEmKRPr_/s1600/Accademia_-_Ritratto_di_giovane_gentiluomo_nel_suo_studio_-_Lorenzo_Lotto_cat.912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBJtw1Pkd8LC9LCRwE7ICt2oPrJARIF3P84ctnz1tSXOOsF7CU3HW-2kpbSaCfi_CSTzB_SP0SsMYeotyZPzLvuzw3l0DFKoos4rYTZV0Qle9ZKdvkZBkarAfc_AXnb5_8pSyiEmKRPr_/s320/Accademia_-_Ritratto_di_giovane_gentiluomo_nel_suo_studio_-_Lorenzo_Lotto_cat.912.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pierre Francesco (Vicino) Orsini</td></tr>
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He married Giulia Farnese, related to his influential friend Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, who later became Pope Paul III. While he proved to be a good commander, he did not find comfort in the unjust things he saw inflicted on the battlefield in the name of wealthy, powerful religious figures. He was a prisoner of war, held for ransom for some time after being captured by German forces during the French/Spanish wars, and retired from service on his release over two years later. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFER2LNGY7SLllC0IYhfAi7XvnlrpXhkvzt9GCuzPrK3WHWY6hTEiuK62Zy6WMKC79xPvT9ur_xd4Jcet8_WyBs906YC8BeBKRyruTjJKKOPM-6ECKZtf2gLhyS61IH3sszTW_9bKcjet/s1600/P1030449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFER2LNGY7SLllC0IYhfAi7XvnlrpXhkvzt9GCuzPrK3WHWY6hTEiuK62Zy6WMKC79xPvT9ur_xd4Jcet8_WyBs906YC8BeBKRyruTjJKKOPM-6ECKZtf2gLhyS61IH3sszTW_9bKcjet/s640/P1030449.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Villa Orsini</td></tr>
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Returning to Bomarzo and the villa his wife had been completing in his absence, he embarked on a more pleasurable life, as a patron of the arts, and food, and sex. Being reknowned for her fidelity and steadfast devotion, Giulia passed away shortly after his return. It is said that the work he embarked on at this point was in many ways an attempt to overcome his grief and the garden it seems was thereafter devoted to her memory. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerYId-dlcRI_uyK5LEujdvU8OSWrKCjetcxc1ac6qVY7gR-w19aOHScJf7J_N5WLryXht7oRVGSC0bUBWdBW1tBMDKK71LQ4H3_zWqjDp4P6KNVvOK0O3Teu-Vgg9jAKgacoQp_Wg8BSa/s1600/P1030168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerYId-dlcRI_uyK5LEujdvU8OSWrKCjetcxc1ac6qVY7gR-w19aOHScJf7J_N5WLryXht7oRVGSC0bUBWdBW1tBMDKK71LQ4H3_zWqjDp4P6KNVvOK0O3Teu-Vgg9jAKgacoQp_Wg8BSa/s640/P1030168.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across the valley to the Collina di Monte Casoli di Bomarzo</td></tr>
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I walked down the road to the bottom of the valley and there was a small empty amusement park that must produce some income during the tourist season. Rusty little rides bring an element of roadside attraction to the Parco dei Mostri, or Monster Park as it is popularly called today. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4Tve_cTMUF1LGpkWUZvRlMQ2erOKuCA4pFOGSkOBzwtIsIXp5_QiaIJNCx-yfmcnzK0aM7DI6hpn0e8fff_UwvVdSkhLacsy9I4GZj9h4w6s8StQbBP0khMEadkO3m2_0gO44eoHgdPy/s1600/P1030176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4Tve_cTMUF1LGpkWUZvRlMQ2erOKuCA4pFOGSkOBzwtIsIXp5_QiaIJNCx-yfmcnzK0aM7DI6hpn0e8fff_UwvVdSkhLacsy9I4GZj9h4w6s8StQbBP0khMEadkO3m2_0gO44eoHgdPy/s640/P1030176.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at Bomarzo and the Villa Orsini</td></tr>
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Sloping green pastures and groves of trees connect the village to the garden below. Large boulders carved with niche like tombs of the ancient Etruscans provide a transition in to this strange world that bridges epochs in human history and the myths and riddles attempting to explain man's relationship to his soul and the universe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftJ33aba6eizVTEK77qbFwoWfaGBcbpZVtZa-uMVJbNGPC66bpad9vHNdk6i5GpZ6rpknj4WOSSrDQ5SSeIOvP65DoK9tnQTlSbWg-wMMa6qRHLM6mVDh_RwmxNitb2Hw-FD4zw8vG4_f/s1600/P1030171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftJ33aba6eizVTEK77qbFwoWfaGBcbpZVtZa-uMVJbNGPC66bpad9vHNdk6i5GpZ6rpknj4WOSSrDQ5SSeIOvP65DoK9tnQTlSbWg-wMMa6qRHLM6mVDh_RwmxNitb2Hw-FD4zw8vG4_f/s640/P1030171.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancient Etruscan tombs carved in to volcanic boulders</td></tr>
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A simple plinth like sculpture with a central opening containing a primitive figure with a three tiered plate balanced on its head stands near the entrance to the garden. The parks many iconic sculptures are carved from a relatively easy to work stone of volcanic origin called Pecarino, like the cheese.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9xFEtQ2wWFoqsHOVpiDdC-3f4xPXhXlGJ8fkcVKAspISYA2amYEL1lEpi1sVWrIrAknyt0K9n25NgWn8JzImrBthyphenhyphenCvwAOwFsWnqJstrnU7NP-DuzN-VnxjxnMszdifNQZZI_cjO8N_U/s1600/P1030173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9xFEtQ2wWFoqsHOVpiDdC-3f4xPXhXlGJ8fkcVKAspISYA2amYEL1lEpi1sVWrIrAknyt0K9n25NgWn8JzImrBthyphenhyphenCvwAOwFsWnqJstrnU7NP-DuzN-VnxjxnMszdifNQZZI_cjO8N_U/s640/P1030173.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A contemporary sculpture framing an old piece of statuary stands by the parking area.</td></tr>
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Having been lost to obscurity for over 400 years, the abandoned gardens gained notoriety when they were visited by the surrealist artist Salvador Dali and his friend, the art collector Mario Praz in 1938. They made a short film while there that captured the essence of their experience. The bizarre nature of the garden and its fantastical sculptures were a great inspiration for Dali, and it is said that elements of his stilt legged elephant painting, "The Temptation of Saint Anthony were derived from the Sacro Bosco.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VGAOIQ8glzAan49P9BqCpbLzVviiVIo9O1fmEsMkrNhkUJ9ico0wQdClermgG_HoYW-0PSkXsLj6yRVCitKl1MGDN3hQjivkDRaDNGM5D0lHTGpPNolk8mbJSceLo2DxHhQ4_t11rmk2/s1600/P1030174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VGAOIQ8glzAan49P9BqCpbLzVviiVIo9O1fmEsMkrNhkUJ9ico0wQdClermgG_HoYW-0PSkXsLj6yRVCitKl1MGDN3hQjivkDRaDNGM5D0lHTGpPNolk8mbJSceLo2DxHhQ4_t11rmk2/s640/P1030174.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unassuming entrance to the ticket office.</td></tr>
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The original garden had a wall around it that not only offered it protection from the outside, but also held within it another realm, a series of tales and mythology that confronts the viewer in a way that makes it possible to change the way we feel about who we are. Vicino loved to read and literature's defining works had great influence here. The symbolism in various sculptures act as riddles, creating confrontations in opposition to previously accepted ideas. Jacopo Sannazaro's poem Arcadia was an inspiration for aspects of the garden, as was Virgil's Aeneid. Bomarzo, and Vecino's rank in society were rustic when compared to those of his high ranking friends. He once wrote "I prefer living amongst these woods to being immersed in the falsities and vanities of the courts, especially that of Rome." Still he wanted to impress, and the development of the Sacro Bosco was meant to show off his intellectual ideals in the most astounding ways.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f0QBUoC2ItFe08GVmRC60MqfsDsJIOdQ6LhcSqjJM1hpIru97oxGIhUYhZMtqTMbyDQpPaXySP0fYCGCX-QAcK_tMsS0D8IcUJo1RqCy5-CUQP06Xe5-l07su1c-F_qrLaA4XB1sQ82d/s1600/Bomarzo+map+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f0QBUoC2ItFe08GVmRC60MqfsDsJIOdQ6LhcSqjJM1hpIru97oxGIhUYhZMtqTMbyDQpPaXySP0fYCGCX-QAcK_tMsS0D8IcUJo1RqCy5-CUQP06Xe5-l07su1c-F_qrLaA4XB1sQ82d/s640/Bomarzo+map+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plan of the Sacro Bosco at Bomarzo</td></tr>
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Vicino prescribed to an Epicurean ideal based on the Greek philosopher Epicurious's model for living, seeking modest but pleasurable pursuits surrounded by a state of tranquility, free of fear.<br />
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The first things you encounter when you pass through the gate are a pair of sphinxes that were most likely moved from another part of the garden at what is believed to be the original entrance down by the Leaning House. Inscriptions on the bases set a cryptic tone for the realm you've just entered. "Whoever without raised eyebrows and pursed lips goes through this place will fail to admire the famous seven wonders of the world." This is excerpted from Orlando Furioso, a series of cantos that had significant influence on the embellishment of the park. On the base of the other sphinx, "you who enter here put your mind to it part by part and tell me then if so many wonders are made as trickery or as art". Vicino was justly proud of his strange manifestations and their ability to astound. The garden was built in direct contrast to the more formal Mannerist gardens of the time. Perhaps the line from the opening of Dante's Divine Comedy inspired his creation: "Midway on the journey of our life, I found myself in a dark wood, where the straight road was lost."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7Qm7UETI18lxXZH07P-xyP_90wKnWcjJ3M6lRZItWRr8KT-jcQk0aR0aTXuwsuWKZIzY3u-AeKkSUnZnZH0iM3mtZ5Es98DCsCR3sTZmS4SIQ5rYJsFiJZgp73ewq8fJxWSjKCRYu2Nz/s1600/P1030178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7Qm7UETI18lxXZH07P-xyP_90wKnWcjJ3M6lRZItWRr8KT-jcQk0aR0aTXuwsuWKZIzY3u-AeKkSUnZnZH0iM3mtZ5Es98DCsCR3sTZmS4SIQ5rYJsFiJZgp73ewq8fJxWSjKCRYu2Nz/s640/P1030178.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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At the sphinxes the intersecting path runs perpendicular to the entrance. To the left, off by itself on a dead end trail lies the most comical of the garden's sculptures, the Proteus-Glauco. We'll get back to this as I opted to turn right and head in to the main part of the garden. I would return at the end of the day to this strange apparition. A dam across the creek once formed a lake that wound its way between cliffs, and supplied water to the many fountains designed by Pirro Ligorio, who was responisible for the completion of the Basilica of Saint Peters in Rome after the death of Michaelangelo and the great water gardens at the Villa d'Este at Tivoli.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3ap5et_v2jjPt3tn4mvUK1JrPauHQ4EvnYvJffwqLj4giawFRnWFTZeIhUDt5pKic8g2GhZr7KIA1Os10sqOAD1djaEuFQh1m7ptnP4fYDt7lCnJIKHczQNIjNJqHSrXX2u6agUuIL2o/s1600/P1030424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3ap5et_v2jjPt3tn4mvUK1JrPauHQ4EvnYvJffwqLj4giawFRnWFTZeIhUDt5pKic8g2GhZr7KIA1Os10sqOAD1djaEuFQh1m7ptnP4fYDt7lCnJIKHczQNIjNJqHSrXX2u6agUuIL2o/s640/P1030424.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lake, no longer existent acted as a reservoir that supplied water to the elaborate fountains found throughout the gardens.</td></tr>
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Vicino called his park, the Sacro Bosco, rather than a garden, as he built it without significantly altering the existing terrain and wild trees. This both made the project an expression of his personal ideals and fantasy, rather than the controlling hand prescribed by piers. One of the first marvels I encountered was on my journey was a toppled and broken tomb lying on its side along a path above the creek, alluding to the ravages of time on antiquity. The style is similar to Etruscan tombs found in the area. Parts of the garden utilized preexisting elements from antiquity.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqcL0Y_UFfSEF22BS7IpXTPTx7W7nooxlmnPBnRKNvogeWVRbMvqi8smSM8dya2QKUTU3HzJoAhCvILdcPCHWMXo_i4dQx4dNVrIXkpIWTXVEbdTmVPmLJfB3cAONlHKcLSMRYzJo5p-o/s1600/P1030179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqcL0Y_UFfSEF22BS7IpXTPTx7W7nooxlmnPBnRKNvogeWVRbMvqi8smSM8dya2QKUTU3HzJoAhCvILdcPCHWMXo_i4dQx4dNVrIXkpIWTXVEbdTmVPmLJfB3cAONlHKcLSMRYzJo5p-o/s640/P1030179.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A toppled tomb alludes to the ruin of time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrR4LgDyZvqWisYRgWSie74NPJ-XI0eXStft987FikRnIMGy6H08JjYN7-biduJk5CXP1dsmozPyteDqGrvIAYRi25-Gnik-tHAhF66XOsqRjwQtM8sD-XvnANqvXaCFjUlL23YgZC9gf/s1600/P1030354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrR4LgDyZvqWisYRgWSie74NPJ-XI0eXStft987FikRnIMGy6H08JjYN7-biduJk5CXP1dsmozPyteDqGrvIAYRi25-Gnik-tHAhF66XOsqRjwQtM8sD-XvnANqvXaCFjUlL23YgZC9gf/s640/P1030354.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone blocks form a terrace surrounding a boulder carved with an inscription</td></tr>
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A tall stone block terrace was built around huge boulders leading to the first of the famous monumental sculptures at Bomarzo. Carved from a boulder outcrop, a Herculean giant tears an unfortunate adversary apart by the legs while hanging upside down. While it isn't apparent who the characters true identity is, the title on the map says that it is Hercules and Cacus, referring to the 10th of the 12 labors of penance required of Hercules to atone for the killing of his wife and children after being driven mad by the Goddess Hera. The cut boulders by the path are carved with inscriptions, one which proclaims " if Rhodes of old was elevated by its colossus so by this one my wood is made glorious too and more I cannot do. I do as much as I am able to." While boastful, it encourages a sense of awe and conflict in a rite of passage. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYh23uoK5l6Z5_Y6j0-7U0yuJxsoUitEhRYPnY4nohLZu6ZiL0PZCECkJYo7zSOmpu7-ptd48a_N-LYwPcy1MOvMRn9jmbicEzgB6oEYSzxWT2c5WP_Ihn8fzdelJds7xIujf1liw0-e_7/s1600/P1030180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYh23uoK5l6Z5_Y6j0-7U0yuJxsoUitEhRYPnY4nohLZu6ZiL0PZCECkJYo7zSOmpu7-ptd48a_N-LYwPcy1MOvMRn9jmbicEzgB6oEYSzxWT2c5WP_Ihn8fzdelJds7xIujf1liw0-e_7/s640/P1030180.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrestling Giants</td></tr>
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It is also possible that the figures are derived from the madness of Orlando, driven mad by love and jealosy in the story of Orlando Furioso.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPDW_Vyk0UJlRRBLkGDnc9I6VIwAexDhTRSSkLPZlD54JzzLSguYWNzafwy7A6dLcD3Ie0hiDYWtxJrItZFlXvnijpZQ7Z9ZIUu0G8EFRh7YYdOiVXJEjTWHRdvctZ0sk1c3JvfeDTeC6/s1600/P1030189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPDW_Vyk0UJlRRBLkGDnc9I6VIwAexDhTRSSkLPZlD54JzzLSguYWNzafwy7A6dLcD3Ie0hiDYWtxJrItZFlXvnijpZQ7Z9ZIUu0G8EFRh7YYdOiVXJEjTWHRdvctZ0sk1c3JvfeDTeC6/s640/P1030189.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrestling Giants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuBTAlB7Ue9L9DcUdKtpCB6gNxgZo_eRqXa5yHB6fMF1uV13VzXn9MkzdwrPvU5aeDlTejJbmfzXbJgiKyrckvFPQKqHS7lIxxrrO96Ve2RYjlRMjfjjoIA9zB6x9wrAIXF7825TMTzNT/s1600/P1030187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuBTAlB7Ue9L9DcUdKtpCB6gNxgZo_eRqXa5yHB6fMF1uV13VzXn9MkzdwrPvU5aeDlTejJbmfzXbJgiKyrckvFPQKqHS7lIxxrrO96Ve2RYjlRMjfjjoIA9zB6x9wrAIXF7825TMTzNT/s640/P1030187.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The head of Cacus?</td></tr>
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Behind the giants are cast off armour and a helmet with the Orsini crest on them, bringing Vicino's experiences and disallusion with war in to the destructive conflict of the depiction.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdgqtMm9x40NfZ-W_pVEY6DhVdM29uXcn7VU91Gbgy3xw3UsPZO6v4Enyv3RSfNzuFJmUMmspiFr9WYYjJV2marIMmbcVGdpqeS6W78kWzLWf7wSQpbjcQXcQ5jgHFpllO6SJIhpRK4dy/s1600/P1030191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdgqtMm9x40NfZ-W_pVEY6DhVdM29uXcn7VU91Gbgy3xw3UsPZO6v4Enyv3RSfNzuFJmUMmspiFr9WYYjJV2marIMmbcVGdpqeS6W78kWzLWf7wSQpbjcQXcQ5jgHFpllO6SJIhpRK4dy/s640/P1030191.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Backside of the Wrestling Giants</td></tr>
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Continuing down the path, another group of large sculptures comes in to view. The stream flows over a small cascade by the sharp toothed head of a whale like orc who's head emerges from the bottom of the valley with a gaping mouth. On a terrace above the orc is a giant tortoise with a draped statue of Nike standing on a sphere on a pedastle balanced on its shell. She once held two horns as seen in a later engraving that may have spouted water on demand as an amusing folly. The tortoise and Victory (Nike) symbolize moving through time slowly and patiently while a hastier life balances precariously on the sphere. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpiK8clOB1UeTfnOjeUCS9cpPDiV6WMsV31t1ydqiKG-PZJjKYFF6FZ47-jruvWj-SvRLl9c8IgHJ9j0Edi5xybPSu0c_qaNh69RhK5u_83QKF2fgxhPo2nO0OR2Dnda76U4qfwys3hkK/s1600/P1030192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpiK8clOB1UeTfnOjeUCS9cpPDiV6WMsV31t1ydqiKG-PZJjKYFF6FZ47-jruvWj-SvRLl9c8IgHJ9j0Edi5xybPSu0c_qaNh69RhK5u_83QKF2fgxhPo2nO0OR2Dnda76U4qfwys3hkK/s640/P1030192.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tortoise and Orc and the edge of the Pegasus fountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTyQOtuXyyUYGvpB3ufSHJRfCqlXOeoOhs-OYmKyG19TjDO_dj65ZAOoVNz0fOyk-G8Vq3vQgxTDvFVNKu_XXkLUraqDmkXvfKG1hl5l5sRDOdYtp16v_D5fHScxFuKIZf3IeO_M2bQBV/s1600/P1030363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTyQOtuXyyUYGvpB3ufSHJRfCqlXOeoOhs-OYmKyG19TjDO_dj65ZAOoVNz0fOyk-G8Vq3vQgxTDvFVNKu_XXkLUraqDmkXvfKG1hl5l5sRDOdYtp16v_D5fHScxFuKIZf3IeO_M2bQBV/s640/P1030363.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tortoise with a statue of Nike standing on an orb</td></tr>
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It is said that people sometimes dined inside the gaping mouth of the Orc. On this winter's day the stream rushed around its base, where it seems to rise up from the waters, and it is possible that a dam once formed a pool that surrounded this creature up to its neck. The Orc plays a part in the epic tale Orlando Furioso and was used by the sorceress Alcina to lure and transport the English knight Adolpho to her island home, where he was seduced and held captive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9CVsZKy9iDuwD8s3Rhka9TQkImK2AxbS3U9l08PSOkEWIARdmkPKT_tjGzp_9u1LQT6gtlOzoc7xJGWlK3qTyK4SrMdPX7d2cVS_AupdVDMc8CgWYA49JC8Rwc0EceTGn5ot0mA914oJ/s1600/P1030361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9CVsZKy9iDuwD8s3Rhka9TQkImK2AxbS3U9l08PSOkEWIARdmkPKT_tjGzp_9u1LQT6gtlOzoc7xJGWlK3qTyK4SrMdPX7d2cVS_AupdVDMc8CgWYA49JC8Rwc0EceTGn5ot0mA914oJ/s640/P1030361.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Whale/Orcus has an inscription obscured by moss that translates to "All Thoughts Fly"</td></tr>
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Nearby there is a tilted circular fountain basin with a statue of the winged horse Pegasus touching his hoof to a rock at the top of Mount Helicon, from which the spring of Hippocrene emerges in Greek myth. The Hippocrene was sacred to the Muses and those who drank from it were imbued with poetic inspiration. Much of the sculpting is not particularly masterful in its rendered and has a rustic look that compliments the wildness of the forest. This may well have been the necessity of limited funds and a lack of highly skilled artisans. There is a Pegasus fountain at the Villa d'Este at Tivoli and the Villa Lante in Bagnaia as well, bringing the auspicious blessing this myth extolls. Pegasus is the symbol of the Farnese family, and this statue is oriented to look directly up the hill to the Villa Orsini providing a visual connection between the families. The tilted basin was once surrounded by statues of 10 Muses, with Apollo, Jupiter, Mercury, and Bacchus overseeing the gathering from four corners behind. This is known because of an engraving by the artist Giovanni Guerra, who made several interpretive illustrations of elements in the garden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcv9m9-r9AxXLI4gIXsZzHBJXiZaIQjb_vbm11W9aUDBUiAcQXd04925n6R1LyoYFJAmt_ZpVibx_qkReT5E2cH_-72cQ9ruK3mX5R7rg7hjqGPS-kB2jMrY_pUP8tiwYgfn2l-pk2Kwk/s1600/P1030195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcv9m9-r9AxXLI4gIXsZzHBJXiZaIQjb_vbm11W9aUDBUiAcQXd04925n6R1LyoYFJAmt_ZpVibx_qkReT5E2cH_-72cQ9ruK3mX5R7rg7hjqGPS-kB2jMrY_pUP8tiwYgfn2l-pk2Kwk/s640/P1030195.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pegasus Fountain</td></tr>
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The fourth sculpture in this group is a simple Myrtle tree trunk, which relates to the chivalrous story from Ludovico's Orlando Furioso where King Ruggiero flies to the island pleasure garden of the sorceress Alcina on a winged hippogryph, a creature that is half eagle and half horse. He did this in order to rescue the beautiful pagan princess Angelica, who is held captive there. He ties the hippogryph to the trunk of the myrtle tree. As the creature eats the leaves of the tree, it reveals itself as the English knight Astolfo, whom the sorceress had lured to her island and turned into the myrtle when she grew bored of him. The tale spans the globe, and even includes a trip to the moon. You'll just have to read the book as it is one of the epic tales of a distant time that is hard to encapsulate in to an essay such as this. This part of the story was written as an opera called Alcina, one of three relating to Orlando by George Frideric Handle in 1734. You can. for the sake of understanding, read the synopsis of the plot at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando_Furioso.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUfVk8oApIgjwm1sN5yW5wLZUgz_9TDxrnDm_ztDH7sH44QosF2jcxKGuzX3Tv8Eyik-cXkZ_ZFUL0HrmSS_VooEudl0QA6EiKMv_J38Ru3LyrSL79hh9k6O0_z6Hba9ssExrpEwlDugX/s1600/P1030196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUfVk8oApIgjwm1sN5yW5wLZUgz_9TDxrnDm_ztDH7sH44QosF2jcxKGuzX3Tv8Eyik-cXkZ_ZFUL0HrmSS_VooEudl0QA6EiKMv_J38Ru3LyrSL79hh9k6O0_z6Hba9ssExrpEwlDugX/s640/P1030196.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trunk of the Myrtle Tree, which the sorceress Alcina turned the knight Adolfo in to.</td></tr>
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The Sacro Bosco originally had sophisticated water fountains, none of which function today. While doing research I found a report written by British hydraulic engineers who came to Bomarzo to survey the hydraulic systems that were used to provide water to the many fountains and pools. The ruined state of the gardens after 400 years of neglect leaves much to be deciphered. They found remnants of the old lake, storage tanks, pools, water channels and pipes connecting many parts of the gardens. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHHcvgOnEHKzI1PZJh9zAr197Tu8QWeLdiaUA2NG0RBYeT3Q2HAPyOH7ctx-dzm0_KTQ6PUsIAud-_1C-hAYYbVkcoaYGrNPlzgESI5ko-gDm25ZmvF6SXEJyZiNY45bHqEd4YAOkNB-9/s1600/P1030181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHHcvgOnEHKzI1PZJh9zAr197Tu8QWeLdiaUA2NG0RBYeT3Q2HAPyOH7ctx-dzm0_KTQ6PUsIAud-_1C-hAYYbVkcoaYGrNPlzgESI5ko-gDm25ZmvF6SXEJyZiNY45bHqEd4YAOkNB-9/s640/P1030181.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A waterfall cascades over a stone terrace</td></tr>
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Originally the sculptures were painted, so the organic natural appearance you see today is very different fro their original appearance. The closest thing in Oregon to Bomarzo that I can think of is called Enchanted Forest, a popular children's amusement park south of the capital of Salem. It has the theme of popular fairy tales, with characters made of painted concrete. This theme park is also meant to amaze and bring fantasy to life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-nwmSsh8fD2rQdzRzj8veplt0y7hbPXJQhGXHqggL9lfrgZA5n1UZpS54tg5O-HGUrJVwBTrSYoWIbb85kIOyDXQp_P7QhoZVUbQuYeGYobXQU_HifGV9Ic_lwsLcMdLKEY6hQ3zj8DE/s1600/Enchanted-Forest-Collage-8-1024x773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1024" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-nwmSsh8fD2rQdzRzj8veplt0y7hbPXJQhGXHqggL9lfrgZA5n1UZpS54tg5O-HGUrJVwBTrSYoWIbb85kIOyDXQp_P7QhoZVUbQuYeGYobXQU_HifGV9Ic_lwsLcMdLKEY6hQ3zj8DE/s640/Enchanted-Forest-Collage-8-1024x773.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A witch house and paths at the Enchanted Forest south of Salem, Oregon</td></tr>
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The Sacred Grove went in to decline shortly after Vicino's death and lay in ruins for 400 years. It was purchased in 1951 by a real estate agent by the name of Giovanni Bettini, who along with his wife Tina Severini and the architect Maria Louisa del Guidice oversaw the clearing of the monuments and their restoration. They eventually opened the site to the public. On its dedication the Catholic Church felt it appropriate for send a priest to perform an exorcism to drive out the dark spirits and sexual innuendos that the the Catholic Church associated with the pagan, literary characters depicted in the garden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWI2WsA0uRc1Et0Ve7MxmOzVBhWrTI_FirR2Zk0mkaJA_Ui2LWCuKptFnqnCx5Ibat-DpdSVwBbItwG-okKhkW5gb_umPrTrRIFbUTffU7FtqC_B0o5s51NuPOyzD79hCuNZp7M5osrcM/s1600/P1030197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWI2WsA0uRc1Et0Ve7MxmOzVBhWrTI_FirR2Zk0mkaJA_Ui2LWCuKptFnqnCx5Ibat-DpdSVwBbItwG-okKhkW5gb_umPrTrRIFbUTffU7FtqC_B0o5s51NuPOyzD79hCuNZp7M5osrcM/s640/P1030197.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure what this is, a grinding mortar, or a space ship to the moon</td></tr>
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The more monumental works, carved from giant boulders were able to maintain their sculptural integrity while more constructed parts of the garden collapsed and needed significant restoration. On the day I visited there were two caretakers who kept their distance while I prowled around. Eventually I approached them and showed them photos of my mosaic work and garden projects. My Italian has gotten better since then, but once they had met me they seemed to be more relaxed by my presence and stopped keeping an eye on me. It was then that I became more bold, climbing over railings to get a closer view of some of the sculptures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b_EZWHeACBWz3hV9XPGMbjWkGVih8uVhAJWONcHXT0EyFlzT9Nn-bzPxlPAnWj0DYdoI-ppVI-Zeqwe4MT3Yp6jFlC-yUItH1b3pA33q6-zPJcanYs3-QydVjpZTSFrtMoog0ksufPMl/s1600/P1030272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b_EZWHeACBWz3hV9XPGMbjWkGVih8uVhAJWONcHXT0EyFlzT9Nn-bzPxlPAnWj0DYdoI-ppVI-Zeqwe4MT3Yp6jFlC-yUItH1b3pA33q6-zPJcanYs3-QydVjpZTSFrtMoog0ksufPMl/s640/P1030272.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two caretakers</td></tr>
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Further along the path lies an ovate boat that was once filled with water. It is flanked by two pairs of dolfins that spouted water in to the flat bottomed vessel, suggesting a paradox, the boat being a reservoir for water rather than floating on the surface.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho16nP2-PwKTLYiTPtOuVpCG7pyxLNhEaTYspsCf-pRjb9DJgfaVHAX7rOGVtm9CYAcvhayLycgZnA_g0ZGnVqjUsYERtUeOpq3ucOAbQtqWNLlT-offPh4cXmGJ2m86hVIjAyr_kg1G-d/s1600/P1030204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho16nP2-PwKTLYiTPtOuVpCG7pyxLNhEaTYspsCf-pRjb9DJgfaVHAX7rOGVtm9CYAcvhayLycgZnA_g0ZGnVqjUsYERtUeOpq3ucOAbQtqWNLlT-offPh4cXmGJ2m86hVIjAyr_kg1G-d/s640/P1030204.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stone boat with dolphin fountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxWeI3YKjvLv4bt41Qr3AryV4SVYANaqK_sGww-L-5Lx8p3ctync3eGHOpIAoUlA9TGxRxFCPQPHr8B2saF0LoyNFxY2ICj7OMeRty758uhPVFpvctpE8yOa9WAYvtWPgHmaSSjMb37wA/s1600/P1030212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxWeI3YKjvLv4bt41Qr3AryV4SVYANaqK_sGww-L-5Lx8p3ctync3eGHOpIAoUlA9TGxRxFCPQPHr8B2saF0LoyNFxY2ICj7OMeRty758uhPVFpvctpE8yOa9WAYvtWPgHmaSSjMb37wA/s640/P1030212.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from the other direction</td></tr>
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The path continues onward, lined by sculpted benches made for resting and engaging in conversation or flirtation. Vicino loved women and had numerous relationships. After his wife's death he had two children with a young teenage shepherdess. As he grew older, he laments in letters to his dear friend, the Frenchman Giovanni Drouet of his loss of vigor, sense of taste and smell, and sexual desire. The benches are framed in lions and caryatid brackets laid on their side, that were probably moved from other applications when they were vertical sconces in a wall. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDu43DfY6gwWM_mBb0EupE5mInXyKw0Wr0-u2zozeBdKUrErdIycdwPMlI7TQK_AiNdXMBO7Mx2SuD7MHquK4xBX5I6v25FbAuwlvr3-CWvMkxVfudCjI5c34oInrRa9wcRKbfOYo0CMo/s1600/P1030206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDu43DfY6gwWM_mBb0EupE5mInXyKw0Wr0-u2zozeBdKUrErdIycdwPMlI7TQK_AiNdXMBO7Mx2SuD7MHquK4xBX5I6v25FbAuwlvr3-CWvMkxVfudCjI5c34oInrRa9wcRKbfOYo0CMo/s640/P1030206.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sculpted benches on either side of the path create spaces for intimate conversation and dalliances.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9loJ3bVTZKSsLXmX30MI4rr6FH-iTScOL3EZtcLh1bmQcEp24bPr8YUZuS5OwpatdtzgAWq_VcT3SjQLwtBkoSFee4DPHuBhLZjL-R3yQ7zGhiIiam0UrFgyPJhutf9beipcODfbQ43G/s1600/P1030205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9loJ3bVTZKSsLXmX30MI4rr6FH-iTScOL3EZtcLh1bmQcEp24bPr8YUZuS5OwpatdtzgAWq_VcT3SjQLwtBkoSFee4DPHuBhLZjL-R3yQ7zGhiIiam0UrFgyPJhutf9beipcODfbQ43G/s640/P1030205.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A caryatid bracket set on it's side to frame a bench.</td></tr>
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Behind one of these benches on the uphill side is a niche containing a relief of the Three Graces, voluptuous nude attendants of the Goddess Venus. This tryptic has multiple connotations, relating to the planets Jupiter, Venus, and the Sun, friendship, commeradary, and alchemy, and bearing good fortune and health on those who experience the sacred wood. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L_sZH9yH0l-US-1D9v_O9ty4Ph-ZzvD_Hme40zpdLPhV36njK9yiTr3kyiZ6aVgvDEr6xGvwNjWxJJ0blSypkUgxn5JVD6yMNnAChU3FP5BFy9aMwXouacQUhnR0ccHXxjJFG9Bhe4AJ/s1600/P1030200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L_sZH9yH0l-US-1D9v_O9ty4Ph-ZzvD_Hme40zpdLPhV36njK9yiTr3kyiZ6aVgvDEr6xGvwNjWxJJ0blSypkUgxn5JVD6yMNnAChU3FP5BFy9aMwXouacQUhnR0ccHXxjJFG9Bhe4AJ/s640/P1030200.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lion and bench, with the Three Graces and Nymphaum behind.</td></tr>
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Adjacent to this is the Nyphaeum, carved from solid rock with smooth and rough surfaces to give the illusion of great antiquity. It was originally covered with a vaulted roof. The Nymphs were beautiful demi goddesses who inhabited natural landscapes in Greek mythology. They were not immortal but had long lives, and cavorted with satyrs in the wild. Nymphaeums were popular architectural and ceremonial spaces in Roman and Renaissance architecture as a symbolically ritualistic communion with the spirit of nature. The inscription on the wall says "The cave and fountain free you from every dark thought."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4olBxPPI_leZsLheo1E3_QI9tn20RzdVnkVOem9NYKT0uT2ZfAytxKVuTOtEyHxvyt1F5jfilnFAYAnEtFMs5xJoY6I3F72-ov8fHrErFxwrFUv4Dqp21qN-lNVJyGQCGzbAxPi80CwUo/s1600/P1030203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4olBxPPI_leZsLheo1E3_QI9tn20RzdVnkVOem9NYKT0uT2ZfAytxKVuTOtEyHxvyt1F5jfilnFAYAnEtFMs5xJoY6I3F72-ov8fHrErFxwrFUv4Dqp21qN-lNVJyGQCGzbAxPi80CwUo/s640/P1030203.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nymphaeum</td></tr>
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Alchemy plays an important and illusive role in the themes of the garden. Man in his struggle to confront his ego, is <i>lead</i> on a path of confrontation, rites of passage, and the disollusion of self in the quest for a state of enlightenment free of the bondage of worldly self absorbtion. The sculptures in the garden are repesentations of the path one takes in a life of self discovery, destruction of the ego, purification, and the resulting freedom from the constraints of human emotion. This fascinating film by Livio Fornoni expresses these deeply meaningful concepts. Gardens designed and built today rarely contain anything close to the depth and profundity that is expressed in the mystical adventures that are manifested in the Sacro Bosco.<br />
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Life is a journey and the paths through this garden lead you to face the monsters that await to confront you. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNUQHE-u5UzU5zcSsV9AdVHOEC3HpKsh08Gg7iLumzbgHuJA41D89oro2ZvP0NEMT40hVwSERiE7TDX9B7Eflh5eNE-rGaEE1CV-ww3ztfoxskgqXGXZHE2CEZgiYfM6rHYC1oBElmLln/s1600/P1030199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNUQHE-u5UzU5zcSsV9AdVHOEC3HpKsh08Gg7iLumzbgHuJA41D89oro2ZvP0NEMT40hVwSERiE7TDX9B7Eflh5eNE-rGaEE1CV-ww3ztfoxskgqXGXZHE2CEZgiYfM6rHYC1oBElmLln/s640/P1030199.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rustic steps made of logs and rough stones</td></tr>
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Up the slope above the Nymphaeum lies a giant sleeping Nymph, guarded over by a dog seated at attention. Nymphs traditionally reside around springs of water, a source of refreshment and liquid music. A prominent publication from the time that Vicino no doubt owned was the Italian Dominican priest Francesco Colonna's illustrated Hypnerotomachia Poliphili (say that 5 times). You can read a short but informative description of the book's provenence and importance as a turning point in publication at: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/365313<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbuNhLgIoA5C8Pz17kddN28pShLEi9L8NFVu6Cm7MDTQQAjGC-qYb32ZwwUGpsmV7a6oCje5suQIXSTYeoFeRN5ToRurtgH962GMN0qFGj30NqFz_1KBFQhsIcZjqDiOx0uhQHnThJchc/s1600/P1030254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbuNhLgIoA5C8Pz17kddN28pShLEi9L8NFVu6Cm7MDTQQAjGC-qYb32ZwwUGpsmV7a6oCje5suQIXSTYeoFeRN5ToRurtgH962GMN0qFGj30NqFz_1KBFQhsIcZjqDiOx0uhQHnThJchc/s640/P1030254.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sleeping or dying Nymph watched over by a dog</td></tr>
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One of the illustrations features a sleeping Nymph in a similar pose. She is sensual and vulnerable in her condition, hence the need for the dog in case some unruly satyr were to come along like the one in the book. Vicino brought to life the visuals conjured by literature in oversized dimensions to make them as epic as the stories they tell. Her body is now clothed in moss, and the fact that she is remotely sited gives her an intimate erotic presence.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOXVw3ai7C61S_xpKtf_6RHkzlD1wC5MgMHhCbwsXSEY8Nh5zPxLKiwiSMKxSMlY0VRvCd7qYEAS0KSRxhiHImAg10rtHZF6bakROhvKyugjF2-xCHe9Mxc87AYNLto01O-NjNRhPY70N/s1600/P1030257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOXVw3ai7C61S_xpKtf_6RHkzlD1wC5MgMHhCbwsXSEY8Nh5zPxLKiwiSMKxSMlY0VRvCd7qYEAS0KSRxhiHImAg10rtHZF6bakROhvKyugjF2-xCHe9Mxc87AYNLto01O-NjNRhPY70N/s640/P1030257.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The loyal protection afforded by the attentive dog allows the Nymph to drift safely away in to a world of dreams.</td></tr>
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I admired her moss and lichen encrusted hand for some time. It has the look of tree bark, making her appear to become part of nature.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KLKLZSGg0qL4mWmC9mTzTecV0_8GgbojioMAa-XK5w1CXT5EOWiqAT3b-pritUtBJXEqcfs0rojLBMh5GJJ8YXJpiX9hodBP7nA49PkGc2MLqnJgbal6WCHBtg6NLNqEh1d6EIZVg6vq/s1600/P1030255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KLKLZSGg0qL4mWmC9mTzTecV0_8GgbojioMAa-XK5w1CXT5EOWiqAT3b-pritUtBJXEqcfs0rojLBMh5GJJ8YXJpiX9hodBP7nA49PkGc2MLqnJgbal6WCHBtg6NLNqEh1d6EIZVg6vq/s640/P1030255.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nymph's hand, beautifully patinaed with moss and lichen</td></tr>
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Back down the hill, the wall turns in to the broad open space of a stepped theater. At the entrance to this grotto are two giant faces with deeply furrowed brows and gaping mustached mouths from which water once flowed. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhVaUer2gpQEtDdredscKZr57TPhqaPJro83tV2fA91IHIRy24kgQ_WRGH5tdhJbn6M6QKbRbsKVst0JZTOjGT9RpbSNNkIMw3btpKrGKYW3yV172kIXEcwaw000DzPe6vrYA8Rt-PgI5/s1600/P1030228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhVaUer2gpQEtDdredscKZr57TPhqaPJro83tV2fA91IHIRy24kgQ_WRGH5tdhJbn6M6QKbRbsKVst0JZTOjGT9RpbSNNkIMw3btpKrGKYW3yV172kIXEcwaw000DzPe6vrYA8Rt-PgI5/s640/P1030228.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uKIaN71cjTAKJdiNBv0-t5prntOHXjmdcNVlEsGkMXEWFe0-MyPoi2t9nqYuk19SoeOMMTzqfHhQHBPXAhIlR2VHAcY4M4wtqy0j-aDeT6fL4bm1sVdQdCxB16JzIVrvA2VnMhc2iOfF/s1600/P1030258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uKIaN71cjTAKJdiNBv0-t5prntOHXjmdcNVlEsGkMXEWFe0-MyPoi2t9nqYuk19SoeOMMTzqfHhQHBPXAhIlR2VHAcY4M4wtqy0j-aDeT6fL4bm1sVdQdCxB16JzIVrvA2VnMhc2iOfF/s640/P1030258.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mask with the curled horns of a ram once spilled water in to this pool.</td></tr>
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There is a point in this exploration of the garden where you find yourself on a stage, viewing yourself externally before the eyes of the world. As Vicino advanced in age, he wrote to his friend Drouet: "When I consider that from now on there are no more installations to be made in my boschetto, other than contemplating the deeper and higher things, this had the effect on me of leaving me insensible, with a soul like a statue. The thrill is gone. The theater was most likely used for performances or readings of literature.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJuVIsVKqet0vQkjwx8lK85C-F2wApwgDC5G1r5VkDKJxwAZ2sk7Nu_w4BmZwbjFhSGiutHkXrBKcAEcKiYIqTC4Sd3r8TcxG2LUMPVfVVZPpGJp_SBSA20VRM-O71mLt4FWouNLyAWXP/s1600/P1030215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJuVIsVKqet0vQkjwx8lK85C-F2wApwgDC5G1r5VkDKJxwAZ2sk7Nu_w4BmZwbjFhSGiutHkXrBKcAEcKiYIqTC4Sd3r8TcxG2LUMPVfVVZPpGJp_SBSA20VRM-O71mLt4FWouNLyAWXP/s640/P1030215.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Sacro Bosco was built as a place to entertain guests, to share ideas and the philosophical ideals expressed in literature and soul searching. In winter, the hazelnut trees are in bloom with pale yellow catkins dangling like ornaments. These beautifully frame the the statue of a solumn looking woman who once held a basin from which water fell. Her arms broke off perhaps centuries ago along with whatever it was she was holding.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjGAMXZlS9az1VMl0KgriYozze9KLeXLPLT-p5m87lOSAXdAfL9IQFtSjW8nx9wvEjBzaO3_wBQC9_QlU-q0GO88zZWxSfVwWztemRnbInAEMGbOwJIBCHpd8bNXA37KgC6U5-J_ZKbwA/s1600/P1030226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjGAMXZlS9az1VMl0KgriYozze9KLeXLPLT-p5m87lOSAXdAfL9IQFtSjW8nx9wvEjBzaO3_wBQC9_QlU-q0GO88zZWxSfVwWztemRnbInAEMGbOwJIBCHpd8bNXA37KgC6U5-J_ZKbwA/s640/P1030226.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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She stands atop a winged dragon like creature. There is speculation that this image represents the Egyptian goddess Isis because of the creature she stands on. Isis was the most revered of Egyptian Goddesses during Roman times. A series of holes around the perimeter of the arch may have been fountain jets spraying a web of water around her.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYd3zhi77aiIbkjno6SxOKDWML9KeBZ-dKAKEr-dq1-eNj8wrqJv45pc8pcUls7SBEnoH4kJFnFAeJWxCFmXmX4Zm-eGoXjB2Aams9EAYOrTfeUvT1EBXJZ6py6IWLl_V-jjW_Mt0LUae/s1600/P1030227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYd3zhi77aiIbkjno6SxOKDWML9KeBZ-dKAKEr-dq1-eNj8wrqJv45pc8pcUls7SBEnoH4kJFnFAeJWxCFmXmX4Zm-eGoXjB2Aams9EAYOrTfeUvT1EBXJZ6py6IWLl_V-jjW_Mt0LUae/s640/P1030227.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isis?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOuo-eZM11Lwy0yfYrlBzjZmm_WD0pcvB1EiGTYA5cQbfU0K_N0qDbLAGQhbKybhOYKJuiE31UjSDdqNkcyGG9dB0hlJ9te2GVzjRIzKXgIoFE1iAsgqroBshP3dfP7_9idMKLasMZ3vL/s1600/P1030211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOuo-eZM11Lwy0yfYrlBzjZmm_WD0pcvB1EiGTYA5cQbfU0K_N0qDbLAGQhbKybhOYKJuiE31UjSDdqNkcyGG9dB0hlJ9te2GVzjRIzKXgIoFE1iAsgqroBshP3dfP7_9idMKLasMZ3vL/s640/P1030211.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The winged dragon like creature on which the woman is standing.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OeqvIkW-h2KgP5tEa8tNEwvn_6RBFu6tfH9Yeg-i_VZFgRuZS1SmONMaf7dl1vZW7J6x8o4ei3Rzu1Dn2sELVlGPIGX2ai2T51m1oikhUjMVHvtt91EecMxIMNGPbTK_zY1JQvuhLkvJ/s1600/P1030417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OeqvIkW-h2KgP5tEa8tNEwvn_6RBFu6tfH9Yeg-i_VZFgRuZS1SmONMaf7dl1vZW7J6x8o4ei3Rzu1Dn2sELVlGPIGX2ai2T51m1oikhUjMVHvtt91EecMxIMNGPbTK_zY1JQvuhLkvJ/s640/P1030417.JPG" width="360" /></a>The theater has 7 columns with wild looking busts with baskets on top their heads. They stand on square tapering columns that are the remains of what may have been an avenue of Herms. Some of them have two or four faces, representing the four ages of man. They also represent the four faced diety Janus, the god of beginnings and ends, transitions, and duality. Herms were originally of Greek origin and were used as boundary markers and were associated with the god Hermes. <br />
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Directly opposite the Herms are 7 empty niches that may have once held statues. Giant Etruscan style urns stand along the top of the wall backing the theater. A set of wide stepped terraces surounds an ovate space with a sloped central surface which once contained a fountain. Two rectangular column bases frame the steps with inscriptions, one which contains line "Sol per sfogar il Coro", "Only to unburden the heart."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9hgpjS0pg4VVIpZkeNbgSOM2mR1QwYNpVJc8XUHpL4sDHi0RRkb5jBJd8DAxtRHJd3cyYze_jdRc26clBsRQAoq_fXKgQZF4btVRFYmvjm8X57WbSIlA0tkU5I8l3xv8DvfRhiqVHmQW/s1600/P1030213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9hgpjS0pg4VVIpZkeNbgSOM2mR1QwYNpVJc8XUHpL4sDHi0RRkb5jBJd8DAxtRHJd3cyYze_jdRc26clBsRQAoq_fXKgQZF4btVRFYmvjm8X57WbSIlA0tkU5I8l3xv8DvfRhiqVHmQW/s640/P1030213.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Theater</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHlNDTX2BndibUV8ru5v2dfXutqtcEV5oZ12ANzyLJFXEDsoIAPYa55RK-m8MhfGC8TbLOjRHT0Q6UY2xbLMqDWIBkJ6MGQnxzYuWbTBmGnEr0WXAf6aBZlfwjI-mHx3azekI5vNW5NB6/s1600/P1030405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHlNDTX2BndibUV8ru5v2dfXutqtcEV5oZ12ANzyLJFXEDsoIAPYa55RK-m8MhfGC8TbLOjRHT0Q6UY2xbLMqDWIBkJ6MGQnxzYuWbTBmGnEr0WXAf6aBZlfwjI-mHx3azekI5vNW5NB6/s640/P1030405.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Theater</td></tr>
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To the right, facing the Theater is one of the most iconic structures at Bomarzo, the Leaning House. This two story building tilts in to the slope as if pushed over by faulting in an earthquake. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWNIIAIU6jKnBY8ypuM6DSyRTRjT-tA5-BFCfivCaBx4j7mHxmor24SxYQWMMZ_W80a04XfRp7_2ZejzgmY_pOC3x11jLFC0hmeKWeBJ765ewHSpEUNh_WKW74KzpMmrUUxn0JPxKz4oI/s1600/P1030252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWNIIAIU6jKnBY8ypuM6DSyRTRjT-tA5-BFCfivCaBx4j7mHxmor24SxYQWMMZ_W80a04XfRp7_2ZejzgmY_pOC3x11jLFC0hmeKWeBJ765ewHSpEUNh_WKW74KzpMmrUUxn0JPxKz4oI/s640/P1030252.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Theater and the Leaning House</td></tr>
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A large flat terrace flanks the downhill side of the house, eccentuating the tilt of the structure with the remains of an ovate white marble fountain basin in one corner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6rvGraBfI1DrQEW4ewZh1P7ZBdipx8rI576hRoenJk9Apu7f2wGINPuxeWPOY2QkFwzAiTlEdUY2n70ZItm_XZ5SY06TQWZJfU9jsyFnOWW12dMz4ad6u7i_g4_7hcUeGHq6rbjLnkMx/s1600/P1030237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6rvGraBfI1DrQEW4ewZh1P7ZBdipx8rI576hRoenJk9Apu7f2wGINPuxeWPOY2QkFwzAiTlEdUY2n70ZItm_XZ5SY06TQWZJfU9jsyFnOWW12dMz4ad6u7i_g4_7hcUeGHq6rbjLnkMx/s640/P1030237.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The terrace viewed from a window in the leaning house.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0IjMpSMs4f0bXK1IP_63SohCTREOuYyrA5vmB2acMOT3L8LeAg_zP1bxPeZSFo96pP4B8aJ0kwKLME6p3pVv_Mr5ymSU9KWctZ2tJobIPSu9rUw9GlnvUU8ObFV4QNjLcwxb-gx7xN_I/s1600/P1030218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0IjMpSMs4f0bXK1IP_63SohCTREOuYyrA5vmB2acMOT3L8LeAg_zP1bxPeZSFo96pP4B8aJ0kwKLME6p3pVv_Mr5ymSU9KWctZ2tJobIPSu9rUw9GlnvUU8ObFV4QNjLcwxb-gx7xN_I/s640/P1030218.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Leaning House</td></tr>
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There is a plaque with an octopus carved on to it on the bottom corner of the building and a staircase leading up in to the interior. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAfYR1C0FbFEQbp2XE8uvtRb1FvrQ9JCJl1Hn9bIrkzA61yuXiuReJEfGu1CoOz7Ho2yN8V4Hw3KwQ2oCGRuIZQiBnmtXZu2pIrMm6Mk4GbYFJjPIoMrSqn7XNwnBU6y5Z6ObduQlC8So/s1600/P1030219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAfYR1C0FbFEQbp2XE8uvtRb1FvrQ9JCJl1Hn9bIrkzA61yuXiuReJEfGu1CoOz7Ho2yN8V4Hw3KwQ2oCGRuIZQiBnmtXZu2pIrMm6Mk4GbYFJjPIoMrSqn7XNwnBU6y5Z6ObduQlC8So/s640/P1030219.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Octopus ornaments a shield attached to the corner of the Leaning House</td></tr>
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A scrolled plaque at the base of the house has an inscription translated to say: The mind becoming quiet becomes wiser thereby."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVyPQmHZRTaEV4Jo3JraWrkpETy6zJ5cKbqdl5dglkc0T1btk1Z-G9tAjwoaUx5IVKMn6iyIaDmcBwsCTgh1VIC2u06EtI1wgCbTEo179zbBOeqit85qDv2D7bhXa7YOWn6_F0LVq7jHm/s1600/P1030231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVyPQmHZRTaEV4Jo3JraWrkpETy6zJ5cKbqdl5dglkc0T1btk1Z-G9tAjwoaUx5IVKMn6iyIaDmcBwsCTgh1VIC2u06EtI1wgCbTEo179zbBOeqit85qDv2D7bhXa7YOWn6_F0LVq7jHm/s640/P1030231.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The base of a scrolled plaque on the Leaning House</td></tr>
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The views out the windows are disorienting due to the slant of the walls and floors contrasting the even planes of the landscape outside. It is believed that the Leaning House was one of the original entrances to the garden. You can exit the upper level of the building on to the terrace above the adjacent Theater via a small bridge. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAXGSJ6SWcTHgBpo8Y-agJs0r1iZuTIobxidttyscL4jdDwDoAPRTQoIX_IasgPQ7XAExj75WqR58emfUjtbg18fhYtw1Sg54AJQqJfHplHC9-p6wk0ekZ8ssOzKQwqNrr_B1kMC-cslI/s1600/P1030236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAXGSJ6SWcTHgBpo8Y-agJs0r1iZuTIobxidttyscL4jdDwDoAPRTQoIX_IasgPQ7XAExj75WqR58emfUjtbg18fhYtw1Sg54AJQqJfHplHC9-p6wk0ekZ8ssOzKQwqNrr_B1kMC-cslI/s640/P1030236.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tilted view of the Theater from the Leaning House</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEwimawaxqHW1OlZILIGR9N40bgKp8obuEwY4ehquNlkHpRuxq6SVt8jFFSyPPN6IFc8aBCN1lPqsfVEKBXG1C719p4HdXEHmqm7HITAV6yq8qZw7QzBdclHJkD86ZuyQCtase4FwXbFe/s1600/P1030230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEwimawaxqHW1OlZILIGR9N40bgKp8obuEwY4ehquNlkHpRuxq6SVt8jFFSyPPN6IFc8aBCN1lPqsfVEKBXG1C719p4HdXEHmqm7HITAV6yq8qZw7QzBdclHJkD86ZuyQCtase4FwXbFe/s640/P1030230.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Leaning House</td></tr>
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Clearly the Leaning House is meant to confound the mind and alter our sense of perception.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_td8cMqWAcaUPcRAJrFIG9PpplhVNcdJREtIvTYhLghl2JGzEo8QMAmmF9syf43yAIkNiejDbTOrTUTZaTPcAIkZIk0uzZKOhGBTKf1_4TMJFfYorpYMQJp0qTYz2XhRFfCgmvoFSMjyM/s1600/P1030232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_td8cMqWAcaUPcRAJrFIG9PpplhVNcdJREtIvTYhLghl2JGzEo8QMAmmF9syf43yAIkNiejDbTOrTUTZaTPcAIkZIk0uzZKOhGBTKf1_4TMJFfYorpYMQJp0qTYz2XhRFfCgmvoFSMjyM/s640/P1030232.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairs at the base of the Leaning House</td></tr>
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A small altar inset in to a niche by the stairs contains the relief of a woman praying to an image of the crucifixion, the only Christian iconography that I noticed in the garden. Could this be a depiction of his pious wife Giulia?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPXjq5VsZThdJrHu5j3IWfBW3k9uVTJ2VBfc3FcTpeyvnvdAHq8fBmBegu4k4yTouLfIX0X71q5_7ICndmjQ8ImiGbyJgN993egsnVoGgIXqy2QqahWmvj_vk__4L5duaaRg_JLXHqbt3/s1600/P1030234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPXjq5VsZThdJrHu5j3IWfBW3k9uVTJ2VBfc3FcTpeyvnvdAHq8fBmBegu4k4yTouLfIX0X71q5_7ICndmjQ8ImiGbyJgN993egsnVoGgIXqy2QqahWmvj_vk__4L5duaaRg_JLXHqbt3/s640/P1030234.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A praying woman next to a Christ on the cross</td></tr>
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Arriving on to the upper terrace from the Leaning House, a flight of stone steps leads up to what is called the Xystus. In ancient Greece a xystus was a kind of covered gymnasium used for excersizing during inclement weather in the winter months. The Romans adapted the idea to a collonaded garden usually flanked with shade trees. Here at Bomarzo, the Xystus was originally lined with trees, and giant Etruscan style funerary urns. Some of the urns are etched with inscriptions to express literary ideas. One simply says "Notte e giorno", or "night and day". Another says in translation, "Night and day, we are vigilant and ready to protect the fountain from any harm." At the far end of the courtyard lies a monumental river god, remeniscent of those seen at the Capitolini in Rome or the Villa Lante at Bagnaia. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbKvHaP6moppCYqVYa5A3nQipdSNY7eQYHs3v4oSeAL6TkKdItfuE0r2Mm8OGEEvD13mTLfiXeWzfcPhLQoJr4BLUl19ChZsk1ZoC2GP-bYn2iDr2Lw81j07-R84Ey7cL8o809iqAbfVY/s1600/P1030303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbKvHaP6moppCYqVYa5A3nQipdSNY7eQYHs3v4oSeAL6TkKdItfuE0r2Mm8OGEEvD13mTLfiXeWzfcPhLQoJr4BLUl19ChZsk1ZoC2GP-bYn2iDr2Lw81j07-R84Ey7cL8o809iqAbfVY/s640/P1030303.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Xystus</td></tr>
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The funerary urns might suggest the spirits of the dead watching over the space. The river god has a cornucopia filled with fruit and foliage lying by his side. It is possible that while representing a god of all waters, like Neptune, that this god also rules the underworld. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3v7Nj-rn0B5ibfEfmdn3InK9lEqHBthTGEwm1cNuyqbaXwlwDrh0Hf7Zyf4GcpHxTZqj9r1W6Mc7lShaOLzQSe4SZey2foceHMl67eew7JBUDwoVVbLsl1T4oUMjC93hIgOJxEzYb0XG/s1600/P1030273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3v7Nj-rn0B5ibfEfmdn3InK9lEqHBthTGEwm1cNuyqbaXwlwDrh0Hf7Zyf4GcpHxTZqj9r1W6Mc7lShaOLzQSe4SZey2foceHMl67eew7JBUDwoVVbLsl1T4oUMjC93hIgOJxEzYb0XG/s640/P1030273.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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To his left, the head of a giant fish or dolphin rises from the ground, its mouth open wide enough to enter. Water may have cascaded over the rough hewn stones in to the curved basin below the River God.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcdVwgVsTD_gXRLsly8KV77_DV-n08Ak7rzMtaPTIk73uUNV4vAV7OIksmhue0c217VmelBMHp66idJgwULgV24k5QSQs3qoj1MCIS1RWOIccRiHSwkADQjsTRD0by82t2F7JWyDSSDuM/s1600/P1030247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcdVwgVsTD_gXRLsly8KV77_DV-n08Ak7rzMtaPTIk73uUNV4vAV7OIksmhue0c217VmelBMHp66idJgwULgV24k5QSQs3qoj1MCIS1RWOIccRiHSwkADQjsTRD0by82t2F7JWyDSSDuM/s640/P1030247.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The River God and a giant fish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5rPBohAl-B-DD8F2kE_4bbZnpap8fYrrjTfXPtmJ_OeRKall6Mpo-X_eaRA1XLsDfIgA8G6G0H6BPHYv1a1c19K4T716lx3BMPszsTp6TZQPn7fyGJAYN8KoWL8knL6fJ_5Ll0W1c3EP/s1600/P1030250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5rPBohAl-B-DD8F2kE_4bbZnpap8fYrrjTfXPtmJ_OeRKall6Mpo-X_eaRA1XLsDfIgA8G6G0H6BPHYv1a1c19K4T716lx3BMPszsTp6TZQPn7fyGJAYN8KoWL8knL6fJ_5Ll0W1c3EP/s640/P1030250.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The River God</td></tr>
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On one side of the xystus, behind the row of funerary urns are two more iconic statues emblematic of Bomarzo. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef8diM2v749FquDWyqnlTE3GBVx-1-vtRVeERYuqzIhqO93iY5NmZEw6eHkOpdKz0ltOEPhCk9jiT1nCGFiJ-iTtRJhlNYLwMVdCOhDyqOP7pvnqxLmdBbvQ8IYHXgQRFCVCkpZrRxBUp/s1600/P1030332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef8diM2v749FquDWyqnlTE3GBVx-1-vtRVeERYuqzIhqO93iY5NmZEw6eHkOpdKz0ltOEPhCk9jiT1nCGFiJ-iTtRJhlNYLwMVdCOhDyqOP7pvnqxLmdBbvQ8IYHXgQRFCVCkpZrRxBUp/s640/P1030332.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down from above the River God fountain to the Xystus and Hannibal's elephant.</td></tr>
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One is a lifesize monolithic rendering of an caparisoned elephant with a stone tower on its back. A badly weathered driver stands before the tower, and a Roman soldier lies limply wrapped in the elephant's trunk. The elephant represents one used in battle by the highly successful Carthaginian general Hannibal, who defeated the Roman army during the second Punic war around 200 BC in an area not far from Bomarzo. The soldier seems to speak of the suffering inflicted on soldiers in war, which Vicino had experienced first hand. This soldier could have represented his best friend, who'm he had seen killed in battle. There is an informative article on Hannibal's elephants from the New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/18/science/the-mystery-of-hannibal-s-elephants.html<br />
It discusses what kind of elephants Hannibal may have used, as larger African elephants do not domesticate like smaller Asian elephants. The sculpture in the Sacro Bosco has the stature and size of an African elephant.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL9Sjsq4PA7Udsbo9v0AtI-iCjbBcqz0OMVZRYwQDUcppsNWkImeKpublGC-oFQJTr-e1ymCRt3LdXoHmBLd4MQIB3tST5mevc5QDrTJ6rvNnJxWIMhoLHoL6LAMjn3xRi6uSWGo1JTWR/s1600/P1030251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL9Sjsq4PA7Udsbo9v0AtI-iCjbBcqz0OMVZRYwQDUcppsNWkImeKpublGC-oFQJTr-e1ymCRt3LdXoHmBLd4MQIB3tST5mevc5QDrTJ6rvNnJxWIMhoLHoL6LAMjn3xRi6uSWGo1JTWR/s640/P1030251.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannibal's Elephant rising above the row of funerary urns</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulJyTxIZDit5FB2UmscyDfIx1xXAy_ErjNZ-QQe9yqtxsAwCxLGP5BED1Te-rZ0C9QHxW9vvj5E1wd0iRq8AfajwMJiV-miBcjnb69BTPAsgN-0Ft1-38BSokqkDAh1JYTwNzJ3xN-TV9/s1600/6c836042082a499387e61bbadea0c286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="522" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulJyTxIZDit5FB2UmscyDfIx1xXAy_ErjNZ-QQe9yqtxsAwCxLGP5BED1Te-rZ0C9QHxW9vvj5E1wd0iRq8AfajwMJiV-miBcjnb69BTPAsgN-0Ft1-38BSokqkDAh1JYTwNzJ3xN-TV9/s200/6c836042082a499387e61bbadea0c286.jpg" width="160" /></a>There are indentations on either side of the elephant's trunk that suggest that it once had real tusks. Sockets for the eyes may have been set with colored stones. The tower on the elephants back is similar to illustrations I found on the internet. This one, made for film maker Peter Jackson depicts Hannibal's elephants being transported on log rafts across a body of water. The crennalations on the top of what I would call a military howdah would have provided protection to archers riding inside.<br />
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Carthage was a kingdom located in North Africa in what is Tunisia today. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxRIv-noyyJBzWN5CrotHFfIKEVn0PV675zzbD8LYi2QUECyu3iKqLmhhu8-uFfb-tGgT48gjmSraEQ0PPGpL9PH98ZTXVx0mklIq8U_XsRDFooU8AhBHg95GXE2OvTT9l3jGhywQ4Mov/s1600/P1030334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxRIv-noyyJBzWN5CrotHFfIKEVn0PV675zzbD8LYi2QUECyu3iKqLmhhu8-uFfb-tGgT48gjmSraEQ0PPGpL9PH98ZTXVx0mklIq8U_XsRDFooU8AhBHg95GXE2OvTT9l3jGhywQ4Mov/s640/P1030334.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannibal's Elephant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhyD0Jl3FfY1tEroZc-Zz_5mruSJylmHUOZWcPv0z193L2c8-B2y98da8TRGniB0A0UU9extCQ2O0VCtzmTUduO1fzDqA0T8iXT9Pdd2ZAFm5d2hPYcpah12zYkVJIdgCm3Noz_wbaXuK/s1600/P1030373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhyD0Jl3FfY1tEroZc-Zz_5mruSJylmHUOZWcPv0z193L2c8-B2y98da8TRGniB0A0UU9extCQ2O0VCtzmTUduO1fzDqA0T8iXT9Pdd2ZAFm5d2hPYcpah12zYkVJIdgCm3Noz_wbaXuK/s640/P1030373.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Roman soldier being picked up by the trunk of the elephant.</td></tr>
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Again it is important to note that this was probably painted, so that the carved ornamentation would have been colorful and expressive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3CtSnyWNKPKSzKLDvrhftdh_BUvhzmeXfulirURkI2bmT8QnsPOuh_ghbxd1T3uPurif6d7CucU-EokO38r0QYHAsA6q8XwiaYj_dl9I17eNTuiroBZJF9yBJK17HVnRYF6gchurdvLm/s1600/P1030371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3CtSnyWNKPKSzKLDvrhftdh_BUvhzmeXfulirURkI2bmT8QnsPOuh_ghbxd1T3uPurif6d7CucU-EokO38r0QYHAsA6q8XwiaYj_dl9I17eNTuiroBZJF9yBJK17HVnRYF6gchurdvLm/s640/P1030371.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tassles hang from the caparison, draped over the rear of the elephant.</td></tr>
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Next to the elephant is a bizarre anthropomorphic creature resembling a winged dragon with hooves that is being attacked by lions. There are ringed holes where horns would have been mounted over a furrowed face with arched brows. These could have been real ram's horns, adding a decorative element other than stone, like the tusks on the nearby elephant.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnthHzwGHfKdVaJDnRa7P2dRX0mbSt4aV3CDXwgbIph-hYoGLuepECEl3b3a1-mTlffHSlwl-SQiON8jjkL1OCB-XGoSSPp6hA8BKMba52nOYyGxW0ZZxSQBKzv8OksniJMnAhsNfwHR6q/s1600/P1030399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnthHzwGHfKdVaJDnRa7P2dRX0mbSt4aV3CDXwgbIph-hYoGLuepECEl3b3a1-mTlffHSlwl-SQiON8jjkL1OCB-XGoSSPp6hA8BKMba52nOYyGxW0ZZxSQBKzv8OksniJMnAhsNfwHR6q/s640/P1030399.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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Its a very dynamic sculpture showing wild, natural combat between supernatural creatures. The dragon is pressed against the hillside, providing structural support. The body has plate like rings starting at the neck and continuing to the tail, which is looped around what might be a lion cub. This could be the reason for the provocation between the lions and the dragon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAHueqUz9-ieU6jNvaJnEAkPv7zr1Lthf44d7e7SZGyuXsbABgIQFAQeTTmiiQ4uXJV82GEv_kf7OwHf77Aqt14_ZBZl4Kvq0SnfVvvCgyLWLlbjwwt3bt9LPqUxXul-kGKlx94pTfxVo/s1600/P1030264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAHueqUz9-ieU6jNvaJnEAkPv7zr1Lthf44d7e7SZGyuXsbABgIQFAQeTTmiiQ4uXJV82GEv_kf7OwHf77Aqt14_ZBZl4Kvq0SnfVvvCgyLWLlbjwwt3bt9LPqUxXul-kGKlx94pTfxVo/s640/P1030264.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The dragon's mouth is agape, looking like it would be emitting a scream as the lions bite at its leg and breast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvq4ovnWb9mY2VDrcFqcFPH-iKJkBUh-H8X5eA8ripeOEk1fwoZxod0MIUGCY1sKYB7ljlsZVVAesT8nYCXau__wpLNdjenIAqY5oMnhmjaYE3P9hWUTiFt7stuWXudf3gVS1tsm60X9pt/s1600/P1030377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvq4ovnWb9mY2VDrcFqcFPH-iKJkBUh-H8X5eA8ripeOEk1fwoZxod0MIUGCY1sKYB7ljlsZVVAesT8nYCXau__wpLNdjenIAqY5oMnhmjaYE3P9hWUTiFt7stuWXudf3gVS1tsm60X9pt/s640/P1030377.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shreiking dragon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj798GxO-o9bSuFbyqVlJMCRnIodI9Aa07OA3IP79ifYzyNMJjFFJWwjJhH07LrtZBCafQ33z_caZFGn5d38VYYaA92mr6vzGfrY6hOU5gzBolasbWfUrzct8EhAr3h1vIQ_nZ0qOIxoykD/s1600/P1030380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj798GxO-o9bSuFbyqVlJMCRnIodI9Aa07OA3IP79ifYzyNMJjFFJWwjJhH07LrtZBCafQ33z_caZFGn5d38VYYaA92mr6vzGfrY6hOU5gzBolasbWfUrzct8EhAr3h1vIQ_nZ0qOIxoykD/s640/P1030380.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dragon's tail wraps around a lion cub, like the elephant holding the Roman soldier in its trunk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNSYbNyaRxXRfL-1VkzmeyD0We7mDDs45tmv92ReUZMobxzzZAuzgLztFSL-4mleFGaXyOnEi6U1UtgORY6YPMoAlUPdI6B5n5WuoBnIBcx2LBgMgmr_EoDPprGI82Qf8xhiCueBCrRWy/s1600/P1030415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNSYbNyaRxXRfL-1VkzmeyD0We7mDDs45tmv92ReUZMobxzzZAuzgLztFSL-4mleFGaXyOnEi6U1UtgORY6YPMoAlUPdI6B5n5WuoBnIBcx2LBgMgmr_EoDPprGI82Qf8xhiCueBCrRWy/s640/P1030415.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bearded bust on a Herm found in the Xytus</td></tr>
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At the opposite end of the Xystus terrace is a serene giant reclining, oddly proportioned woman with long flowing hair and a wide vase balanced on her head. She has a cloth draped across her lap like the River God she gazes towards that anchors the other end of the space. It is common for the most skilled carvers to render the face on sculptures, leaving execution of the bodies to less masterful workmen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKMTGAYgTYy5abTleqxku0jaydvZ073RJK8ojnhO3g-fhheBZfd0aPtSonUNk4SDWcoaM-vEE4w_eVzGRwQznE2MOAMDm2jKgnQyVn_KHoc6vDh55YRLvNPwjUXTBYQM7S28LOaoGWm-o/s1600/P1030241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKMTGAYgTYy5abTleqxku0jaydvZ073RJK8ojnhO3g-fhheBZfd0aPtSonUNk4SDWcoaM-vEE4w_eVzGRwQznE2MOAMDm2jKgnQyVn_KHoc6vDh55YRLvNPwjUXTBYQM7S28LOaoGWm-o/s640/P1030241.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A recliining Goddess</td></tr>
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She is backed by a curved pool with dolphins and has winged, fish tailed creatures with human torsos holding an upside down person hanging from his knees. She could be Poseidon's wife Amphitrite, or, in a more cyclical realm, the Goddess Demeter, who joined her husband Pluto in the underworld, summoning the darkness of Winter before reemerging in Spring, a time of regeneration, like the foliage filled vase on her head.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAlo-a7Ce6CdMau4otVWsrP3q2axTH5X4sFz1bL4N3cDmXHGVsFOgA2BPrlihMNb7zImMiSDn30FfXExdMFRt4PiXJt4xmRm9PO_J63pXP-PogUILSf2BQ0aeL_qZRM6w6qxXFLRy51hB/s1600/P1030300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAlo-a7Ce6CdMau4otVWsrP3q2axTH5X4sFz1bL4N3cDmXHGVsFOgA2BPrlihMNb7zImMiSDn30FfXExdMFRt4PiXJt4xmRm9PO_J63pXP-PogUILSf2BQ0aeL_qZRM6w6qxXFLRy51hB/s640/P1030300.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four winged half boy-half fish wrestle behind the Goddess, holding someone upside down over the now empty pool.</td></tr>
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Leaving this terrace, the path turns around behind the statuary of the Xystus and leads to a flight of steps and the most astonishing of all the sculptures at the Sacro Bosco of Bomarzo. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsKFcjAXXpV4-m0KqnxbkZV9T3ctE4EfElq0BstzRFRoY4ize1RYv6luk0O12DfOQiFyE92Oq5uIjHalF-_df1rKpHsRx9qRTYCs0jY5KKP6oiRz7oKniygWq0PN-7ttNqXOK4M8qKB7U/s1600/P1030301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsKFcjAXXpV4-m0KqnxbkZV9T3ctE4EfElq0BstzRFRoY4ize1RYv6luk0O12DfOQiFyE92Oq5uIjHalF-_df1rKpHsRx9qRTYCs0jY5KKP6oiRz7oKniygWq0PN-7ttNqXOK4M8qKB7U/s640/P1030301.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The path passing behind the fountain of Demeter and around to the infamous Ogre.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHT7DaAzLUNdPuLFPFLlBNlf1Yj4dWEiMBdrm3KSKPngj5IU5CKK7mwc86_vhQp64mYSz88kGKuaI0rjX2cNmgtUh4TxJGGVPvYhYxvIzGrntN6mW66ARMwYchZl4nuYLttUh_yl-uCIww/s1600/P1030293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHT7DaAzLUNdPuLFPFLlBNlf1Yj4dWEiMBdrm3KSKPngj5IU5CKK7mwc86_vhQp64mYSz88kGKuaI0rjX2cNmgtUh4TxJGGVPvYhYxvIzGrntN6mW66ARMwYchZl4nuYLttUh_yl-uCIww/s640/P1030293.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mouth of Hell</td></tr>
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The Mouth of Hell, Ogre, or Orchus is a monumental face with a gaping oval mouth that leads to a small cave like room set with a rectangular stone table and a pair of benches. This space would be cool in the Summer, a secluded and perhaps somewhat naughty place to escort a love interest in to. The fact that the now mostly obscured inscription carved on its mouth read: "Laciate ogni pensiero voi ch'entrate", "Abandon all thought you who enter here" seems to act as a get out of jail free card. The table looks to me like it would provide a convenient platform for copulating. The inscription here is an alteration from the line in Dante's Inferno, "Abandon all hope you who enter here" makes the threshold potentially liberating rather than menacing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX_2nX-SejEsC9W0zVsA929BKq5O9V7t7vb3Mw4hi24SKoXaJ9dl-AVOVJnCmd0GhxLYKVPDylPQmAD6ludrIGqfkCIiszRbWh4IKW25TogbYILUytqiLge3SDdupRmqQVmaRlo88_9nZ/s1600/P1030291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX_2nX-SejEsC9W0zVsA929BKq5O9V7t7vb3Mw4hi24SKoXaJ9dl-AVOVJnCmd0GhxLYKVPDylPQmAD6ludrIGqfkCIiszRbWh4IKW25TogbYILUytqiLge3SDdupRmqQVmaRlo88_9nZ/s640/P1030291.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Orcus or Mouth of Hell</td></tr>
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The hairy arched eyebrows and hairline frame the hollowed eyes and flared nostrils and the deep wrinkles surrounding the mouth. Two teeth are ready to bite as the mouth swallows you. This is by far one of the most impressionable structures I have seen in a garden anywhere.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrGLZ_g5EguKKLUYluuMy2bHGpmzIlJ-tYloUPRHZL9cg6By12ENX3REDOzaeDOlh8Rxk-7pw-NDybBLkG6OxK8c_zj6bj5sWeobo-00f8dhxQvwIazVQeNmp1gqUOLUDtFsCYBrY2O3G/s1600/P1030288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrGLZ_g5EguKKLUYluuMy2bHGpmzIlJ-tYloUPRHZL9cg6By12ENX3REDOzaeDOlh8Rxk-7pw-NDybBLkG6OxK8c_zj6bj5sWeobo-00f8dhxQvwIazVQeNmp1gqUOLUDtFsCYBrY2O3G/s640/P1030288.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Inside, the eyes and mouth allow enough light in to the interior to dimly illuminate the space. The table is curved at the end like a tongue. The narrow benches on either side seem too far removed to use as a proper picnic table, which it is often referred to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_tC-adj6u1oEQ664JQxblxBUubGyiKIdBQs9f9YuaYJpv-vq99iC6kUgNC9iDs7Hpik6pfFyTR3oRdtwKM1qmCF99VfGAuj9mcxQjQUB0GBtn6Ud6ZHWQmA2TFcuCNt7C9pZdLtOpI4Y/s1600/P1030388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_tC-adj6u1oEQ664JQxblxBUubGyiKIdBQs9f9YuaYJpv-vq99iC6kUgNC9iDs7Hpik6pfFyTR3oRdtwKM1qmCF99VfGAuj9mcxQjQUB0GBtn6Ud6ZHWQmA2TFcuCNt7C9pZdLtOpI4Y/s640/P1030388.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The table and benches inside the Mouth of Hell</td></tr>
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There is a stone wall behind the giant that separates it from a higher terrace where the Hippodromo is situated. On a flat open space below the wall stands an ornate Monumental Vase, now distractingly supported by a metal tripod. The base is surrounded by a shallow wall that may have been filled with water with fountains spouting from the four face masks carved in to the base pedastle.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGq8MoYoG78xfZcj8nTklRYKoj-f3ZRx0RJ3YuqYKKMsaVh024ktbJMaJ1GTgNpFzNP3mS2J0DlJdRZFyVErU0UwZLFYW8n2u1WnAU1AQEg1nefmLcLaRslQ-vbpSaqdnucgnXuj1Jehk/s1600/P1030292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGq8MoYoG78xfZcj8nTklRYKoj-f3ZRx0RJ3YuqYKKMsaVh024ktbJMaJ1GTgNpFzNP3mS2J0DlJdRZFyVErU0UwZLFYW8n2u1WnAU1AQEg1nefmLcLaRslQ-vbpSaqdnucgnXuj1Jehk/s640/P1030292.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The giant vase</td></tr>
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The terrace above the Mouth of Hell and the giant vase is the site of the Hippodrome. Traditionally these were ovate race tracks for horse and chariot races dating back to Ancient Greece. The architect Pirro Ligorio, who consulted on the design of the garden and its hydraulics had recently excavated the famous Hippodrome pool at Hadrian's Villa near Tivoli outside Rome.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9LgxJETCVVJoudzkyuXZJfgKLb4twjL4Q5uv6VgOfZEYWitflzlQNhDYXOLyLFOpIJAf0EtU5LIH8IqAo8GZOeZ-i_LmhB7KfrEc5qTRckfWTFD1uTjJBCtC-VsCw_ZDpVdwJmLF1Qti/s1600/P1030309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9LgxJETCVVJoudzkyuXZJfgKLb4twjL4Q5uv6VgOfZEYWitflzlQNhDYXOLyLFOpIJAf0EtU5LIH8IqAo8GZOeZ-i_LmhB7KfrEc5qTRckfWTFD1uTjJBCtC-VsCw_ZDpVdwJmLF1Qti/s640/P1030309.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hippodromo</td></tr>
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The elongated space is framed by a wall punctuated with giant alternating carved pine cones and acorns. Pine cone imagery is found on Etruscan tombs and symbolizes fertility, death and regeneration. Acorns are a suggestion of strength and fruitful abundance. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BRAcWCutK4jMSUrejFt7yGK65NaOzlMOniPZKDB4paJjufzHO1R9JjnOWOrsyBkAYCcyQHU_COs89bJtQeAynGGfUVZNgs_9SC_oU00yBQBcCRu4fCZcdDzRLRBNc1Rd01N_zbXSV8cP/s1600/P1030313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BRAcWCutK4jMSUrejFt7yGK65NaOzlMOniPZKDB4paJjufzHO1R9JjnOWOrsyBkAYCcyQHU_COs89bJtQeAynGGfUVZNgs_9SC_oU00yBQBcCRu4fCZcdDzRLRBNc1Rd01N_zbXSV8cP/s640/P1030313.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acorns and Pine Cones</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvNj-JLhvAo2cEjcuTNQSlUo85opnyazKxKROXYE0QlMbNrsYODwrd6MJ-lTlmu0u6vvX7SDJlX5WgTeHnkpLCFrgGU7BJF7y9bMIQ7XKsYMAiqVQvTUbG36Nj9037OZEJ7yolL2DmLw-/s1600/P1030329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvNj-JLhvAo2cEjcuTNQSlUo85opnyazKxKROXYE0QlMbNrsYODwrd6MJ-lTlmu0u6vvX7SDJlX5WgTeHnkpLCFrgGU7BJF7y9bMIQ7XKsYMAiqVQvTUbG36Nj9037OZEJ7yolL2DmLw-/s640/P1030329.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Orsini Bear and the Hippodrome</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhGul-EDyDp2EAv9OcPUQtPTVohJU3KOHc4Nx4cn-Bki6Vfq0n0VmsmjgD2rnfsEtpjdJnP6_MZU9TWfd8vxFua2DPTUSi1rE3pMc6EiDFNl9yJBwhXM8LlRYJPXehk2K5S2Fg6DVJKdB/s1600/P1030321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhGul-EDyDp2EAv9OcPUQtPTVohJU3KOHc4Nx4cn-Bki6Vfq0n0VmsmjgD2rnfsEtpjdJnP6_MZU9TWfd8vxFua2DPTUSi1rE3pMc6EiDFNl9yJBwhXM8LlRYJPXehk2K5S2Fg6DVJKdB/s400/P1030321.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUe63mVUILhED3pakX_gW2vlV1Q4rhE6J3GEqMXxyUZIeFugXGbeQs6vEwDkHRSYQoL_qyWoXthl94eu75eNf_a-PNQHU90zHqjIB3LzIi2-MOxKkWOC8CZh58FoBzsuzzf3brBBv2of10/s1600/P1030322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUe63mVUILhED3pakX_gW2vlV1Q4rhE6J3GEqMXxyUZIeFugXGbeQs6vEwDkHRSYQoL_qyWoXthl94eu75eNf_a-PNQHU90zHqjIB3LzIi2-MOxKkWOC8CZh58FoBzsuzzf3brBBv2of10/s400/P1030322.JPG" width="225" /></a><br />
There are two statues of small standing bears at the entrance, literally Orsini in Italian, which are symbols of the family name. One holds the family crest, and the other a rose, which was also associated with the family.<br />
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Behind the bears are two of the more bizarre features of the garden, a two tailed mermaid and a winged woman with a dragons tail. Between them are two lions with cubs. The perimeter around the lions is recessed and may have contained water and fountains.<br />
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The mermaid or siren gazes straight ahead with her arms resting on her wide spread tails, which are also benches. Fluid carvings of hair frame a vaginal opening through which the terrace can drain. This type of figure can be found carved on Etruscan funerary urns and is depicted in architecture found in Tuscany to the north. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMjsC0ZLbL1olZw9Aa8SVJOS-Lt5ZQLJFjS-AwbScD7NcviBQUzhkDORMzjOGntDxt6Rqcmw-W4UZE9qjuLkUqCNFOQJJmYp94E4L27pBwSodeZVAmUVz7FnFEoA7WJpdRk7frXXNxfli/s1600/P1030330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMjsC0ZLbL1olZw9Aa8SVJOS-Lt5ZQLJFjS-AwbScD7NcviBQUzhkDORMzjOGntDxt6Rqcmw-W4UZE9qjuLkUqCNFOQJJmYp94E4L27pBwSodeZVAmUVz7FnFEoA7WJpdRk7frXXNxfli/s640/P1030330.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A two tailed mermaid and pair of lions with cubs</td></tr>
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Across from her on the other side of the pair of lions lies winged Fury. She has claws and a long scaly tail that twists up the wall like a serpent. She two has a calm face that gazes straight forward and a now broken basket like crown. Her wing is webbed like that of a dragon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyJ9-CacX_vQT0PMjou12S2hxlVPGC4HPjcA9KpMYzDUeDWrz72pkQqX28qo9mt9wHiPC0Wo9SWk_F5cMjzxXycrNliuuS8G_82mqQcTtxZa-p6kTLZr7aQZP9eQ3K_Q0lylJ5VUAOYB-/s1600/P1030336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyJ9-CacX_vQT0PMjou12S2hxlVPGC4HPjcA9KpMYzDUeDWrz72pkQqX28qo9mt9wHiPC0Wo9SWk_F5cMjzxXycrNliuuS8G_82mqQcTtxZa-p6kTLZr7aQZP9eQ3K_Q0lylJ5VUAOYB-/s640/P1030336.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winged Fury</td></tr>
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An illustration shows that the Hippodromo once contained planting beds where Vicino's botanical collection could be displayed. Centered on the upper wall, a boulder was carved flat and inscribed with the proud proclamation refering to an ancient Egyptian capitol, in translation: "Memphis and every other marvel too that the world has held in honor until now yield to the holy wood which is only like itself and nothing else." Vicino was obviously proud of his accomplishments in the Sacro Bosco.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyIvu4oFLxKGoqsg7Ua9Keg0ze5oRdYcLkve_jMGRDjNz4Tc6BT9XV9omEfj2TRFB_-X6F3xnlZGBoU2oMRIhZy1hsNxWFCjV2JE8gZ5dEzofrk6xTH2iafqP6AUxMofWKXzSaUUf9Eeb/s1600/P1030316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyIvu4oFLxKGoqsg7Ua9Keg0ze5oRdYcLkve_jMGRDjNz4Tc6BT9XV9omEfj2TRFB_-X6F3xnlZGBoU2oMRIhZy1hsNxWFCjV2JE8gZ5dEzofrk6xTH2iafqP6AUxMofWKXzSaUUf9Eeb/s640/P1030316.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An inscription carved in to a flattened boulder by the Hippodrome.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHc7NWJf5TaZJvpXPF_vx-h2MHI5Axse2Y5PI8ALpzVwtL1WhQBqf5k1daV4SHbDBWSLZTR5TNuE3cXoEeoJ_MoXdfN5BlUJ3CirCcH4peRUaenA_SZOcOMKYNdHwP3MTS_vWqUIjqqn8c/s1600/P1030312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHc7NWJf5TaZJvpXPF_vx-h2MHI5Axse2Y5PI8ALpzVwtL1WhQBqf5k1daV4SHbDBWSLZTR5TNuE3cXoEeoJ_MoXdfN5BlUJ3CirCcH4peRUaenA_SZOcOMKYNdHwP3MTS_vWqUIjqqn8c/s640/P1030312.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hippodrome</td></tr>
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Centered at the opposite end of the Hippodrome is a bench backed by a woman with outspread arms that is associated with Persephone. She too has a basket on her head. Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter is the Goddess of Spring and Nature, but is also the Queen of the Underworld, abducted by Hades after she ate seven of his sacred pomegranate seeds. Be careful where you sit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EFNgUdeqm9X40fObG1Or5NmKIf2RepOSeBZ3DMMrPv8_gbudN29-0iDX9S5GLF9ZOt2jCL1p61FQ691WE5pqpqnkp1Vorf3IJI_BRZOR8_DGWHnbJQ-KaDDer0vubf5v4EUXxcrw7QZT/s1600/P1030314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EFNgUdeqm9X40fObG1Or5NmKIf2RepOSeBZ3DMMrPv8_gbudN29-0iDX9S5GLF9ZOt2jCL1p61FQ691WE5pqpqnkp1Vorf3IJI_BRZOR8_DGWHnbJQ-KaDDer0vubf5v4EUXxcrw7QZT/s640/P1030314.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Persephone</td></tr>
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Behind the Persephone bench, two sets of stairs climb the hill. The one to the left is watched over by a Cerberus, a three headed guardian of the entrance to the underworld, preventing the dead from leaving. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhfwJgCpw2rg0Ed9Aq6rtLAihqnbtFFKKa7y3dUECidrNZdIaRPnV9icX2GVO2DrseiBJldI_rOvsTnrqWJPR60RVOY6tLGGdehy5z73gFNOf6V7FDgguTPFmlrlKT0JXYeA98vI12u9M/s1600/P1030317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhfwJgCpw2rg0Ed9Aq6rtLAihqnbtFFKKa7y3dUECidrNZdIaRPnV9icX2GVO2DrseiBJldI_rOvsTnrqWJPR60RVOY6tLGGdehy5z73gFNOf6V7FDgguTPFmlrlKT0JXYeA98vI12u9M/s640/P1030317.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairs leading to the highest level of the garden, passing the Cerberus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JCK_HaG8kHeuCKMYQ21nLIQN-ACwn2586SsyRg0XcbTaBTNNBOKFnh8wXanhc-HOGkAtSxpLcBk5HP9W_5E2prAVZbC7GikvXYIOJfhCMG3fDxJaqe7mCDCSP4IF7lsl7eYKZ7i-8R3Z/s1600/P1030311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JCK_HaG8kHeuCKMYQ21nLIQN-ACwn2586SsyRg0XcbTaBTNNBOKFnh8wXanhc-HOGkAtSxpLcBk5HP9W_5E2prAVZbC7GikvXYIOJfhCMG3fDxJaqe7mCDCSP4IF7lsl7eYKZ7i-8R3Z/s640/P1030311.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three headed dog, Cerberus, guardian of the gates of the Underworld.</td></tr>
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The Etruscan bench stands alone in a corner of the garden. An elegant stone couch with scrolled ends sits inside an arch with three Orsini roses on the vault. The inscription on the back, curved to follow the arch translates to say: "You who have traveled the world seeking marvels grand and stupendous, come here where there are terrible faces, elephants, lions, ogres, and dragons."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLnevT1Q1LfCMLXZWoEQJrlnznthyphenhyphenodaDEhbuKww5Myaf46Mkpjwq76qBGN8xqVzTVHe4vLdLfY2cw_Cdv48_qHHXia4BNKmzHgLHIxrFKb4td9O9hCtX7NhdMfwveeSUVq9iqTipvO8W/s1600/P1030295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLnevT1Q1LfCMLXZWoEQJrlnznthyphenhyphenodaDEhbuKww5Myaf46Mkpjwq76qBGN8xqVzTVHe4vLdLfY2cw_Cdv48_qHHXia4BNKmzHgLHIxrFKb4td9O9hCtX7NhdMfwveeSUVq9iqTipvO8W/s640/P1030295.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Climbing the stairs past the 3 headed dog guarding the gates of the Underworld leads to the highest terrace, from which the Rotunda protrudes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVObOIBUVIfZ_K17J2ThKMs4676vb6PrM-Lgb0Xa2uY7hM0ccrYVaHxq6kgcqdASWk52nn4Knd3EVQWiwEzQrQEMPeWXcyPa1Fe-E3uXZXmb9l4mrHTjrgAq7ZXNCOwjEekX0FCVgD-Wa/s1600/P1030348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVObOIBUVIfZ_K17J2ThKMs4676vb6PrM-Lgb0Xa2uY7hM0ccrYVaHxq6kgcqdASWk52nn4Knd3EVQWiwEzQrQEMPeWXcyPa1Fe-E3uXZXmb9l4mrHTjrgAq7ZXNCOwjEekX0FCVgD-Wa/s640/P1030348.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steps winding around the side of the Rotunda</td></tr>
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The arched niches probable held statuary and there is a shapely round basin for a fountain centered on top. The Rotunda may have been a metaphore for the Meta Sudans, a fountain that once stood by the Colosseum in Rome. The conical fountain was demolished by Mussolini for the construction of a circular road that ran around the perimeter of the Colosseum, part of which has since been rebuilt as a pedestrian area.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKZ0zhlMrolcvEiQ1zz85ZFJE4sBk1WIBMQrBoUif8RqJi9t5MX57qCD3q0lGzrW0RXAhp33Y1qKf0ItswpOnmLlN_4FoUsCI4LeReKqDfKv3mm5V0pkRiRPrdvH9Q7W3tjqocpsplP_I/s1600/Tommaso_Cuccioni_Colosseo_1858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="500" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKZ0zhlMrolcvEiQ1zz85ZFJE4sBk1WIBMQrBoUif8RqJi9t5MX57qCD3q0lGzrW0RXAhp33Y1qKf0ItswpOnmLlN_4FoUsCI4LeReKqDfKv3mm5V0pkRiRPrdvH9Q7W3tjqocpsplP_I/s640/Tommaso_Cuccioni_Colosseo_1858.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ruins of the Meta Sudans fountain next to the Colosseum in Rome from a photo taken in 1858</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWIPuC1KnFQ4VnrFqdfVo0Cg24Ovbb3K9qV_UylaZmJ_sNYP9IZ_qXue851ooVYZyjarAbUhRL-jXxR6duQwCB_SlggxeUOpf0Rjo7GXiZPn4O-sfBsTTEKDZbvHCAan-4SU3cZeqhLJP/s1600/P1030409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWIPuC1KnFQ4VnrFqdfVo0Cg24Ovbb3K9qV_UylaZmJ_sNYP9IZ_qXue851ooVYZyjarAbUhRL-jXxR6duQwCB_SlggxeUOpf0Rjo7GXiZPn4O-sfBsTTEKDZbvHCAan-4SU3cZeqhLJP/s640/P1030409.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rotunda</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1oeaR6VzW4fDAFgV_sHHjEX8L_Gaf5C-YIO9LgIJ6oYgsX93AKTqPb_9puhXipJWOV6YZOBbIkQUeuAeTGoDCSfekGjK40FI7Np3a8xRgzS9yTwksGLsCYT104BQEXSVI9YptB_8aYaF/s1600/P1030349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1oeaR6VzW4fDAFgV_sHHjEX8L_Gaf5C-YIO9LgIJ6oYgsX93AKTqPb_9puhXipJWOV6YZOBbIkQUeuAeTGoDCSfekGjK40FI7Np3a8xRgzS9yTwksGLsCYT104BQEXSVI9YptB_8aYaF/s640/P1030349.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fountain basin in the Rotunda, perhaps once a miniature of the Meta Sudans in Rome</td></tr>
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Climbing to the top of the hill, the path winds through woods past boulders covered in Polypodium ferns. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Z11y0lDhM9mbGB62DyvZaQJsHHFXklcU3iKs2sQ842MA1MnTnHs2hSTfedWaXkTDSIEAjQMit2Lx5c0S_nRXeWqqddVrkLIRERl6MofR4vODfNFaKtJop9759gvvF4oDMOw-Kyp-ifvv/s1600/P1030350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Z11y0lDhM9mbGB62DyvZaQJsHHFXklcU3iKs2sQ842MA1MnTnHs2hSTfedWaXkTDSIEAjQMit2Lx5c0S_nRXeWqqddVrkLIRERl6MofR4vODfNFaKtJop9759gvvF4oDMOw-Kyp-ifvv/s640/P1030350.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I came upon another bench carved from a boulder outcrop, with a two coats of arms and stone pillows, which I thought were very clever. Something soft made from something very hard.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rTZZ0YxzjzlemRoWrmCFMetzON0DwTRCQu_fg3pB5fZbmY8IbjbjGhD5_IXyKg8DuZL_XSpjTJ5qNDNp7TrAjrnuQH9oxgM-dbP9cyutAMSpKGcAKz-jm1UWtUR1nQU0Hq-xuQjlgAe8/s1600/P1030351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rTZZ0YxzjzlemRoWrmCFMetzON0DwTRCQu_fg3pB5fZbmY8IbjbjGhD5_IXyKg8DuZL_XSpjTJ5qNDNp7TrAjrnuQH9oxgM-dbP9cyutAMSpKGcAKz-jm1UWtUR1nQU0Hq-xuQjlgAe8/s640/P1030351.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stone bench with stone pillows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjin-7F7VtawhtEcB79OxQraSdqC90XlzJKcf3EhTxM5ssmNll4mc182IZ4WABS6gQ6nrJud6AXJiq696M0NYeLvx9aRkXa8kjd49ZKHhI_wLBSnYqiOi56dKZcDqP-Bxx2qjUVKqXQjbS/s1600/P1030352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjin-7F7VtawhtEcB79OxQraSdqC90XlzJKcf3EhTxM5ssmNll4mc182IZ4WABS6gQ6nrJud6AXJiq696M0NYeLvx9aRkXa8kjd49ZKHhI_wLBSnYqiOi56dKZcDqP-Bxx2qjUVKqXQjbS/s640/P1030352.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lichen covered scroll work on the bench</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60g3jr2f6NMWiWAkFlRl-GxHL9XeJF2L4vMlCC-Rx-yL-Txn12v8dLELaIK4KbcWkawuXrHY8R-DS8bbisaWZgUALCFBuo1hyGZuc8qDPPDeiQOL8m1uHvnZwgm38GYJYSQ-pT2mb4AbH/s1600/P1030353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60g3jr2f6NMWiWAkFlRl-GxHL9XeJF2L4vMlCC-Rx-yL-Txn12v8dLELaIK4KbcWkawuXrHY8R-DS8bbisaWZgUALCFBuo1hyGZuc8qDPPDeiQOL8m1uHvnZwgm38GYJYSQ-pT2mb4AbH/s640/P1030353.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A coat of arms with an eagle</td></tr>
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Construction of parts of the garden were well underway when Vicino's wife Giulia Farnese passed away. One of the last constructions, the little temple, or Tempietto was built in her honor and sits on the highest point in the garden. It combines Etruscan and classical Renaissance elements, and is quite different from anything else in the Sacro Bosco. The area around the Tempietto is more open, with an expanse of lawn beyond a low hedge that surrounds the building. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxd0VRpeViEgqX0yErw94sgszlzhv-8rs91L_grM1WIRgjHlOGFjcY4E3j4sKZmTyGDg71JqoL8vp-SM4U34n-tuVlD-QSLXaBsQJ7_4VzmFG1wA7zfEWKxR4wi21du7vUb7TAd8-E5t9/s1600/P1030307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxd0VRpeViEgqX0yErw94sgszlzhv-8rs91L_grM1WIRgjHlOGFjcY4E3j4sKZmTyGDg71JqoL8vp-SM4U34n-tuVlD-QSLXaBsQJ7_4VzmFG1wA7zfEWKxR4wi21du7vUb7TAd8-E5t9/s640/P1030307.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tempietto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The porch has 16 columns with a central vault and is accessed by curved steps that divide symetrically and double back on themselves to frame a sculpted panel with rondels and a garland.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3PEA8BNTWgsc9USTMZEjhk8xIfs0SzyNsNDUMn6oaFBeJphjIp66hNP4qhdK3bZMMUIxigsRU5JEi6m7IlDlRD0qFu8AuP7g-02E0J04-ZMtNPP0LLVUEOp8Ee8KU7Pe_-4XunqKPcLx/s1600/P1030344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3PEA8BNTWgsc9USTMZEjhk8xIfs0SzyNsNDUMn6oaFBeJphjIp66hNP4qhdK3bZMMUIxigsRU5JEi6m7IlDlRD0qFu8AuP7g-02E0J04-ZMtNPP0LLVUEOp8Ee8KU7Pe_-4XunqKPcLx/s640/P1030344.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The small domed chapel is closed to the public and contains the remains of Giovanni Bettini and his wife Tina, and presumably those of Giulia Farnese. The Tempieto was meant to be the final desination of the fantastic journey visitors had navigated through the Sacro Bosco, no doubt wholly changed by the experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOFdBxCZEbpYCR1JYIs0A141cnhx6n3i0k5Y6Vqr8KCBGmJdbW4gY5bjC93ZIRw2ZHcmXr1wc3qeqNLChjFTHxiD1rjdGBy5DJzNZ_0YeP0Dd1BZmsGcKIW7eZJmUrRRaqpufxRs9CsDf/s1600/P1030345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOFdBxCZEbpYCR1JYIs0A141cnhx6n3i0k5Y6Vqr8KCBGmJdbW4gY5bjC93ZIRw2ZHcmXr1wc3qeqNLChjFTHxiD1rjdGBy5DJzNZ_0YeP0Dd1BZmsGcKIW7eZJmUrRRaqpufxRs9CsDf/s640/P1030345.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front facade of the Tempietto</td></tr>
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Medallions with the Orsini rose are framed on the corners by the lilies of the Farnese family in the vault.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_pNgBRh8XlV_1_wfQ9I-wSwfT4v_oKp1LbiXdIQGVz2I0haaz3t_QzI22xt6D9j2XUf5xyQ8wVYUyyH_KmFkE1PRB_IHOtuGX6RzaXSfWRk6e3_oxGnR66yRNZ9Wyz4400aCsnNZ5-e2/s1600/P1030347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_pNgBRh8XlV_1_wfQ9I-wSwfT4v_oKp1LbiXdIQGVz2I0haaz3t_QzI22xt6D9j2XUf5xyQ8wVYUyyH_KmFkE1PRB_IHOtuGX6RzaXSfWRk6e3_oxGnR66yRNZ9Wyz4400aCsnNZ5-e2/s640/P1030347.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of the vault in the Tempietto</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2phBASwzFzjumdDIFzoWH1vjewvOBkJU0ggdvHbd6vUHiQ11HRX8Gutoo1jZf4DjmLq0sUYd2f8Noqe4IVwUa9-aE-B3MQa_lkZB4ruBMqQWofAhfilpUApD-Dwl6E4OErosA6mbNJZeS/s1600/P1030346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2phBASwzFzjumdDIFzoWH1vjewvOBkJU0ggdvHbd6vUHiQ11HRX8Gutoo1jZf4DjmLq0sUYd2f8Noqe4IVwUa9-aE-B3MQa_lkZB4ruBMqQWofAhfilpUApD-Dwl6E4OErosA6mbNJZeS/s640/P1030346.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the porch of the Tempietto</td></tr>
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A stately gate at the top of the garden was previously located at the original entrance below the Leaning House. I cant imagine what is involved in moving something like this, unless most of it was built from scratch with some recycled details. It now leads to a road and is probably used to access the lawns for mowing in this part of the garden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4ROxoQ7XLTS529_o78JGIKVqI57n8fnSGuq8ybheDXENCiy4r2gSXvPFKwygIaN7-KUOFc80X7kmE5YxK53LpCgQIxidMtncFtpjMzF9_SHnCm2eyOkDG0E1fZIHhJRjGvLIAC-YmglO/s1600/P1030411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4ROxoQ7XLTS529_o78JGIKVqI57n8fnSGuq8ybheDXENCiy4r2gSXvPFKwygIaN7-KUOFc80X7kmE5YxK53LpCgQIxidMtncFtpjMzF9_SHnCm2eyOkDG0E1fZIHhJRjGvLIAC-YmglO/s640/P1030411.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gate at the top of the garden</td></tr>
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I had the luxury of spending the entire day wandering around the Parci dei Mostri, and revisited several areas as I made my way back to the entrance. This was for me what I would call a pilgrimage, having the luxury to make real what had for a long time been a dream to experience for myself this incredible place.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK95SNOQ5hYQjtrtDBw4NqXrW_YEvULQTfv8U4DilCHG_VcfWwOEC50z3S9_qL0AH9B3JyZM1aTpUbowRODNC3wXJlA30h3nFmr7q3DYYeSM4klFa9mPKDRQN-36DXFkf8pIVVUj9ypVVE/s1600/P1030416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK95SNOQ5hYQjtrtDBw4NqXrW_YEvULQTfv8U4DilCHG_VcfWwOEC50z3S9_qL0AH9B3JyZM1aTpUbowRODNC3wXJlA30h3nFmr7q3DYYeSM4klFa9mPKDRQN-36DXFkf8pIVVUj9ypVVE/s640/P1030416.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A herm, a woman's bust with a vase on her head</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Syo9LtKti2kM3F3p7bc4i2__vwd3weS64lCFmfogqlN4yc1N8z6dw763p4fpvQUE9KyO57AEfkwBd3dPizqf4i64xafeqqkPXwbtRGaQJO4onus1MDMCERw_P__15fQ4nZwpfYhQQp8L/s1600/P1030407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Syo9LtKti2kM3F3p7bc4i2__vwd3weS64lCFmfogqlN4yc1N8z6dw763p4fpvQUE9KyO57AEfkwBd3dPizqf4i64xafeqqkPXwbtRGaQJO4onus1MDMCERw_P__15fQ4nZwpfYhQQp8L/s640/P1030407.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wall detail</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnddjh-iVjUrm35Ht68NE8ohyphenhyphencbzvXqFGVgxv74_lsxcADktq62N47Pc5sACecWpNUh6KLQnRyXo-1dmGOD3vm_O-Oo4jUyCZO9cFmVP9cP7iQ4M4Gy-HsJP7Cmv00U879RgcuE1tgxaau/s1600/P1030408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnddjh-iVjUrm35Ht68NE8ohyphenhyphencbzvXqFGVgxv74_lsxcADktq62N47Pc5sACecWpNUh6KLQnRyXo-1dmGOD3vm_O-Oo4jUyCZO9cFmVP9cP7iQ4M4Gy-HsJP7Cmv00U879RgcuE1tgxaau/s640/P1030408.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I got back to the entrance, I continued down the straight path to finally see the outrageously carved head Proteus, or Glauco. There was once a shallow, rectangular pool that would have reflected this incredible face with a mouth large enough to swallow two people. There are varied explanations for the story behind this gape toothed monster. If called Proteus, he would be a god of rivers and oceans. These waters are subject to constant and sometimes violent change, requiring mutability. The face has similarities to the Mouth of Hell, with a frame of scale like shapes rather than tangled hair. They could suggest a sea creature with bulging eyes and flared nostrils. On his head balances a striped globe with a castle on top, the crest of the branch of the family, Orsini da Castello. There are remnants of red pigment painted on the stripes. This was a corner of the property and this may have acted as a boundary marker with a fearful guardian watching over the edge of the Sacro Bosco's domaine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHC0be6LAI4TkmTIR9QcTgjVrFKu4DAyvRI165lEouoowFZs0W8gHkcFlB4Y6n01m7TH01Ddz68TSUOCuf0_uwvRdVRTo1oAVAnkpls-lhDD__QOeY0jx9pJf8HvEa_E1vI_O2dFTIxS-w/s1600/P1030418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHC0be6LAI4TkmTIR9QcTgjVrFKu4DAyvRI165lEouoowFZs0W8gHkcFlB4Y6n01m7TH01Ddz68TSUOCuf0_uwvRdVRTo1oAVAnkpls-lhDD__QOeY0jx9pJf8HvEa_E1vI_O2dFTIxS-w/s640/P1030418.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The remains of a reflecting pool</td></tr>
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Glauco, or Glaucus, was a Greek Sea god. Originally a fisherman and diver, he is said to have eaten a magical herb (I love those) and then jumped in to the sea where he was transformed in to a divine water divinity. Glauco is sometimes depicted dressed in shells and seaweed. So Proteus, or Glauco?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmAjxY4ElyaHlJsvwWvmnlUudcAYJprcw34dcHfTB9SvnoQcmNKw_EMyZO5IpfRvcytN3EmsGOcpn3gPuRxdn6xbPwi-obNaG85hrXAUOaKPrVlh-jf0LUk4z7oynMGsIwwzo4WoGqEZh/s1600/P1030429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmAjxY4ElyaHlJsvwWvmnlUudcAYJprcw34dcHfTB9SvnoQcmNKw_EMyZO5IpfRvcytN3EmsGOcpn3gPuRxdn6xbPwi-obNaG85hrXAUOaKPrVlh-jf0LUk4z7oynMGsIwwzo4WoGqEZh/s640/P1030429.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A side view detail</td></tr>
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There is a railing to keep tourists away from the monument which would otherwise be overun on busy days. But alas I was alone, so over that rail I went. I sat inside the mouth as the sky grew darker, and took a couple of selfies with the timer on the camera. I came, I saw, and I was eaten. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyO39CHdg_OBdZ9rQNps3ehj8C5yF6Y0_ZRfjpLwJ7Tu-Q-8fYzmi1AXAu6S1kypBnsbMql0W_xCb1rpBAKaM2aH4C_EE2kV8U9roE2DzGR7Vj9IZXQCRYXAObmsHXiwm6bvm-7puwC0AV/s1600/P1030432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1178" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyO39CHdg_OBdZ9rQNps3ehj8C5yF6Y0_ZRfjpLwJ7Tu-Q-8fYzmi1AXAu6S1kypBnsbMql0W_xCb1rpBAKaM2aH4C_EE2kV8U9roE2DzGR7Vj9IZXQCRYXAObmsHXiwm6bvm-7puwC0AV/s640/P1030432.JPG" width="470" /></a></div>
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My journey was complete through the Sacro Bosco as a storm gathered over an imposing volcanic stone table mountain that makes up the nearby Riserva Naturale Monte Casoli di Bomarzo. No taxi was waiting for me when I got to the car park. It started to sprinkle as I climbed my way back up the road to the absolutely medieval looking town of Bomarzo on the hill. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7lPnmSo3gPpSVEJTOH96Ty61UTjQ7qXLiVd4KWsGnO_wgOYJjyuzp8aK4wac0BQtGwOBL2yqsYUAC1Yo3kzmnfHNBfR5QIL69Othev7lmek-3a1vb5TEndXdpdZlyaBygUhDai2uk6fv/s1600/P1030413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7lPnmSo3gPpSVEJTOH96Ty61UTjQ7qXLiVd4KWsGnO_wgOYJjyuzp8aK4wac0BQtGwOBL2yqsYUAC1Yo3kzmnfHNBfR5QIL69Othev7lmek-3a1vb5TEndXdpdZlyaBygUhDai2uk6fv/s640/P1030413.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bomarzo town in the distance.</td></tr>
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It started ro rain when I got to the town, which but for a few cars felt like it was from another century, gloomy and grey. Few people were evident. A statue of a Pope seems to wave goodbye beneath the walls of the Orsini palace at the edge of town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte9l2CCPqy0Puh0lWm-UF7DDEkWmQnY_Uhy6sjKzZBHCC-9p0fhJwEsh8dK5LZ9USPrNX81u4FvY8Nit-WRy5gN_v1ufD2TCTottYTeg_BJIZGU-ykxPf9tg1T5eyei75gCmtBQlgyFGa/s1600/P1030450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhte9l2CCPqy0Puh0lWm-UF7DDEkWmQnY_Uhy6sjKzZBHCC-9p0fhJwEsh8dK5LZ9USPrNX81u4FvY8Nit-WRy5gN_v1ufD2TCTottYTeg_BJIZGU-ykxPf9tg1T5eyei75gCmtBQlgyFGa/s640/P1030450.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of a Pope?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAKl5bQ-i4K1Rq3RPZLsAzEy7GcLXJlwtfZkCwYU9XpOyVUaHItYFdlfkF2Z_LGS0Ol97fVzqybcDjjhR0OC4czQNDuY6FZ0HUeNjrfAKhk9iLkIpEXL8bqxJMSfxwNCUISS7pXBhVjYn/s1600/P1030442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAKl5bQ-i4K1Rq3RPZLsAzEy7GcLXJlwtfZkCwYU9XpOyVUaHItYFdlfkF2Z_LGS0Ol97fVzqybcDjjhR0OC4czQNDuY6FZ0HUeNjrfAKhk9iLkIpEXL8bqxJMSfxwNCUISS7pXBhVjYn/s640/P1030442.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tightly clustered houses look out over the valley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdRgrtCD-aoqxD9g0KZ_3YjJdPRSxmkQVtraf8zT0ti6xahGjBT4KQmeZWeD1xCnkzqEGYQWO6mHJ-jCoIvoWiwjCe93Ur6-PiPI28rp5_yi9pALyo5gCtsgDwY5t3oLQ0X3B8xEDkt6p/s1600/P1030470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdRgrtCD-aoqxD9g0KZ_3YjJdPRSxmkQVtraf8zT0ti6xahGjBT4KQmeZWeD1xCnkzqEGYQWO6mHJ-jCoIvoWiwjCe93Ur6-PiPI28rp5_yi9pALyo5gCtsgDwY5t3oLQ0X3B8xEDkt6p/s640/P1030470.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A warren of apartments </td></tr>
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There are a number of contemporary pebble mosaics in the town center that showed their most vivid colors as the rain came down. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A compass of cut stone and crudely set pebble mosaic</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5CySozqZ_8Unr54AqjB001_so5tAxYqu_qC3FeDdWlSqZzrYwpn912XuhIvxOKuqiDsJhgO_yV35Hr1NpKXRkCgTAT3HDEMrchqQyr-SHSlPwD3EKkyhTA1buOpMu4i8w6rtl1a8X5kt/s1600/P1030463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5CySozqZ_8Unr54AqjB001_so5tAxYqu_qC3FeDdWlSqZzrYwpn912XuhIvxOKuqiDsJhgO_yV35Hr1NpKXRkCgTAT3HDEMrchqQyr-SHSlPwD3EKkyhTA1buOpMu4i8w6rtl1a8X5kt/s640/P1030463.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pebble mosaic star in front of the church</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCEyjdQZQNqHi5iP5tPzZuiUQ8AgP_Xv-LRUQ58k0hxMCHbJJqNkTpdwiBYI85HeJJPj7u-IYrygfcxt7zyJzpXNLE8eornuqNU1RDL4P0Je7FvFWc1fIcwM0k1gGaaCF7lEGAYsAkH47/s1600/P1030467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCEyjdQZQNqHi5iP5tPzZuiUQ8AgP_Xv-LRUQ58k0hxMCHbJJqNkTpdwiBYI85HeJJPj7u-IYrygfcxt7zyJzpXNLE8eornuqNU1RDL4P0Je7FvFWc1fIcwM0k1gGaaCF7lEGAYsAkH47/s640/P1030467.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4Q3LvNCbG_UwFqsEDY0bPED5FMvUtF35DtJfa6CPA5opWAT5-2KtpT3L8oLsgjKqG4aSGKn-HBuoR9xxoJlOfNn4FwkyuUWZIRynwNzwv8108RSjn31Wcfku307HjhSg18lVu8qSDIzG/s1600/P1030460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4Q3LvNCbG_UwFqsEDY0bPED5FMvUtF35DtJfa6CPA5opWAT5-2KtpT3L8oLsgjKqG4aSGKn-HBuoR9xxoJlOfNn4FwkyuUWZIRynwNzwv8108RSjn31Wcfku307HjhSg18lVu8qSDIzG/s640/P1030460.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church that Giulia Farnese commissioned in Bomarzo town.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5KQ7MP8nppAZJsIJryPSzO7xao1xgZR0_0nQKrTxyWlmqq3cGztlCCIMf6gZPH8MgKKJZ9pvEYrRS8r0VgpfMG90DACw245WxYiaiwgPT8As1YL1DjT-spIZtsqXPAdSvVwa7ZPecA_m/s1600/P1030479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5KQ7MP8nppAZJsIJryPSzO7xao1xgZR0_0nQKrTxyWlmqq3cGztlCCIMf6gZPH8MgKKJZ9pvEYrRS8r0VgpfMG90DACw245WxYiaiwgPT8As1YL1DjT-spIZtsqXPAdSvVwa7ZPecA_m/s640/P1030479.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pebbled threshold to a public building</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJffBtdneTl5TdDzVEh00pWsEcsf1GnmY_VgYaLGZkCP01yHV3WjMndaW4P8Re-5FE3fiI0DmO7SMdCXAdx_04GRy6LF9t1Wn2_5-ot9AyU7nu6dPIBYkx_hzclYiz1jzFsMME85drJxUz/s1600/P1030473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJffBtdneTl5TdDzVEh00pWsEcsf1GnmY_VgYaLGZkCP01yHV3WjMndaW4P8Re-5FE3fiI0DmO7SMdCXAdx_04GRy6LF9t1Wn2_5-ot9AyU7nu6dPIBYkx_hzclYiz1jzFsMME85drJxUz/s640/P1030473.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice mixture of cobbles and pebble mosaic remeniscent of something I would build.</td></tr>
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While very atmospheric, this must be a very odd place to live. I came to dead ends a number of times as I explored the twisting lanes. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtmg7UrTw2fjkMhmRbXYDJJ5FYlbvRxTdyJsForD6ppjGOBZhE74ojtEO7lgWC0Li4kqB8NPIkrJxeM62SMmx_sEHwINvGFus0Cnov2Xbg7UPFJ0QqyN2HCrvt2hmnvFvhiTi4Epw8FAb/s1600/P1030472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtmg7UrTw2fjkMhmRbXYDJJ5FYlbvRxTdyJsForD6ppjGOBZhE74ojtEO7lgWC0Li4kqB8NPIkrJxeM62SMmx_sEHwINvGFus0Cnov2Xbg7UPFJ0QqyN2HCrvt2hmnvFvhiTi4Epw8FAb/s640/P1030472.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A medieval doorway</td></tr>
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Lightning and thunder made me scurry along. I slogged back around the hill to the cafe on the corner where the bus had dropped me off. My shoes and pants legs were soaked. The woman in the cafe told me a bus would come eventually so I went outside and waited. Someone came out and said I was waiting in the wrong place so I had to cross the road and stand in the rain for close to an hour.<br />
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It was dark by the time we got back to Viterbo and I was exhausted. But what a day it was!<br />
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Thanks for reading, Jeffrey<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VBh6uikUCYXQsCH64_J1ohHpDH7aqu5dDNzGkPtDMPKUNkD1vDpInDOpQwMTeUO81rQhJJEyA-Q-4KENiiBMEGLB_8V9llIecqZ4vQQiAVt3ZY-Fdsia7BSvt-79o4IjHiW0ARwi-pbT/s1600/P1030280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VBh6uikUCYXQsCH64_J1ohHpDH7aqu5dDNzGkPtDMPKUNkD1vDpInDOpQwMTeUO81rQhJJEyA-Q-4KENiiBMEGLB_8V9llIecqZ4vQQiAVt3ZY-Fdsia7BSvt-79o4IjHiW0ARwi-pbT/s640/P1030280.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To Hell and back</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEQJ_ug87InWT1yp8CyTZ7MHoBpbtZdJ1vjebCkL0vu935O_oHSYsRdiJO_ozi0-Rt8k0KeF-s5V6wFVoMKty8-zUSrf6EYECkjcBD7euZ87IYXpvb_IHE3SoxWjn-aGGtI8cLd8Z3brh/s1600/Dali%25CC%2580-a-Bomarzo-10-11-1948-Video-dellIstituto-Luce-1-1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEQJ_ug87InWT1yp8CyTZ7MHoBpbtZdJ1vjebCkL0vu935O_oHSYsRdiJO_ozi0-Rt8k0KeF-s5V6wFVoMKty8-zUSrf6EYECkjcBD7euZ87IYXpvb_IHE3SoxWjn-aGGtI8cLd8Z3brh/s640/Dali%25CC%2580-a-Bomarzo-10-11-1948-Video-dellIstituto-Luce-1-1024x768.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salvador Dali 1938. The mouth once had bottom teeth</td></tr>
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-90047011425668419762020-05-30T18:22:00.001-07:002020-05-30T18:22:35.385-07:00Jardines de Laribal, Parque Montjuïc, Barcelona<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ypalgCH7Rj-1lr7VQBhaoixkCT3w7_kR_br65GUwjNFQ3WNA26uHV5Gi7r-yraoVCanorVLdA5RVr7gYhtrm3VppcIhyphenhyphenap26XJ1UTLstkqjouJn7b8PG2-6707qYWsbH-v6WrExKf8Fu/s1600/P1030699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ypalgCH7Rj-1lr7VQBhaoixkCT3w7_kR_br65GUwjNFQ3WNA26uHV5Gi7r-yraoVCanorVLdA5RVr7gYhtrm3VppcIhyphenhyphenap26XJ1UTLstkqjouJn7b8PG2-6707qYWsbH-v6WrExKf8Fu/s640/P1030699.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stepped rill drops in a series of cascades in the Generelife section of the garden.</td></tr>
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Barcelona is one of the greatest cities of Europe. Best known for its Modernismo style architecture, crowned by the soaring Cathedral of La Sagrada Familia, the city is also home to some beautiful parks. The architect Antoni Gaudi garners the most attention for his elaborately rendered buildings that blend design with nature in revolutionary ways. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tJEHikKjeqer8QPHooeaFPijRtIKl6unKSJbtzO7QdXF0610bt4-bNnD2JtuAvKqFqq1m4nOblWpF6V3oF0xDDqBVQ4cA6Wf1hdvhKfsY_F18vPkbzXlFcPx9uIe52nIglzjr_MF0DQg/s1600/P1030281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tJEHikKjeqer8QPHooeaFPijRtIKl6unKSJbtzO7QdXF0610bt4-bNnD2JtuAvKqFqq1m4nOblWpF6V3oF0xDDqBVQ4cA6Wf1hdvhKfsY_F18vPkbzXlFcPx9uIe52nIglzjr_MF0DQg/s640/P1030281.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The extraordinary facade of Casa Battlo, designed by Antoni Gaudi and built between 1904 to 1906</td></tr>
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The largest public open space in the city is the Parque de Montjuïc, built on the broad flat topped hill of the same name that looks out over the city and harbor. The name is derived from a Catalan/Latin blend meaning Hill of the Jews because of an old Jewish cemetery found there, but the land has been occupied since before the arrival of the Romans. Quarries on the mountain were the source for much of the stone used to build the city until the middle of the 20th Century. The recreation of a Greek Theater was carved from one of the quarries. The hill was substancially altered when it became the site of the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, and many of the grand constructions from this event continue to grace the park today. Most prominent is the Palau Nacional, a Spanish Renaissance Neo Baroque style building that now houses the National Art Museum of Catalonia. It is reached by a monumental staircase and the Font Mágica de Montjuïc, an over the top illuminated water spectacle at the foot of the Palace punctuated by four towering Ionic columns reconstructed in 2010.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9-_0cakrzzI4EOAAQD4zfpMfgvilqqZu08V4KjqzbknVcj197VnUVSMPt3to4QWRnXD0vAXC0LLGlz3GQOXlD1KZCiObgvnpt8F7-bjoi9zRZwe84hSu3XjA6etHNaKEJSaiDpEzmLVc/s1600/P1040236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9-_0cakrzzI4EOAAQD4zfpMfgvilqqZu08V4KjqzbknVcj197VnUVSMPt3to4QWRnXD0vAXC0LLGlz3GQOXlD1KZCiObgvnpt8F7-bjoi9zRZwe84hSu3XjA6etHNaKEJSaiDpEzmLVc/s640/P1040236.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grand axis built for the 1929 Barcelona World Expostion leads to the Palau Nacional</td></tr>
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More discrete and intimate are the adjacent Jardines de Laribal. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRE-b5Q2f3lYal3a6uthNdKsYsRDG4QKjJcRrk5yo_DfHN5CXZJguiMCACgN7f6ek7jIcTf4ddDXfHA0-umUwaWHOuB6HQnzkEUL0ait8LQKQCflm1AWdQHgqOAwcpIgIM0yrGKmEnHMr9/s1600/P1030650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRE-b5Q2f3lYal3a6uthNdKsYsRDG4QKjJcRrk5yo_DfHN5CXZJguiMCACgN7f6ek7jIcTf4ddDXfHA0-umUwaWHOuB6HQnzkEUL0ait8LQKQCflm1AWdQHgqOAwcpIgIM0yrGKmEnHMr9/s640/P1030650.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Palau Nacional from Jardin de Laribal</td></tr>
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Located on the lower slopes of the hill between the Palau Nacional, and the Fondacion Míro, the garden has a number of terraces connected by handsome staircases and paths shaded by brick or stucco columned pergolas draped in vines. The Laribal Gardens were inspired in part by the fabled Moorish gardens of the Alhambra in Granada, with rills, pools fountains in many courtyard settings. <br />
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The former estate of prominent lawyer Josep Laribal, the five hectares (12 acres) of land was acquired by the city in 1908 after Laribal's death. The redesigned landscape was the ambitious vision of the French landscape architect and engineer Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier, working with a Catalonian assistant who completed the project in 1922. Forestier had a prolific career, designing and overseeing the development of stately urban planning and park projects in many parts of the world, including the Champs de Mars surrounding the Eiffel Tower in Paris. He was designing Parque de Maria Luisa for the Ibero-American Exposition in Sevilla, which also occurred in 1929 at the same time as the Laribal project. Both are two of the most beautiful public gardens in Spain. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJzApen1udbOfb618y5-wc-u-tdVVxmTU8GEGdpGSM6c8dC9Et_t4G3yMKBTzg9GFn_zkP8spQ7j3NOR3qUs7NsQI3hPv5wlNPutV6G5SPNVF1133C0QiQKyFzWj5Pxlcx5PG7tg8ezaV/s1600/P1030618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJzApen1udbOfb618y5-wc-u-tdVVxmTU8GEGdpGSM6c8dC9Et_t4G3yMKBTzg9GFn_zkP8spQ7j3NOR3qUs7NsQI3hPv5wlNPutV6G5SPNVF1133C0QiQKyFzWj5Pxlcx5PG7tg8ezaV/s640/P1030618.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fountain with playful boys a little too mature to qualify as cherubs punctuates an axial stair to a temple folly at the edge of the garden</td></tr>
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The terracing on the slopes of Monjuïc make for wonderful spaces, and the traditional rills and water stairs often have the feel of a combination of Moorish and Italian Mannerist gardens from the late Renaissance. There are many fountain basins with fine sculpture to encounter in open courtyard spaces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBA-quKDJR70A-ddh7P7OqCei7D7vaL7WgBFMokfgXkNeaPt_z1Wy_TsRK9N2mHglO-DhjrjaOO1yajdmpZk1OcAYJIqSeqrWZMm3yEyRxyxu0Kqhwmo1ywa1GfTTFrJu1fs-Mq2jT4rF/s1600/P1030629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBA-quKDJR70A-ddh7P7OqCei7D7vaL7WgBFMokfgXkNeaPt_z1Wy_TsRK9N2mHglO-DhjrjaOO1yajdmpZk1OcAYJIqSeqrWZMm3yEyRxyxu0Kqhwmo1ywa1GfTTFrJu1fs-Mq2jT4rF/s640/P1030629.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Estival, by Jaume Otero</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGKZ-ioEWMtF51OKpE_DYnySoF8s0_rgTgSZqx-Lnw4VjPdqcC4jzEHH975MIA5OQks1N6vMI1eBOhsUvJIQbqe5K2RIyfVJ2JnMVfnyOZ3b1Helltyeqc0c2f3XaTrQryfzaSEBoQIch/s1600/P1030627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGKZ-ioEWMtF51OKpE_DYnySoF8s0_rgTgSZqx-Lnw4VjPdqcC4jzEHH975MIA5OQks1N6vMI1eBOhsUvJIQbqe5K2RIyfVJ2JnMVfnyOZ3b1Helltyeqc0c2f3XaTrQryfzaSEBoQIch/s640/P1030627.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A potted Clivia minata plant set on a simple fountain in a hexagonal basin</td></tr>
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The vine draped pergolas connecting these courtyard spaces provide shade on hot days and frame views looking out over the slopes. The wooden structures are supported by finely rendered brick columns and balustrades. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubyXGJKEQRnMp_H7YfG4M0a2YjRD28TkXL_6N8g1ruRZRXKCDvDIa2vAdqwFBezMjOS_2AoU_4HtPYjvHBeCz-XEns_iN26pD1WzZNXc22-_pSmHjb5Mr7jHt0RVHqsZDPJLB3Xr2WuD9/s1600/P1030632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubyXGJKEQRnMp_H7YfG4M0a2YjRD28TkXL_6N8g1ruRZRXKCDvDIa2vAdqwFBezMjOS_2AoU_4HtPYjvHBeCz-XEns_iN26pD1WzZNXc22-_pSmHjb5Mr7jHt0RVHqsZDPJLB3Xr2WuD9/s640/P1030632.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ceramic Fountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stone pedestal in the Ceramic Fountain</td></tr>
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One of the most dramatic features in the gardens are long water stairs, where a straight channel of water drops in a long series of steps and pools and fountains down the steep slope, connecting a number of terraced paths. <br />
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The gardens are very architectural and connected in a series of linear courts with fountain basins in a variety of designs, creating a succession of experiences.<br />
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Strolling along the shady paths through the forested hillsides leads to a number of discoveries that are beautifully connected by staircases connecting patios and fountain courts.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gateway to the Font del Gat, or Cat Fountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhee9hivr1BAWVH3Ii6Q_V6PmO4wuM3eao4sQSlELJUow_9jN0VNLLRKdaYemXY36aXxUEwMl7f4NaPPw40_V9TeXuHwFqjlcSN8Xp88mCgWJ8zfzMrO-a0_LXhXdypYpDFcQ_EhWdtzl-M/s1600/P1030640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhee9hivr1BAWVH3Ii6Q_V6PmO4wuM3eao4sQSlELJUow_9jN0VNLLRKdaYemXY36aXxUEwMl7f4NaPPw40_V9TeXuHwFqjlcSN8Xp88mCgWJ8zfzMrO-a0_LXhXdypYpDFcQ_EhWdtzl-M/s640/P1030640.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tile medallion over the gate to the Font del Gat</td></tr>
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The Font del Gat was built in 1918 and features a water spout with the head of what looks like a cat set in a rustic grotto in a terrace. It became a destination for hikers when Montjuïc was a more forested and wild place. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3skRxMRJIPY3koKDKsNeKtpI757jm5ufyjcxFx6S6xwm0WuaxDBxXPbFVyGjA27sE9D7VGZv53iQ1ilhEC2kgzzsFVByYUborLYq1NDM5y9vK0MF5IB1s55kGeY7fg7RuuaEiJnK_6aX/s1600/P1030641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3skRxMRJIPY3koKDKsNeKtpI757jm5ufyjcxFx6S6xwm0WuaxDBxXPbFVyGjA27sE9D7VGZv53iQ1ilhEC2kgzzsFVByYUborLYq1NDM5y9vK0MF5IB1s55kGeY7fg7RuuaEiJnK_6aX/s640/P1030641.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Font del Gat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzJO2-lfe-AkGhwqqIMIuzWonDYGqUXUwBIrBq1RWWq-cFB9lJWhdiN-GISFmOo6U1Y4BlJyZY1_oR4Y3YgoOgU9z1HiUXJs0HDr35XJkIRlEPHt1kSc4mqcO1W-tiuzVXmMiIFTa9ThD/s1600/P1030642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzJO2-lfe-AkGhwqqIMIuzWonDYGqUXUwBIrBq1RWWq-cFB9lJWhdiN-GISFmOo6U1Y4BlJyZY1_oR4Y3YgoOgU9z1HiUXJs0HDr35XJkIRlEPHt1kSc4mqcO1W-tiuzVXmMiIFTa9ThD/s640/P1030642.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Font del Gat, or Cat Fountain</td></tr>
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The building and courtyard constructed in 1925 next to the old fountain houses a popular cafe with delicious food. The courtyard surrounded by butter yellow walls with half point arches ornamented with urns in the Noucentista style. This was a neoclassical movement that was a turning point away from the Art Nouveau Modernismo style that Barcelona is famed for.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6gFe9FKfMt0LBIENbErMq6XAt_cSIK4om63E4nIGtK_59lzyrQQVujZv6rhbhFyKb_m0vDalnpUCwRFRrT4PfA84La5vY9uf-adpGQLGN2o9Tn45XdwUEQdMUy9GteKtgbagCL2fyBzd/s1600/P1030646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6gFe9FKfMt0LBIENbErMq6XAt_cSIK4om63E4nIGtK_59lzyrQQVujZv6rhbhFyKb_m0vDalnpUCwRFRrT4PfA84La5vY9uf-adpGQLGN2o9Tn45XdwUEQdMUy9GteKtgbagCL2fyBzd/s640/P1030646.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gate to the Edifiio de Noucentista and the Cafe de Font del Gat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGy3oSfuMvJH3QBZS0-bk1ctR-z7c6kluisOBYF1Mp_fEAkWuTneDZKYoirnX6KShLqLkocyyfRbXds2cXlEAcOvXcjQDdQojF7AeE4fCDSWXRakgUnLrXtnBbk3vPnh6DygwyHPHHbuR/s1600/P1030645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGy3oSfuMvJH3QBZS0-bk1ctR-z7c6kluisOBYF1Mp_fEAkWuTneDZKYoirnX6KShLqLkocyyfRbXds2cXlEAcOvXcjQDdQojF7AeE4fCDSWXRakgUnLrXtnBbk3vPnh6DygwyHPHHbuR/s640/P1030645.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An iron cat corners a mouse on a bracket on the Edificio Noucentista</td></tr>
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Surface treatments use a variety of materials, stucco, rustic and carved stone, and thin red. Terracotta balustrades form railings on the terraces, and there are many shady benches for resting and socializing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRy1I-mrPjxQTtAQ67MXjDartvwsr6ti9YxyRJ1mH9PCXybBXDOU0alsgPAdsnZhH4W5qiDfSwd07I-ToY5qjg_oViv3yLwDRE1BxV2DVtbWhvQgeeRE1Ws-wzwLgL3FK_I2Y0RfPH4Ah/s1600/P1030648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRy1I-mrPjxQTtAQ67MXjDartvwsr6ti9YxyRJ1mH9PCXybBXDOU0alsgPAdsnZhH4W5qiDfSwd07I-ToY5qjg_oViv3yLwDRE1BxV2DVtbWhvQgeeRE1Ws-wzwLgL3FK_I2Y0RfPH4Ah/s640/P1030648.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down a water stair</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYriHknrlAl6veMDrjMT2W6ZMfht7-UnpMhPjxiIqQZc-eyo0uzklS_FcJX3mtbmilFbLLkru9hR2xa3O3vuq1DLnIzv9BJJG7qbladBjPeOKG3by_cJnjuA1o3EzzTUbBM9QmpXgSrE-G/s1600/P1030649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYriHknrlAl6veMDrjMT2W6ZMfht7-UnpMhPjxiIqQZc-eyo0uzklS_FcJX3mtbmilFbLLkru9hR2xa3O3vuq1DLnIzv9BJJG7qbladBjPeOKG3by_cJnjuA1o3EzzTUbBM9QmpXgSrE-G/s640/P1030649.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stones with repetetive shapes face an interesting wall where a water stair spills in to a pool.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFREUkaw_qjD09ByPLL0sc5A2c7GPIufCzF7ehOliaiHZB_q8ZS94xJfrg5C2MnsZtix45kF9maRwbp5d7g4zGPN9oj4g1GplZIdQG6e5ToaPlUQ6SosKYF3dG4jgknvMblTqOzgi1IHPy/s1600/P1030651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFREUkaw_qjD09ByPLL0sc5A2c7GPIufCzF7ehOliaiHZB_q8ZS94xJfrg5C2MnsZtix45kF9maRwbp5d7g4zGPN9oj4g1GplZIdQG6e5ToaPlUQ6SosKYF3dG4jgknvMblTqOzgi1IHPy/s640/P1030651.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wisteria drapes a long stucco pergola with small tiled benches set with potted plants.</td></tr>
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At the top of the gardens lies the Fundació Joan Miró, which showcases an impressive collection of art by the famed Catalan artist. There are a number of sculptures in the gardens and on the roof terraces around the building, and fine views out over the city. I love Miró's work and built a series of mosaics based on his constellation paintings in a garden for clients in Portland who once lived in Barcelona. You can read about those here: https://jeffreygardens.blogspot.com/2011/06/miro-mosaics.html<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZYzlv5ATUG_xNDGMBENSSOlTt5CMg6kWWoQooSOoWa8DEKT6Ul9o60M1DSfuadp1Pgd3oIG067n39mycnfDhIivj9yPz_dnoUkqoahuWSp-n1I4cbg2PC7IL8VV2lLkBiUE-qnv-sthM/s1600/P1030652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZYzlv5ATUG_xNDGMBENSSOlTt5CMg6kWWoQooSOoWa8DEKT6Ul9o60M1DSfuadp1Pgd3oIG067n39mycnfDhIivj9yPz_dnoUkqoahuWSp-n1I4cbg2PC7IL8VV2lLkBiUE-qnv-sthM/s640/P1030652.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top of Laribal is the Fundació Joan Miró</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqop8ThyRwoeGbjvJoBwAJapa6trt51j7t4LgrTPWK2I9ciywGM0S2YNYNtVPXDZrjiph7Cw0n4i2xn4DDDZju814YcrOnKzrdpb8cSTml7DM9erVg9sd9igriP_oYY4djIesuBfHHnzn/s1600/P1030653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1178" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqop8ThyRwoeGbjvJoBwAJapa6trt51j7t4LgrTPWK2I9ciywGM0S2YNYNtVPXDZrjiph7Cw0n4i2xn4DDDZju814YcrOnKzrdpb8cSTml7DM9erVg9sd9igriP_oYY4djIesuBfHHnzn/s640/P1030653.JPG" width="470" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bronze sculpture by Joan Miró</td></tr>
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From the top you can decend back down the hill via the Escaleras del Generalife, a steep set of stairs that connect the terraces. Water puctuates the stair, cooling the spaces and providing the music of splashing cascades and fountains. Water is the key binding element in Andalucian gardens that has been used to great effect here. I've also written extensive essays about the Alhambra and Generalife you can see here: https://jeffreygardens.blogspot.com/2012/03/tales-of-alhambra.html<br />
https://jeffreygardens.blogspot.com/2012/04/generalife.html<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRddazmt9sOQqe7VL5UGgHaMP3m6DOyqrN4ouCHUHfFImVI4rfDj5Uiy2OCVMTIyTkB75ISK8_ZOzg3MUazlFPlHqL9D8nnvg8X_HSLz3zhQauhnt55DONn4GFNR3CPMR9TmFoLcEluQBG/s1600/P1030676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRddazmt9sOQqe7VL5UGgHaMP3m6DOyqrN4ouCHUHfFImVI4rfDj5Uiy2OCVMTIyTkB75ISK8_ZOzg3MUazlFPlHqL9D8nnvg8X_HSLz3zhQauhnt55DONn4GFNR3CPMR9TmFoLcEluQBG/s640/P1030676.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A series of fountains puntuate landings on a steep staircase decending the hill. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi8RA_Bbo6w9WSaigSlsEGDQahW2jLfgREgQB1fUWo_GxCvP7tVtpc81AgOafXSj2Yun9yhLXifxOKF5dvhpZVawY4pYGclno4wIS4NHjbwEGEiSKRHOlXxDGAKJ8Z5-c-MQDkBBAB6zx/s1600/P1030677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi8RA_Bbo6w9WSaigSlsEGDQahW2jLfgREgQB1fUWo_GxCvP7tVtpc81AgOafXSj2Yun9yhLXifxOKF5dvhpZVawY4pYGclno4wIS4NHjbwEGEiSKRHOlXxDGAKJ8Z5-c-MQDkBBAB6zx/s640/P1030677.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interesting fountain spout with a serpent like water channel spills water in to a stepped cascade.</td></tr>
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The Generalife in Granada, Spain, which this staircase is named for is the famed water garden adjacent to the Alhambra. One of the delightful features borrowed from the Generalife is the water channel that runs down the railings on either side of the staircase. You can dip your hands in the cooling water as you climb or decend, a detail as special as any ever incorporated in to a garden.. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lEMClQPn51oZstg4plJNjqbIG_Ot2Uu77r_RVJlD1XwMim0pCYhxdHRqac76Cd79HXpgq4XswBY_URCGhEmFnNCu3ZWI-qfrEqxf-PHVJbBXbfD2Fu5PlyF4wpiGVXigDQ4NDOHkvtcc/s1600/P1030681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lEMClQPn51oZstg4plJNjqbIG_Ot2Uu77r_RVJlD1XwMim0pCYhxdHRqac76Cd79HXpgq4XswBY_URCGhEmFnNCu3ZWI-qfrEqxf-PHVJbBXbfD2Fu5PlyF4wpiGVXigDQ4NDOHkvtcc/s640/P1030681.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Escaleras del Generalife</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FWYCW-Z6J32a5GGoZqWvkSQcFz_oanM7wXhZn0LYzFzEgPT0ynU_gpFuMPlSPLFXRqfJFSH5y_rkQcAJ5AOfTJe6Tc62QAU_TF0v9NP58pVXg50N68o3aBMkHIkjOwkRZOKe5eQCVfRM/s1600/P1030682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FWYCW-Z6J32a5GGoZqWvkSQcFz_oanM7wXhZn0LYzFzEgPT0ynU_gpFuMPlSPLFXRqfJFSH5y_rkQcAJ5AOfTJe6Tc62QAU_TF0v9NP58pVXg50N68o3aBMkHIkjOwkRZOKe5eQCVfRM/s640/P1030682.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sculpted water rill in the balustrade makes a rippling sound and makes the water sparkle in the light as it spills over the tiny stepped carvings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yVQj1WuIsqnDHRZYhHYufM02nprK1AyCPDzLGQqgEjKYHSunomtJMvA1zIdNrzwNx929FVbj-bD9YxnBSiOjHlqnt1tJ6ZIxIneAob6RC_cA7atDnIFyith3TrOyMC33kGeB2jrDpfZz/s1600/P1030683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yVQj1WuIsqnDHRZYhHYufM02nprK1AyCPDzLGQqgEjKYHSunomtJMvA1zIdNrzwNx929FVbj-bD9YxnBSiOjHlqnt1tJ6ZIxIneAob6RC_cA7atDnIFyith3TrOyMC33kGeB2jrDpfZz/s640/P1030683.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A finely crafted iron railing at the edge of a terrace where water spills from a rill at the base of the Escalera del Generalife.</td></tr>
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At one side of the Jardines de Laribal is a Greek Theater that was cut in to an old stone quarry. It was built for the 1929 International Exposition and is used for live theater and music performances.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkewC9sgGyULjz16vrQNt4KAmL-uyyzYiDtwp1Q7j7Ryu4dFvJccVTf53HSfAdHvhBk3wBiQzRyuphcswOgZJJ7X4DS4HlUFAosTfSasZvs7rHnQqA5YRUVDgzCBmXHKVdNVFMK2Bfhh08/s1600/P1030685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkewC9sgGyULjz16vrQNt4KAmL-uyyzYiDtwp1Q7j7Ryu4dFvJccVTf53HSfAdHvhBk3wBiQzRyuphcswOgZJJ7X4DS4HlUFAosTfSasZvs7rHnQqA5YRUVDgzCBmXHKVdNVFMK2Bfhh08/s640/P1030685.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXMM4K3EtEmZ0yQYUxVTx5A2qrO70f36CEBFoJq4gma7MUQw-MViwo9DCibSHNUNZhyfqQwny3DIhyphenhyphen5X8Kho4ZL85OWc5LUzqSa3JRrxoe184igxiB8GGs_gaoeBI5BQTaH05PuZ06hc5/s1600/P1030686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXMM4K3EtEmZ0yQYUxVTx5A2qrO70f36CEBFoJq4gma7MUQw-MViwo9DCibSHNUNZhyfqQwny3DIhyphenhyphen5X8Kho4ZL85OWc5LUzqSa3JRrxoe184igxiB8GGs_gaoeBI5BQTaH05PuZ06hc5/s640/P1030686.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple jets of water arch from the ends of a linear fountain set in a red clay tiled terrace.</td></tr>
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Water rills are narrow channels that connect pools are derived from traditional irrigation channels used to provide water to trees in orchards. Their translation in to formal water gardens is a magical binding architectural element.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW-onPvkfmcBuFTyUJhXuK1P6XYRB4kZy5GlzFcA3SEKqymJDGhoV6-odhqcS8NtuCcw-WgbK4Uj35KJzOQQIcvGV8WxjNulFGivGTfDOeAX3xEpCaFAIEv72hRe72IYjr-Z5nYeo2ceM/s1600/P1030687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW-onPvkfmcBuFTyUJhXuK1P6XYRB4kZy5GlzFcA3SEKqymJDGhoV6-odhqcS8NtuCcw-WgbK4Uj35KJzOQQIcvGV8WxjNulFGivGTfDOeAX3xEpCaFAIEv72hRe72IYjr-Z5nYeo2ceM/s640/P1030687.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1Yq5dF3ZilPboah5oi-T4A_01vQw7Qc83ba6-7Co-NZ6LhNOX-CueQ00BOYFiuWrNIm4OB4hyIKncsAi44mNZEBU2gcToqVQCvxOFs52F1nNlGDFTCPnHii1_rbIaJyS614tfWF1BBxZ/s1600/P1030689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1Yq5dF3ZilPboah5oi-T4A_01vQw7Qc83ba6-7Co-NZ6LhNOX-CueQ00BOYFiuWrNIm4OB4hyIKncsAi44mNZEBU2gcToqVQCvxOFs52F1nNlGDFTCPnHii1_rbIaJyS614tfWF1BBxZ/s640/P1030689.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down over the Museum of Archeology of Catalonia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmULIBFMFkZQEHJIKrvr1rMvBgFj2ELUH-qvlu8LODgASV-c693f38sID_urUGrMcInIdka8RK2eRugmiVf4hygEEKMQK8cwOZzryVTkC_XgxEPAKMghcTeDN5QEm1hnDo29lYwj5u2NA/s1600/P1030690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmULIBFMFkZQEHJIKrvr1rMvBgFj2ELUH-qvlu8LODgASV-c693f38sID_urUGrMcInIdka8RK2eRugmiVf4hygEEKMQK8cwOZzryVTkC_XgxEPAKMghcTeDN5QEm1hnDo29lYwj5u2NA/s640/P1030690.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully rendered fountains and water rills are found all over the gardens.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPmZEOMuW91XmFGbi7VC0UHJXLxjPMPnZj2rUSr6g-Bgo1uHy6IrjePk05zjx9F74EZM051s9J3wFlN3v0nW3WrY-C_3EBxaQHCSngczuCtsKdfaSZrhF-UBRMB8rDQpUbqnABeY9yeCs/s1600/P1030696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPmZEOMuW91XmFGbi7VC0UHJXLxjPMPnZj2rUSr6g-Bgo1uHy6IrjePk05zjx9F74EZM051s9J3wFlN3v0nW3WrY-C_3EBxaQHCSngczuCtsKdfaSZrhF-UBRMB8rDQpUbqnABeY9yeCs/s640/P1030696.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wonderful Satyr mask with rams horns</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45yO10o2a6lbLYZsGOoJBzwTA1miN_48YacVpZ6fFPSAna0LVCcrWNxRduHLV0fFOw3a7oqZQmGj4Ra2O63JuQtHz2XInFIettA_dZ6imusLFQznNVr3sIPcPiAMAKTih14hUVDT8MzzO/s1600/P1030697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45yO10o2a6lbLYZsGOoJBzwTA1miN_48YacVpZ6fFPSAna0LVCcrWNxRduHLV0fFOw3a7oqZQmGj4Ra2O63JuQtHz2XInFIettA_dZ6imusLFQznNVr3sIPcPiAMAKTih14hUVDT8MzzO/s640/P1030697.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Satyrs were the attendants of Dionysus, the God of wine. They were wild forest creatures, very sexual beings and fine musicians, with the body of a horse, donkey, or goat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8odfSPMk3IgcLbO6Pj8fN02ToNw4NcGzNuNHSiyv2HpfjpBkVsk47cFNIeiyvE8yTez5M0t13beAXuFaKmvubPQ6iyHTYnzSQB40FguPky-3JrUVapjE1hjq2YWxmVDgIJAQRobmF4Lq/s1600/P1030700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8odfSPMk3IgcLbO6Pj8fN02ToNw4NcGzNuNHSiyv2HpfjpBkVsk47cFNIeiyvE8yTez5M0t13beAXuFaKmvubPQ6iyHTYnzSQB40FguPky-3JrUVapjE1hjq2YWxmVDgIJAQRobmF4Lq/s640/P1030700.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steps leading up and over the terrace above the Font del Gat</td></tr>
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Everything in this garden is worth seeing twice!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLq_PG37I540PKThYKFAEJoi6I18vFlgpI60oXsOSXxKHLumAwocbZGTzHcdh_OzKwKSHCICr0SLUdf8yeZffoFlUO9fEZm9-USaW8KtdzWZxIZqH4t01mRpa3bc4rNJ9o5UU9v0BQy4M/s1600/P1030705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLq_PG37I540PKThYKFAEJoi6I18vFlgpI60oXsOSXxKHLumAwocbZGTzHcdh_OzKwKSHCICr0SLUdf8yeZffoFlUO9fEZm9-USaW8KtdzWZxIZqH4t01mRpa3bc4rNJ9o5UU9v0BQy4M/s640/P1030705.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tile work around the courtyard of the Font del Gat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZXq66lwwnDxVWyU83rwwRB0M4BVZPgLgcoNQI3L5cSCA4g_OafR89QkFBcRNxqpDcGS1H-SwN9HE8OIsS0v72-WqLx15M1MBHsdjuzIqwlFgI7IqWhcNqizektSM3eReaKcR62DpAYq2/s1600/P1030706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZXq66lwwnDxVWyU83rwwRB0M4BVZPgLgcoNQI3L5cSCA4g_OafR89QkFBcRNxqpDcGS1H-SwN9HE8OIsS0v72-WqLx15M1MBHsdjuzIqwlFgI7IqWhcNqizektSM3eReaKcR62DpAYq2/s640/P1030706.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balustrades of the terraces over the Font del Gat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLJGv3OcWJa5DON6x_L9LxillY_t_pT84V-79zkjpCvSklJX37lFwpRdLHnZpQ7xe3lm4ZlQz0ewbZ4Hn2OJMkMg_DsDsuIA0k9bYoxA3w9I5j9WrNeKnPt6Jbb7taNlvWwEI3LYzhiwh/s1600/P1030712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLJGv3OcWJa5DON6x_L9LxillY_t_pT84V-79zkjpCvSklJX37lFwpRdLHnZpQ7xe3lm4ZlQz0ewbZ4Hn2OJMkMg_DsDsuIA0k9bYoxA3w9I5j9WrNeKnPt6Jbb7taNlvWwEI3LYzhiwh/s640/P1030712.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masterfully designed staircases make climbing and decending the steep hillsides a pleasure</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04yaBYtWRKVUJett76NsD4a-cuOOBkea9iTJ52hyphenhyphenYkd6fWA729u0Vsw9jUpv6b_o3w3kGEiggiL7htjBR3EUJdF9qcJ7UB22wuqB9EZ17Hi4LfA_UIGuqkNP8N_DcSlQ3rZswbJLQUgRL/s1600/P1030717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04yaBYtWRKVUJett76NsD4a-cuOOBkea9iTJ52hyphenhyphenYkd6fWA729u0Vsw9jUpv6b_o3w3kGEiggiL7htjBR3EUJdF9qcJ7UB22wuqB9EZ17Hi4LfA_UIGuqkNP8N_DcSlQ3rZswbJLQUgRL/s640/P1030717.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always plenty of shady cool places to sit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkFCyidiz4YVxNwyzzqqultW3FEAmIPEwGgaXf9ToAjhRGukhJFZ_dpbRg442ea27WwyI_DXY4exx8-aZez5HloPSiPk2g_MLWXg_di7_uRa9FazLQBAXIk15OUQf0lVM1M7581XLsmQg/s1600/P1030719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkFCyidiz4YVxNwyzzqqultW3FEAmIPEwGgaXf9ToAjhRGukhJFZ_dpbRg442ea27WwyI_DXY4exx8-aZez5HloPSiPk2g_MLWXg_di7_uRa9FazLQBAXIk15OUQf0lVM1M7581XLsmQg/s640/P1030719.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fountains everywhere</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n__AHbMoZPHIwvGi2ncS21ZmR4X66bs1saJn_lDC4f4p2fntPN9ihABxio13kKPZa-xJJT3isZY2uhRAkRbU17jD75xo9W41kMC4CQu5HW_cleoxDnLNzSY3PqPp2J4O9LI5SqSRQr_g/s1600/P1030725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n__AHbMoZPHIwvGi2ncS21ZmR4X66bs1saJn_lDC4f4p2fntPN9ihABxio13kKPZa-xJJT3isZY2uhRAkRbU17jD75xo9W41kMC4CQu5HW_cleoxDnLNzSY3PqPp2J4O9LI5SqSRQr_g/s640/P1030725.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful urns on the roof of the roof of the Edificio de Noucentista</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7mjSw-MzyEr7xEVgbo4GvjpNTcDHkgRHdvyW_53QaxzXjAVyqNK6YXXaCHvTGG1ZuthW4_cOr7yKVt55kyQWQKQkp36VOjNNaltXGkEHuywwMHd36V9lLGRisCmlZnm_ToO9wUX1_jTo/s1600/P1030729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7mjSw-MzyEr7xEVgbo4GvjpNTcDHkgRHdvyW_53QaxzXjAVyqNK6YXXaCHvTGG1ZuthW4_cOr7yKVt55kyQWQKQkp36VOjNNaltXGkEHuywwMHd36V9lLGRisCmlZnm_ToO9wUX1_jTo/s640/P1030729.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cypress trees bent and clipped to form a canopy over a fountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30jljnJHxNo5XP1v5rqPBCn_BXvkUYsqx-n_D8yuENugs0_EP8LAywPrkkVDkP3O56U6Ec0oRU-fXOWr-FDAFVKCoH4zra33cTWiczYRRtnTsiJs1Gk1RuOMlNtzbKh2_H3PoeBuFUY6G/s1600/P1030732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30jljnJHxNo5XP1v5rqPBCn_BXvkUYsqx-n_D8yuENugs0_EP8LAywPrkkVDkP3O56U6Ec0oRU-fXOWr-FDAFVKCoH4zra33cTWiczYRRtnTsiJs1Gk1RuOMlNtzbKh2_H3PoeBuFUY6G/s640/P1030732.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water is used in a number of ingenious ways in the Laribal Gardens</td></tr>
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Making my way back down through the same spaces as going up, but in the opposite direction is just as entertaining as the discoveries made on the way up. I love how this garden has an integrated overall concept and formality while each space has its own character and detail to give it interest and identity. Such a pleasurable adventure to stroll through.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple, formal rose garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A blue tiled square lily pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potted Calla Lilies on red tiled steps curving around the edge of a half circle pool</td></tr>
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I build simple wall fountains in many of my projects to capture the essence and sound that you find in gardens like these. Nothing over the top, fairly easy to construct and maintain, and pure magic to behold.<br />
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What a pleasure to spend the day in such beautiful surroundings!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everywhere there are benches built in to retaining walls</td></tr>
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The gardens were nearly deserted on the December days that I visited. It was like inhabiting a magnificent secret Eden at the edge of a great city. Stepping back out in to the over the top World Exposition landscapes made me want to turn around and go back in to the intimate embrace of these shady pathways. <br />
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The scale of everything outside Laribal is so much greater and designed for large numbers of people, although these spaces are also pretty quiet in winter. I love traveling in southern Europe between December and April. The weather is relatively mild and there are few crowds.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A water terrace below the Palau Nacional</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over the top fountains of the World Exposition contrast the intimate landscapes of the Jardin de Laribal</td></tr>
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I am lucky to be able to spend weeks in magical cities like Barcelona, so that I have the luxury of being more than just a tourist. There are so many places worth taking the time to explore in detail, and more than once. Gaudi's landscapes in Parque Guëll get a lot more attention than the Jardin de Laribal, but then its possible to have the place to yourself, and that is a gift in a garden this beautiful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITUymJYyi_EY1cMKE1urEv3ZoWEDEzdb609YvMzOxhkc5sEVAbFWiPmVTjEQKOF-LNKrKeL95NG_h6iAuCJ8_psxOR_ubba-dc-NrbrJmZbP7kg91AmOl0BLthPsfekWm-32ImRpjyqTx/s1600/P1030805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITUymJYyi_EY1cMKE1urEv3ZoWEDEzdb609YvMzOxhkc5sEVAbFWiPmVTjEQKOF-LNKrKeL95NG_h6iAuCJ8_psxOR_ubba-dc-NrbrJmZbP7kg91AmOl0BLthPsfekWm-32ImRpjyqTx/s640/P1030805.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely sunset paints the sky as I exit Parque Montjuïc, ending a perfect day.</td></tr>
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Thanks for reading, Jeffrey</div>
Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-83859152698677103102020-04-28T11:03:00.002-07:002021-08-14T16:23:41.530-07:00Palais Salam, Taroudant, Morocco<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_nAHjnR0cdOCeNNLbg8PLkIhlLW0p0cnD_SaiyU4IEzQ1xIQAY3HIqwM-cV5caNL-9si2pie0wy6oUlDmBiWmMazz0Nl75c5F4piy0GP9OOd1mt_QOjLvJctW09Wq_Q9CCdHGlKDjLZt/s1600/P1110251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1032" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_nAHjnR0cdOCeNNLbg8PLkIhlLW0p0cnD_SaiyU4IEzQ1xIQAY3HIqwM-cV5caNL-9si2pie0wy6oUlDmBiWmMazz0Nl75c5F4piy0GP9OOd1mt_QOjLvJctW09Wq_Q9CCdHGlKDjLZt/s640/P1110251.JPG" width="412" /></a><br />
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For all of my traveling life I have been an avid photographer and documentarian of the places I've visited. I do it in part because I know that if I live to a ripe old age I will not necessarily have the physical fitness to roam the planet like I have been for so many years. I used to take slides, and give shows with a projector and screen. I have a library of many thousands of slides. Being something of a luddite I was hesitant to enter the digital photography world but it was a game changer for me when I did. I can go over the images in the evening after a day of wandering and shooting, and edit out the duds. I can take multiple images of a subject if it warrents the attention and pick the best to file away. Now I have a pile of disks and zip drives and back up hard drives full of images from many years of adventures. So now the lockdown necessitated by the pandemic of the Corona Virus has presented me with the time and opportunity to revisit my vast library of photographs, and to write about places that bring back wonderful memories.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSymNm3GsZBkNvPocMsG1-3yBqdrAf1mug1d2fMqu05KktQXWz_mXDhZY87qMX8c6aTEiIbpfxokhk40tH2U_E6g2mus9-Xjnx9ICZ-QhftDafh48NCtca59qjBQdDbs6J0EZcPO_rMl00/s1600/P1110050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="1600" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSymNm3GsZBkNvPocMsG1-3yBqdrAf1mug1d2fMqu05KktQXWz_mXDhZY87qMX8c6aTEiIbpfxokhk40tH2U_E6g2mus9-Xjnx9ICZ-QhftDafh48NCtca59qjBQdDbs6J0EZcPO_rMl00/s400/P1110050.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In winter, North African men wear traditional hooded robes called djellabas</td></tr>
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In 2012 I made my second trip to Morocco, having been entranced by the beauty of the country the year before. I returned to many of the same places but also ventured further afield to explore some lesser known parts of the country. I was back in Marrakesh and had read alluring reviews of a high mountain pass called the Tizi n'Test in the Atlas Mountains connecting the tourist capital of the country with the walled city of Taroudannt in the Souss region of the Sahara and the Mediterranean coast at Agadir. The winding, sometimes hair raising road, built by colonial French engineers between 1926 and 1932 crosses a pass at 6,867 feet (2,092 meters) above sea level after passing through breathtaking mountain landscapes and mudbrick villages. The almond trees were in bloom and I was the only foriegner on the funky old bus that plies the route. If I ever go back I will rent a car as I could have easily pulled over a hundred times to take in the views.<br />
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We passed the impressive mud brick Almohad era Tin Mal mosque in the town of the same name, which was built in 1156. Tin Mal was the capital of the Almohad kingdom which at one time covered a vast area from Spain to Tunisia and Mali. Little remains of the ancient fortress but for the mosque, blending in to the mountain slopes. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tin Mal Mosque</td></tr>
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The pass, carved out of the steep mountain side was shrouded in fog when we crossed. We descended on multiple switchbacks in to the desert, which made a number of passengers nauseous. The road flattens out before arriving at the walled city of Taroudant. It is the extensive intact crennalated walls and towers that make the city famous. I had reserved a room in a strange little Riad where I was the only guest. I spent my days there wandering the lanes and souks of this relatively quiet market town and the desert outside the walls.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 kilometers of crennalated mud brick walls surround the city.</td></tr>
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By far the most alluring place for me in Taroudant was the Palais Salam, a hotel set in verdant gardens that once was the Kasbah palace of the resident Pacha, a high ranking governing official. Originally built in the 16th Century, the palace is now a hotel with over 100 rooms. At the time of my visit, it had the time warp appearance of a relic of colonial times. Very few people seemed to be staying here and I was able to wander the various courtyards and public rooms of this marvelous faded grand dame. <br />
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Moroccan decor is one of the great architectural styles of the world, elegant in its rich details and arched doorways. Tooled iron lanterns set with colored glass cast the most beautiful patterns when illuminated at night. The finely rendered doorways frame their views in the most inviting way. I wish my budget could have afforded a stay here. There were some Moroccan business men and one well traveled looking foriegn couple who may have made this a pit stop over the years, nostalgically reconnecting to a bygone era.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmffrVztXsnjxVyZL2Nx7N-PhGTMHzAbgEf91IliWwn2fYN2Blgz4VLkAWMZhswRBZTHUkLErIhDKiQmtt2JXudhBW-ZyHpih7nCd8idSaI3pG6AW_HE4V59uuiY9io32J25csTWe2d8e/s1600/P1110321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmffrVztXsnjxVyZL2Nx7N-PhGTMHzAbgEf91IliWwn2fYN2Blgz4VLkAWMZhswRBZTHUkLErIhDKiQmtt2JXudhBW-ZyHpih7nCd8idSaI3pG6AW_HE4V59uuiY9io32J25csTWe2d8e/s640/P1110321.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A perforated Moroccan lantern hanging in the entrance arch</td></tr>
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Inside, a verdant garden fills a series of beautifully paved courtyards, draped in vines and luxurient foliage. Towering bananas plants dangle their lantern like blossoms from pendulous stalks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1_2w7JKUgLrAkckhiUpuTGiqWKsnI4-Z5dNdp058_clRCNmV-vCP-2LPDLuaTZHdbHd4BhroQOyLaWDgQUXBoCx8IMLapD68SL_Blx4M9SXBtouYtFqc_LyrWyV3UjPdg7LwXzeATvxw/s1600/P1110268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1_2w7JKUgLrAkckhiUpuTGiqWKsnI4-Z5dNdp058_clRCNmV-vCP-2LPDLuaTZHdbHd4BhroQOyLaWDgQUXBoCx8IMLapD68SL_Blx4M9SXBtouYtFqc_LyrWyV3UjPdg7LwXzeATvxw/s640/P1110268.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the reception area of the hotel</td></tr>
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The interiors have maintained their original decor, with splendid tile work and carved plaster, elegant windows and traditional furnishings. Salons cater to conversation, smoking and drinking tea. Moroccan men can be heavy smokers, as are many Europeans so there were plenty of ash trays.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj_UYUD6QnuJGhExUgXv0UA6XP7uYBXq8QUWbRwqZFL_drIqaTpe8ancmmyVnFOhsJNkhfqLc_XxTcw79bQcw301_K4SjqCDMbHYWy2nZLUwDPRB5MfopsjBCxqvzQqu6q97yf9Dsm-LO/s1600/P1110265.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpj_UYUD6QnuJGhExUgXv0UA6XP7uYBXq8QUWbRwqZFL_drIqaTpe8ancmmyVnFOhsJNkhfqLc_XxTcw79bQcw301_K4SjqCDMbHYWy2nZLUwDPRB5MfopsjBCxqvzQqu6q97yf9Dsm-LO/s640/P1110265.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautifully furnished lounge area with an intricate tile zellige fireplace</td></tr>
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Fine Moroccan homes usually feature a wainscoating of hand cut tile, called zellige. The floors here, and some garden paths are also paved in tile. The glazed tiles are cut using a flat bladed hammer. The clay in the thick tiles is soft enough that precise cuts can be made. Handsome handloomed Moroccan carpets in rich colors embellish the rooms. Brocade chairs and small tables create intimate places to have tea and take in views of the gardens.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLaZ5dlfXDCokrhamI6wPuVkD0CAPwgLiuaIvqqDufrDmAlV34sG7xIcEC-7LMruT9NfxWShe_l3n7AFoe5H2nCRZkWylnpxCU5ZDq4XjuiVCVD4BGzsMI9WmEoGaUKVClbcURsj8ydP0/s1600/P1110264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLaZ5dlfXDCokrhamI6wPuVkD0CAPwgLiuaIvqqDufrDmAlV34sG7xIcEC-7LMruT9NfxWShe_l3n7AFoe5H2nCRZkWylnpxCU5ZDq4XjuiVCVD4BGzsMI9WmEoGaUKVClbcURsj8ydP0/s640/P1110264.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tile zellige and carved plaster decorate the wall surfaces. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhdaDjZ4s9owgMOWvN6eSVGkmiDyHAt8lft0RZpTeqFZprs_z8Lew4nO7pGQaVyZKkfHx109lqMX4Cugz6gcZL0Vg_QCQGYdEhToLYnWf4e2yv7rpAKWzlUL_EY6Jxda6UznFIt_KV2XR/s1600/P1110289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhdaDjZ4s9owgMOWvN6eSVGkmiDyHAt8lft0RZpTeqFZprs_z8Lew4nO7pGQaVyZKkfHx109lqMX4Cugz6gcZL0Vg_QCQGYdEhToLYnWf4e2yv7rpAKWzlUL_EY6Jxda6UznFIt_KV2XR/s640/P1110289.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An elegant polished plaster fireplace to warm a room on a cold winter evening.</td></tr>
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Moroccan doors are some of the most handsome in the world. Carved plaster is a lavish but inexpensive material for creating extraordinarily detailed frames for exquisite doorways. Wood is frequently carved in relief and painted, often with floral motifs that bring the garden in to the building. In Islam, it is frowned upon to depict people in decorative art, which inspires the use of stylized plant imagery, tessalated geometric patterns, and calligraphy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3Jb5SZaWWX3oETU3j8z6Ysz5B2U1j6vwR05ykobWeivRRC-BRBgxhY1EpvvNiai70duFL8vnkzv5DsTeUBVIHMCCixX8DQKJ8BlszH2CYuFzFm74iQLkSB6xYXYwNhO_MW_5QdD-ohgo/s1600/P1110263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3Jb5SZaWWX3oETU3j8z6Ysz5B2U1j6vwR05ykobWeivRRC-BRBgxhY1EpvvNiai70duFL8vnkzv5DsTeUBVIHMCCixX8DQKJ8BlszH2CYuFzFm74iQLkSB6xYXYwNhO_MW_5QdD-ohgo/s640/P1110263.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This door frame can be opened to make the entrance to this hallway larger.</td></tr>
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The arched doors and windows on exterior walls frame views of the garden. A hallway can continue out in to the garden using the same tile to connect the interior seemlessly to the outdoors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_56JLFXkCshX_8v-X5ODcHxqHw3ZETRir7QNz0GNn-nnSNmTXjF98wLC1ZdDcrYU2Fz8Max6Q_Tsy4o6EELvApeiCWOULUgYNa5xWUE0h1m3kJixGLvrc-BZ2N0KFLJwdHajJOk6456i/s1600/P1110256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1082" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_56JLFXkCshX_8v-X5ODcHxqHw3ZETRir7QNz0GNn-nnSNmTXjF98wLC1ZdDcrYU2Fz8Max6Q_Tsy4o6EELvApeiCWOULUgYNa5xWUE0h1m3kJixGLvrc-BZ2N0KFLJwdHajJOk6456i/s640/P1110256.JPG" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A succession of doors creates a marvelous frame for a view of the garden</td></tr>
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Tiled paths lead around the perimeter of the courtyards, and dissect them, forming a four part garden called a Chahar Bagh. This was a Persian innovation alluding to the Four Rivers of Paradise referenced in the Koran and the Old Testiment in the Bible. Where the two paths intersect, there is often a fountain, representing the well spring of life from which the rivers flow. Traditionally this would have been a source for collecting water to irrigate the four surrounding beds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6d0Iyc9LFvBSWmN3eu3xLU8J9mh_Bzgfkm34Jk_GKNy7eEMP5LJwmK2bG7DEK7U-5yUcFcoNXvmAjQDHw1MjRMGhjxGAKTGNnd2yxxnTyQPgf1UZC9PA_hSCm8uRmSIffOrXeC405foDQ/s1600/P1110252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6d0Iyc9LFvBSWmN3eu3xLU8J9mh_Bzgfkm34Jk_GKNy7eEMP5LJwmK2bG7DEK7U-5yUcFcoNXvmAjQDHw1MjRMGhjxGAKTGNnd2yxxnTyQPgf1UZC9PA_hSCm8uRmSIffOrXeC405foDQ/s640/P1110252.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shallow tiled fountain on a pedastal would attract birds to the courtyard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnyPeOuo3CyQMMwMZHgZ08_g56dNJTt-TNoqcnu3a7jtfUdN1hpXWBk-e2yyycwv7SqAffQqHHadp8FOXd88jA4fcA1IDPerRnYqDlHYKfxw-jJIM4ssKFUjHITztzd6u6F_H-wOSAd_K/s1600/P1110253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnyPeOuo3CyQMMwMZHgZ08_g56dNJTt-TNoqcnu3a7jtfUdN1hpXWBk-e2yyycwv7SqAffQqHHadp8FOXd88jA4fcA1IDPerRnYqDlHYKfxw-jJIM4ssKFUjHITztzd6u6F_H-wOSAd_K/s640/P1110253.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brightly colored tile mosaic embellishes the basin of this fountain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkw-hhQOVBstkKTH5Qi4gxsSMJG0Sg8TGtC23-2AhrN61znzlHYTofayGMO1b65zDscKCitvpdq6j6YSmVtg-aY73EfjvJHRCDqLeq7Mg0vYSd5P41H4cSc888e-HcsiypIuO-NNatidB/s1600/P1110261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkw-hhQOVBstkKTH5Qi4gxsSMJG0Sg8TGtC23-2AhrN61znzlHYTofayGMO1b65zDscKCitvpdq6j6YSmVtg-aY73EfjvJHRCDqLeq7Mg0vYSd5P41H4cSc888e-HcsiypIuO-NNatidB/s640/P1110261.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light casts dappled patterns through banana leaves on to stucco walls painted in rich pigments.</td></tr>
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The hotel rooms opening on to the courtyards have brightly painted doors and handsome sculpted awnings to protect them from rain.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUbvIasz5hv2quJV_qdNN-vbuJZuSPQcK_Ixn3eqpqsyMZozSp7E7l3Ac35AtMXMToJsqn9jnJp9c6s5fsiUUduOEdpaV-QpXT0oGewz4JIYMA57O4zGyV36hFnLpuzGHLdyDLnHLkKhx/s1600/P1110259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUbvIasz5hv2quJV_qdNN-vbuJZuSPQcK_Ixn3eqpqsyMZozSp7E7l3Ac35AtMXMToJsqn9jnJp9c6s5fsiUUduOEdpaV-QpXT0oGewz4JIYMA57O4zGyV36hFnLpuzGHLdyDLnHLkKhx/s640/P1110259.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The doors to hotel rooms are sheltered by interesting stucco canopies.</td></tr>
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One of the courtyards is filled with banana plants, and is thus named the Court of the Bananas. The large leaves create a lush tropical look in this desert environment. Banana leaves are so large that they capture light and shadow in the most wonderful way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgee5LJKie_ANVTDWTcalk5v4tFsBO6gZ1nzQj264yXdb2Bh5YfxE8e54R1i1R2ZtifDPYH1eZ2P7vmTg5WMcJLOU5eSV7nyM8J_X28sBE-nHSWTKnqGphqSu5hDqCT2F1KvXuEw8KR_3KM/s1600/P1110255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgee5LJKie_ANVTDWTcalk5v4tFsBO6gZ1nzQj264yXdb2Bh5YfxE8e54R1i1R2ZtifDPYH1eZ2P7vmTg5WMcJLOU5eSV7nyM8J_X28sBE-nHSWTKnqGphqSu5hDqCT2F1KvXuEw8KR_3KM/s640/P1110255.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A doorway leading to the Banana Court</td></tr>
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The bananas and trees in the courtyards create shade from the intense desert sun. When the bananas bloom, the flowers can be quite spectacular, hanging like organic lanterns from a long arched stalk. The rubbery bracts open in pairs, revealing fragrant male flowers which fertilize the female flowers further up the stalk, which grow in to bananas. As the bracts drop off, another layer unfolds. This process continues and the flower stalk can grow quite long. The entire flower bud is edible.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJmm2ckpr2_VpJnDIm9G5mpfzFlj4iUXr_eZUFfzUTlyzMOIFyxfoIu2NeHadUJ0uJ9GLS-mXIY1BqPTWT15bdYwoPF8HGt5_XOb1oG9OOhA5ZUKbMQr2YVCHP6jx57fGuaTtbCRAjKg1/s1600/P1110291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJmm2ckpr2_VpJnDIm9G5mpfzFlj4iUXr_eZUFfzUTlyzMOIFyxfoIu2NeHadUJ0uJ9GLS-mXIY1BqPTWT15bdYwoPF8HGt5_XOb1oG9OOhA5ZUKbMQr2YVCHP6jx57fGuaTtbCRAjKg1/s640/P1110291.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Court of the Bananas</td></tr>
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More public areas contain a swimming pool that mirrors the shape of the doors on the palace. The soaring walls of the ramparts makes a dramatic enclosure to the pool area. Everywhere there are clusters of tables and chairs for socializing and drinking tea or a beer. Palais Salam is the only accomodation in Taroudant that served beer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMV-967Ztmj7C0-5PhaGvMdWDllm0QirAVTFrJ-mcflBWlZEdpAI6iKzyrfdxncdtM9jS2O0TDUTkfXnH6Bspi78xg8854GjvFbQg67s2k2nPr2bYS6RkjugILuDfwciqwC0VNjCpw4WC/s1600/P1110269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMV-967Ztmj7C0-5PhaGvMdWDllm0QirAVTFrJ-mcflBWlZEdpAI6iKzyrfdxncdtM9jS2O0TDUTkfXnH6Bspi78xg8854GjvFbQg67s2k2nPr2bYS6RkjugILuDfwciqwC0VNjCpw4WC/s640/P1110269.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pool is shaped like a classic Moroccan door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioc6vCMvH0jch0UBrvlQPwub_iw3SpPgXSE8x9ncko6c9P3Ru3Pbcf4DszKmB4k2O0-0oEVZxPJrdi1YMdkQIHRK0Phiv20eScm5ZEGysSugq1yvzb2tcbbLBCG741RfgaVjB37MGKmrp/s1600/P1110302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioc6vCMvH0jch0UBrvlQPwub_iw3SpPgXSE8x9ncko6c9P3Ru3Pbcf4DszKmB4k2O0-0oEVZxPJrdi1YMdkQIHRK0Phiv20eScm5ZEGysSugq1yvzb2tcbbLBCG741RfgaVjB37MGKmrp/s640/P1110302.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pool side bar on a slow day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzlZ3FjD1FyzWVVcqUVfzJSQf0zdGxutIDb2J7GdWDoR0T6bPHnslbSe4NxfPiPxtXMEy1xR9_oBF1crjWSjJt0NWHuAPY3UF7YsPegu2PElEEUZhZejNI6l8qiYt_Yvu-VFjGGrnouUu/s1600/P1110323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzlZ3FjD1FyzWVVcqUVfzJSQf0zdGxutIDb2J7GdWDoR0T6bPHnslbSe4NxfPiPxtXMEy1xR9_oBF1crjWSjJt0NWHuAPY3UF7YsPegu2PElEEUZhZejNI6l8qiYt_Yvu-VFjGGrnouUu/s640/P1110323.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mediterranean Fan Palms tower above the ramparts by the pool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Romantic dining rooms open on to the main garden court adjacent to the pool. In its heydey this may have been a wonderful place to feast. It seems that a downturn in the quality of the food and maintenance of the rooms has driven the tour groups away. But this made the ambience very peaceful, just birdsong, and, if the fountains were operating, I can imagine the splash of water. Nobody questioned my presence as I wandered all over the place, trying not to look like a spy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wLQas14aaS2iHPEp7_TJEs1jn5wTvx_xDnSoSz1EmexXVT7ejZnR_EyGIJlwGYPAQakf0M6KAW2nXP8ims-QEH6fiuOTtaJCUTMBT89U1O57JXyU28UH2MlkO0HMK0mkmOMKus0KPrLd/s1600/P1110282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wLQas14aaS2iHPEp7_TJEs1jn5wTvx_xDnSoSz1EmexXVT7ejZnR_EyGIJlwGYPAQakf0M6KAW2nXP8ims-QEH6fiuOTtaJCUTMBT89U1O57JXyU28UH2MlkO0HMK0mkmOMKus0KPrLd/s640/P1110282.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtles lounge on the rocks at the base of a fountain in this octagonal tiled pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I found the gardens to be beautifully maintained. The paths were swept, and the pool was clean. Reading reviews from people who have stayed here since then, many have complained that things have gone downhill. The pool in some accounts has turned green. Such a large space would require a great deal of labor to maintain in running order. Wouldn't this be a wonderful place to have a grand celebration!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6vNUKRDxzwBi6CpaMUfms65ImYS_szG8pVzWqKwFe4CGGy9Ng86IU4QdKjtofOfR9Iqbnqyq-CHO25oV2ovciWvqx3BMcNsXCFMV740WsVecQTXQXVFtuBugeazMptk-yU7cV9wUOH-a/s1600/P1110283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6vNUKRDxzwBi6CpaMUfms65ImYS_szG8pVzWqKwFe4CGGy9Ng86IU4QdKjtofOfR9Iqbnqyq-CHO25oV2ovciWvqx3BMcNsXCFMV740WsVecQTXQXVFtuBugeazMptk-yU7cV9wUOH-a/s640/P1110283.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the arches and pillars on this dining pavilion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-0HqMvw5RCDLbLe3luatxcN_2FlVct6PM-aqa4pAXnjC_VJA7JJ0J7fDE3Z5F0uSsLPLi6orPubnbLJXtODS4Gqae_Lwp71jHPwZg82WGg9M6LZaoGyyV5zjvd0hEa83vP3f0WIbhoJu/s1600/P1110286.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-0HqMvw5RCDLbLe3luatxcN_2FlVct6PM-aqa4pAXnjC_VJA7JJ0J7fDE3Z5F0uSsLPLi6orPubnbLJXtODS4Gqae_Lwp71jHPwZg82WGg9M6LZaoGyyV5zjvd0hEa83vP3f0WIbhoJu/s640/P1110286.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bar is no doubt much better than the wine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Intimate nooks with tiled tables and comfortable chairs are tucked in to shady nooks of the gardens. Moroccan craftmanship is so refined that all of the details are beautifully executed. The brick columns on railings have ziggurat like caps. Tile strips are inset in to the low brick walls. Iron work is hand wrought. There are no drab concrete slabs, or tacky manufactured components. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWr1G8CshIDqP_yUStdnyPsJB86bkfFAWC57l-7AKP5Iwm50jLoAy4nCJhPVSmo6zUFkDnO48Ikjc_cIO3qnRMzvL8yokeJ5ncZrrtYgsSU9ETZUsX6i3aSiLEu6QRZ3Gt2ZI0FlDS5Je/s1600/P1110273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWr1G8CshIDqP_yUStdnyPsJB86bkfFAWC57l-7AKP5Iwm50jLoAy4nCJhPVSmo6zUFkDnO48Ikjc_cIO3qnRMzvL8yokeJ5ncZrrtYgsSU9ETZUsX6i3aSiLEu6QRZ3Gt2ZI0FlDS5Je/s640/P1110273.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conversation nooks make for charming places to relax in the garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLVmJZDGzn5kxVZgFcV-5h4PS-NPz1f8xBxZIMqcMV6NmL-bQcQSREmH_RSuK4deG_DrsyODkIARW4xbJZEOZj42qBmpreZvkjzQsvOZbo6aZ0u5bkmdrRBxAYKPEHmKX4ekOQSAT6F_j/s1600/P1110278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLVmJZDGzn5kxVZgFcV-5h4PS-NPz1f8xBxZIMqcMV6NmL-bQcQSREmH_RSuK4deG_DrsyODkIARW4xbJZEOZj42qBmpreZvkjzQsvOZbo6aZ0u5bkmdrRBxAYKPEHmKX4ekOQSAT6F_j/s640/P1110278.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A handsome canvas canopy shades a table and chairs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are such a variety of spaces here in this labyrinthine complex that there are constant wonderful discoveries. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AOlbauTNQt51SC9dj2x92dzbaDBn6G9yRWGyVSCrQNjrBKp1Z3AgxuI2x8ZtUyeNnMx4HR7f3w-g1Vkj_dA58157UKRAWufHzf006KL9_4G1tNA1LobsmAMIibzybG7EE0-zR26dopnG/s1600/P1110316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AOlbauTNQt51SC9dj2x92dzbaDBn6G9yRWGyVSCrQNjrBKp1Z3AgxuI2x8ZtUyeNnMx4HR7f3w-g1Vkj_dA58157UKRAWufHzf006KL9_4G1tNA1LobsmAMIibzybG7EE0-zR26dopnG/s640/P1110316.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A delicate vine trailing on a cactus frames this beautiful door.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtenFUvbMvJPOf_6jHPMdSuviemyPJp2ye7sC_GaY-cWlx3VzSm0GSepJXrByVBHPWEBh-9UsxLVw4Tf5RI7_zmzos7gwPyrFBtGytmMq22FpSU1OLCKZHsGN1jBE5GoP4murzCrvNBJUN/s1600/P1110317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtenFUvbMvJPOf_6jHPMdSuviemyPJp2ye7sC_GaY-cWlx3VzSm0GSepJXrByVBHPWEBh-9UsxLVw4Tf5RI7_zmzos7gwPyrFBtGytmMq22FpSU1OLCKZHsGN1jBE5GoP4murzCrvNBJUN/s640/P1110317.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful wrought iron screen </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9xnXsa7QzV_G9tmzzkcJMZHFDJg2433IxU_dkd40ES_oFduSGh2bVb7mAJGYSJ4IiVOwQX2FZyfb9HMEx5sTtyDF_-uKXLYoRANqI1V_TP_MvgPIQj3HFFYI_QBUOcOAhaLVKaZ8reqq/s1600/P1110266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1121" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9xnXsa7QzV_G9tmzzkcJMZHFDJg2433IxU_dkd40ES_oFduSGh2bVb7mAJGYSJ4IiVOwQX2FZyfb9HMEx5sTtyDF_-uKXLYoRANqI1V_TP_MvgPIQj3HFFYI_QBUOcOAhaLVKaZ8reqq/s640/P1110266.JPG" width="448" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another magical corridor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0L6YVmEKh1o6k1pqcIxMmvgRRdsF4dVivgBGVJdZMo4SVkygQasPA6aJoohjbp1lGfByGjNYCX2Zf1s4dIvbM9V8QIskq-Uo8nNsfGXao85OUXpCfr_cZa828ubPMBVaL8oCypOh-6Wd/s1600/P1110293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1037" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0L6YVmEKh1o6k1pqcIxMmvgRRdsF4dVivgBGVJdZMo4SVkygQasPA6aJoohjbp1lGfByGjNYCX2Zf1s4dIvbM9V8QIskq-Uo8nNsfGXao85OUXpCfr_cZa828ubPMBVaL8oCypOh-6Wd/s640/P1110293.JPG" width="414" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and another...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I felt like I had spent the day in a fantasy realm wandering the halls and courtyards of the Palais Salam. The word Salam, or Salaam in Arabic means peace, and the traditional greeting, Salaam Alaikum means Peace be with you. It certainly conveys that serenity. I wish I was staying here, but I eventually tore myself away and passed through the gate back into the outside world.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PxHBxtE4pys8WR72vfrf5z3931tOasS7Jr3XUQAvsGUVbVqtzVFOglYgBUCkwfVcUqt1CMb_whiJImIFY2i3Pz2odK-whZSbr1FAXrDwr4IAVHDvlqoipywKY_cIvlqGwcUVFEJrpdKn/s1600/P1110319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PxHBxtE4pys8WR72vfrf5z3931tOasS7Jr3XUQAvsGUVbVqtzVFOglYgBUCkwfVcUqt1CMb_whiJImIFY2i3Pz2odK-whZSbr1FAXrDwr4IAVHDvlqoipywKY_cIvlqGwcUVFEJrpdKn/s640/P1110319.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Palias Salam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMpYt5ahF_cuQeDlBO9xy7MhI2mqgCF2spIq3cUKa7NfG8GakdKDvlY4aLJS3p8p46lVFewvvaPGBM3WpDHKfM-1haVrIxm4CkyVenm6ahNkM6aOlcDK0D7CtLsgHY8iLYxTh71CkV7z-/s1600/P1110340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1600" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMpYt5ahF_cuQeDlBO9xy7MhI2mqgCF2spIq3cUKa7NfG8GakdKDvlY4aLJS3p8p46lVFewvvaPGBM3WpDHKfM-1haVrIxm4CkyVenm6ahNkM6aOlcDK0D7CtLsgHY8iLYxTh71CkV7z-/s640/P1110340.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Caléche awaits outside the gates to take guests on a tour of the city</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Pacha of Taroudant clearly liked beautiful surroundings and the park outside the walls of his Kasbah are nothing to complain about. Groves of fan palms soar above the ochre walls, and rows of date palms reflect in long canals in a well maintained park.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAx0GRjS1dYMHlnObjnnSIZNENPUNghzrM_nWPyON4CskwKB4iOWetEwFlIKQd6KcvMNgNROXPiew_x5t8uawRzLPzCZrxQJ7Y02hY3y04UzbWrQSDaf4121OqcnRtjMJ7YolSeYd_HGwC/s1600/P1110326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAx0GRjS1dYMHlnObjnnSIZNENPUNghzrM_nWPyON4CskwKB4iOWetEwFlIKQd6KcvMNgNROXPiew_x5t8uawRzLPzCZrxQJ7Y02hY3y04UzbWrQSDaf4121OqcnRtjMJ7YolSeYd_HGwC/s640/P1110326.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdC9yvZmc5PCtStoRuc4rCf6C9CQF6AHIkRr5B0GY_FNapPHhdbmH3myoGcJsMfoYqI5TLvG4PWLzQRKRrloqhGQpGWQd8KJzx6d37A-VAcQV4Py2TYH10MGaDlvD5-PLcoZiRtLZHZcg/s1600/P1110327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdC9yvZmc5PCtStoRuc4rCf6C9CQF6AHIkRr5B0GY_FNapPHhdbmH3myoGcJsMfoYqI5TLvG4PWLzQRKRrloqhGQpGWQd8KJzx6d37A-VAcQV4Py2TYH10MGaDlvD5-PLcoZiRtLZHZcg/s640/P1110327.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mediterranean Fan Palms line a canal in the park with the Palais Salam in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGZhs6Ms-mAd0ChdhzA_bBJwwamxWgFZQ54YtuMx5XL2VnESsrpu51LCnaQQtH4lwLAdjzFyCC_dzIZ1WShMUyJ7GWsqHy4FYkR6wcK3v_QLVky1jfxhUHHMV9NpU5Ja6N4TIh3y6TzpJ/s1600/P1110339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGZhs6Ms-mAd0ChdhzA_bBJwwamxWgFZQ54YtuMx5XL2VnESsrpu51LCnaQQtH4lwLAdjzFyCC_dzIZ1WShMUyJ7GWsqHy4FYkR6wcK3v_QLVky1jfxhUHHMV9NpU5Ja6N4TIh3y6TzpJ/s640/P1110339.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ramparts outside Palais Salam</td></tr>
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I'm obviously enamoured with Moroccan style. I have several coffee table books in my library, and I sleep with a silk velvet tent door panel on the wall over my bed that I purchased from my friend Majid at his wonderful treasure filled shop in Tangier. A lantern with colored glass panes illuminates the room to recreate the ambience I fell in love with traveling here. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A silk velvet Moroccan tent door in my bedroom.</td></tr>
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My kitchen is tiled in zellige I cut myself. I later tiled a bathroom as well. I wanted to be transported back to this beautiful country, and to practice first hand some of the fine crafts I studied there. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tile zellige I cut for my kitchen backsplash</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tile tray in my garden</td></tr>
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I live alone, and honoring lockdown during this Covid outbreak has been a very introspective time for me. But I have known for a long time that life on Earth is at a turning point and that dramatic changes to the way we live await us as we alter our planet in destructive ways. I know that I will not always be able to wander freely about the world, and for this reason I have brought elements of those places that have filled me with joy in to my home, to keep the memory alive. It seems to be working!<br />
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Thanks for reading, Jeffrey<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The minaret of the Great Mosque of Taroudant reflects in a canal.</td></tr>
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-54087790812358523922020-04-07T22:02:00.000-07:002020-04-07T22:39:53.829-07:00Oficina Cerâmica Francisco Brennand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xFP7NEX81GnoZnunNd-TV3pUu5sBAi4XixMufdEvkVNpqkPaEl3wSqPosMn8CPSwyA5uETdRMQ-fdiyhjUhyphenhyphenY_APVU_sIl1hipJr0vdxWt6FqGDUU3b_mIQxsatahz_cJ9FZM3RQphtl/s1600/Brennand+Praca+Burle+Marx+Fountain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xFP7NEX81GnoZnunNd-TV3pUu5sBAi4XixMufdEvkVNpqkPaEl3wSqPosMn8CPSwyA5uETdRMQ-fdiyhjUhyphenhyphenY_APVU_sIl1hipJr0vdxWt6FqGDUU3b_mIQxsatahz_cJ9FZM3RQphtl/s640/Brennand+Praca+Burle+Marx+Fountain.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tile panel of a lizard on a monumental wall in the Oficina Francisco Brennand </td></tr>
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Brazil is a vast country, the 5th largest in the world, covering 3.2 million square miles in area (8.5 million square kilometers). I spent 3 winters there, 9 months in total between 2005 and 2007. While I partied away a hefty chunk of that in the amazing city of Rio de Janiero, I did cover a fair amount of ground, ranging south as far as Porto Alegre, west to Iguassu Falls, and north to the dunes of Jericoacoara beyond Forteleza. Brazil has a partying culture (hence my decadent behavior in Rio), and carnival is its apex. I did my first two carnivals in Rio, and my third to the north in the city of Recife and the nearby colonial town of Olinda, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These are decadent affairs that I fully emersed in. I went to Samba Schools every week while I was in Rio, and learned to dance really fast. Recife and Olinda have the largest carnival in Brazil. This video shot in Olinda will give you an idea of how crazy it all is!<br />
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I made costumes in my guest house room to wear in the parades, which have a different style of music and dance called Frevo. Rather than the stadium spectacle of the Sambadromo in Rio, the street parties in Recife are all inclusive and really fun, and at times overwhelming.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batman and Robin (me)</td></tr>
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Most of Brazil's population lives near the Atlantic coast, in a bioregion called the Mata Atlântica. This is a richly biodiverse ecostystem under great pressure from human development. Recife is the fourth largest city in Brazil with a population of about 1,700,000 people. It and nearby Olinda were the first slave ports in the Americas, fueled by the the production of sugarcane, which rapidly became the largest export product for the country. The surrounding hills were stripped of jungle and replaced by an endless sea of cane fields. This brought great wealth to the region. Today much of the sugar cane crop is used to produce ethanol for vehicle fuel. Brazil leads the world in the production and consumption of ethanol.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Olinda is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Convent of São Francisco is the oldest in Brazil</td></tr>
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Before I came to Recife I had met an extraordinary ceramic artist by the name of Renaldo Eckenberger in the city of Salvador de Bahia to the south. I was walking down a street in the historic city center when I stumbled upon his studio. He spotted me peering in the window of this magical space and came to the door. Inside was a world unto itself, populated by a perverse and hilarious array of ash grey blue eyed characters with protruding pink tongues. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small menagerie of the hundreds of figurines in Renaldo Eckenberger's studio</td></tr>
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We became friends and I returned daily for tea or cachaça (fermented cane sugar), sitting on the balcony looking out towards the sea. He was the one who told me about the artist Francisco Brennand and his compound outside of Recife. I have one of Renaldo's pieces, a pram carrying a very large headed baby sticking its tongue out at me, and a lithograph he called "Lesbians on a beach by the fort", both of which I treasure as a memory of that time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remaldo Eckenberger and his dog in the garden two flights down from his studio and flat in the historic downtown of Salvador de Bahia</td></tr>
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Francisco Brennand was born in 1927, the son of financially successful parents decended from an Irish immigrant who arrived in Recife in 1820 from Manchester, England, that married in to a family that ran sugar mills there. His family had built a a brick and tile manufacturing factory outside the town of Várzea on what was once an 8 square kilometer property. This was the site where the first sugar mills in Brazil were built over 400 years ago, 11 miles from the center of Recife. As a boy he developed skills as a ceramicist at the factory, studying under the resident sculptor Abelardo de Hora at the age of 15. He also studied painting with prominant Pernumbuco artists and at the age of 20, was awarded a prize at the art salon at the state museum for a work called "Segunda Vicão da Terra", that was inspired by the landscapes around the São João sugar mills. He married Deborah de Moura Vasconcelos, who he met while attending the Colégio Oswald Cruz in the city of Goiânia. They then traveled to Europe to continue studies of art and architecture in Spain, France, and Italy where he was exposed to the ceramic and artistic explorations of reknowned artists of the time, like Miro, Picasso, and Legar. In Perugia Italy he took a course in ceramics where he learned about glazing and firing at different temperatures. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ceramic works and a photo mural in the Museé Picasso in Paris</td></tr>
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In 1950 he traveled to Barcelona to see the work of Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi, who's work had a substancial impact on me as well. I taught myself how to cut and set tile mosaic after my visit first visit to Barcelona in 1987.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Undulating tile mosaic benches in Parc Guell in Barcelona were decorated by Antonio Gaudi's assistant Josep Maria Jujol</td></tr>
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The Brennand family's factory in Várzea had shuttered it's doors and fallen in to ruin by the time that Francisco returned to Recife. It was there that he began to produce his own line of decorative tiles, reopening the workshop in 1971. He branched out to produce a facinating array of ceramic sculptures that would elevate him to be considered Brazil's most famous ceramic artist. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boxed tiles in a warehouse at the Oficina Cerâmica Francisco Brennand</td></tr>
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I was in for a spectacular treat today.<br />
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Being a thrifty traveler, I opted to take a bus to Várzea. This can be a lot of work, and the equatorial heat made it a sweaty adventure. After navigating the chaos of the bus stand in Boa Viagem. I managed to find the one I was looking for. A priest in brown robes sat next to me on the ride, perhaps foretelling the divine experience that awaited me. I was dropped at the entrance to a long drive and started walking down the palm lined road flanked by lush humid jungle. A nice cool air conditioned taxi came to my rescue and took me the rest of the way.<br />
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The factory is an expansive complex with a long white stuccoed building with red tiled roofs and a towering chimney at its entrance. There are a number of structures, including a chapel, and handsome old warehouses with landscaped areas surrounding them. <br />
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The constructions here, like the compound itself are monumental. A long tiled arcaded wall topped with worm like sculptures encloses a lawn bisected by a straight path. Beneath each arch is a glazed tile panel depicting a menagerie of creatures. <br />
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The wall is beautifully detailed with plain and relief tiles. Phallic heads protrude from gear wheel like shapes above each arch, blending the industrial with the natural and profane. <br />
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Pelican like birds on accordian bodies stand on pedastles framed in aqua tiles with open mouthed snakes centered in the arches between them. It appears that the surrealist movement in Europe had a strong influence on Brennand's work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpWZqrB9Kgs4APAr0kV-po38uFDUj4vb3JuCAfEI0C68EwDVGHxgTK0Ougl6SZNdUojmSuIxY6pdORvddpJGIxipQ-zWK3sVgWwszpcin7s1hOuUP4IImmB2mH1metKMaoZFcAv8xk42m/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpWZqrB9Kgs4APAr0kV-po38uFDUj4vb3JuCAfEI0C68EwDVGHxgTK0Ougl6SZNdUojmSuIxY6pdORvddpJGIxipQ-zWK3sVgWwszpcin7s1hOuUP4IImmB2mH1metKMaoZFcAv8xk42m/s640/IMG_2786.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tile panel depicting Mãe Terrà, Mother Earth</td></tr>
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Chess man like characters stand like markers in the dramatically architectural space. The scale of this beautifully detailed wall is astonishing and rich with meaning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbSp7zNORig9eP5_atLVYU4eNs-rSHPSfrKeDkD049-mfYFlVTTO_A3It4lcnPtYZuGTba-_Nrns24MepnVEmhaPyf33WzkLv_gnJGUNYQv8nkazoHy9amLym7Q9WtsXg4etY6psWTUlC/s1600/Long+Neck+Woman.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWbSp7zNORig9eP5_atLVYU4eNs-rSHPSfrKeDkD049-mfYFlVTTO_A3It4lcnPtYZuGTba-_Nrns24MepnVEmhaPyf33WzkLv_gnJGUNYQv8nkazoHy9amLym7Q9WtsXg4etY6psWTUlC/s640/Long+Neck+Woman.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ligia, a strong, seductive woman in Latin culture</td></tr>
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The straight path ends at a beautifully paved patio framed by anthropomorphic sculptures with segmented worm like bodies and animal faces. Directly ahead is a domed square shrine scaled by reliefs of lizards framing an arch on each side that perfectly compliments the arcaded wall. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAWZBaJLd9arRiTHanA7n_-a0VtoCUDQR-6R53xSXUdufmQfUBrVMJFZameXKZOqq31fQ1ec1AlhCCe-qqgMwqPFLZsEqRDgpiE62cUDq0wRS3SUfl2baH90gGIgCVo1-CuFsRnu9l_iM/s1600/Posts+with+Hatching+Eggs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAWZBaJLd9arRiTHanA7n_-a0VtoCUDQR-6R53xSXUdufmQfUBrVMJFZameXKZOqq31fQ1ec1AlhCCe-qqgMwqPFLZsEqRDgpiE62cUDq0wRS3SUfl2baH90gGIgCVo1-CuFsRnu9l_iM/s640/Posts+with+Hatching+Eggs.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatching eggs centered on plinths symbolize birth</td></tr>
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Inside is a blue tiled light well from which a glazed speckled egg is suspended. Mounted tusks protrude from the walls. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoCLIivdxgu-h7tmIBgIusOaM4f5Hv6NIh2Bz1g1tMUOob_JSflcUddHf-MA59ZterJmbMxw8rKPbHqavr5JgswVmFS-dh3J6f6m_L-y_ngoOkQLQOmyP5YlueCqFrDDuYZiKbAw-OD2C/s1600/Brennand+Tusks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoCLIivdxgu-h7tmIBgIusOaM4f5Hv6NIh2Bz1g1tMUOob_JSflcUddHf-MA59ZterJmbMxw8rKPbHqavr5JgswVmFS-dh3J6f6m_L-y_ngoOkQLQOmyP5YlueCqFrDDuYZiKbAw-OD2C/s640/Brennand+Tusks.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ceramic tusks protrude above arches of the shrine to creation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBT2VlyPY4DRZO8uOh0I-P6-zcI7l1YQxC-NHCgqcZzZVzY3wr9SS7AOy7FtvpwQMZ3i5rVqruOm6kppSxu3cAkC8VFTh2k5O5o9S6IGCYcVfudeDG6rS-XlSHzjGqeR74J3fNa3Bf-uf/s1600/IMG_2882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBT2VlyPY4DRZO8uOh0I-P6-zcI7l1YQxC-NHCgqcZzZVzY3wr9SS7AOy7FtvpwQMZ3i5rVqruOm6kppSxu3cAkC8VFTh2k5O5o9S6IGCYcVfudeDG6rS-XlSHzjGqeR74J3fNa3Bf-uf/s640/IMG_2882.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erotic figures tell a story of life, sex, and fertility</td></tr>
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Totemic lifesize statues of Adam and Eve stand at attention in niches in at the end of the wall, he being more modest than her as he clutches his hand over his genitals.<br />
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Prominently placed in contrast to the Biblical characters, Venus, depicted as a pair of legs wearing black pointed slippers, lies on her back like an exotic dancer, decapitated at the waist, with a prominent pink vagina and a tongue protruding from one hip, reminding me of the tongues on Renaldo Eckenberger's little sculptures back in Salvador.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5rbzFLR295Ko15_tlOkwhQvhTaMpw7_4l3tjLDi8mmv-BINCwj5yKLTMNWzUZyKS5uiC99J75pSaWwtQf8Ou_6aKRi0JSwgpGlrDsXaBd6hC85VzCdKQFVrRt4GfUj_I8VE7bjlA5bOV/s1600/Brennand+Cule+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5rbzFLR295Ko15_tlOkwhQvhTaMpw7_4l3tjLDi8mmv-BINCwj5yKLTMNWzUZyKS5uiC99J75pSaWwtQf8Ou_6aKRi0JSwgpGlrDsXaBd6hC85VzCdKQFVrRt4GfUj_I8VE7bjlA5bOV/s640/Brennand+Cule+2.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venvs</td></tr>
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Themes that resonate with me are expressed in Brennand's work. The full cycle of creation, life, sexuality, death, eternity, and mythology are conveyed, with a lusty attention given to the sexy aspect of humanity. Brazil is known for it's sexual freedom, and many of the sculptures are exagerated to focus on the erotic. I'm reminded of prehistoric fertility goddesses and satyrs from more carnal prechristian times, like those you would see around Pompeii preserved from destruction and privatization by the church after being buried for centuries by ash from the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI8ORJytq1CD9T-vJ2PCFBQV5r7YQNdFavngoPD_Xb27pTdF1FmjjTS-xoJJgmblOHP3M-uwxXstj__Qaf8H-wzcbaj4KnXkZaXDsI7TRetICG4xeyI0aDLAmztL8eed3NL2IPK9fWVRc/s1600/Brennand+Court+Fountains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI8ORJytq1CD9T-vJ2PCFBQV5r7YQNdFavngoPD_Xb27pTdF1FmjjTS-xoJJgmblOHP3M-uwxXstj__Qaf8H-wzcbaj4KnXkZaXDsI7TRetICG4xeyI0aDLAmztL8eed3NL2IPK9fWVRc/s640/Brennand+Court+Fountains.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cornucopia of sexualized busts and eggs ornament a pool and fountains</td></tr>
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This is an extraordinary and beautifully executed court, balancing the sacred and the profane in a perfectly proportioned space. The pond is a simple rectangle but is ornamented with a variety of interconnected sculptures, like nymphs in a Roman bath or Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli. Thin fountain jets and gliding black swans bring elegant animation to the space. As a person who has built gardens and studied landscapes all over the world for many years, I have a very critical eye, and I feel that the attention to meaning, scale, composition and detail here are exceptional. The expression comes at a time when Brazil was shedding the domination of Europe and developing a style of its own, blending European, colonial, and the contemporary into an innovative form that speaks of where the culture and natural history of this vast country is going artistically. All the bases and emotions are covered, from ancient past to eternity. It is no surprise that Brennand collaborated with the great Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, who pioneered a new movement for garden design.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhSxL9mvWeUmA3Nj8MSbm16q2m_71O150TulXMJPBf1ok8yP7ndkfYfIqROtGCQm4torNnZdsoFAqZMCAUTqze6BWVXKxnL-_S1tEjyqDbvgm5R_veqYRUE_QhdmUHZCAn8HPM83n08Rw/s1600/Eggs+%2526+Birds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhSxL9mvWeUmA3Nj8MSbm16q2m_71O150TulXMJPBf1ok8yP7ndkfYfIqROtGCQm4torNnZdsoFAqZMCAUTqze6BWVXKxnL-_S1tEjyqDbvgm5R_veqYRUE_QhdmUHZCAn8HPM83n08Rw/s640/Eggs+%2526+Birds.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The arcaded wall holds your attention as you approach, and the plaza and pool provide a threshold to the old factory buildings, which holds a vast collection of over 2,000 ceramic and mixed media sculptures. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6eUEk18S4VrXOJzU8mecR016N_QIHh7G434wSDOnY3_9e2sRQw4Nasqs0z14XWYtPza-1022szSsqfwSCP6qTV0RgkwwB2kF9JRQipZKyfbWnZ3kjMyqNKv6UXON4LGxd-rKOTrw3gsO/s1600/Fountain+%2526+Columns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6eUEk18S4VrXOJzU8mecR016N_QIHh7G434wSDOnY3_9e2sRQw4Nasqs0z14XWYtPza-1022szSsqfwSCP6qTV0RgkwwB2kF9JRQipZKyfbWnZ3kjMyqNKv6UXON4LGxd-rKOTrw3gsO/s640/Fountain+%2526+Columns.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRwh97A_HB8CFEso4PXna_Htkj6Vkrbp75_nopZJ-KCRftgfJW_igqLJw8KME5EN67FEGfIRoNucfmyGPmHLfhlxrRBKvRCUNfXXfYn8ZPmz_qWvKeVrxobAZHXVRSxYBYqvuEhhXhyphenhyphenyz/s1600/Brennand+Walruses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRwh97A_HB8CFEso4PXna_Htkj6Vkrbp75_nopZJ-KCRftgfJW_igqLJw8KME5EN67FEGfIRoNucfmyGPmHLfhlxrRBKvRCUNfXXfYn8ZPmz_qWvKeVrxobAZHXVRSxYBYqvuEhhXhyphenhyphenyz/s640/Brennand+Walruses.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strange vaginal creatures emerging from the pond</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pLEoEJw39FDiNiX5yp8Vkk4LyMx6DSK2KDgJHrungV1i40KZIPLS1JUw5TWq4R-lKJTClcJZF8XYMRK7dL05TuIvqTZy7LKKg07fy3rk35X4UlU4nDwqz0M-ETZD1MJ2fVCqs2TOBo1X/s1600/Brennand+Ferns+Philodendron.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pLEoEJw39FDiNiX5yp8Vkk4LyMx6DSK2KDgJHrungV1i40KZIPLS1JUw5TWq4R-lKJTClcJZF8XYMRK7dL05TuIvqTZy7LKKg07fy3rk35X4UlU4nDwqz0M-ETZD1MJ2fVCqs2TOBo1X/s640/Brennand+Ferns+Philodendron.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicately disected foliage and a nicely detailed pathway flank the studio</td></tr>
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The open layout and simplicity of the interior, punctuated with symmetrical arches houses a gallery of ceramic forms on simple white evenly spaced plinths. Larger more significant works are sited in the center under the handsome dark trusses of the roof. There is a lot here, showcasing a productive artistic life. The works are prominently titled and signed and dated.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0qGOoanyvq1uiDp3L5riS-7WTX2N6wKyQVfHH2FjJ6Q41sySqtSmdUc60xbL6l9cJx0oTHe2Xt2h7vupxUCUprPsQEVOqOlUrSCAK5bwJaVSehGo-Z2Tul8PvD9hcNqlVfgGaOQtJ4D-/s1600/Brennand+Museum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0qGOoanyvq1uiDp3L5riS-7WTX2N6wKyQVfHH2FjJ6Q41sySqtSmdUc60xbL6l9cJx0oTHe2Xt2h7vupxUCUprPsQEVOqOlUrSCAK5bwJaVSehGo-Z2Tul8PvD9hcNqlVfgGaOQtJ4D-/s640/Brennand+Museum.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The former factory converted in to a beautiful gallery, open to the outdoors through a series of arches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl3MOscJ4xO3ky_Wc66i-01UAQrLB2yG6TkyKQMcZQFXujdiafRPd8L5HfpxEuwpzTCv3lN54KO9816ghByRXfNNG5WGQFDaC-jRdkGIcOWWDPRWUW5Ubp279ANDrONhjuFvMpkm_EBua/s1600/IMG_2809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyl3MOscJ4xO3ky_Wc66i-01UAQrLB2yG6TkyKQMcZQFXujdiafRPd8L5HfpxEuwpzTCv3lN54KO9816ghByRXfNNG5WGQFDaC-jRdkGIcOWWDPRWUW5Ubp279ANDrONhjuFvMpkm_EBua/s640/IMG_2809.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caligula and what looks like an ice cream cone share a pedastle in the gallery</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTMCA94T2A0rntV8z3erAbWhu69iDsnJI_dW8R7_hAsBxvDdJmoPzMAJQCpstvv-NnR5aUaHRneI-wZ7a_2WpBW9Rmnyw22gGIf3S8nCmqj-9dsyqvrujjFf4ucPpxIjN0GVqpF8conBc/s1600/IMG_2807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTMCA94T2A0rntV8z3erAbWhu69iDsnJI_dW8R7_hAsBxvDdJmoPzMAJQCpstvv-NnR5aUaHRneI-wZ7a_2WpBW9Rmnyw22gGIf3S8nCmqj-9dsyqvrujjFf4ucPpxIjN0GVqpF8conBc/s640/IMG_2807.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A fair amount of fetish is expressed in the designs, that seems to combine industrial motifs with sexual themes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWz7X0JmuAo2vUpWvn88NpxLcGUewkPlCDh2MHQmIaqiBb3XJeQNy9gF8bYwJIY7zyYhiN4NJNiSe8U4aZUB8NkvKydLw5QCWJIgRcfcKIaxctT7WV9BSsh_t4CRxeOiDcHd8wx4b6_9W/s1600/IMG_2884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWz7X0JmuAo2vUpWvn88NpxLcGUewkPlCDh2MHQmIaqiBb3XJeQNy9gF8bYwJIY7zyYhiN4NJNiSe8U4aZUB8NkvKydLw5QCWJIgRcfcKIaxctT7WV9BSsh_t4CRxeOiDcHd8wx4b6_9W/s640/IMG_2884.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I found this interesting trailer for a film about Brennand, in Portuguese of course. <br />
https://www.imdb.com/video/vi128821017?playlistId=tt2217022&ref_=tt_ov_vi<br />
It gives you a glimpse of the artist at different times in his life. It seems the Oficina was a life unto itself, reclusive and all encompassing, a fantasy existence in the jungle, detached from the city a mere 11 miles away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXq8WSEIkdx0XutD2Cyas7UEZQNP-yK_9xU_WyIqqzDtFj7-e9YV_HAe64PQT5ZMHuFpL46mKyMhOLX3aMbn58ooCzyIKf2GZ-05Idr_un9ogQJ6dz3d8UfOGd_gVPZZfag1k3ZZAUEYj/s1600/Vagina+Butt+Stack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXq8WSEIkdx0XutD2Cyas7UEZQNP-yK_9xU_WyIqqzDtFj7-e9YV_HAe64PQT5ZMHuFpL46mKyMhOLX3aMbn58ooCzyIKf2GZ-05Idr_un9ogQJ6dz3d8UfOGd_gVPZZfag1k3ZZAUEYj/s640/Vagina+Butt+Stack.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front and back views</td></tr>
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There are still active workshops here and I was surprised to see Brennand himself walk past me and in to a meeting, his hair and long beard a brilliant white. I didn't have an opportunity to speak to him though. I studied Portuguese for 3 years and was starting to get a grasp on the language, which is very lyrical, nasal, and shooshy sounding. Its easier to understand in the north of the country than in Rio and the south, perhaps because for me it sounded clearer, with less slang.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeu-NSZz_xG3DUdHYPwiyr5WgT2C7Bl8XWQunRS0UtRfnTORS35a0Cz0APlr3-C_qd1ZDcEbuZH603TtAJsXPbXsS3Y9QgyNLv-yUMtrrTyHsKo30Gn2yxThQitrcHTDxa0n53Yq52H5a/s1600/IMG_2820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeu-NSZz_xG3DUdHYPwiyr5WgT2C7Bl8XWQunRS0UtRfnTORS35a0Cz0APlr3-C_qd1ZDcEbuZH603TtAJsXPbXsS3Y9QgyNLv-yUMtrrTyHsKo30Gn2yxThQitrcHTDxa0n53Yq52H5a/s640/IMG_2820.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artisans working in the Brennand workshop</td></tr>
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Eventually it was necessary to build new galleries for the ever expanding collection. In this building there are more ceramic sculptures and a selection of paintings on display. I found that the themes can be sexually controversial. There were a series of paintings based on the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, where a rather seductively vulnerable looking Little Red was being solicited by Brennand depicted as the Big Bad Wolf. As inappropriate sexual behavior draws worldwide condemnation he would be treading on dangerous ground today, and he was criticized for the content of many of his pieces. But this is a privately owned institution and Brennand has been able to display his provocative work without censorship, and hopefully his fantasies were satiated by his art and not acted upon. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd28f0KQHgrEBLPLYiY_u5S-WiCUeXZt5MzQzNWefxzGewLxDNllDo0cbTpNYikm9GUCu3eQnLQ9r1zzspKEVP5_yqid1GkDrkLdvPCsuK_GL3E3Xcz-fLARQlXKbatS2cjZv1GEAInFV/s1600/IMG_2841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd28f0KQHgrEBLPLYiY_u5S-WiCUeXZt5MzQzNWefxzGewLxDNllDo0cbTpNYikm9GUCu3eQnLQ9r1zzspKEVP5_yqid1GkDrkLdvPCsuK_GL3E3Xcz-fLARQlXKbatS2cjZv1GEAInFV/s640/IMG_2841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArok4LFMZMut2gIE-lxzjcLNM2WV4dvNwg-MXnsXu1BsqEW7wVY3DPeiVy5QRxsBbmsxrAMx5JuX0KNVbwVP3uZC-nF07ycaQtBzCB34aivp7p78gjjQzIjxPf_3ieYdmEXl2lkxs3nP0/s1600/IMG_2842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArok4LFMZMut2gIE-lxzjcLNM2WV4dvNwg-MXnsXu1BsqEW7wVY3DPeiVy5QRxsBbmsxrAMx5JuX0KNVbwVP3uZC-nF07ycaQtBzCB34aivp7p78gjjQzIjxPf_3ieYdmEXl2lkxs3nP0/s640/IMG_2842.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dick Heads ;-)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcHUFYBn70fAvNsTT2Gb_3JZqgxT5Jt_yWh5iuu7tbJk3Mx3DRCIe04K3vP_zMnn43sRgcf-ZUmltt7Lyo8W_4GvJgBArnpfA6200CJsJbu31Cy_NE-__6uLT8VWU3Coe03VyPN1xLjU3/s1600/Large+Breasts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcHUFYBn70fAvNsTT2Gb_3JZqgxT5Jt_yWh5iuu7tbJk3Mx3DRCIe04K3vP_zMnn43sRgcf-ZUmltt7Lyo8W_4GvJgBArnpfA6200CJsJbu31Cy_NE-__6uLT8VWU3Coe03VyPN1xLjU3/s640/Large+Breasts.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A modern Venus de Milo</td></tr>
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The interior walls are tiled with a variety of panels arranged in perfect compositions and framed in the brown tiles used clad the architecture throughout the Oficina.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEME6XtQ-mSON05BHIY0aScrhhMrYCxZ6Vht7H_wC__U8W6Ie5dg00WOPhuIzDxEefZp113O8cMriH5_rAh5BzcN-k-0ntNlxeCniucYBlJ0hsPjg53ygBGSlFUV6nCUJQbpMyFq1dhbBn/s1600/IMG_2814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEME6XtQ-mSON05BHIY0aScrhhMrYCxZ6Vht7H_wC__U8W6Ie5dg00WOPhuIzDxEefZp113O8cMriH5_rAh5BzcN-k-0ntNlxeCniucYBlJ0hsPjg53ygBGSlFUV6nCUJQbpMyFq1dhbBn/s640/IMG_2814.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9i3eJ0vbc-MZeFPzeRWQVAdofyOxuVqScCDIbVwtEOEZjC9ggf6rudkv8ja_QyMlvlXHw9nSX5I1B3sbn0GYf4ZJUv1hiObDLlisbi6Iy4lYL9e-yM4KI3Na5Lrn9W0UPIl6sUpW4qjz/s1600/IMG_2815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9i3eJ0vbc-MZeFPzeRWQVAdofyOxuVqScCDIbVwtEOEZjC9ggf6rudkv8ja_QyMlvlXHw9nSX5I1B3sbn0GYf4ZJUv1hiObDLlisbi6Iy4lYL9e-yM4KI3Na5Lrn9W0UPIl6sUpW4qjz/s640/IMG_2815.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A sunken section of the floor is also tiled in a mandala like design. The galleries double as a showroom, displaying the potential use for the tiles and objects that are made to sell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJgufdc7lBpc2wJgI7BOw4L-f9HoheNQJrkJ2GK5P5zlGZHSUDEKSe2eZ3w1Z-zK2JjmcdG7ObvT73LDvk6A3zhs2U32PEiJ2FkZ7gDeFN3koSzLezjoYEjWZoTM8EIXgVpi0ej5Ih570/s1600/IMG_2816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJgufdc7lBpc2wJgI7BOw4L-f9HoheNQJrkJ2GK5P5zlGZHSUDEKSe2eZ3w1Z-zK2JjmcdG7ObvT73LDvk6A3zhs2U32PEiJ2FkZ7gDeFN3koSzLezjoYEjWZoTM8EIXgVpi0ej5Ih570/s640/IMG_2816.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tiled floor in the Gallery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWUjlzll3CFvKGcFdg6BcCUTrTIBldFB8b8ejx0abaEC6a3Y3kmyd8TkKjp2hlbPptvQEJCfmhZqlIVlgd-O1vOvWhbZ91c8447tpiXsJs-plBaMhu8-wWL8LXtLcYc5MqyzdElIE3OlH/s1600/IMG_2810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWUjlzll3CFvKGcFdg6BcCUTrTIBldFB8b8ejx0abaEC6a3Y3kmyd8TkKjp2hlbPptvQEJCfmhZqlIVlgd-O1vOvWhbZ91c8447tpiXsJs-plBaMhu8-wWL8LXtLcYc5MqyzdElIE3OlH/s640/IMG_2810.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its interesting to see the date of when the work was done so prominently featured.</td></tr>
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The glaze colors are very natural and organic in pallet. Nothing is garish or flash. These are the colors of the Earth, and have a very mineral quality about them. On the website the names of various tiles are connected to the landscapes that the colors come from. Verde Amazonas, Azul Caribe, Vermelho Andaluz, and Ouro Várzea are some of the spectrum of speckled, mottled tiles on the website. There is a plan but no key to tell you what the numbers are on the map.<br />
http://www.brennand.com.br. The menu is in Portugeuse but its not hard to navigate, and well worth doing. In addition to several lines of tile, there are gorgeous dishes and decorative objects, including ash trays! Click on Revestimentos Cerâmicos to see tile, and Objetos Utilitários for decorative ceramics. It would be a luxury to work with such materials.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWp-csPdYgxn3MdvYBognqitP9O1Vv7qUNYSjOzGGefhjx3QBORvLjNokRjE41xkBKs9YKja4GpX_v0BA846QApGdZwLJbhoqjO1z8IGQrc9XR7K7EIlKOcRF6DlUJOaENNpY4CmvD70d/s1600/IMG_2817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWp-csPdYgxn3MdvYBognqitP9O1Vv7qUNYSjOzGGefhjx3QBORvLjNokRjE41xkBKs9YKja4GpX_v0BA846QApGdZwLJbhoqjO1z8IGQrc9XR7K7EIlKOcRF6DlUJOaENNpY4CmvD70d/s640/IMG_2817.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This piece has an explosive energy to it, perhaps a metaphore for drive to create.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrMtCFB-QbXoCJj8_5vajB2c26xMuRbkGlRwTAQeQsSHyGxxM_CNsh3H8_EG8Fw5ehIcHKQaE5J7PWBDp0iBDPzm2ExjtrLIqWGxX-YGdnzm6JN8fwactHnqi6BEX0-xn5Vx3xg6FXJI6/s1600/IMG_2821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrMtCFB-QbXoCJj8_5vajB2c26xMuRbkGlRwTAQeQsSHyGxxM_CNsh3H8_EG8Fw5ehIcHKQaE5J7PWBDp0iBDPzm2ExjtrLIqWGxX-YGdnzm6JN8fwactHnqi6BEX0-xn5Vx3xg6FXJI6/s640/IMG_2821.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The symbol for the Brennand brand with abundantly laden ceramic fruit bowls </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjODvt7uCnHRn_U9J6o2-D50bAynenBUxwQDakX6Lbui9Kw9bk_aiycUOP4m7pKAo_UQH3ZYbkuWpH37D8iXwSYnvaTCH-Ai0v00ZYvXL-nlAgBKaD9INoUu6z_gyYG41W_X478k41CWd/s1600/IMG_2822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjODvt7uCnHRn_U9J6o2-D50bAynenBUxwQDakX6Lbui9Kw9bk_aiycUOP4m7pKAo_UQH3ZYbkuWpH37D8iXwSYnvaTCH-Ai0v00ZYvXL-nlAgBKaD9INoUu6z_gyYG41W_X478k41CWd/s640/IMG_2822.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything is ceramic</td></tr>
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There is a pleasant cafe on site with good food, beautifully presented with an artistic flair. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_87EM6JhTBn9fzMThEnRKObRVNp4ZZrg46EskD5WRg23OF2DT3gGhEoFkyIGAeOgbu4GnrpT9gNl1-EKE1_b_6D1Q1i-STGeYwytVSR4UqCoOeSJBHuZxlRHV4SQJo_3YrFCbL5ScxZ4/s1600/IMG_2887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_87EM6JhTBn9fzMThEnRKObRVNp4ZZrg46EskD5WRg23OF2DT3gGhEoFkyIGAeOgbu4GnrpT9gNl1-EKE1_b_6D1Q1i-STGeYwytVSR4UqCoOeSJBHuZxlRHV4SQJo_3YrFCbL5ScxZ4/s640/IMG_2887.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carambola, or Star Fruit used as a garnish in a delicious Batido, or fruit smoothie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk59dF4nqTxN-LnnRZCMwwW9pxSWTedfBPaNKxeKkoc1JixDKa5a_Vf7jUW2nIPF5RKzjwIpej0D7Zb8pHY2OaotRNHCpGVWa0kn52tmijCgxL7vgTwpbvVUVYW8Q_gG-EVXJuOu1SvrSg/s1600/IMG_2825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk59dF4nqTxN-LnnRZCMwwW9pxSWTedfBPaNKxeKkoc1JixDKa5a_Vf7jUW2nIPF5RKzjwIpej0D7Zb8pHY2OaotRNHCpGVWa0kn52tmijCgxL7vgTwpbvVUVYW8Q_gG-EVXJuOu1SvrSg/s640/IMG_2825.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An anthropomorphic segmented worm wearing work boots</td></tr>
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Being in an equatorial climate, it is possible to successfully use ceramics in an outdoor setting. I have done some outdoor tile mosaic work on projects in the Pacific Northwest and have found that certain glazes will exfoliate when temperatures, combined with humidity cause the tiles to expand. My outdoor tile work has held up better on vertical surfaces than horizontal ones, and prefering matte tiles over glossy. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6r9AneJC18lA7XKZWxHIn_MWamQxMfIyWPZ8AwCG-nt2rfGYAWVaOcq3zwSBfqGO1fXVVSiGi2i47pMhzSWB7WCgfHQ1svAkdY3IpjOmJnfGvQF_RZ6mj5kZpyOmA448qnZ3Jxy8Q6xIt/s1600/MarknEric%2527s+Tiled+Bed+10%253A24%253A07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6r9AneJC18lA7XKZWxHIn_MWamQxMfIyWPZ8AwCG-nt2rfGYAWVaOcq3zwSBfqGO1fXVVSiGi2i47pMhzSWB7WCgfHQ1svAkdY3IpjOmJnfGvQF_RZ6mj5kZpyOmA448qnZ3Jxy8Q6xIt/s640/MarknEric%2527s+Tiled+Bed+10%253A24%253A07.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tile mosaics inspired by Pietra Dura designs on the Taj Mahal covers a concrete retaining wall </td></tr>
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One of my favorite fountains in the gardens is a niche with a water spout cascading over a tile panel depicting fish and a pyramid. Ferns grow from the moist grout joints in the panel. Its wonderful that these are not removed, allowing life to colonize art.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3TTU47Jj4S9v6wEWGWRt_1_WDzsQfYfdXK-svlaGwhBCQavqtRLoC0Chz3-sAV4AL2bfTjdPTe2u0OOaHqW-ekmuWaOGvSjoI6YXHJlDQmHZoqvFPUL9cPaACCsfOSSXiw04zZfiEbW6/s1600/Fountain+%2526+Fish+Drains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3TTU47Jj4S9v6wEWGWRt_1_WDzsQfYfdXK-svlaGwhBCQavqtRLoC0Chz3-sAV4AL2bfTjdPTe2u0OOaHqW-ekmuWaOGvSjoI6YXHJlDQmHZoqvFPUL9cPaACCsfOSSXiw04zZfiEbW6/s640/Fountain+%2526+Fish+Drains.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The water in the pool engeniously flows in to the open mouths of two fish rising to the surface.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5-fBOrp90NC-uIAZrHc97mGgxYcDrjjuZgY7pDUcqr5-i393ajU00dXgHts0mDkwGcU6n5VSwsSrs3RVtQD08OsJXngoA8sOqpbOUvHL-dl5kUvDlkiOIhiR0nOoMoaTV7fnz03dh9lS/s1600/Fish+Mouth+Drain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5-fBOrp90NC-uIAZrHc97mGgxYcDrjjuZgY7pDUcqr5-i393ajU00dXgHts0mDkwGcU6n5VSwsSrs3RVtQD08OsJXngoA8sOqpbOUvHL-dl5kUvDlkiOIhiR0nOoMoaTV7fnz03dh9lS/s640/Fish+Mouth+Drain.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpR8LUhBN9oepmUNDqmLH9r_pJQwYP_Sv8_ipENGxpGTNo3NiLSec1Az_IRvt2WTx0tnvJqOxaT1SfSqwyNsL5Lz4hhltM38yY8Lx2EqRcQKeLO9h3bXpcgPW1K0TDoF0IdUePLkLJUy_R/s1600/IMG_2826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpR8LUhBN9oepmUNDqmLH9r_pJQwYP_Sv8_ipENGxpGTNo3NiLSec1Az_IRvt2WTx0tnvJqOxaT1SfSqwyNsL5Lz4hhltM38yY8Lx2EqRcQKeLO9h3bXpcgPW1K0TDoF0IdUePLkLJUy_R/s640/IMG_2826.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This grouping of figures is remeniscent of chessmen in a societal game of the class system and levels of control. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GVFmj0jcvH3Iqth8Cs0d5XgoZVoq7Ud1j5Rc60FEzXD9_Vm5MZDr785ZwpD8oRWVVd1gK5Rnm8aGGSlg4l7oR4-hi5TxH7FhPX-o98tEJe4wH9YQgX8WRAO6EIr9QrncDatfjGvoT8Mk/s1600/IMG_2827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GVFmj0jcvH3Iqth8Cs0d5XgoZVoq7Ud1j5Rc60FEzXD9_Vm5MZDr785ZwpD8oRWVVd1gK5Rnm8aGGSlg4l7oR4-hi5TxH7FhPX-o98tEJe4wH9YQgX8WRAO6EIr9QrncDatfjGvoT8Mk/s640/IMG_2827.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A wonderful fountain of spouting serpents surrounds a columner fertility goddess in a round, walled pool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJahwk0qAv4NdnoPynq0LJOVGF30OG5nD0GXQDgsDoH4AmM4z_4jSiohiZG9reMJFWiMtjxqhMaIZucSItL-IJt3FAwCuHMQvZRL2KmRDyu8RDDzq6ef_9uITV6Ho1LBDfmlFJxjcAvKot/s1600/IMG_2823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJahwk0qAv4NdnoPynq0LJOVGF30OG5nD0GXQDgsDoH4AmM4z_4jSiohiZG9reMJFWiMtjxqhMaIZucSItL-IJt3FAwCuHMQvZRL2KmRDyu8RDDzq6ef_9uITV6Ho1LBDfmlFJxjcAvKot/s640/IMG_2823.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Fertility Goddess surrounded by 12 spouting serpents</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNn_AsrYa2Nu20BgkKhBW1lsO8aREXnJ-5JrLygfwNDRMCrZ-pbIzyFwUl_e7eoyQJB6qbrMxjlewCJ71-_mwagsidM3F-JWsCW-VT4M1KTuuEQnxW63d4w6ACN_xJzEzHzVlwwqjjoZJr/s1600/IMG_2824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNn_AsrYa2Nu20BgkKhBW1lsO8aREXnJ-5JrLygfwNDRMCrZ-pbIzyFwUl_e7eoyQJB6qbrMxjlewCJ71-_mwagsidM3F-JWsCW-VT4M1KTuuEQnxW63d4w6ACN_xJzEzHzVlwwqjjoZJr/s640/IMG_2824.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spouting snakes are a wonderful thing to behold.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N34L_fAl2CW9X6B61BjL-79WLvOFiM2Tr3BD3Z2Q-041JHPioskF9pmLkPNPRiJol2y1FMtQqQOroHwnKlW5i2q5G9InoEw3jxJpUucPufIZs1Fc85Wx8JiqHnXLFq72BRmTdTwVRoiF/s1600/Brennand+Praca+Burle+Marx+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N34L_fAl2CW9X6B61BjL-79WLvOFiM2Tr3BD3Z2Q-041JHPioskF9pmLkPNPRiJol2y1FMtQqQOroHwnKlW5i2q5G9InoEw3jxJpUucPufIZs1Fc85Wx8JiqHnXLFq72BRmTdTwVRoiF/s320/Brennand+Praca+Burle+Marx+Sign.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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In the year 2000 the Praça Burle Marx was constructed using a design that was gifted to Brennand by his friend, the great Brazilian landscape architect and horticulturalist Roberto Burle Marx. On occassion Brennand constructed works for designs implimented by Burle Marx, who also worked with ceramics and created iconic murals for various garden installations. On my two previous trips to Brazil I spent a fair amount of time visiting and studying gardens designed by this visionary man. You can read about it here: https://jeffreygardens.blogspot.com/2011/10/gardens-of-roberto-burle-marx.html<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBkRsZGnWbx7g7Q35R69RGsSIwDxcCdJ5B1cvJcExvnwYzhJbouo8AvqUARCP6Dp6Hs6rS214EtmuJ5U8AfQg8nfsjYIG3CI9IIrr4fI_SybiYmykzgIYMsYCdSHuvWCtAfZnUp4p9Asp/s1600/IMG_2852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBkRsZGnWbx7g7Q35R69RGsSIwDxcCdJ5B1cvJcExvnwYzhJbouo8AvqUARCP6Dp6Hs6rS214EtmuJ5U8AfQg8nfsjYIG3CI9IIrr4fI_SybiYmykzgIYMsYCdSHuvWCtAfZnUp4p9Asp/s640/IMG_2852.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Praça Burle Marx, a composition of shapes, colors, and textures punctuated with sculpture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuT9-IWvn_V59s3HKnJ2Y94Ur-eUdrnoVHHpmHdD1hK7uJFEyLUaSKNaf5VKCsrj6FhvjhKzQ1JArrxMWssO6hIX9OkC4g0I8fWT_DOIICZ-IdZ7kwPwMrIgiKHAIQiqlQOVwU1jti2MO/s1600/IMG_2805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuT9-IWvn_V59s3HKnJ2Y94Ur-eUdrnoVHHpmHdD1hK7uJFEyLUaSKNaf5VKCsrj6FhvjhKzQ1JArrxMWssO6hIX9OkC4g0I8fWT_DOIICZ-IdZ7kwPwMrIgiKHAIQiqlQOVwU1jti2MO/s640/IMG_2805.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc83sVGAdkNWgCubIm7Aqiv3Plc_XXPFdwlJIzBrgiwQ0maiD1ETZahLRvKT6bR_JXeE9jGz9zhn2-OTkgv-zcZI9IWT7EkVjAxVThsHR16OKtxcTyEbXpzehyMaN5LE7vNPuKhtgACD1/s1600/IMG_2870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc83sVGAdkNWgCubIm7Aqiv3Plc_XXPFdwlJIzBrgiwQ0maiD1ETZahLRvKT6bR_JXeE9jGz9zhn2-OTkgv-zcZI9IWT7EkVjAxVThsHR16OKtxcTyEbXpzehyMaN5LE7vNPuKhtgACD1/s640/IMG_2870.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A surreal tiled wall forms the backdrop for a pool with fountains and sculpture</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KBJRQL8vlNCy2zohMAs0twSklz4SCR_bq5N1COO52HYNsmcqkSJUUfkgZPsOfn3RO9h-LlxMVIWkewl2UWhkFkkqiJatm8vxIolVSMgsCKE_ZY0jGjJCyPRmkbBDchLKkQrZkwCg2rhL/s1600/IMG_2872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KBJRQL8vlNCy2zohMAs0twSklz4SCR_bq5N1COO52HYNsmcqkSJUUfkgZPsOfn3RO9h-LlxMVIWkewl2UWhkFkkqiJatm8vxIolVSMgsCKE_ZY0jGjJCyPRmkbBDchLKkQrZkwCg2rhL/s640/IMG_2872.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUppyFGu72Svvghyphenhyphen5NOsoDQpWn3sCwYmq5BBKY6jhZxDlKbcl6nL0Go_SZP-IR-P8f0S5ctjNNpK0TSp1Eq_QxaIdA6G5ECFhdq_-60A0eZ0VRkOAH4Cj9qSRILfP9d9KbIecvO7RYY8Il/s1600/Brennand+Praca+Burle+Marx.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUppyFGu72Svvghyphenhyphen5NOsoDQpWn3sCwYmq5BBKY6jhZxDlKbcl6nL0Go_SZP-IR-P8f0S5ctjNNpK0TSp1Eq_QxaIdA6G5ECFhdq_-60A0eZ0VRkOAH4Cj9qSRILfP9d9KbIecvO7RYY8Il/s640/Brennand+Praca+Burle+Marx.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A full view of the tiled wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSbNJwEwHPtlaaI9c4xOSn_zv6x0x9sy8XQSpT0x6hyphenhyphen-rqsmlPmhXRA2SYa_frcIkQzpXPXrpV2s6Y4wF2yJq2ZB5kRZz9LLZazztvPkAb_DOELN1tmTWzmky8a07UaOi9NmXKmX295YF/s1600/IMG_2853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSbNJwEwHPtlaaI9c4xOSn_zv6x0x9sy8XQSpT0x6hyphenhyphen-rqsmlPmhXRA2SYa_frcIkQzpXPXrpV2s6Y4wF2yJq2ZB5kRZz9LLZazztvPkAb_DOELN1tmTWzmky8a07UaOi9NmXKmX295YF/s640/IMG_2853.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanseveria rise like a bed of tongues by the pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69uTL2SMmWckjnCKtwjJQ8e3Y2sOvunhhDs6L1JcB65Hl1QznmJQqQys7QX8niC7yo2j1FY3V1jmSHbkWKeETEt4aSakLvIwx_SxkVjmJFw3M9FWPHqKa6XBoco2SkACM3zTYvS-qRsNw/s1600/Brennand+Praca+Burle+Marx+Swans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69uTL2SMmWckjnCKtwjJQ8e3Y2sOvunhhDs6L1JcB65Hl1QznmJQqQys7QX8niC7yo2j1FY3V1jmSHbkWKeETEt4aSakLvIwx_SxkVjmJFw3M9FWPHqKa6XBoco2SkACM3zTYvS-qRsNw/s640/Brennand+Praca+Burle+Marx+Swans.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Fertility Goddess and spouting phallic tusk like fountains ornament the pool, with the added grace of black swans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIryTX-0kTzJqtuAkU1yaxYWsAiqFGfPs-PB2k6Ka8N-wTIN0p86O9YKkZ7DByBT9XcEF5CRwueKBmrbTS4y_jsvKB_ZZcCr293KL-PnWC3lmZw9oYTcJlF-g_BVffPa7LitC8EjU_LM_u/s1600/Brennand+Praca+Burle+Marx2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIryTX-0kTzJqtuAkU1yaxYWsAiqFGfPs-PB2k6Ka8N-wTIN0p86O9YKkZ7DByBT9XcEF5CRwueKBmrbTS4y_jsvKB_ZZcCr293KL-PnWC3lmZw9oYTcJlF-g_BVffPa7LitC8EjU_LM_u/s640/Brennand+Praca+Burle+Marx2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Iresine is clipped to create a bold circle of blood red color</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvQl3sr8oXbh5DMSOGNE8NQsUyr7v1N1e-Qpc-1pQiadzt70Q0Owp5wjJzZyGVYIzwuonetQL_KzaaaAkFG4mm5JVe0IwpojbeELcajnXl1lJcgAD25qFCc4JPuhRxyaQzxyEacdqpXhl/s1600/IMG_2844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvQl3sr8oXbh5DMSOGNE8NQsUyr7v1N1e-Qpc-1pQiadzt70Q0Owp5wjJzZyGVYIzwuonetQL_KzaaaAkFG4mm5JVe0IwpojbeELcajnXl1lJcgAD25qFCc4JPuhRxyaQzxyEacdqpXhl/s640/IMG_2844.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everywhere there is sculpture</td></tr>
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The back side of the panel in the Praça Burle Marx is just as beautiful as the front but, so that the road you come in on is as beautiful as anything I've ever seen in a garden. A feathery stand of Papyrus softens the end of the pool and wall. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvk174TFaBrjRyNDaFfiZ0ChqQMh7_To28CH0cp4_fr-6HeSx297ABcgkCcgZ81NwdnlkX0Fhoe2hZUO90EcMn-Pc_TD5v9rCkETH5ZNAEQ5aIkUSsnVKtV2puHgty01AGFIX0IJDoGj0/s1600/IMG_2849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvk174TFaBrjRyNDaFfiZ0ChqQMh7_To28CH0cp4_fr-6HeSx297ABcgkCcgZ81NwdnlkX0Fhoe2hZUO90EcMn-Pc_TD5v9rCkETH5ZNAEQ5aIkUSsnVKtV2puHgty01AGFIX0IJDoGj0/s640/IMG_2849.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Spouts that look like turtle heads spill water in to a trough along a driveway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-iKcPwdL_0uUHmSwXqQPHC-Ff4eFbFtyHIpvOV2kDVhaR51UnEa6GKDwx8wxlQOmX6FLfIiu3LJWBT9AGoR2D4isIpooBgM7ndrw4M3UTbINlltDTOn3QJ7pdXm4wdv6s9uadKYj7RZ2/s1600/Fountains+%2526+Ferns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-iKcPwdL_0uUHmSwXqQPHC-Ff4eFbFtyHIpvOV2kDVhaR51UnEa6GKDwx8wxlQOmX6FLfIiu3LJWBT9AGoR2D4isIpooBgM7ndrw4M3UTbINlltDTOn3QJ7pdXm4wdv6s9uadKYj7RZ2/s640/Fountains+%2526+Ferns.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nephrolepis exaltata is a tenacious fern that grows over an enormous range, from South America to Africa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLi7qLOGxhRJbV64ivQ3mqkGkhzCo0o0mcAXlCmNB8TzH-kdDvT247Uhs4Rb6vvuNvMseJ4xam_6d-5jupPRIxl0iI7yFyqrLPRWN3689FjvYTPyHFKGK1yWq4ICVx51Wl-Z9mgO0Lc9w/s1600/IMG_2848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLi7qLOGxhRJbV64ivQ3mqkGkhzCo0o0mcAXlCmNB8TzH-kdDvT247Uhs4Rb6vvuNvMseJ4xam_6d-5jupPRIxl0iI7yFyqrLPRWN3689FjvYTPyHFKGK1yWq4ICVx51Wl-Z9mgO0Lc9w/s640/IMG_2848.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burle Marx plans were abstract paintings and plants are frequently used as paint would be</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ0xx-PLdmFMNUQ-hquQ3LZwfxc_TKL2KBRZhMUvxvycXrlQvdPH5nHoAbLFWL6DPm5p5sqwwyd1b8yHvEDyzEDrrsf_BjfUJQ2xfcYnzX5BEmbOLlShbgkUNeNmlNIsj1t_IrqJaU-u5/s1600/IMG_2839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ0xx-PLdmFMNUQ-hquQ3LZwfxc_TKL2KBRZhMUvxvycXrlQvdPH5nHoAbLFWL6DPm5p5sqwwyd1b8yHvEDyzEDrrsf_BjfUJQ2xfcYnzX5BEmbOLlShbgkUNeNmlNIsj1t_IrqJaU-u5/s640/IMG_2839.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanseveria makes a wonderful pattern in front of a tile wall</td></tr>
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The influence being here had on me this day, along with visits to the Sitio Roberto Burle Marx outside of Rio the previous two years is one of the reasons I built the wall I have in my garden, the one on the header on this page. Knowing how much work it was to build that makes the Oficina Francisco Brennand all the more amazing. This was a huge undertaking requiring an unrelenting desire to create and a vast array of knowledge to make it happen. The refinement of the spaces that resulted were for me, a lifechanging experience. It rose the bar for what I now know is possible and desire to achieve. There is nothing mediocre going on here. There is plenty of mediocrity around, why make more?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPkQbPjEPR189O1W2-KQ4d9amKglFPmd7VEJ4t8XPDDfn7lKjh5l7BcY8JpYeFz5o1YLNNsUaxvhY-0meigPnL-yQRnSgYVKruPMWuASV6j6bvqQaLRsTWLKT-7ggAB7DxAZCEXtSBsq-/s1600/IMG_2838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPkQbPjEPR189O1W2-KQ4d9amKglFPmd7VEJ4t8XPDDfn7lKjh5l7BcY8JpYeFz5o1YLNNsUaxvhY-0meigPnL-yQRnSgYVKruPMWuASV6j6bvqQaLRsTWLKT-7ggAB7DxAZCEXtSBsq-/s640/IMG_2838.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the parking is elegant</td></tr>
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The Templo do Sacrificio was inaugarated in 2005. It utilizes an old structure who's roof had collapsed. It contains a caged bust of the last Inca Emperor Atahualpa, who was captured by the army of the conquistador Pissaro in Peru, and Moctezuma, emperor of the Aztecs who was conquered by Hernan Cortes in Mexico. The conquest of the New World was in effect the subjugation and destruction of a multitude of cultures. Recife was the first slave port in South America. The impact of colonization is still evident in society and the diversity of peoples here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0JeP8Dm2Xx-hyVLaynbpx4KHvvpYH6QmDZw15vHbo1qwimQ24oQOxbXauIcUl6IUx3C6D1fSdXuRYpSbijVFiOGweq6-dnaGdspMggCpscesCSyjiIidBSXOUwEAO2sQmSeLUv-NSgZy/s1600/IMG_2833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0JeP8Dm2Xx-hyVLaynbpx4KHvvpYH6QmDZw15vHbo1qwimQ24oQOxbXauIcUl6IUx3C6D1fSdXuRYpSbijVFiOGweq6-dnaGdspMggCpscesCSyjiIidBSXOUwEAO2sQmSeLUv-NSgZy/s640/IMG_2833.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stark tableau addressing the conquering of indigenous cultures by Europeans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnNiAqBDhvf4lQDGE9ktf1aWjp7F24EswsP5v-XWGuUK_Q2PN1edI6nOl5PZgUpv9HlGOgEv-QRmoxYeMlzu_ANbZyyhgbplPAsHT7eRYjWHtM1J_80Pl17pelZTO0M_tZvmlRuBP_gst/s1600/IMG_2834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnNiAqBDhvf4lQDGE9ktf1aWjp7F24EswsP5v-XWGuUK_Q2PN1edI6nOl5PZgUpv9HlGOgEv-QRmoxYeMlzu_ANbZyyhgbplPAsHT7eRYjWHtM1J_80Pl17pelZTO0M_tZvmlRuBP_gst/s640/IMG_2834.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bust of Atahualpa, behind bars</td></tr>
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There is such a large volume of sculpture that it can be used in repetition as an architectural element, that I find to be quite decadent and wonderful. The influence of ancient temples is apparent in the layout of many spaces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2S9Vj0PHwf6gWvM2yQuW0FUwWhfm7lafArld2IPR7TLyF1rA5zLXZ-srR_fp0nvaQmNNmZUKWLM1j7eX73z10NTGId7nfNxfqN9ZuQcsNQp6Hfd_Oy4STckdgQsY6e14EnLDQd71kAUS/s1600/IMG_2835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2S9Vj0PHwf6gWvM2yQuW0FUwWhfm7lafArld2IPR7TLyF1rA5zLXZ-srR_fp0nvaQmNNmZUKWLM1j7eX73z10NTGId7nfNxfqN9ZuQcsNQp6Hfd_Oy4STckdgQsY6e14EnLDQd71kAUS/s640/IMG_2835.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drooling open mouthed faces punctuate the top of a wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYvC0pNOIc-yqOBFOy0GuDvF4dNlWvoJ20SwnwIPc2Q1ER-r-5sT0v2VOqnqCkaHrd9lMuLpTq1zrHc_-lxBCCDRzj4uuuHJZ0ex7ZyCe_egdP3r_KphY6mqZiWS6dXYJyTWVrxyDjDFQ/s1600/IMG_2836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYvC0pNOIc-yqOBFOy0GuDvF4dNlWvoJ20SwnwIPc2Q1ER-r-5sT0v2VOqnqCkaHrd9lMuLpTq1zrHc_-lxBCCDRzj4uuuHJZ0ex7ZyCe_egdP3r_KphY6mqZiWS6dXYJyTWVrxyDjDFQ/s640/IMG_2836.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A twisted column tells a story of man interacting with nature</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHe2ENZMCqpdWXPOjoyU262jEaJBAXPBH5WvdoXy2779c-ErjItWJvSuOclPPDiw8gZc_8-QM0OJe3BeO5reW79PxvARodhfNNsAsoH9QhaniOSHggX1ixwViZUxbRVjBIViOe_D6OVkD/s1600/IMG_2846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHe2ENZMCqpdWXPOjoyU262jEaJBAXPBH5WvdoXy2779c-ErjItWJvSuOclPPDiw8gZc_8-QM0OJe3BeO5reW79PxvARodhfNNsAsoH9QhaniOSHggX1ixwViZUxbRVjBIViOe_D6OVkD/s640/IMG_2846.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dragon with a rattlesnake tail emerges from a lawn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2H9mQICXj3CjguqteCoDJnPrthOB4GEIaxkJfVryhabgpfWfWrqLu6mhFkI77BqXcRxS-PXMPk84XmaHwp2DOAn-iqUwIttiF_NvKv32GihXrX4yN6WF9pAm0oLbAGL725f3qa436Ppz/s1600/Brennand+Chapel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2H9mQICXj3CjguqteCoDJnPrthOB4GEIaxkJfVryhabgpfWfWrqLu6mhFkI77BqXcRxS-PXMPk84XmaHwp2DOAn-iqUwIttiF_NvKv32GihXrX4yN6WF9pAm0oLbAGL725f3qa436Ppz/s640/Brennand+Chapel.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A starkly contemporary structure mirrors architectural elements found in the many older structures at the Oficina</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAo5QQxmrAnjPjMPVn83qlFg26MickOFGScYb__7E64bBAT5Sa9f9HgHmAOZ_Wobn4rhVH81nsRFSrJkj_xn_5Bv5sX1NJxz5eZwPojRyYSmfpXyaGSRSxRNV1Y4RoeNePNKOyhwYpveA4/s1600/Brennand+Sundial.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAo5QQxmrAnjPjMPVn83qlFg26MickOFGScYb__7E64bBAT5Sa9f9HgHmAOZ_Wobn4rhVH81nsRFSrJkj_xn_5Bv5sX1NJxz5eZwPojRyYSmfpXyaGSRSxRNV1Y4RoeNePNKOyhwYpveA4/s640/Brennand+Sundial.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Sundial</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_poowwg3Mfl53TsfcM84cX7i-sweErdexVVH81m6xiiVoj6o4dKF-8Vm_aN1EfRK3FHlzxFmpTUeOjfc26_QDPPxlDKxGwhNLXQxsT7v81IL1oAx4j03gl1rmNI9OPyWlW5cqBwtmlhfN/s1600/IMG_2837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_poowwg3Mfl53TsfcM84cX7i-sweErdexVVH81m6xiiVoj6o4dKF-8Vm_aN1EfRK3FHlzxFmpTUeOjfc26_QDPPxlDKxGwhNLXQxsT7v81IL1oAx4j03gl1rmNI9OPyWlW5cqBwtmlhfN/s640/IMG_2837.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pearalescent glazed orb banded with spikes</td></tr>
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Brennand created works on a number of projects around Brazil and the world. 90 sculptures dot the jetty at Marco Zero in Recife commemorating the 500 year anniversary of the arrival of Europeans. The park was dedicated in the year 2000. The centerpiece is the ceramic and bronze Torre de Cristal, or Crystal Tower. It looks like a giant asparagus spear. Locals call it the Picão do Brennand, or Brennand's Prick for its phallic nature. Other columns along the strip of stone mimic ancient Greek ruins. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY7UHdbWh3X7VW-p23jFU-uUZPFbA8OX7S8uJHEk4mQga-eEFMQKaTPpeIXs-g-5f68-prIsQrUKP9-AkJjWiDdOGV6wR9wTnSZFD8KhkI3IdMsaEC9Npd7IX6AlSRKZW36zp5VkNWKKD/s1600/Brennand+Torre+de+Cristal.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1568" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY7UHdbWh3X7VW-p23jFU-uUZPFbA8OX7S8uJHEk4mQga-eEFMQKaTPpeIXs-g-5f68-prIsQrUKP9-AkJjWiDdOGV6wR9wTnSZFD8KhkI3IdMsaEC9Npd7IX6AlSRKZW36zp5VkNWKKD/s640/Brennand+Torre+de+Cristal.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 32 meter tall Torre de Cristal is part of a sculpture park populated by 90 works created by Francisco Brennand. They are displayed on a jetty, commemorating the 500 year anniversary of the arrival of Europeans in Recife</td></tr>
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Clay from the Earth, shaped and bisqued, and then glazed with minerals and refired to become magical embellishment for architecture, objects of art that inhabit it. All together they weave the tales of man and woman, humanity, nature, and the universe into a sensory journey that I am so grateful to have been able to experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8mY27LnOIhiLKLY1k_o2YGC0Bgs4Zbcaizku3OPyczaMYKMxUiLi11PXuV3nbntNm5NWpGYQ5SwAVkRNdDxL95Fh6WP-qE8C265LMr3447GXxqYimmuRIEcpewmK_L5BSx4Fw0nbFakP/s1600/IMG_2843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8mY27LnOIhiLKLY1k_o2YGC0Bgs4Zbcaizku3OPyczaMYKMxUiLi11PXuV3nbntNm5NWpGYQ5SwAVkRNdDxL95Fh6WP-qE8C265LMr3447GXxqYimmuRIEcpewmK_L5BSx4Fw0nbFakP/s640/IMG_2843.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spaces are structured and framed by straight lines</td></tr>
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The Oficina is surrounded by a lush densely forested preserve. The Mata Atlantica is one of the most diverse forest ecosystems in the world, but the pressures of human development have reduced it by more than 90%. A glimpse of what was is a densly verdant environment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQILy_mYZGyGOdjrNAtddVEvwbk_EHkqoSPgqoU9L0_0OAqJ3hEMOhEyCkdEkGI2AY6nwBO6J-L2nsAS50SdaZTkT_DMTfpcQ396kbSju4KXgUaYygV4beCxGjMMYq_IRH5fsh9Q93vNQ/s1600/IMG_2855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQILy_mYZGyGOdjrNAtddVEvwbk_EHkqoSPgqoU9L0_0OAqJ3hEMOhEyCkdEkGI2AY6nwBO6J-L2nsAS50SdaZTkT_DMTfpcQ396kbSju4KXgUaYygV4beCxGjMMYq_IRH5fsh9Q93vNQ/s640/IMG_2855.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sphinx like busts line a wide paved axis that terminates at an column on a tiered pedastal at the edge of the forest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLim5ZP1qbUim716YhMJ9pIlXbdjRj06YHlwftIc3w-SQcrvfxcXyLzyG97BUhLCiFgAz4HpDlUiJ64_TIK4BWZxOMXdgX-mTWsi5SpBGUVs7vybUFRGPdrvIcgMnNZPstfAhlDJrN2QA/s1600/IMG_2847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLim5ZP1qbUim716YhMJ9pIlXbdjRj06YHlwftIc3w-SQcrvfxcXyLzyG97BUhLCiFgAz4HpDlUiJ64_TIK4BWZxOMXdgX-mTWsi5SpBGUVs7vybUFRGPdrvIcgMnNZPstfAhlDJrN2QA/s640/IMG_2847.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then along came Adão, Adam</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlCIKC9TK-BUQMCOJdK3Y8Ug6e1fwhnBnXi22V6PB1gHALj3pEgexKWsvySMGGuaWuvv_qMPZE2VTCtq0smrgxVPWAgKkKKEBg3UHPqT0z9MGCUJ-OHcGzndhB6_-TMka6S8daq4_8BTu/s1600/Brennand+Reservoir.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlCIKC9TK-BUQMCOJdK3Y8Ug6e1fwhnBnXi22V6PB1gHALj3pEgexKWsvySMGGuaWuvv_qMPZE2VTCtq0smrgxVPWAgKkKKEBg3UHPqT0z9MGCUJ-OHcGzndhB6_-TMka6S8daq4_8BTu/s640/Brennand+Reservoir.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shallow lake emerging from the forest along the road walking out</td></tr>
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When it was time to leave, I found a man sleeping in the only taxi in the otherwise empty but attractive parking lot. But he was waiting for people he had brought there, so I had to walk back to the bus stop. It was an opportunity to distill the world that had just been revealed to me. Little Red Riding Hood walking alone in the forest. If we are the creators of our own personal universe, mine had just expanded in to new frontiers. Its the main reason I travel every winter, to step outside the bubble of life at home and explore inspiring new realms. To step in to the world manifested by this artistic genius was a earthtone jewel in the necklace that is the path of my life.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzin_tM1NWJLfa5evT8K48AZHdgbQKfV196iqumf2-CJyMjFLDzLfWWhR-m21c1mV9J4yMSg4tLiOE6uMRb_EXLTxPZwTWBOREavQS44XFDG1x1ioindTzReG9LKAh2KJ4c633X0ctpfD/s1600/Brennand+Figure.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzin_tM1NWJLfa5evT8K48AZHdgbQKfV196iqumf2-CJyMjFLDzLfWWhR-m21c1mV9J4yMSg4tLiOE6uMRb_EXLTxPZwTWBOREavQS44XFDG1x1ioindTzReG9LKAh2KJ4c633X0ctpfD/s640/Brennand+Figure.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The one sculpture I sketched in my journal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZuV3izYAQ5UTI6wvTuIbZM9Xkk__fFM-eFrgjgIo-VzCcq7s8HAGYrXbEMH89jOkkb5goZiCSoCV4FjVOOGSKQJrW6B-P_mMSRaL5QBfllOy1RBBhN_ETxx5Yt5jJ5OogbFFHZV8hWvI/s1600/P1100116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZuV3izYAQ5UTI6wvTuIbZM9Xkk__fFM-eFrgjgIo-VzCcq7s8HAGYrXbEMH89jOkkb5goZiCSoCV4FjVOOGSKQJrW6B-P_mMSRaL5QBfllOy1RBBhN_ETxx5Yt5jJ5OogbFFHZV8hWvI/s640/P1100116.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No prizes from the Art Salon for me</td></tr>
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Francisco Brennand passed away from complications relating to pneumonia on December 19, 2019 at the age of 92. It is unknown to me what will become of the tile factory. It is my hope that it carries on, and that the Oficina remains open to the public, as it is a truly magnificent and controversial monument to the ambitious artistic expression of a remarkable man.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL_eZ7K5hShX_aUDbAXRCiH5IR-cVCvkJjyWZGzjl5yxPc_h9-VuhYIAMnL8et-FFTZlbNGTJF4DbuDDnDCJAPBihVpbCKLU3emCpD5eHyiECR7Vrp3Z88fkmPaGAqJKR4xfED_9Djyhe/s1600/Brennand+Wall+%2526+Arches.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL_eZ7K5hShX_aUDbAXRCiH5IR-cVCvkJjyWZGzjl5yxPc_h9-VuhYIAMnL8et-FFTZlbNGTJF4DbuDDnDCJAPBihVpbCKLU3emCpD5eHyiECR7Vrp3Z88fkmPaGAqJKR4xfED_9Djyhe/s640/Brennand+Wall+%2526+Arches.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading, Jeffrey<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2gy-wYEnpdhH1NK4_wKQegMmqWFgRWVCaHjxPb4RpBMlWc1kP1GksRdLJ-KWf0Jnap__LL5wJ-jD54p5e5Si6A8DEeqcy19F4fD60zUjwfBiClzpmtezTTI0wWoObBTNcCGLLn6bZxd3/s1600/Brennand+Me+%2526+Nudes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2gy-wYEnpdhH1NK4_wKQegMmqWFgRWVCaHjxPb4RpBMlWc1kP1GksRdLJ-KWf0Jnap__LL5wJ-jD54p5e5Si6A8DEeqcy19F4fD60zUjwfBiClzpmtezTTI0wWoObBTNcCGLLn6bZxd3/s640/Brennand+Me+%2526+Nudes.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-89921022146798464802020-03-27T19:27:00.001-07:002020-04-09T09:44:21.652-07:00Pebble Mosaic Garden Carpets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGodA34iizDzTElkOz2K4usJNppYA_g8ZbeoZuWltseOerZk_P4K60xUfn4QnXuVPCW4bFN7q0XASlaIppXu1tKgWnN4l7Hyj816QPrWgJ11jX7wZsy_UdhlVYOnUA9zdCA7F7DAIXsvP0/s1600/1i+Lisbon+Sidewalk+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGodA34iizDzTElkOz2K4usJNppYA_g8ZbeoZuWltseOerZk_P4K60xUfn4QnXuVPCW4bFN7q0XASlaIppXu1tKgWnN4l7Hyj816QPrWgJ11jX7wZsy_UdhlVYOnUA9zdCA7F7DAIXsvP0/s640/1i+Lisbon+Sidewalk+copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sidewalk in the center of Lisbon, Portugal</td></tr>
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In the mid 1980's I made my first journey to Europe. I flew to Madrid, and then took a bus to Lisbon, Portugal to meet up with a friend. I arrived early and got an affordable, funky room in the attic of an old building on the Largo de São Domingo, which was paved in a grid with cut blocks of white limestone and black basalt. I had a view of the Praça and could open the window, so I bought an inexpensive bottle of sparkling wine and sat on the sill and gazed out over the square to the Alfama, the old city of the Moors. Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history spanning more than 3,000 years. So there is much hidden beneath the surface. <br />
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In the morning I went out for a walk and was astounded by the extraordinary sidewalk pavements. I've never fully recovered. Mosaico Português, or calçada portuguesa has been used to express design in outdoor urban paving since the 1,800's. The patterns are diverse and cover a multitude of styles from Baroque to modern. It seems that every city block had a different motif and you can tell where you are depending on the designs on the sidewalks. Here I was in a city you could visit just to see the sidewalks. This was a rather profound shock to my psyche. We didn't have sidewalks worth looking at where I grew up. Pavement can be beautiful! This is a video I found that uses an acrobatic cyclist to showcase a number of stunning pavements in the city. <br />
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The classic wave pattern was originally used to pave areas redeveloped after the tsunami following the Great Earthquake of 1755. A third of the city's population perished in the earthquake and 70,000 died in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal from the tsunami that followed. The quake occured on All Saints Day when the cathedrals, which all collapsed, were full. Most of what you see in the city today dates from after the earthquake, which opened the earth 15 feet in places. There is an in depth article on the event at https://www.sms-tsunami-warning.com/pages/tsunami-portugal-1755#.XoAWEC-ZNsM<br />
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From Lisbon we traveled to the Algarve in the south of Portugal, and then in to Southern Spain and Andalucia. I took some very academic classes in the landscape history in college and was tantalized by images from lectures on gardens in Spain, Italy, and India that I would later journey to as a form of pilgrimage. A visit to the Alhambra forever changed the way I would design gardens from then on. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEWUiQvKFm_2_zmXZkDylnHhwWn5bISaXRpNBAGodN7GsEv4y0o7rlVBfLzOeMmZzg_CmVdRP9KOjEzyti1zxRBpk7THtENfRcmkU4VRw-goRxTaSgSKKqGh4Bo91PAv5pF3XaURhBQZG/s1600/1jb+Yussef+II+Pool+Mosaics+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEWUiQvKFm_2_zmXZkDylnHhwWn5bISaXRpNBAGodN7GsEv4y0o7rlVBfLzOeMmZzg_CmVdRP9KOjEzyti1zxRBpk7THtENfRcmkU4VRw-goRxTaSgSKKqGh4Bo91PAv5pF3XaURhBQZG/s640/1jb+Yussef+II+Pool+Mosaics+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Patio of Yussef II in the gardens of the Alhambra, Granada, Spain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBwv97K1BJNsVVMlEqDic5CBrL2VnDbnZ9LWeIRo96Z1mZvvcDQa57UWN0odbNOsGQ0iZFhCkc2KY4m8LUrf3J7dha0F4fCxiUqRiVH4CO-lnR8KOzsmWLy4_V6q4Tj5REdsVz_Vg98sf/s1600/1jc+El+Parador+mosaics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBwv97K1BJNsVVMlEqDic5CBrL2VnDbnZ9LWeIRo96Z1mZvvcDQa57UWN0odbNOsGQ0iZFhCkc2KY4m8LUrf3J7dha0F4fCxiUqRiVH4CO-lnR8KOzsmWLy4_V6q4Tj5REdsVz_Vg98sf/s640/1jc+El+Parador+mosaics.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic walkway of the Parador, the Alhambra</td></tr>
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Many of these formal designs are remeniscent of carpets. As I've become more adept at constructing crafted gardens I've also developed an interest in weaving and carpet looming. Most of the carpets in my home are Persian. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigokdSMzFlAsV8CBMOeJf9L5E9fThDjA5dNvtrB1KEtY7YYKAJH7slQ4ShTL5jNG_jeeBDWUFTU_qT3lwJrhW2Q39UG5cSQj9_Y3g4CIlvED6u4rr8kLH6xj_WmJpnA6menAQTwRIv0nkK/s1600/P1100013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigokdSMzFlAsV8CBMOeJf9L5E9fThDjA5dNvtrB1KEtY7YYKAJH7slQ4ShTL5jNG_jeeBDWUFTU_qT3lwJrhW2Q39UG5cSQj9_Y3g4CIlvED6u4rr8kLH6xj_WmJpnA6menAQTwRIv0nkK/s640/P1100013.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A late 19th Century Persian Carpet in my living room with Arabesques of Grape Vines, I've stared at this for hours</td></tr>
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Originally many of these carpets were woven to be laid out in camps of caravans traveling across the desert. Garden carpets were portable Edens, a flower filled portable oasis surrounded by a protective wall on which you could recline and sleep. While my first mosaic patio was very organic, based on sub atomic particular forms and waves of energy, my first commission to build a patio was a Persian carpet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4iB1y-Pik8TD8Nz9Dc2x1G_gRPLoaGkW7YWGO3FZKDipy8oReLHUkeqOJ9PpDKCBsV6YYVBQhyphenhyphenufnUgkZjv5lRnAoMWBopRXs9_gLY0uGRgKZ4suN7PuFkDFH_-wvCy0kw-WMfG79We3/s1600/Persian+Carpet+Mosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4iB1y-Pik8TD8Nz9Dc2x1G_gRPLoaGkW7YWGO3FZKDipy8oReLHUkeqOJ9PpDKCBsV6YYVBQhyphenhyphenufnUgkZjv5lRnAoMWBopRXs9_gLY0uGRgKZ4suN7PuFkDFH_-wvCy0kw-WMfG79We3/s640/Persian+Carpet+Mosaic.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This carpet mosaic is about 11 x 18 feet in size</td></tr>
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My portfolio was fairly lean in the beginning but I worked hard and was able to do some fairly nice stone work. We learned how to work with mortar, laying bricks in a small urban park project when I was in college. So I developed a technique of setting pebbles in to a bed of wet mortar and then flattening it with a piece of plywood. Its a fairly low tech but tedious process. My wavy patio at home was garnering some attention. I received a Golden Trowel Award from Garden Design Magazine for my small, pebble encrusted garden. People seemed to like what they saw. Again, America is mostly paved in asphalt and concrete so the intricacies of pebble mosaic are a baffling concept for the average American. I notice it when I read the comments when people see photos of my mosaics on social media. "Can you walk on it? It must have taken forever. It must hurt your feet. Want."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6PVglU-bW791MeoCRPed50GyYcltlIowOX9j4OkIWiKJa0dwzQ32aqgkUIgpbRYgIvp6l98fIdQGBLuatzRCqMd_L_IaaW0buSt0bTUcr-WtBgYy_F8fmLF1ktIboKrYU7Ee-55y6nhe/s1600/DNA+Molecule+Mosaic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6PVglU-bW791MeoCRPed50GyYcltlIowOX9j4OkIWiKJa0dwzQ32aqgkUIgpbRYgIvp6l98fIdQGBLuatzRCqMd_L_IaaW0buSt0bTUcr-WtBgYy_F8fmLF1ktIboKrYU7Ee-55y6nhe/s400/DNA+Molecule+Mosaic.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A DNA Molecule mosaic in the parking strip</td></tr>
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My new clients were remodeling a large historic home on a busy corner in Northwest Portland. The garden is quiet small, and most of the windows look right down on to the sidewalk. So I built mosaics in the heavily trafficked parking strips between the old linden street trees. Pebble mosaics look great from above. They had some beautiful woven carpets in their house and a grand staircase with tall leaded glass windows looking down on to the garden. So I proposed that we build a pebble mosaic carpet for the patio, which would take up the majority of the garden area. I built a low seat height wall around two sides of the patio area, which is something I have done in many of my gardens projects to provide a place to sit without having furniture. I've always been interested in the cosmos and myths of creation, so I made the center medallion of the carpet a lotus blossom. Lotuses are considered a symbol of purity in Eastern religions because the cellular structure of the plant does not allow mud to stick to it. Water beads up on the surface. Buddha images are often seated in a lotus blossom, a pure, clean base detached from the Earth. This central 8 petaled flower would symbolize the Big Bang, the explosion of energy that is believed to have been the birth of our Universe. Expanding outward are a series of flower like galaxies. The carpet is surrounded by a border that is a crenalated wall with flowers growing from stylized vines. So the carpet is essentially a walled garden and metaphor for the Universe. By setting this intention, the concept provides a basis for contemplation and meditation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n8dF_Lcf4nI9xv6q7nJrukFnWFAiVHyUlNzjmF7ccRZVO0nduXXuJ6UPM9MIx8rfJB1VfUnnN7UGAH-hHsD2XumrSUI2dN3vB_JQzDatNDQU6V93Y3V-XmyAkkiVV_-gOXGStjlczOSX/s1600/2a+Landscape+Architecture+Mag+lr+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n8dF_Lcf4nI9xv6q7nJrukFnWFAiVHyUlNzjmF7ccRZVO0nduXXuJ6UPM9MIx8rfJB1VfUnnN7UGAH-hHsD2XumrSUI2dN3vB_JQzDatNDQU6V93Y3V-XmyAkkiVV_-gOXGStjlczOSX/s320/2a+Landscape+Architecture+Mag+lr+copy.jpg" width="253" /></a>I hired two people to help me, one who sorted pebbles by shape and color and the other who mixed mortar and infilled the patterns I laid out with the field of black that makes up the majority of the mosaic. I had found a fairly good quality pile of drain rock at a stone yard that I could buy by the cubic yard, and Erin would sort through the pebbles with me until she thought she would lose her mind. Sorting is tedious work that many of you won't have the tolerance to do if you ever try this. It took a couple of weeks to lay the drainage pipes and grade and compact the base for the patio, and 3 weeks to form and build the mosaic. I left permeable gaps between the border and main body of the carpet so that water could nourish two large trees growing by the patio, and make it easier for the large area to drain. Labrador violets have seeded in to the gaps over time. The Adirondack chairs in the photo have since gone away. <br />
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Garden photographer Alan Mandell photographed the patio, which later appeared in Fine Gardening magazine and on the cover of Landscape Architecture accompanying articles I wrote on building pebble mosaics. Its shown up on a number of websites and Pinterest since then.<br />
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I like creating small gardens, and often develop room like spaces. Garden carpets are a great way to make that room like space more literal. But the first one I built was by far the largest. Most of what I have built since then are more like an area rug. Portland garden celebrity Lucy Hardiman arranged for me to give a pebble mosaic workshop for the Hardy Plant Society where I built the first of her "Flying Carpets" in a garden parking strip in front of their Victorian Home. For the record I don't give workshops anymore. They are exhausting endeavors.<br />
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We used cut Indian granite cobbles for the border that came from Lakeview Stone in Seattle, and Mexican Beach Pebbles purchased by the bag. I hand collected the gold and red pebbles from a beach on the Columbia River as well as the larger accent stones. The second carpet I built was based on an Anatolian Turkish Tribal design, as was the third. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8Qogx_qsDBEy-FEnnVaBS4ymkCELW_4_73pvRSTT7G9zyKmU5cACfnp_5szj9KmIxGsKPYNhruWMbMMDiL2Xz1fykKTlugvKFQ4r3-NQMtnML_tEzkK40DFIPdmNi56cDcWaVFaH3ntE/s1600/P1380424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8Qogx_qsDBEy-FEnnVaBS4ymkCELW_4_73pvRSTT7G9zyKmU5cACfnp_5szj9KmIxGsKPYNhruWMbMMDiL2Xz1fykKTlugvKFQ4r3-NQMtnML_tEzkK40DFIPdmNi56cDcWaVFaH3ntE/s640/P1380424.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQoGOAlyrievEJT6UouKRtLFlqquNwYvjfk_CPwFBpjmtZ53Is_TKhu-0U_qOXuafYTRGbuQgsKJbqVjt58KrQuQ7GT2qrBAV2hCc7v5DU0cFY_lKrDVcfcIklF8aKEDcDN2oC6QcKj46/s1600/Lucy%2527s+Carpet+with+Kitty+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQoGOAlyrievEJT6UouKRtLFlqquNwYvjfk_CPwFBpjmtZ53Is_TKhu-0U_qOXuafYTRGbuQgsKJbqVjt58KrQuQ7GT2qrBAV2hCc7v5DU0cFY_lKrDVcfcIklF8aKEDcDN2oC6QcKj46/s640/Lucy%2527s+Carpet+with+Kitty+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Anatolian tribal carpet design I built along with two others in the parking strip of a well known garden in Portland, Oregon</td></tr>
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The fourth was more ornate, with a Persian influence somewhat reminiscent of the Birth of the Universe carpet.<br />
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I later built another carpet mosaic in the French Aubusson style for Lucy's friend Nancy Goldman at her garden Nancyland, for an article being written for Better Homes and Gardens magazine. We placed glass doorknobs in the corners ringed with pebbles to make flowers and a cut crystal coaster in the center medallion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswkZsGKNh4YvJsXHyNXwxxRwKFcGlAicnUhctdRiKLxDd9A7kSf9t2locDqM2MRO3NDUOmRWhGuXEo-3pX-wZNVBF60VIn8-UyJDv6SQCa_uqD16b0OyIngD1ahcqsluqC40iHd_L_oin/s1600/Aubusson+Carpet.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswkZsGKNh4YvJsXHyNXwxxRwKFcGlAicnUhctdRiKLxDd9A7kSf9t2locDqM2MRO3NDUOmRWhGuXEo-3pX-wZNVBF60VIn8-UyJDv6SQCa_uqD16b0OyIngD1ahcqsluqC40iHd_L_oin/s640/Aubusson+Carpet.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moss overtakes a carpet mosaic in the parking strip at Nancyland</td></tr>
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My friend, landscape architect Mert Hauck Geiger designed a carpet mosaic for clients incorporating terracotta tiles that I built in a sunken space between the house and garage, with a large double lotus medallion surrounded by flowers and a crenalated wall. It requires a great deal of care to mix materials like this, as the pebbles are organic shapes and the tiles have such straight edges, so a lot of sorting for uniform shapes was required.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjignMZztcdu6Dq5365ktH2xjP9HWJ2-4k5QPbX45ou_R6k065SiuM77RnaDp9aRU11PCl-AVwyXwQYav4edwltaBBw_G51ynczrj2RPcu9wgLAG9FKX9CV9xZGYopuVSiMfAR7vcYyGzbw/s1600/Becraft+Levy+Patio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjignMZztcdu6Dq5365ktH2xjP9HWJ2-4k5QPbX45ou_R6k065SiuM77RnaDp9aRU11PCl-AVwyXwQYav4edwltaBBw_G51ynczrj2RPcu9wgLAG9FKX9CV9xZGYopuVSiMfAR7vcYyGzbw/s640/Becraft+Levy+Patio.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beacraft Levy patio incorporates tiles in to the design</td></tr>
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When I bought the former Crack house next door to my original house I spent 7 years gutting and restoring it from a very dilapadated state. The garden surrounding my houses are tiny, and I wanted to build a Persian carpet based on a design I had seen, with an Islamic Mihrab, or altar that is oriented towards Mecca for prayer in front of the house. Inside the niche frame are two Cypress trees representing longevity, and a Tree of Life centered between them. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcTYKuXIQ26LVcAeaAi8PVqIGA42YMUxnw9Hm2HA1noieF1sphPCYZHj9rnhyphenhyphensfsmkq-P5c7xdqc1zyHXgJuQuPnCGCphBr-dpqXDnDEWGnI1FDfId4Z_4_flUwPGEVo2Ymg6mOvP_FAA/s1600/1x+Sarouk+Prayer+Rug+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1094" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcTYKuXIQ26LVcAeaAi8PVqIGA42YMUxnw9Hm2HA1noieF1sphPCYZHj9rnhyphenhyphensfsmkq-P5c7xdqc1zyHXgJuQuPnCGCphBr-dpqXDnDEWGnI1FDfId4Z_4_flUwPGEVo2Ymg6mOvP_FAA/s640/1x+Sarouk+Prayer+Rug+copy.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Persian Sarouk Carpet with Cypress Trees and a Tree of Life</td></tr>
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It took me 4 years to collect the pebbles I needed to build this mosaic, which is about 4x6 feet in size. I use pebbles collected from the wild in my garden rather than sorting from piles in stone yards. I think wild collected stone is more magical as the memory of the places I gathered them are attached to them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgKJwEfzLnHkyJeYNerpqBWaz7Gfdf4t1MbIKD_1LO3kUYWPHTe6ZqQ2skMj57Bn0xsJ2G_B1ocgHtNZXiW81MkEsO2BAFjP2CcPg0B7hgXULiHDw4jyVY-438XQTyDQkd-_ODpP_iQzz/s1600/1y+Prayer+Rug+Mosaic+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1153" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgKJwEfzLnHkyJeYNerpqBWaz7Gfdf4t1MbIKD_1LO3kUYWPHTe6ZqQ2skMj57Bn0xsJ2G_B1ocgHtNZXiW81MkEsO2BAFjP2CcPg0B7hgXULiHDw4jyVY-438XQTyDQkd-_ODpP_iQzz/s640/1y+Prayer+Rug+Mosaic+copy.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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Because the carpet design is directional it is viewed from the entry walk. A sandstone carving of the Sarnath Buddha I brought back from Bubaneshwar, Orissa, in India sits at the end of the carpet, maximizing the visual potential of this tiny garden space.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTtaD9WkiF8gCU4YgJWdmrLYNd2WnolACwFE7BuQ_aeyXTcRjHYUO_9qI3_rjE605v8QPt9qvsKYxbmyStIHVYRq5EY-j1eJldjtNgn2a1b0JRLeKWc-_OdQRmRTxDUQInP0cIPEfXug-/s1600/1z+Carpet+Patio+%2526+Buddha+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTtaD9WkiF8gCU4YgJWdmrLYNd2WnolACwFE7BuQ_aeyXTcRjHYUO_9qI3_rjE605v8QPt9qvsKYxbmyStIHVYRq5EY-j1eJldjtNgn2a1b0JRLeKWc-_OdQRmRTxDUQInP0cIPEfXug-/s640/1z+Carpet+Patio+%2526+Buddha+copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sarnath Buddha holds his hands in the teaching mudras, with the Wheel of Law behind his head and his diciples at his feet. </td></tr>
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My next carpet project was a small entry mat at the front of a gate as a trade for steel work that a friend did around my garden. I was using a lot of hand sorted stones picked from an assortment of colored pebbles called Montana Rainbow Mix. Red is the predominant color, but there are also gold, green, purple, and white pebbles in smaller quantities. I used red for the main body of the carpet, and Indonesian turquoise pebbles purchased by the bag, along with Mexican Beach pebbles and some round flat beach stones I collected from the wild. There is a central lotus medallion and spiraling arabesques, and a simple crenalated border wall. It makes an eye catching threshold to the garden behind the gate, which has paths made of stepping stones with a complimentary design. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCWV8VHDe7wcFIXKRLl4AOOfLUHLnH0gueTHcf_S2w6P94hEBmM-MrE9NRwIDhKfCLXml5bKGB22swAG-VD_Okg2URe-ATAo5g3IH2zVPhNjm1Bf5VmBx5xeXaEmoH6JIZwOwyl93Ft3k/s1600/2c+Sam%2527s+Carpet+Mosaic+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCWV8VHDe7wcFIXKRLl4AOOfLUHLnH0gueTHcf_S2w6P94hEBmM-MrE9NRwIDhKfCLXml5bKGB22swAG-VD_Okg2URe-ATAo5g3IH2zVPhNjm1Bf5VmBx5xeXaEmoH6JIZwOwyl93Ft3k/s640/2c+Sam%2527s+Carpet+Mosaic+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam's carpet at the entrance to his garden</td></tr>
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A garden designer from Portland was working on a project for friends in Los Angeles when she came across the Birth of the Universe carpet while visiting a friend who lived there. She talked me in to flying to LA to look at the garden remodel where I was asked to built an inset in a poured concrete patio outside the newly remodeled kitchen doors. I wasn't wild about the patio but I loved the doors and the kitchen, and created what is probably the most precisely executed mosaic I've ever done. I hand picked the material in Portland and drove them down to LA. I laid out the design in sand to determine exactly what I needed for the various lines and fields of pebbles in the design, which was inspired by Moroccan style carpets they had in the house. I cut tiles of Turkish Limestone with a small stone saw to create the star like medallions and used glazed 8 pointed star shaped tiles I bought from the Pratt and Larson Tile Company in Portland. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwylt8L2HoZOsLK6Yvib1VW0kz-xzylvB5Pa_BSLzw4RnBtZJV8Yy-H2jvBjwmd3UvSfFAuhkA1Zy7y5ndBj7ei6Kuk_H1xf1QOQ9hj7BVf21oJ2AtijVBwja9i8nHEV4hcscRePIhYp-k/s1600/Brooke+%2526+Tony%2527s+construc369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1548" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwylt8L2HoZOsLK6Yvib1VW0kz-xzylvB5Pa_BSLzw4RnBtZJV8Yy-H2jvBjwmd3UvSfFAuhkA1Zy7y5ndBj7ei6Kuk_H1xf1QOQ9hj7BVf21oJ2AtijVBwja9i8nHEV4hcscRePIhYp-k/s640/Brooke+%2526+Tony%2527s+construc369.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I then removed the pebbles, keeping them sorted in piles, and reassembled the mosaic, setting it in wet mortar using 1x4 forms to set the sections, maintaining the straight lines in the design. <br />
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The finished mosaic is very fine. It has undulations that translate well to the character of a woven carpet. Its held up well over the years. The climate in LA is mild so the tiles haven't popped out as there aren't freezing temperatures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUxbD5YDT_UQOpk6TlCgaufsYWpqjYiovLKNG_4PoBb0_M_7IH3QDDZQ-tBsXZQzFeWyjaNIqI06PQ7V7nAKRWbxQfDQ-nCwEh8Mw2Vp_tyg7nXF7fDoBgZtVEwwXrvUcdn1E_xOGMGd3/s1600/2d+Brooke+%2526+Tony%2527s+Carpet+Mosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUxbD5YDT_UQOpk6TlCgaufsYWpqjYiovLKNG_4PoBb0_M_7IH3QDDZQ-tBsXZQzFeWyjaNIqI06PQ7V7nAKRWbxQfDQ-nCwEh8Mw2Vp_tyg7nXF7fDoBgZtVEwwXrvUcdn1E_xOGMGd3/s640/2d+Brooke+%2526+Tony%2527s+Carpet+Mosaic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When my clients who I built the Birth of the Universe carpet decided to build an underground garage for two cars, we adapted the design so that it would have a flat patio roof you could walk on to from the narrow area around the house. This was technically the most difficult patio I have ever built. We used cut stone tiles in 4 colors that matched the color scheme on the house. The clients had traveled to Spain and Argentina and liked the idea of a ballroom floor with Moorish 8 pointed star medallions centered in a field of golden stone tiles from India that have wonderful fossilized patterns in them that are sometimes remenscent of Japanese landscape paintings or fern fronds. The patio drains perfectly in to two small drain holes on one side. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying out cut stone for the patio design </td></tr>
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This was not an easy task, and you often see large puddles on pavements like this because it is hard to get the pitch right so that all the water drains off of the surface. We had to seal the roof with an elastomeric rubber like sealer so that water wouldn't leak through the concrete pour. Then we used a latex additive to the mortar mix to give it a stickier bonding quality. It took an enormous amount of cutting to produce all of the pieces fitting together in this design, and I will never do it again! It is perhaps the prettiest garage roof I have ever seen though, so perhaps it was worth all the effort, and there are no puddles!<br />
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At the entrance to the garage I built an inset mosaic carpet with some similarity to the Birth of the Universe carpet to bring some continuity to the garden. It is like a mat in front of the nicely crafted garage door and can be seen from the roof terrace when looking over the railing. There is a lot of foot traffic on this street and people often stop to admire the mosaic. The stones we used were chosen for their larger thickness so that they would embed well in to the mortar and not pop out when driven on.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driveway inset carpet mosaic</td></tr>
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Last Summer I was commissioned to build a mosaic carpet at the entrance to an extravagant home in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. Again I had to hand sort all of the pebbles in Portland and then transport them down to LA. I cant say I love the drive, or working in that city. It was not a fun project, but the house is impressive and I wanted the design to be inspiring for me as well as the clients and their guests, as they entertain a lot. I worked out a concept based on photos of the architecture of the entrance to the house, which has double doors with square panels on each door. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN42jkRdtCUiGjHNI4d-d7mD5nLGpj21si4w0nmSyZvESYU0vA88R3ZB9ahtWncBv4cR_a-q92eMpyEKBwUI5pOzgFiyV9Xy0tsUCUqGnJ4Uj6cvQh82eoYCI7wSSiJNPGt9QFavnK6E9_/s1600/House+entry+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1242" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN42jkRdtCUiGjHNI4d-d7mD5nLGpj21si4w0nmSyZvESYU0vA88R3ZB9ahtWncBv4cR_a-q92eMpyEKBwUI5pOzgFiyV9Xy0tsUCUqGnJ4Uj6cvQh82eoYCI7wSSiJNPGt9QFavnK6E9_/s640/House+entry+before.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entry area and site of a proposed pebble mosaic</td></tr>
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I had photographed a carpet in the Museum of Islamic Art in Istanbul , Turkey years ago that is a classic plan view of a Persian Chahar Bagh, or four quartered garden divided by the Four Rivers of Paradise as described in the Bible and the Koran. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXzzL9nxYIHARQ7kU3xOiy6hfP2YywEFlZn7j4ybMF0lJTHqev_8lYJB0qrIaLVJAckpxrn78KeZyPzp-JnokC5eOD8g4v8Sg0-hCAagwue3vuW6sERiSavnPHXb95-46lf6SM2m-rkAo/s1600/1c+Persian+Garden+Carpet+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="986" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXzzL9nxYIHARQ7kU3xOiy6hfP2YywEFlZn7j4ybMF0lJTHqev_8lYJB0qrIaLVJAckpxrn78KeZyPzp-JnokC5eOD8g4v8Sg0-hCAagwue3vuW6sERiSavnPHXb95-46lf6SM2m-rkAo/s640/1c+Persian+Garden+Carpet+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A classic Chahar Bagh garden carpet divided by the four rivers of paradise, Museum of Islamic Arts, Istanbul</td></tr>
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I love how this carpet depicts the plan view of a paradise garden, with a square pool with a fountain, and fish swimming in stylized rippling water. The rivers frame four planting beds filled with flowers and abstracted plants and patterns. <br />
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I used 1x4 inch boards to form the areas, and constructed the border of the carpet, using red pebbles and 8 pointed glazed tile stars. 8 pointed stars are an Islamic motif comprised of two overlapping squares, representing the overlaying of time (the four seasons) and space (the four cardinal directions).<br />
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I again used Montana Rainbow Mix pebbles as a source and spent many long tedious hours sitting on the pile at the stone yard, wetting them so that I could see the colors. I was able to collect enough green to make the rivers and plants. I used small black Mexican Beach pebbles for the borders. They come in black and a kind of olivine green, which I used for tree trunks and for the Cypresses. I had to rent a vehicle to do the 900 mile drive so that I could fly back, and rented an apartment on Airbnb for 8 nights. Out of town projects are expensive for this reason and these costs need to be taken in to consideration when proposing out of town commissions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVxQUjT6_x2Ih36GOANxcOJrkc13Z8ei5TvMYpLgEMazt_lPvrEX4G3LG7mMytBSSuJQnhW3hI5MNRqGkcgE7QmNShHPd5ZIe2XClm6BUtcWtTDCc9JckmMMFtWLZ8XiHY85-4LPH0WoW/s1600/Sorting+pebbles+for+LA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVxQUjT6_x2Ih36GOANxcOJrkc13Z8ei5TvMYpLgEMazt_lPvrEX4G3LG7mMytBSSuJQnhW3hI5MNRqGkcgE7QmNShHPd5ZIe2XClm6BUtcWtTDCc9JckmMMFtWLZ8XiHY85-4LPH0WoW/s640/Sorting+pebbles+for+LA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montana Rainbow pebbles at All About Stone in Portland</td></tr>
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Once the border was completed, I set the square pool at the center with a tile mandala that would represent the fountain, where the spring of water would emerge to irrigate the garden. The star tiles also suggest the night sky reflecting on the surface of the water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScKmKWKs_B4NjtYNzFxaMZh0s6BbBn-lEgv8cOozm8WDks0ArbWaDc6DX2rDspy6hLqRYr9pVX4ctfu4tA7Uf7-KlGfzuRxEj5d18ikn0NLe9eR3bJwQOGND9xlpmZTAQGHonhv4hD2Yy/s1600/P1220210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScKmKWKs_B4NjtYNzFxaMZh0s6BbBn-lEgv8cOozm8WDks0ArbWaDc6DX2rDspy6hLqRYr9pVX4ctfu4tA7Uf7-KlGfzuRxEj5d18ikn0NLe9eR3bJwQOGND9xlpmZTAQGHonhv4hD2Yy/s640/P1220210.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Medallion with 8 pointed stars</td></tr>
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Then I framed and set the four rivers. In the Book of Genesis names the rivers as the Pishon, Gihon, Chidekel (The Tigris) and the Phirat (The Euphrates). There are texts that refer to the Pishon as being the Ganges in India, and Gihon as the Nile in Africa. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCtOh-LCj9UHmbrX52mpV6hVjmzjJTYcFq5-roWsAshAvQaqfCODXSuus8dEHeEnqSRoR2BkDxVKK7Fx1wSXTMxbgJ631NTP1qEwz_XUG0Mjk7cqE2Utrc1KkZTrhxR7ca4odsc4oNlYz/s1600/LA+Day+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCtOh-LCj9UHmbrX52mpV6hVjmzjJTYcFq5-roWsAshAvQaqfCODXSuus8dEHeEnqSRoR2BkDxVKK7Fx1wSXTMxbgJ631NTP1qEwz_XUG0Mjk7cqE2Utrc1KkZTrhxR7ca4odsc4oNlYz/s640/LA+Day+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Four Rivers of Paradise in place</td></tr>
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Now that the rivers were in place I was able to start working on the four part garden, or Chahar Bagh. This was the trickiest part as my pebbles were not the most refined and I was under time constraints. I couldn't start work until the sun had passed over the house and there was a shadow over my work space. It was in the high 80's and 90's so the time I had to set the pebbles was shortened by the speed with which the mortar would dry. I had a limited range of colors to work with to make convincing beds of plants. So the design was in part determined by the quantities of pebbles I had. I used tiny black Mexican beach pebbles to make small planting beds that alluded to plowed soil with simple stylized flowers in them. The predominant plants in the garden around this house are tall Italian Cypress trees, and handsome Olive trees, so I opted to make both types of trees in rectangles in the corners. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fwIX-Nl5Sq_MvjQMi4G538JYMGanmzPRuxkrEww84IVH00G4hTksILqTy50clBs0e5D4CHHdXgSGAOOku2POF-La69_ECWtyIWThKcU9Vn0_jDna_eYCPbXTD3ImwydJN9Vzjb0Gk9On/s1600/Olive+Tree+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fwIX-Nl5Sq_MvjQMi4G538JYMGanmzPRuxkrEww84IVH00G4hTksILqTy50clBs0e5D4CHHdXgSGAOOku2POF-La69_ECWtyIWThKcU9Vn0_jDna_eYCPbXTD3ImwydJN9Vzjb0Gk9On/s640/Olive+Tree+detail.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I finished the work right on schedule, with a sore back and a mess to clean up. I had to leave the acid wash cleaning to a maintenance contractor as I flew home the next day. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gdOEVlf8otRzQefv7SICVS-qkqQ2VWSJiYXhWxk7JFvZ8d44UHAC_LwQjN22JxXVh1azLPtUNr3k0uc1r5ekosVtPVmIiXC2YzYWUkn3fcuXOQeKYkpJdrtuZ7MWCLJm_OSmwfrEVOyY/s1600/LA+Day+9+finished+mosaic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gdOEVlf8otRzQefv7SICVS-qkqQ2VWSJiYXhWxk7JFvZ8d44UHAC_LwQjN22JxXVh1azLPtUNr3k0uc1r5ekosVtPVmIiXC2YzYWUkn3fcuXOQeKYkpJdrtuZ7MWCLJm_OSmwfrEVOyY/s640/LA+Day+9+finished+mosaic.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEfnKYWQesrT8nPP0cQArmSWfJfwZeinp2ISzkQci64Lfhyr5eA7NzpkCQN1t91f-HHlcpkiOMHG5TqRpQS1K4-R_1_NbBZcjtLTpSHMpkXtP-kjTZm3iljBsIm0KWbCBck6k_idM3JgA/s1600/Finished+mosaic%252C+house.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEfnKYWQesrT8nPP0cQArmSWfJfwZeinp2ISzkQci64Lfhyr5eA7NzpkCQN1t91f-HHlcpkiOMHG5TqRpQS1K4-R_1_NbBZcjtLTpSHMpkXtP-kjTZm3iljBsIm0KWbCBck6k_idM3JgA/s640/Finished+mosaic%252C+house.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I instructed them to let the mortar cure for two weeks before pouring a diluted mix of one part Muriatic Acid mixed with two parts water, letting it disolve the mortar film that make a greyish cast on the pebbles. The acid also exposes some sand in the mortar so it isn't a white cement look between the stones. Adequate protection, long sleeves, chemical proof long gloves, and a respirator are needed. The fizzling mixture of the acid reacting to the base in the mortar is hosed off with a spray nozzle which further dilutes and neutralizes the acid.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1guCkFsp3snnX1i-8b8kyoYZbVdnC-ZhRD4GV8uDbbL0ZcRfRCorDG30zYj7kE324qg7gAR-HBbV-OH2NY1Ar7FML4GKJgLFixwTucJC2eODs76YdPNkpeIPz63FHGPZBpkN9mhqw_zS/s1600/Carpet+cleaned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1guCkFsp3snnX1i-8b8kyoYZbVdnC-ZhRD4GV8uDbbL0ZcRfRCorDG30zYj7kE324qg7gAR-HBbV-OH2NY1Ar7FML4GKJgLFixwTucJC2eODs76YdPNkpeIPz63FHGPZBpkN9mhqw_zS/s640/Carpet+cleaned.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshly acid washed mosaic</td></tr>
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The lawn was then replaces where it had been damaged. The final photo is one taken with someone's phone. I don't think I'll ever be back to see it again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOAfrhcEy0At87GUllhyphenhyphenUJQ6kQixrk0ZHljsBccfk6vHfuw7aQNCVca4pKPUjeJbiMdUhDWimsgvF3LQGuwpmB9ZeCh-G6dwPhU2kO2GeSrnBDItamwbgZBJWuWQ0ehzRX6tuOfWNqawL/s1600/4+rivers+mosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOAfrhcEy0At87GUllhyphenhyphenUJQ6kQixrk0ZHljsBccfk6vHfuw7aQNCVca4pKPUjeJbiMdUhDWimsgvF3LQGuwpmB9ZeCh-G6dwPhU2kO2GeSrnBDItamwbgZBJWuWQ0ehzRX6tuOfWNqawL/s640/4+rivers+mosaic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed Four Rivers of Paradise Carpet Mosaic</td></tr>
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I'm sure this wont be the last carpet mosaic I'll be building. They work well as a design element in the right setting in a garden, have the potential for lovely references, and do a nice job of bridging architecture and nature in to a work of art. And they allude to paradise, which is what gardening is all about for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPig3MMc2mnrhfRqWxPNj0xQIWPB1F2SZ5r9uM4lSPvcu-rUE2GgdONGc_V3Ghi34w4pFAstKDY4ft7g7hSAKswR8Ua_EKlV9SnMQ7FXwl1_lzx2lTrOnGActbDECl2_0y0CFcP2Ji_84N/s1600/Persian+Garden+Carpet+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1111" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPig3MMc2mnrhfRqWxPNj0xQIWPB1F2SZ5r9uM4lSPvcu-rUE2GgdONGc_V3Ghi34w4pFAstKDY4ft7g7hSAKswR8Ua_EKlV9SnMQ7FXwl1_lzx2lTrOnGActbDECl2_0y0CFcP2Ji_84N/s640/Persian+Garden+Carpet+b.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A magnificent Persian carpet with Cypress trees in a lush garden</td></tr>
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Thanks for reading, Jeffrey<br />
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-56458806127924962432020-03-22T11:23:00.001-07:002021-12-01T23:09:41.163-08:00The Gardens of Tepoztlán, Mexico<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWEvtO1d5KEO-vmAU5vlDpdtL-1os64ZG_9A7flWnJZZIh94H5iuwn0qyKGcKSg7KjrdkEcvV03HlILEIQ2lD0FtBb_eCVxL6qQxjqYYVykXunSX0A49zWe7OJtyoD4roAh26ghjoUnfp/s1600/P1070796.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWEvtO1d5KEO-vmAU5vlDpdtL-1os64ZG_9A7flWnJZZIh94H5iuwn0qyKGcKSg7KjrdkEcvV03HlILEIQ2lD0FtBb_eCVxL6qQxjqYYVykXunSX0A49zWe7OJtyoD4roAh26ghjoUnfp/s640/P1070796.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A strangler fig draped over lava stones on the trail leading to the Pyramid</td></tr>
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This winter I was making a somewhat epic overland journey from Paris to the Island of Crete in Greece. Just before the New Year, as I was preparing to celebrate what for me had been a pretty great year in the beautiful city of Nice on the French Riviera, my beloved Mother passed away. This was very unexpected as she had recently had a hip replacement and I spent a month with her during her recovery. I had celebrated Thanksgiving with her and my Brother and his Wife a few days before I flew to Paris. So suddenly, with a very broken heart I had to make my way back to Paris and fly home during one of the busiest travel times of the year. I make a habit of not being in Oregon during the winter, and it had been more than 3 1/2 decades since the last time I'd done so. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhAyznSTqkIRRnmKxneP7f5f3dPujBBvuJwQFLyfJQvQ3tPgN0e7gpcamM_b84AFqUeThvkbqIJR8_DhKj_iXRLynNRC0RO9oZ-NiNL2WSyPybA8x-DdqKvnXxWKqHoC7OvFHBypC_xfh/s1600/Mom+Labyrinth.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhAyznSTqkIRRnmKxneP7f5f3dPujBBvuJwQFLyfJQvQ3tPgN0e7gpcamM_b84AFqUeThvkbqIJR8_DhKj_iXRLynNRC0RO9oZ-NiNL2WSyPybA8x-DdqKvnXxWKqHoC7OvFHBypC_xfh/s400/Mom+Labyrinth.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mother and I sitting on the "Mother Stone" during the dedication of the Halls Hill Labyrinth, with the full moon mosaic I made on her birthday at our feet.</td></tr>
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I moved in to my Mother's house on a small rural estate outside of Eugene and helped prepare for what was a beautiful memorial service. We have a wonderful family, and I was able to contact many of her dear old friends. Her granddaughters came for a week and helped me begin the daunting task of going through her things. She had lived on this farm for 43 years and had managed to accumulate enormous quantities of things. She did not like to throw things away because of great sentiment, the impact of being born during the depression, and an obsessive compulsion to organize and label everything before storing it away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CVU5cW3qACKXEtcdhfo4LWjcSPpxkfdfODYNF8tsLpzFf3JPubfQ574B-Jh2ag37u4s5KJCKZQo43rsICsXyqZYk1tIx1aChgtoJ7Z34hn7Sq3t5JAI-d3MQ_RpKoyy4gy7MPgX2Jirj/s1600/Cans.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9CVU5cW3qACKXEtcdhfo4LWjcSPpxkfdfODYNF8tsLpzFf3JPubfQ574B-Jh2ag37u4s5KJCKZQo43rsICsXyqZYk1tIx1aChgtoJ7Z34hn7Sq3t5JAI-d3MQ_RpKoyy4gy7MPgX2Jirj/s640/Cans.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A labeled can, full of nested cans I found in the garage. Shades of Marcel du Champ</td></tr>
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Going through the house, the garage, the barn, the garden shed, the chicken house, and the pole shed was an enormous undertaking that revealed a painstaking need to save things. She kept every letter, every card, every photo, the negatives of the photos, newpaper clippings, and magazine articles relating to anything relative to our lives. There are dozens of photo albums. She made detailed albums about my brother's and my childhood, an album for every year in general, meticulously detailed improvements made on the farm, family history going back to the 19th century, and things that she had experienced that nobody knew about. Going through all of this was like excavating the past in vivid detail, and unless I was going to open a library on the scale of those done for presidents, and had to throw a lot away. I am a practical person, but much of what I do is based on who my Mother was and the influence she had on me. I am a very detail oriented person as well. You have to be when you build pebble mosaics for a living.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the meticulously beautiful cone wreaths my Mother made when I was a child</td></tr>
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After 6 weeks of reliving every minute aspect of our childhoods and the lives of everyone she knew, I was emotionally exhausted. I take a lot of photos and one of the main reasons was so I could share what I see with my Mother. I think of her every time I take a picture. She wont be seeing them anymore, but I still take them for her. It makes me cry a lot. Tears are coming as I write this.<br />
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I travel to regain my sanity, one that is challenged by chores of every day life and the chaos of the World that presents itself in the media day after day. I am not a fan of the current administration running our country. I deplore Xenophobia, because I am a well traveled Libran and know how good most people in the world are. There is no supreme race. America is not number one. There is no reason to look down upon others based on differences when you see what is really going on in the world first hand. All of the Muslims I've ever met are gracious, wonderful people. We are so lucky to border Mexico (and occupy a fair amount of what was once part of Mexico. Our culture would be greatly lacking without the diverse cultures that come from south of the border. Building a wall to keep them out is so stupid to me. Thats where I first learned to travel in foriegn country. That is where I returned to heal my broken heart after the loss of my Mother. It was the first of many countries she traveled to as well. She loved it.<br />
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I'm lucky to be self employed and able to go when I need to. I set my life up this way on purpose. I work very hard when I work so that I can take time to get away for long periods of time. So I stayed up late one night and booked a flight to Mexico City. It would have been too costly and time consuming to return to Europe and resume my journey to Crete. My two side by side houses in Portland were subletted for the winter until March so it made sense to me to make this trip. <br />
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The last time I spent a winter in Mexico was the year before I started my two 6 month stints working at Camp Glenorchy in New Zealand. Right before I left I met up with a friend who lives in Mexico City who told me about the town of Tepoztlán, a couple of hours away in a mountainous region to the south in the state of Morelos. It sounded really interesting to me. It turns out there is a bus directly from the airport that passes through the town so I found a nice looking and very affordable place near the mercado on Airbnb, and a couple of weeks later was on a plane. It turned out that two good friends had been there for over a week and we would have two days of overlap. <br />
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I arrived by taxi from the small bus station outside of town after a beautiful ride through pine and oak forested mountains, obnoxiously seranaded by a dubbed action film they always show on buses. Mexico City is one of the largest in the world and its amazing that you can be out in such a lovely landscape once you get past the traffic jams of the metropolis. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dramatic mountain landscape surrounding Tepoztlán</td></tr>
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My home for a week was on a narrow cobbled street called Guadalupe Rojas. Traditional Mexican buildings are walled from the street, with a gate large enough for vehicles to pass through. I knocked on the large brown painted wooden gates and a sweet woman named Placida opened the door and let me in. Two friendly standard poodles came to greet me and continued to do so every time I came and went during the week. Behind the gate lies a veritable paradise. Hot pink bouganvillea covers the high stone wall by the cobbled stone driveway. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bouganvillea draped wall in hot pink splendor by the entry drive</td></tr>
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The most massive Philodendron I have ever seen screens the garden from the parking courtyard paved with square red bricks. When there aren't any cars parked on it, it is a lovely courtyard.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A huge Philodendron encloses the parking court from the gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging and potted plants surrounding a vine covered tree in the courtyard</td></tr>
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The simple cabana I had reserved was right by a lovely oval swimming pool surrounded by Heliconias and Papyrus, with the scent of lemon and lime trees in bloom. Lush green lawns framed by low walls with rows of large planted pots and clipped hedges are shaded by tall trees of many kinds. This is the dry season but the dramatic surrounding mountains are covered in exuberant vegetation. It must be even more respendent in the Summer when the rains come. I had chosen well to stay here, heaven on Earth. This place is magical.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gardens at Guadalupe Rojas</td></tr>
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A solar heater on the roof of my vine draped cabana heats the water for my shower and the swimming pool, which was the perfect temperature. A cup of coffee in the morning has nothing over being able to step out the door in the morning and jump in to a tiled oval of water and then lying on the warm stone coping to dry off while the poodles nap on the lawn. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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I shared the pool with other guests residing in discretely located bungalows tucked away in the gardens but we seemed to time it so there was little overlap.<br />
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The garden is a wide terrace on a hillside with views of the mountains framing the valley beyond. They are of volcanic origin, with layers of successive flows of lava stacked upon each other, which then eroded to make dramatic vertical slopes. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mountain view from the edge of the garden</td></tr>
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I have a critical eye for detail and I found the gardens at Guadalupe Rojas to be beautifully composed. The lawns are perfectly scaled, and framed with interesting elements.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low curved lava stone walls frame hedges and beds filled with a wonderful variety of plants</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A patio in the center of the garden surrounded by low walls and potted plants</td></tr>
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After a nap (my flight was a red eye) my friends came to pick me up and we walked to the nearby market for lunch. This is one of the best mercados in Mexico, laden with beautiful produce, fresh meats, grains and spices. A number of open kitchens whirl with activity surrounded by counters and benches filled with hungry customers. Fresh tortillas are pressed and cooked on large round steel griddles along with flat pounded slices of beef, shredded chicken, cabeza de cabra (goats head) and a variety of vegetables. I don't eat beef and lean towards vegeterian foods so I opted for a taco de chile relleno and a huarache, a thick oval tortilla heaped with delicious ingredients. The taco came first and was huge, unlike the small ones I'm used to in the US. Fresh squeezed mandarine orange juice is a heavenly accompaniment. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taco de Chile Relleno, the best I've ever had</td></tr>
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While I was eating this they prepared my huarache. Tepoztlán's market is special for its prehispanic ingredients. Amaranth and Chapulin ( a type of roasted grasshopper), Flor de Calabaza (squash blossoms), Nopales (prickly pear pads), and Cuitlacoche (corn smut, a type of fungus that infects corn cobs) are commonly used and delicious. <br />
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My huarache was heaped with lovely squash blossoms, earthy corn smut, and mushrooms, with stringy Queso quesillo and garnished with avocado. It tasted incredible but was too much to eat so I finished it off for dinner later. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huarache cooking on the grill</td></tr>
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This would be a hugely popular gourmet dish back in the foodie city of Portland where I live.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful vegetarian Huarache I returned to eat again and again</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite food stall in the Tepoztlán market</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76FbmBg4FZTqQGY80qWgwWIPnc8255CCcc8QKXYGQ3LfzaQ7d7jPZKEVct4ITn4x4HwOOQQ3ZgmvL7lMecn9zGvaIkHlje5EZvtkRLLNHJ7glB966kJ8rAC7CDR1tEKlKoFqoxZ6TC1yN/s1600/P1080302.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76FbmBg4FZTqQGY80qWgwWIPnc8255CCcc8QKXYGQ3LfzaQ7d7jPZKEVct4ITn4x4HwOOQQ3ZgmvL7lMecn9zGvaIkHlje5EZvtkRLLNHJ7glB966kJ8rAC7CDR1tEKlKoFqoxZ6TC1yN/s640/P1080302.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A menu of various Huaraches at my favorite food stall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r20pghnYNU7MVIY_F5M28jPrBN_EbE9CMOY9ExsdDVP6PyV09bUm_reWVyUfuJy7_c5YAj8YY4eWQWAd1kRKESGTEHIKgR3gNPlLQGuE-A5jIfc1uvaKPuKFlFXMalDJFBcZUW1KXDUt/s1600/P1080512.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r20pghnYNU7MVIY_F5M28jPrBN_EbE9CMOY9ExsdDVP6PyV09bUm_reWVyUfuJy7_c5YAj8YY4eWQWAd1kRKESGTEHIKgR3gNPlLQGuE-A5jIfc1uvaKPuKFlFXMalDJFBcZUW1KXDUt/s640/P1080512.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flore de Calabaza, Squash flowers have been cultivated in the region for over 10,000 years</td></tr>
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There is another stand called El Cuatecomate that my friends turned me on to that was more modern in decor but ancient in its ingredients. They prepare a variety of patties prepared with Amaranth, Beets, Cacao, Chiles, Calabaza, Quelite (wild herbs) and a number of other locally grown vegetarian products, heated and served with delicious sauces. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3I5s99wlIvPKmBikuTNo7ng7fiFBED5FCObpf-qAhvHK_SP7kgvxyKx0JPg3wFd4SJw-bTaAxEyDI4DvO3Sn0_wVcZlyxCrz2oAvePkHKfz30bXn2DojrYtW7e841lhSwpJpgN9ZOLIp/s1600/P1070844.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3I5s99wlIvPKmBikuTNo7ng7fiFBED5FCObpf-qAhvHK_SP7kgvxyKx0JPg3wFd4SJw-bTaAxEyDI4DvO3Sn0_wVcZlyxCrz2oAvePkHKfz30bXn2DojrYtW7e841lhSwpJpgN9ZOLIp/s640/P1070844.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing patties made with Prehispanic ingredients. I wish I could buy these in Portland</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1X4tRgRG0hIzZhTyayR9r5LMLXCYI7lj1loO8jmw_SUd7Vx8tCSjtoOvPLJ-W0XOjpW28jBG3HMo6XgoxLdZq7C4GQPvvx_jyUZv4l0iqW0xiK1t2005SoYvvnf1qSJsUlzt_jjQ-werW/s1600/P1070843.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1X4tRgRG0hIzZhTyayR9r5LMLXCYI7lj1loO8jmw_SUd7Vx8tCSjtoOvPLJ-W0XOjpW28jBG3HMo6XgoxLdZq7C4GQPvvx_jyUZv4l0iqW0xiK1t2005SoYvvnf1qSJsUlzt_jjQ-werW/s640/P1070843.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prehispanic foods prepared at El Cuatecomate</td></tr>
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When they dish is served he said in Spanish that he was giving me this food as an offering (una ofrenda). I'm still feeling emotionally vulnerable and this made me cry. So beautiful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6XJyLhRtWC2dHpCIXP3v6XtE9coAShChT_pufhD_omZoEnF5OGnY5CTPgQ_0SvBMQvA8l15GPjZqdg2F_L8_tApCrF1ST4HDWlXT-S4NRNcq5zrZMw9E1KZb9xd9WOnP8yoM5EtFRbTD/s1600/P1080008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6XJyLhRtWC2dHpCIXP3v6XtE9coAShChT_pufhD_omZoEnF5OGnY5CTPgQ_0SvBMQvA8l15GPjZqdg2F_L8_tApCrF1ST4HDWlXT-S4NRNcq5zrZMw9E1KZb9xd9WOnP8yoM5EtFRbTD/s640/P1080008.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prehispanic patties with sauces, and fresh Jugo de Maracuya (Passionfruit)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9WFEhGDv_UtHJSKyNToemeyiRqkvOi86cdpj83PyyQw_AfUEHN0QbgcCCV_Pq1fvdi_L2ZsotspG9JccP7KGW6OcrGH7483Bt0YInv8i8fSysHesYaxzt0NXZRUEqt7HQ6ZjykVfVnad/s1600/P1070845.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9WFEhGDv_UtHJSKyNToemeyiRqkvOi86cdpj83PyyQw_AfUEHN0QbgcCCV_Pq1fvdi_L2ZsotspG9JccP7KGW6OcrGH7483Bt0YInv8i8fSysHesYaxzt0NXZRUEqt7HQ6ZjykVfVnad/s640/P1070845.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful produce on display in the Mercado</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOPH8sNuHsDFQ5-jR0TA_fEROQyR4xIyNp6KRK-w8CsaHml9hGVlqWIYDYXrC_5JV5Yz93fmawb-3wdQfZQGYPVWxKLrvjCzz0OcndoXSFgt2r-D5h0UvS20A4K4VbDwkeo7xCoTX_jQ3/s1600/P1080465.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOPH8sNuHsDFQ5-jR0TA_fEROQyR4xIyNp6KRK-w8CsaHml9hGVlqWIYDYXrC_5JV5Yz93fmawb-3wdQfZQGYPVWxKLrvjCzz0OcndoXSFgt2r-D5h0UvS20A4K4VbDwkeo7xCoTX_jQ3/s640/P1080465.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Chiles in the Mercado</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mbB8QvxpRpdhdzQKQK5u8A3KcWZX_Thke9GGjuCCAp6YkLe8A54XY-bPz4Wl6eSJb4N07vIgj00f_ak8L8td8wBfCciuDZxA7voHsOCiAw_7R52DrP6V-i9UU53bmj2efYC9wfu1mBXN/s1600/P1080470.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mbB8QvxpRpdhdzQKQK5u8A3KcWZX_Thke9GGjuCCAp6YkLe8A54XY-bPz4Wl6eSJb4N07vIgj00f_ak8L8td8wBfCciuDZxA7voHsOCiAw_7R52DrP6V-i9UU53bmj2efYC9wfu1mBXN/s640/P1080470.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandarinas, Naranjas, Tomates, Tomatillos, Papas, y Sandia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFrVvTj4JIi3D8nfPx5aKx4GmYvTVkilG4YFdUlIFfzwVPs8Yqjwb9rYpIYG4ymnS9tdPl47UjsSBacxShSpJv9PEeoTx4EK7LNW7oI7J5DXULuBKTqkh78WbkwvKZF8bd6ha0yn1Y3AD/s1600/P1080471.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFrVvTj4JIi3D8nfPx5aKx4GmYvTVkilG4YFdUlIFfzwVPs8Yqjwb9rYpIYG4ymnS9tdPl47UjsSBacxShSpJv9PEeoTx4EK7LNW7oI7J5DXULuBKTqkh78WbkwvKZF8bd6ha0yn1Y3AD/s640/P1080471.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nopales (Prickly Pear Cactus) and Agapanthus Flowers </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCDfbiHwsvuP8obBwgfgmFNDQZAaz5zYqhg-ubMqK9SVARDeaP2vqwu4yPJvURDSwUI-H-B3onMeUdHaP1UXmLaeO1KvCA1pFDLbpouZC87bNHlNo_nFv_rDmrSLGKs-B5dAhKMMdvJvq/s1600/P1080460.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCDfbiHwsvuP8obBwgfgmFNDQZAaz5zYqhg-ubMqK9SVARDeaP2vqwu4yPJvURDSwUI-H-B3onMeUdHaP1UXmLaeO1KvCA1pFDLbpouZC87bNHlNo_nFv_rDmrSLGKs-B5dAhKMMdvJvq/s640/P1080460.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicharones are a popular Mexican snack</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMrzNwQkPfFWKd0U7p-lmiisJHj0WACq7imajw4Zcf58OA6rO-BuryZJxKFQA33iEeiAdta8u6RrqXttkaU7hK4zrPkD8obo54jEy9ZRs_D5W_ZQPvTGzzpGLAxOPcSSvH7BwFVqPvbVT/s1600/P1080457.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMrzNwQkPfFWKd0U7p-lmiisJHj0WACq7imajw4Zcf58OA6rO-BuryZJxKFQA33iEeiAdta8u6RrqXttkaU7hK4zrPkD8obo54jEy9ZRs_D5W_ZQPvTGzzpGLAxOPcSSvH7BwFVqPvbVT/s640/P1080457.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabeza de Cabra is used in soups and tacos</td></tr>
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The mercado is located next to the walled garden atrium of the Ex-Convento Dominico de la Natividad, a monastery that was build by Indigenous people conscripted by an order of Dominican priests between 1555 and 1580. The arched entryway is covered in the most astonishing mural made from millions of seeds from 87 varieties of plants. Every year in a festival dedicated to the Virgin celebrated on the 7th of September, a new Portada de Semillas is erected. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhEetDoUUde3hqeMe0fPgp_XqF6q6NFTwYSkf_SuGu3s-WWVaQWCYa80fhpHPZY1kVJDlQI2mFkWjU8oPm7CWqH9zcKyhXJnAoJSx16Q_gR-iK83VO2ajtpeaBk4HQzfe4kp8WJqeDvN2/s1600/P1070966.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhEetDoUUde3hqeMe0fPgp_XqF6q6NFTwYSkf_SuGu3s-WWVaQWCYa80fhpHPZY1kVJDlQI2mFkWjU8oPm7CWqH9zcKyhXJnAoJSx16Q_gR-iK83VO2ajtpeaBk4HQzfe4kp8WJqeDvN2/s640/P1070966.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Portada de Semillas</td></tr>
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The Portada is so extraordinary that it is deserving of its own essay. I photographed every part of it in great detail so that I could study the compositions later on. Scenes of Prehispanic stories and rituals cover the surface, attached to sheets of plywood with raised areas that give it a three dimensional appearance. The richness of colors and beautiful execution show a mastery of the craft of seed mosaic. There is much about the lore of the people who ruled the region before the arrival of Cortez that I do not know. Much research is in store.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJ7GFqFcWp2YxknqaWiA4A3gGzxRWkNgWBCLhjz8_ihZs4uHDia4Rm47UKRdIYyHP-wB_vQKuYL4f10_j-VKFk6cliaY2trnNkPgG0LQBxURkT1YAXxKM7N1LkiMhrJXsuAamAMERuT75/s1600/P1070764.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJ7GFqFcWp2YxknqaWiA4A3gGzxRWkNgWBCLhjz8_ihZs4uHDia4Rm47UKRdIYyHP-wB_vQKuYL4f10_j-VKFk6cliaY2trnNkPgG0LQBxURkT1YAXxKM7N1LkiMhrJXsuAamAMERuT75/s640/P1070764.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eieov70huo47yhY0elYTupMniqR1_HQg8rFs5VwUJ8j9-GN886qzV7uJe08gWInB210KhdWIUKrqreLYEVl1ECBrjjhfdzM9kT66IYzwn_h-54-1W1LjuehAIvZVQ9gTaDYzYFFqC7ln/s1600/P1080294.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8eieov70huo47yhY0elYTupMniqR1_HQg8rFs5VwUJ8j9-GN886qzV7uJe08gWInB210KhdWIUKrqreLYEVl1ECBrjjhfdzM9kT66IYzwn_h-54-1W1LjuehAIvZVQ9gTaDYzYFFqC7ln/s640/P1080294.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Portada de Semillas on Sunday market day</td></tr>
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Hernán Cortéz, the Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec empire had the town of Tepoztlán raised when its leaders refused to meet with him. I have read that the conquistadors sent from Spain to explore and exploit the New World were dangerously uncontrollable psychotic members of aristocratic families. Sending them away on ships was a way to get them out of the house and plunder the riches of the newly discovered continents of North and South America. It is a legacy of injustice and slavery, and genocide that still plagues Mexico, Central America, and South America to this day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd5tGiMpQ7FXAnMkY_rAynVIYOH6bXPAgOdi5Deuv2B3Bk9TZWk4emltMPNFUmDtU6Aea9AF_VyMsHY-F1ZhMk_R7ynkrdknjBiccdvYLDVzVV1mPNwUeWa-LWt_3BRcyhhL0LT_zgFkP/s1600/P1070989.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXd5tGiMpQ7FXAnMkY_rAynVIYOH6bXPAgOdi5Deuv2B3Bk9TZWk4emltMPNFUmDtU6Aea9AF_VyMsHY-F1ZhMk_R7ynkrdknjBiccdvYLDVzVV1mPNwUeWa-LWt_3BRcyhhL0LT_zgFkP/s640/P1070989.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Jaguar warrior costume</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PDxexPwsMBpi27Sme6Alh_GsO5dFXg0i9JdPWxweWmTJYoL1-gtq8JmKJ4e0ms56_ckvvlfpLeM3IULrWd5vfZ0tUGGNsffhzi7eVOZnhT9h0Y-bsb75u2yMT06TxYa2yTv_jVcyVVYg/s1600/P1070757.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PDxexPwsMBpi27Sme6Alh_GsO5dFXg0i9JdPWxweWmTJYoL1-gtq8JmKJ4e0ms56_ckvvlfpLeM3IULrWd5vfZ0tUGGNsffhzi7eVOZnhT9h0Y-bsb75u2yMT06TxYa2yTv_jVcyVVYg/s640/P1070757.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wish I knew the stories so beautifully depicted in these murals</td></tr>
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The Domincans were kinder to the indigenous people than the conquerers, but required religious conversion to the Catholic faith and hard labor in exchange for some form of sanctuary from the cruelty of the colonists.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvR5S2JmU0pWYE-yApkfix5Y2gamNckMuWvqh7W1XNc0rJ1U6qEp8cu1-yKmCN8C_93j2EvDMurOW278DejKaO9E8-LmczifXq-qgA3rJ4DD5NUymPk67HXGzfIUzTzoQef_X_4dQevjJ/s1600/P1080481.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvR5S2JmU0pWYE-yApkfix5Y2gamNckMuWvqh7W1XNc0rJ1U6qEp8cu1-yKmCN8C_93j2EvDMurOW278DejKaO9E8-LmczifXq-qgA3rJ4DD5NUymPk67HXGzfIUzTzoQef_X_4dQevjJ/s640/P1080481.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plumeria and Philodendron in the gardens of the Ex-Convento</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3GVQAsx-jROBWefNC6RqaCRk1t_BZYuhZSA2RUzkES5egjVtXKTYDOCL6yxh1B2B_Rx_-E1Gz7I0RGxEhjqETljWe1uuVbkMAiP_LUrK-A0NsGE7ufHMwhhEzZlvdG_-bUDja2YYIM0t/s1600/P1080328.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3GVQAsx-jROBWefNC6RqaCRk1t_BZYuhZSA2RUzkES5egjVtXKTYDOCL6yxh1B2B_Rx_-E1Gz7I0RGxEhjqETljWe1uuVbkMAiP_LUrK-A0NsGE7ufHMwhhEzZlvdG_-bUDja2YYIM0t/s640/P1080328.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vines growing on a tall lava stone wall that divides the Templo atrium from the garden of the Monastery</td></tr>
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Outdoor areas were built to teach large groups of indigenous people the ways of the Catholic Church. It must have been a terrible period in human history, the subjugation of entire cultures in to slavery and European belief systems. Today the spaces and building have an air of peace about them that masks the brutality of the past.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRjEhWL3BR1ijVqnvBuUVzCHJd0KHLB_QyBoDL4ajgxMXXxJrPVxordWJarLVEZLa4XEjicmMbj4P8u6Q5xB3pLZzwkCzUEQx8SO09sxWml73PwH0eOFDu74BMxd3j82syKwsoXVyQDhk/s1600/P1080511.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRjEhWL3BR1ijVqnvBuUVzCHJd0KHLB_QyBoDL4ajgxMXXxJrPVxordWJarLVEZLa4XEjicmMbj4P8u6Q5xB3pLZzwkCzUEQx8SO09sxWml73PwH0eOFDu74BMxd3j82syKwsoXVyQDhk/s640/P1080511.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An outdoor amphitheater for conducting sermons to Indigenous peoples.</td></tr>
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In 1994 the complex was granted World Heritage status by UNESCO.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyqcHj0v_pisyAggMVu2juq187lRGBLgL2AvPiOm8doDr0LEihacfeslvEUNpPAAagbfU1Pskom4aDUIPAkYf5x0kE9jm94Lbj8RIKhh_ZEs8p9GPm786I1-O5xtl_kNU2Al3cEpE6Ogj/s1600/P1080484.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyqcHj0v_pisyAggMVu2juq187lRGBLgL2AvPiOm8doDr0LEihacfeslvEUNpPAAagbfU1Pskom4aDUIPAkYf5x0kE9jm94Lbj8RIKhh_ZEs8p9GPm786I1-O5xtl_kNU2Al3cEpE6Ogj/s640/P1080484.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interiors of the Ex-Convento are beautifully painted</td></tr>
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Between the convent and the Templo is a lovely four part courtyard with a central fountain that would have been a source of water for the complex and gardens.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdubK770_UkxVGq4vWoMXQSlK7SoipcMBzpIltIOnxPE-t7Ri-NU1XYR6MOflZm5HJcMiRsilHmxdVGic8UwV4tAAe4sq6pjIjw1tfmtsXUWxoITv99sLU-QveV0XHfMdIq1vm7ap08pf/s1600/P1080490.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdubK770_UkxVGq4vWoMXQSlK7SoipcMBzpIltIOnxPE-t7Ri-NU1XYR6MOflZm5HJcMiRsilHmxdVGic8UwV4tAAe4sq6pjIjw1tfmtsXUWxoITv99sLU-QveV0XHfMdIq1vm7ap08pf/s640/P1080490.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtyard in the Ex-Convento</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglO2XwjkTZQ2A9paqL_BDEQC1YY_NhPUDu-qihgiHiTGc2JiE9wxtablVuhZdVyFtdCqlhaqwAEdj8Tr_16UJ8YkOI8Hi3L_N-dLLd4WMd1bW8ZIleekrmzcb2Dd3KET1KGSOfUiIr5rFx/s1600/P1080501.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglO2XwjkTZQ2A9paqL_BDEQC1YY_NhPUDu-qihgiHiTGc2JiE9wxtablVuhZdVyFtdCqlhaqwAEdj8Tr_16UJ8YkOI8Hi3L_N-dLLd4WMd1bW8ZIleekrmzcb2Dd3KET1KGSOfUiIr5rFx/s640/P1080501.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple but elegant arcade surrounds the upper floor around the courtyard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wcXWocuhCVHtwWTpw6i6MG7B45_mjCzEbCi2uqTMs8idret998afCpXNaDAeVrwCkhBcLj1jjcxzM-3ZHT7ywtXjb7QVrUE9mgLY1uaob6rnNGTvmvxjXsrdtrlfYDhI1ojuwoYnZ3SD/s1600/P1070945.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wcXWocuhCVHtwWTpw6i6MG7B45_mjCzEbCi2uqTMs8idret998afCpXNaDAeVrwCkhBcLj1jjcxzM-3ZHT7ywtXjb7QVrUE9mgLY1uaob6rnNGTvmvxjXsrdtrlfYDhI1ojuwoYnZ3SD/s640/P1070945.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A secondary roof was constructed to prevent water damage to the Templo. Restoration work on the buildings began in 1993. The 1985 earthquake in Mexico City caused some damage to the structure.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra5c-U0wGBNgIdDUS_ENTE6f-LPL_ChMySuyZBYImIjUV3jBmBI5v6rvPbv7AfsQmzRPUQggLRl8Uj0186J0ZuRJnEV3lwMl7faTpW91_qEmlBsg6ZMZK_oRmclprGWP_MeV6jmXWI-z9/s1600/P1070950.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra5c-U0wGBNgIdDUS_ENTE6f-LPL_ChMySuyZBYImIjUV3jBmBI5v6rvPbv7AfsQmzRPUQggLRl8Uj0186J0ZuRJnEV3lwMl7faTpW91_qEmlBsg6ZMZK_oRmclprGWP_MeV6jmXWI-z9/s640/P1070950.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A piñata hangs in an old Ash Tree in the Atrium garden of the Templo</td></tr>
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Before the Spanish arrived the region was inhabited by the Nahuatl people and was a ceremonial center believed to be the birthplace of Topiltzin Ce Acatl Quetzalcoatl, the powerful feathered serpent that was worshiped throughout much of Mexico. You see magnificent representations of this diety on many prehispanic temples.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AZWVJmRxjkSuadZ_xf0utm4ZOOHGkucSNYNcr5hNwqoskxlmf9scsykmimgWkcGv2HC4zT7jaIlLfXMbRn-7ewpmkmpJFeRRsKM5NlnyFbJmE-HwhHel6KC9WnRIPe004ezRKY1tjt1-/s1600/P1020515.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4AZWVJmRxjkSuadZ_xf0utm4ZOOHGkucSNYNcr5hNwqoskxlmf9scsykmimgWkcGv2HC4zT7jaIlLfXMbRn-7ewpmkmpJFeRRsKM5NlnyFbJmE-HwhHel6KC9WnRIPe004ezRKY1tjt1-/s640/P1020515.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quetzalcoatl depicted on a pyramid at Teotihuacan</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTn2yZPzmeck0w36PqkNXU220e_WDVLeKkV9E6X10Kbg9NlLKXCdTbpKVtgD-7evNK87rHkhdgLBUalzehkL7jGIaaVEL5IRi2ZpqiRoMh7b0S-wsSUkNZafgiqSapuG3onhX2gHDxQdF/s1600/P1070879.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTn2yZPzmeck0w36PqkNXU220e_WDVLeKkV9E6X10Kbg9NlLKXCdTbpKVtgD-7evNK87rHkhdgLBUalzehkL7jGIaaVEL5IRi2ZpqiRoMh7b0S-wsSUkNZafgiqSapuG3onhX2gHDxQdF/s640/P1070879.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A modern depiction in a mural in Tepoztlán, with the utility pole painted to blend in.</td></tr>
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One of the most popular activities in Tepoztlán is to climb the steep path to the Pyramid of El Tepozteco, devoted to the God Ometochtli-Tepoztēcatl (try to say that!). He was credited with creating the popular alcoholic beverage called Pulque, which is made from a type of Agave called Maguey. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQvXLIxzDcdTtQ4yorduCSJi0TZTMAMIo8WLk7R3zwwa71KImzz-JeNJKRW3Hs5rdvRdQtwTxoBsL3NcE1Kij3eP8VvmQ-N0NEQtYlZOKJEl3UTHsxrBodWFHWJviGV0EhgTcUrLH5J8Q/s1600/P1070791.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQvXLIxzDcdTtQ4yorduCSJi0TZTMAMIo8WLk7R3zwwa71KImzz-JeNJKRW3Hs5rdvRdQtwTxoBsL3NcE1Kij3eP8VvmQ-N0NEQtYlZOKJEl3UTHsxrBodWFHWJviGV0EhgTcUrLH5J8Q/s640/P1070791.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mural by the road leading to the path to the Pyramid of El Tepozteco</td></tr>
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The main road past the market drops down towards a small stream called Axitla, which is lined with magnificent Montezuma Cypress trees (Taxodium mucronatum), that are related to the Bald Cypresses found in the swamps of the southeast of the United States. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0WRKO2C_Ol5PC7ucZIzCsnicCpVKP_Indoc8ErN5KVRfRgDxZ-he7Sm5pU4YlFmmhZboQRG9d3LgZ71vhPGvtBUd-kOTAigewSEw6lBnU-nMN9FfjrVGfNpjNQjoFpmdn76mfXH87mTV/s1600/P1080378.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0WRKO2C_Ol5PC7ucZIzCsnicCpVKP_Indoc8ErN5KVRfRgDxZ-he7Sm5pU4YlFmmhZboQRG9d3LgZ71vhPGvtBUd-kOTAigewSEw6lBnU-nMN9FfjrVGfNpjNQjoFpmdn76mfXH87mTV/s640/P1080378.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montezuma Cypresses growing along Axitla Creek</td></tr>
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The largest of these is the famous Arbol de Tule outside of Oaxaca, which has one of the largest trunks of any tree in the world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9yQfEHhA9DsaZhR4i_zpdzRnAZhHkMHSMbxjsPsRgwV6GvyPhDltOp7Vy7xkRAE4x7dugD_6-vJUPA-RpbtGJg7X_GdI_b54N8EhbB85E8hkqSUYrE1C0LBoY2uQjEuuUG11DhRGd-JA/s1600/P1120192.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9yQfEHhA9DsaZhR4i_zpdzRnAZhHkMHSMbxjsPsRgwV6GvyPhDltOp7Vy7xkRAE4x7dugD_6-vJUPA-RpbtGJg7X_GdI_b54N8EhbB85E8hkqSUYrE1C0LBoY2uQjEuuUG11DhRGd-JA/s640/P1120192.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The enormous trunk of the Montezuma Cypress at El Tule</td></tr>
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After passing through a lush green area crammed full of souvenir stalls and party pubs that sell gross looking Micheladas, the path passes between two large trees with a stone orb supporting a crucifix. Just another example of Catholisism appropriating a location sacred to native peoples. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Hsa2jN-5wFpPG1Jb-oqIVz7ekeHYO5HrSyxt-ocwBU1P-CLPDElkXWbjeTYhMolsZPJW67nGuGNmSicbWsWfjpNb2BOoaoIzX_N5FeaH6c4poJ7dtmSI4phZmvcnBhLoHOV_K6wu_jd4/s1600/P1070828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Hsa2jN-5wFpPG1Jb-oqIVz7ekeHYO5HrSyxt-ocwBU1P-CLPDElkXWbjeTYhMolsZPJW67nGuGNmSicbWsWfjpNb2BOoaoIzX_N5FeaH6c4poJ7dtmSI4phZmvcnBhLoHOV_K6wu_jd4/s640/P1070828.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The path is made of stone, in some places looking like the original stairway ascending the hill. Its a steep but beautiful climb with vertical rock formations all around. We stopped and bought Tamarind Paletas (Popsicles) which seemed to miraculously give us the energy to carry on with renewed energy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwYYJ3Wb_KCYnhghw4lrYTla0hFMjDQjRFEA8b2vJjiwnc9ShH7KlJGlZ3BSdx6nPSyUy1G0RgosP_XgkQB_mhdlRzpv7r4iXoipR5BcjWjiBEvmGN2WjXJCcf6e9RByZ6cAM6E9uYIE6/s1600/P1070795.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwYYJ3Wb_KCYnhghw4lrYTla0hFMjDQjRFEA8b2vJjiwnc9ShH7KlJGlZ3BSdx6nPSyUy1G0RgosP_XgkQB_mhdlRzpv7r4iXoipR5BcjWjiBEvmGN2WjXJCcf6e9RByZ6cAM6E9uYIE6/s640/P1070795.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stone metate once used for grinding corn and seeds built in to the path</td></tr>
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Climbing higher, the path passes between stone towers and eventually leads to a terrace on the imposing rock formations with a dramatic view over the valley. The pyramid is not large but is quite beautiful the way it is situated and has an altar which once had a roof over it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7MbcySukzSgh4SmXr76tsFeEjCQbIOZTcKFL7cAtAXEiiBOQIVI6y3B9syJ0wIwW_a-QlIedog_DjNi99VBAkAkroqCq4mzPfwqZt406sjvL3B_ao78RTDYz5GWK5P6n0WAeyplzy4HA/s1600/P1070799.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7MbcySukzSgh4SmXr76tsFeEjCQbIOZTcKFL7cAtAXEiiBOQIVI6y3B9syJ0wIwW_a-QlIedog_DjNi99VBAkAkroqCq4mzPfwqZt406sjvL3B_ao78RTDYz5GWK5P6n0WAeyplzy4HA/s640/P1070799.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pyramid of El Tepozteco</td></tr>
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There are remnants of carvings representing 10 rabbits from a calendar and the name of Mexica ruler named Ahuitzotl with a date corresponding with the Gregorian year of 1509, the year that he died. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvy1qbRA25ta6vvgpTjTEiB9jjV-9QWNh9xZt5I-cIXUPwG3MZJ-B5kq6Ksza4LOzNVhp0akJK0tM6Vt6mxDrjn8IVcHs9fHd5N0OEJmVovD7LRwQhUkGThHrQaPiJdWAI-ekCFwOOUIO/s1600/P1070805.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvy1qbRA25ta6vvgpTjTEiB9jjV-9QWNh9xZt5I-cIXUPwG3MZJ-B5kq6Ksza4LOzNVhp0akJK0tM6Vt6mxDrjn8IVcHs9fHd5N0OEJmVovD7LRwQhUkGThHrQaPiJdWAI-ekCFwOOUIO/s640/P1070805.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Someone had left two small slabs of stone with jaguars painted on them in offering.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjpUNP99vnGVRIrD8NjQ42Hf8DL407pu8y94oN840sl8L9I73CJhxyLqci0MISYsQtXrYG9jghI9iNkJttlRfm1at2IOgsYui0hc3BPQfq3SMfdnUVHLS_n0yDCq1ZUZeN4YebURw4y0U/s1600/P1070807.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjpUNP99vnGVRIrD8NjQ42Hf8DL407pu8y94oN840sl8L9I73CJhxyLqci0MISYsQtXrYG9jghI9iNkJttlRfm1at2IOgsYui0hc3BPQfq3SMfdnUVHLS_n0yDCq1ZUZeN4YebURw4y0U/s640/P1070807.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaguar offerings on the pyramid</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7TwrEd_b2zXs0msmmh8aVFz64anHCAYjX5tL2XtaIVvsXRqu9lFReJpKsQ2ATEokNExyFFSJKYfz0CpPNxhUXBVneAvnxApStIa4ZEXRq0FAV4975SRR_s7iJP4mF3HFcoOBmpA44k1a/s1600/P1070801.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7TwrEd_b2zXs0msmmh8aVFz64anHCAYjX5tL2XtaIVvsXRqu9lFReJpKsQ2ATEokNExyFFSJKYfz0CpPNxhUXBVneAvnxApStIa4ZEXRq0FAV4975SRR_s7iJP4mF3HFcoOBmpA44k1a/s640/P1070801.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of Tepoztlán from the pyramid</td></tr>
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Descending the mountain was much easier. It seems to be a tradition to celebrate by drinking giant cups of beer mixed with thick tomato salsa, which look totally gross to me. It seems that Pulque would be far more appropriate but it has been superseded in popularity.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8McRzutJrSbOP0Q6ZnpU7GcqZFQfgqUXTn_t-_iDGjyoNXnRZkC4wHU_tvCPmgXXcI20_8Pq94xZNQtoT6pxy_gRKynYPnDZ6M2GPC6pBT9AG0p1tF4jhLMNE9oc8rBxmQrvg_pnIk6_1/s1600/P1080432.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1467" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8McRzutJrSbOP0Q6ZnpU7GcqZFQfgqUXTn_t-_iDGjyoNXnRZkC4wHU_tvCPmgXXcI20_8Pq94xZNQtoT6pxy_gRKynYPnDZ6M2GPC6pBT9AG0p1tF4jhLMNE9oc8rBxmQrvg_pnIk6_1/s640/P1080432.jpeg" width="586" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelada time</td></tr>
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The lava rock that make up the geologic structure of the mountains is the primary building material for walls, buildings, and pavement. The main streets are paved in flat cut black stone with stone chips detailing the mortar joints. Walls have a similar construction but sometimes include brick chips to add color. Other streets are cobbled with rounded river stones.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGtHPTf2u9DjSmZHVsGopcCRzkJ3fk5mo3xaZWehtSXGcFblE7Cuzp1BY4E-0SspsFrH5FXDKyUG2boHSeJA8KL7cYOxs9fgclS5PXvr6Fkeu0Asanm2u_6ZWeaYPcRRSIgE-eyJL-H8G/s1600/P1080241.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGtHPTf2u9DjSmZHVsGopcCRzkJ3fk5mo3xaZWehtSXGcFblE7Cuzp1BY4E-0SspsFrH5FXDKyUG2boHSeJA8KL7cYOxs9fgclS5PXvr6Fkeu0Asanm2u_6ZWeaYPcRRSIgE-eyJL-H8G/s640/P1080241.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stepped altar to the Virgin de Guadalupe and low walls made of lava rock.</td></tr>
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The high walls make the streets feel a bit like canyons winding through the hills. There are delightful discoveries around corners and the social life of Mexicans bring color and liveliness to the otherwise peaceful streets. Its a pleasure to walk in places embued with so many interesting details and rich local character.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdqWC9AQzOq9xjmRCJAwU3tMvt9uW9mm04JkLuVZVidjV13EmiamvBjUyFYsnep-hCPIFKTiO8V1Zet9DEt9yT_NoSYkIN3JjeuFTBSwb9VXsM0eLmnRbfSj1JBiBj8lvQeBxAUA_rBCm/s1600/P1080245.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdqWC9AQzOq9xjmRCJAwU3tMvt9uW9mm04JkLuVZVidjV13EmiamvBjUyFYsnep-hCPIFKTiO8V1Zet9DEt9yT_NoSYkIN3JjeuFTBSwb9VXsM0eLmnRbfSj1JBiBj8lvQeBxAUA_rBCm/s640/P1080245.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vine draped walls and Sanseverias</td></tr>
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When I was studying landscape architecture at the University of Oregon, one of the underlying principals of design consideration was "a sense of place" or venacular that reveals the character of where you are. So much of America has become mundane, the strip malls, suburbs made for a transient culture that frequently moves, cookie cutter landscapes with no redeeming character. Tepoztlán is quite the opposite. I found this community to be very distinctive, and rooted in its beautiful landscape, culture, and history.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUBPxf1KNzOfNU55R0WFDTMtqu0-vl2PeQEvSw2dMPaehE5jGRZaH__uj6FIU6GjNjXp_25BZZWg1D8rJDtMveQN5NfG9J5L7nsPUGDhU8Avm5lvg9J9dMCqcmtRZyxSnMHjOu88zcTsc/s1600/P1080425.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUBPxf1KNzOfNU55R0WFDTMtqu0-vl2PeQEvSw2dMPaehE5jGRZaH__uj6FIU6GjNjXp_25BZZWg1D8rJDtMveQN5NfG9J5L7nsPUGDhU8Avm5lvg9J9dMCqcmtRZyxSnMHjOu88zcTsc/s640/P1080425.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lava rock paved street winds between high walls and boulders</td></tr>
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Hidden behind the walls lining the streets are many beautiful gardens. Even humble dwellings have exuberant plantings, utilizing recycled barrels and bottles and paint cans for containers. Some areas are more upscale and were clearly designed by people with training in garden arts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw80TOGwYPhQx8gsHhAaPdqBaV1KuAIb51oWSaHfvYdkgcbajvWTiTw9Q6pdNMyrPojxHJm1qVp7aQWk3IwfY_IklCBjkQbSyTHtfYCzy33UdQFBAPjyBrkW_-bAj1klnE9j_JxsIqtQnH/s1600/P1080384.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw80TOGwYPhQx8gsHhAaPdqBaV1KuAIb51oWSaHfvYdkgcbajvWTiTw9Q6pdNMyrPojxHJm1qVp7aQWk3IwfY_IklCBjkQbSyTHtfYCzy33UdQFBAPjyBrkW_-bAj1klnE9j_JxsIqtQnH/s640/P1080384.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buckets and cans used as planters on top of a lava wall utilizing many textures of stones</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_V0lyXuLDTakJyufJLOh0c6ZqsENmhXD7nwrNtlDRhjoTHc-KFCdgG7EtHYCdV134qTADysCkPSrKKw7GCfM4fe6e-iRYzXe9l7oaeXV6hska8i5A6JvCuJgWzi_kc5jU2tXUXEPCnMw/s1600/P1070894.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_V0lyXuLDTakJyufJLOh0c6ZqsENmhXD7nwrNtlDRhjoTHc-KFCdgG7EtHYCdV134qTADysCkPSrKKw7GCfM4fe6e-iRYzXe9l7oaeXV6hska8i5A6JvCuJgWzi_kc5jU2tXUXEPCnMw/s640/P1070894.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plastic buckets overflowing with succulents hang from tree branches</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnv-xO7FkPhnD1FOOqiK8R5HDntvkpH1PnoWFgFCsPMWN535IETZFsKqSeHvjfo__vRsirCMC5WnQ96fzdgKYgrU8QIZMaOiZVpSbZY_eghGFZcNK5D3FdJyDyBR0f3KT4t5mz-C2ofWES/s1600/P1070753.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnv-xO7FkPhnD1FOOqiK8R5HDntvkpH1PnoWFgFCsPMWN535IETZFsKqSeHvjfo__vRsirCMC5WnQ96fzdgKYgrU8QIZMaOiZVpSbZY_eghGFZcNK5D3FdJyDyBR0f3KT4t5mz-C2ofWES/s640/P1070753.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful flowering plants in the Mercado</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ECEjhq9qQmV5dQ34TEmDsqXkEk4hJbwsyiGxtzlTtyC1hRmi_qMZKxjpiZUOouhh2cXm9Rrc2AWp6Zop452K1kyUwXLpc2vlDMD4D15n5w41a7EhtOLZx5cTzPF1vL1av95i0vAxdyPD/s1600/P1080281.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ECEjhq9qQmV5dQ34TEmDsqXkEk4hJbwsyiGxtzlTtyC1hRmi_qMZKxjpiZUOouhh2cXm9Rrc2AWp6Zop452K1kyUwXLpc2vlDMD4D15n5w41a7EhtOLZx5cTzPF1vL1av95i0vAxdyPD/s640/P1080281.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A magnificent staghorn fern mounted on a tree trunk</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There is a strong tradition of mural painting in Mexico. Tepoztlán is no exception. Many stuccoed walls are painted with facinating scenes relating to mythology, festivals, and traditions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2TJO-oOOMWhtLqccxZpeDuZJIs434_43UN-lWQNodjpzQQEG2of2fhsRwpp82AaQXtOnwFzstNbR5QRO_pbB-yP_TQuVBFvgTphg1KsqIY4DhLqYBmlpaoNGjdanmMrqWF2RZff5sbpE/s1600/P1070873.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2TJO-oOOMWhtLqccxZpeDuZJIs434_43UN-lWQNodjpzQQEG2of2fhsRwpp82AaQXtOnwFzstNbR5QRO_pbB-yP_TQuVBFvgTphg1KsqIY4DhLqYBmlpaoNGjdanmMrqWF2RZff5sbpE/s640/P1070873.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mythology </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-frucH7zPosn7C6PhYAKPPoGuIUpJSxJ63po7qoY31TOJ_hSQGtveeB-ZDECQ-ARLYz03YO-TY0A2LYQOPDZipEOLpds3e4cXumg2rd7kuQCjGsnTDxRB1pu-3mvoV9moX4cC4CbaRuq/s1600/P1080523.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-frucH7zPosn7C6PhYAKPPoGuIUpJSxJ63po7qoY31TOJ_hSQGtveeB-ZDECQ-ARLYz03YO-TY0A2LYQOPDZipEOLpds3e4cXumg2rd7kuQCjGsnTDxRB1pu-3mvoV9moX4cC4CbaRuq/s640/P1080523.jpeg" width="528" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wonderful mixture of colors plays across this painting of a man singing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd59uxbsXpYNSTxE6newoPWeU6XHwTw4n1ZqVq170Fxw8xA_FR_BP1X-0unK7tnz69HOO5QFqgwEALg1Xpdl7ph6P4F-5sYoa9PK5RKGpUgJj86qEZj1Ts99TRb7nEV7jXIekOWI_NraGl/s1600/P1080546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd59uxbsXpYNSTxE6newoPWeU6XHwTw4n1ZqVq170Fxw8xA_FR_BP1X-0unK7tnz69HOO5QFqgwEALg1Xpdl7ph6P4F-5sYoa9PK5RKGpUgJj86qEZj1Ts99TRb7nEV7jXIekOWI_NraGl/s640/P1080546.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Political statements are a frequent subject of murals in Mexico</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vVHqrDBNmxq_og9OhtzYhhtz8bF_j5CXXfo2R8SwWmuTK-vsjf9EYH1TACD05MxDK1tvDO1G8lsNmEl0lhk7Pd1andeUZkyDO0L35cw9PpT842JJvwwCv5A1FA5Q9KKCEwpkx9w17tEQ/s1600/P1070836.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vVHqrDBNmxq_og9OhtzYhhtz8bF_j5CXXfo2R8SwWmuTK-vsjf9EYH1TACD05MxDK1tvDO1G8lsNmEl0lhk7Pd1andeUZkyDO0L35cw9PpT842JJvwwCv5A1FA5Q9KKCEwpkx9w17tEQ/s640/P1070836.jpeg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">El Bujo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They still have pay phones in Mexico!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">History</td></tr>
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Death is a very real part of Mexican culture. Vivid depictions of a vibrant life after death keep the memory of the departed very much alive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaE1vu0X2k79JPG0x5fz3NxaFmQv6D6O0ZxdDSFiC1pDtqLNbOpakxCGe2ABcZHy2yS4tZr_0lAR9-24e59HKnXRUsTgVxxpwar6vx5-wbJvPj-_JQzCyXQkCopTLy_R4-2WRt0qvZQ-l/s1600/P1080563.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNaE1vu0X2k79JPG0x5fz3NxaFmQv6D6O0ZxdDSFiC1pDtqLNbOpakxCGe2ABcZHy2yS4tZr_0lAR9-24e59HKnXRUsTgVxxpwar6vx5-wbJvPj-_JQzCyXQkCopTLy_R4-2WRt0qvZQ-l/s640/P1080563.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dia de los Muertos</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqB1ymiMKMM1_zKlw2FukHBfyrVqLqoUTPV9wdPiuCrrWiSSZxM991OU_blhGZP7GnuU_GZzgbW-Kv-P8qDfHleZApLatAsuK1cP-MywsoBeAc-KW3bCgTDTq3VZfVxWpamThZGJLVX99i/s1600/P1080564.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqB1ymiMKMM1_zKlw2FukHBfyrVqLqoUTPV9wdPiuCrrWiSSZxM991OU_blhGZP7GnuU_GZzgbW-Kv-P8qDfHleZApLatAsuK1cP-MywsoBeAc-KW3bCgTDTq3VZfVxWpamThZGJLVX99i/s640/P1080564.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dia de los Muertos</td></tr>
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One evening I was walking down a road with friends, heading to a nice restaurant where we would have a good meal to celebrate before they departed the following day. I saw the gate to the town cemetery. Many of you know I have a thing for these "cities of the dead". Mexico has a special relationship with departed family members. They have tend to the graves, bring fresh flowers, and have family gatherings. If you've ever seen the wonderful animated film Coco, you learn about the importance of remembering one's departed loved ones. Once they are forgotten, they are in a way lost forever. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRJ_viDu59ayqJFNb2adSlWmBxkFa5Vh5MK8inYogUuUTrZ1EM2aqMPlZSrw17gksnFANtpyx166aNqlzFth7HUZDBiKEiA5NRk-F1oqd6OBy_sF5qFhqAW2Xbpvi9dqwSXjqBGs29X6N/s1600/P1070910.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRJ_viDu59ayqJFNb2adSlWmBxkFa5Vh5MK8inYogUuUTrZ1EM2aqMPlZSrw17gksnFANtpyx166aNqlzFth7HUZDBiKEiA5NRk-F1oqd6OBy_sF5qFhqAW2Xbpvi9dqwSXjqBGs29X6N/s640/P1070910.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crumbling gates to the cemetery, braced with timbers to keep it from collapsing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmauXQ4UGUmGBOtXFa6itfMPKif4OfLp8iHFO2ODfrJLk5ceuAGBmFXhyVmFCut_BT1c9o1yQId0KlgSDLylRJrBwE3AWCXP96OY7200OZjKxDUN3seg97pqdpDjj3HXwSVFDkUBMBTZS/s1600/P1070914.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmauXQ4UGUmGBOtXFa6itfMPKif4OfLp8iHFO2ODfrJLk5ceuAGBmFXhyVmFCut_BT1c9o1yQId0KlgSDLylRJrBwE3AWCXP96OY7200OZjKxDUN3seg97pqdpDjj3HXwSVFDkUBMBTZS/s640/P1070914.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graves in the Tepoztlán cemetery</td></tr>
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A family was filing in through the gates carrying food and beer and wine, and gathering at the grave of a relative, where they would party late in to the night. There is some comfort in knowing you'll be remembered after you're gone. We made the effort to have a beautiful service for my Mother. We created an altar, and photo collages honoring her life, and I made a bouquet of things collected from her winter garden. I brought a painting of the headwaters of the Metolius River in Central Oregon that her Mother painted, where I will eventually spread her ashes. Its a beautiful river that springs from the Earth in a magical way. She called it God's country. So much of who I am is who my Mother was. As the line from the lyrics from a song sung by Tony Bennett goes; "I see your face in every flower." I'll think of her every time I take a photo, when I plant a plant, and when I throw something away. <br />
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Thanks for reading, Jeffrey<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnxdWReVVDG7oDtKPQbivxbm_JtphrDGCe6_yzjNpp16vaiyBkOekj5wEr2skAHacUIt3MXDPaM2v0KeIHlu-7cqLsBo2pFAJ0FlTG2TaYpIwlSRhPThyphenhyphent-DnamG4v6AE-UhVCYS8Lt9U/s1600/P1460178.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnxdWReVVDG7oDtKPQbivxbm_JtphrDGCe6_yzjNpp16vaiyBkOekj5wEr2skAHacUIt3MXDPaM2v0KeIHlu-7cqLsBo2pFAJ0FlTG2TaYpIwlSRhPThyphenhyphent-DnamG4v6AE-UhVCYS8Lt9U/s640/P1460178.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I see your face in every flower"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50GKLJ3AIP__Eo1qYi8s8bi7nr-6uYwM9IixWweWNhf8Zs9ae-qeNfjY1xRgMtVQaPI9bvdeiBRm1sAUxA6N0OCkfh9MwJHkr4tDhxU1c4PgUG7AT-nVO6eGGhRyZF9wT7qsuapir3imY/s1600/P1070890.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1222" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50GKLJ3AIP__Eo1qYi8s8bi7nr-6uYwM9IixWweWNhf8Zs9ae-qeNfjY1xRgMtVQaPI9bvdeiBRm1sAUxA6N0OCkfh9MwJHkr4tDhxU1c4PgUG7AT-nVO6eGGhRyZF9wT7qsuapir3imY/s640/P1070890.jpeg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plastic bottles used as containers for cuttings, my Mom would have liked this</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone slabs set on boulders provide seating across from a church</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nicely detailed driveway allows for permeability</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aliens at the gate</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A carved cantera stone bowl set in to a wall on either side of an entry gate for birds to bathe in</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmuybZZ9M3SghWlaj7JG7nCOknGTp3s5Op80v-ZuBwzCcfsoizXx8aVwjjjSoZhvVSscaBJq3t2cTJ0UjOn05nRWmoML6Pz-2ferGRyy_kD-AEb6OP3FFjnnIw3855-Jju2j66dCQxWGW/s1600/P1080251.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmuybZZ9M3SghWlaj7JG7nCOknGTp3s5Op80v-ZuBwzCcfsoizXx8aVwjjjSoZhvVSscaBJq3t2cTJ0UjOn05nRWmoML6Pz-2ferGRyy_kD-AEb6OP3FFjnnIw3855-Jju2j66dCQxWGW/s640/P1080251.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ficus nitida makes patterns on a white stucco wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An tarot studio with a Moroccan theme across the street from where I was staying</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wooden bowls, cutting boards and rolling pins in the Mercado</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging pots decorate a wall in a parking lot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4ZkEtGc4mMdo8jDzqnuQ_LD3kWH5b89kB58WkQqn-CuBS1KzNePd7LOZGW9aTct9OzchU4ulccTYmgNw2UxXIV19Ko1v1JphnkV61iUDCbRvBgDpvAY963VczxAV_sgDRuDkoNIfJxpk/s1600/P1080364.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4ZkEtGc4mMdo8jDzqnuQ_LD3kWH5b89kB58WkQqn-CuBS1KzNePd7LOZGW9aTct9OzchU4ulccTYmgNw2UxXIV19Ko1v1JphnkV61iUDCbRvBgDpvAY963VczxAV_sgDRuDkoNIfJxpk/s640/P1080364.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adobe bricks with pebbles and brick shards in the mortar joints</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_84V6rKtj5CHWH_6USzJLhtKwrUCRiHaaP4oZl89VRgfq3QQtdj75-NJBk5JgMo3Y7gd4K3JKTHA3PUV0aI8fimKQ4ZNjd-QUrShJd-gFm1jvdZz8RDV_m9hZtx15qoHfeR3y_BDfhzL/s1600/P1080376.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_84V6rKtj5CHWH_6USzJLhtKwrUCRiHaaP4oZl89VRgfq3QQtdj75-NJBk5JgMo3Y7gd4K3JKTHA3PUV0aI8fimKQ4ZNjd-QUrShJd-gFm1jvdZz8RDV_m9hZtx15qoHfeR3y_BDfhzL/s640/P1080376.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crosses and Montezuma Cypresses</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGT-iw7RT-PGBEtXauaGQtr4UI5EHjLGfOSUdboVUU3pmw-QdYINJ4WewGgyC5uZMDCdNOS-ikbkq1u4wt8noFfAR7uhsjgiYy7x9vj_r4Syvny4_NryAMAyvFRuh5dCG9v5V2lCcl07X/s1600/P1080381.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGT-iw7RT-PGBEtXauaGQtr4UI5EHjLGfOSUdboVUU3pmw-QdYINJ4WewGgyC5uZMDCdNOS-ikbkq1u4wt8noFfAR7uhsjgiYy7x9vj_r4Syvny4_NryAMAyvFRuh5dCG9v5V2lCcl07X/s640/P1080381.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A magnificent Montezuma Cypress along the creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvTZU-C0tqgRvKmngtycoJKOZRzEJ2fUUiKq4ajoBEbbkdZy3pXGIK0s8W3JrNz-GTn4-7MWR_OmhUNUHRJRvtgUE-pQWP9kMm_ZWC85inC0BrnyOMPsS2Be6pJlPAhI-JIT-5dgtt5uH/s1600/P1080392.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvTZU-C0tqgRvKmngtycoJKOZRzEJ2fUUiKq4ajoBEbbkdZy3pXGIK0s8W3JrNz-GTn4-7MWR_OmhUNUHRJRvtgUE-pQWP9kMm_ZWC85inC0BrnyOMPsS2Be6pJlPAhI-JIT-5dgtt5uH/s640/P1080392.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia Creeper trailing down a multicolored stucco wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0RM0_aePgRkP2CvjpbeYrCo47vxYM4an2d270MoTX4tOlWw_1j3zZxV3B_p99knky7AAV_g3teWeYbhmUXJ4_eMo_U0cDCWLzojdXeHkZ5rvfb_-XXlbmWSA_-qCk2ZNFPnmSp5Fw-_g/s1600/P1080399.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0RM0_aePgRkP2CvjpbeYrCo47vxYM4an2d270MoTX4tOlWw_1j3zZxV3B_p99knky7AAV_g3teWeYbhmUXJ4_eMo_U0cDCWLzojdXeHkZ5rvfb_-XXlbmWSA_-qCk2ZNFPnmSp5Fw-_g/s640/P1080399.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mural with the names of the formations in the mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AinTB6_ZIGWBqDDIj_gAVtCmnyt6hr0wdQYa7zvI8fwOI5rWjNVtphVybX4ePpTeSWL3G5WQbG3sPQcMOtR6AwGXhdnKhx5W1G79YjvPFHw5B4-ZlZ3Infjeo-JuGrNyNGktgwmJq7r1/s1600/P1080400.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AinTB6_ZIGWBqDDIj_gAVtCmnyt6hr0wdQYa7zvI8fwOI5rWjNVtphVybX4ePpTeSWL3G5WQbG3sPQcMOtR6AwGXhdnKhx5W1G79YjvPFHw5B4-ZlZ3Infjeo-JuGrNyNGktgwmJq7r1/s640/P1080400.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mural protesting a proposed golf resort development that was prevented</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyFRLXPyIzI7UlonG2yd26dadGAXLa92gCl22vHLbDvaVL_i6KpeGwcJTtg639kpVtfx3kzzNpuIvKGzOQICuRDXQcv214ldsnG4pDUO9tL0GnixqboxIeotOI9admaKgtHqli9o5vymy/s1600/P1080405.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyFRLXPyIzI7UlonG2yd26dadGAXLa92gCl22vHLbDvaVL_i6KpeGwcJTtg639kpVtfx3kzzNpuIvKGzOQICuRDXQcv214ldsnG4pDUO9tL0GnixqboxIeotOI9admaKgtHqli9o5vymy/s640/P1080405.jpeg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tillandsias in the trees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeLrJLKSto9uDYXjbAwwOahPVbJCtNnfgTVIKv6kvTWC5i_jHJ-XN9kRJngl2HN-gFkAoIYIwgFmStddriWsNrauUYksFuWtw6TXJVVvqTTMtkhG3VMJ5ybC6mH_gFLX3geMHSy1yOuaM/s1600/P1080310.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeLrJLKSto9uDYXjbAwwOahPVbJCtNnfgTVIKv6kvTWC5i_jHJ-XN9kRJngl2HN-gFkAoIYIwgFmStddriWsNrauUYksFuWtw6TXJVVvqTTMtkhG3VMJ5ybC6mH_gFLX3geMHSy1yOuaM/s640/P1080310.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ramen noodle shop with a pleasant garden dining area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2Ebanj_HgWkuqWJYLROi4buM7MtfvPPZdXIT2BTmBdFcifr4tBorMesvcK8q8XSGFyx-zT-MsZprzxhomfeZaXNQKuTKTplQt424Qgi0UaPxsfNQvxRgs9pDq_ApKdojDedrj3rPkMVi/s1600/P1080333.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2Ebanj_HgWkuqWJYLROi4buM7MtfvPPZdXIT2BTmBdFcifr4tBorMesvcK8q8XSGFyx-zT-MsZprzxhomfeZaXNQKuTKTplQt424Qgi0UaPxsfNQvxRgs9pDq_ApKdojDedrj3rPkMVi/s640/P1080333.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nun selling votives in the park by the Ex-Convento</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smile</td></tr>
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I love you Mom<br />
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-12290971603706896492019-12-21T03:55:00.005-08:002020-11-24T15:51:01.710-08:00Facteur Cheval's incredible endeavor, the Palais Idéal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully rendered columns of the Temple of Nature on the east facade of the Palais Ideal</td></tr>
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Many years ago I purchased a wonderful book called Gardens of Revelation by John Beardsley, which discusses 25 extraordinary "visionary environments" created by obsessively motivated individuals. I was inspired to become a stone artist in part by visits to one of these types of landscapes located in my home state, called Peterson's Rock Garden. My grandparents lived in the Central Oregon town of Bend nearby and we sometimes visited this magical garden, a realm of fantasy built by a Danish immigrant potato farmer who possessed a level of motivation that drove him to spend decades collecting remarkable stones and assembling them in to a vast array of assemblages. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLeVxo9DpgtrLZLOcbYVOwBx9mnWnFkpVdwX4N4ORaoqDE9kK2mwP7IIetvySmMCQObpVR8ifiC4JgUz9vAHszrKJFq9w4rvXppj3o88u5k3YErDNaJGi11AdTpyBBKORFdT7s8RhfHa6/s1600/o-9780789207974.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="648" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLeVxo9DpgtrLZLOcbYVOwBx9mnWnFkpVdwX4N4ORaoqDE9kK2mwP7IIetvySmMCQObpVR8ifiC4JgUz9vAHszrKJFq9w4rvXppj3o88u5k3YErDNaJGi11AdTpyBBKORFdT7s8RhfHa6/s320/o-9780789207974.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The oldest construction in Beardsley's book is the incredible work of a postman named Ferdinand Cheval, who lived and worked in the area surrounding a small rural village called Hauterives in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southern France. The photos of this ambitiously bizarre construction boggled my mind. I've since collected a number of books on visionary artists that feature the Palais Ideal, but this one is notable for the way it delves in to the psychology of why people build such things. There is something inherent in the nature of the creators of these kind of roadside attraction environments that I can relate to. It require an immense amount of labor and drive that is probably diagnosable as extreme obsessive compulsive disorder. But then I've always said it isn't necessarily a disorder if you channel that energy in to something creative. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portrait of Ferdinand Cheval in his postman's uniform</td></tr>
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I have visited a number of these types of landscapes around the world as a kind of pilgrimage. Nek Chand's Rock Garden in Chandigarh, India, the cemetery in Tulcan, Ecuador, Watts Towers in Los Angeles, and the Walker Rock Garden in West Seattle, and the Chapel of Jimmy Ray in La Cieneguita, Mexico to name a few. My own garden is a humble version of such motivated endeavors, and by making a career out of it has spread my obsessive compulsion to a number of places around the globe. When you do it yourself, you sense a kind of kindred relationship to others who devote their lives to building their eccentric dreams. You just cant help yourself, you have to do it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A elaborately complex niche in the east facade of the Palais Ideal</td></tr>
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The largest number of visionary environments in the world are found in the United States. This is in part due to the size of the country, and to the personal freedom that is theoretically granted to it's citizens. France comes in second. Many would say we are wacky folk and many have been ostracized by their neighbors for creating something so out of the ordinary that stretches the boundaries of a normal world. Most of these ambitious artists lacked the funds to purchase materials so they worked primarily with found objects with no formal training. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another roadside construction I passed on the way to Hauterives</td></tr>
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In the 1800's rural France was very poor. Many people didn't own shoes or bedding and rarely had access to meat in their diets. Ferdinand Cheval was born in 1836 to a poor family of farmers in the town of Charmes-sur-l'Herbase. At that time the region was very unstable, politically divided by Royalists and Republicans, and the farming class struggled to survive. Cheval was able to attend school until the age of 12, as one of 110 students with a single teacher. He learned to read and write, count, and draw before becoming a baker's apprentice at the age of 13, working with his uncle after his father passed away. He married Rosaline Revol in 1858 and returned to Hauterives for the birth of his first son. He began work as a ranch hand, but took on the position as a postman shortly afterwards. After 9 years delivering mail in neighboring towns, he was transfered to the Hauterives route, which required walking an incredible 43 kilometers (27 miles) over arduous hilly terrain every day. Rosaline gave birth to two sons but the first died, following them 8 years later in 1873. In 1878 he remarried to a woman named Claire-Philoméne-Richaud. The marriage included a dowry with a parcel of land on which he would build the Palais Idéal. Claire gave birth to a daughter they named Alice-Marie that same year.<br />
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He is said to have had a dream one night about building a palace, or a castle, or a cave, but because of his laborious job, for years it remained just a dream, stashed away in the recesses of his mind. As the story goes, Cheval tripped on a stone one day along his route and nearly fell. Curious, he dug the piece of tufa rock out of the ground and found it to be fascinating. Tufa is a type of limestone formed from compressed volcanic ash. He carried it home to admire it. He then returned to this spot and found many more stones with beautiful shapes, which when he gathered them together, said they filled him with delight. He would fill his pockets daily, and then began collecting them in a basket, and eventually graduated to a wheel barrow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9HUJ4DBfHblRoy_ecGNZZrfluITnjUgOKkWQA_OJrt2313PKuPZGAKjY2YaSuGVi_FX51Q_cf-rvnMz13RrKiI9Y4IwRiJo61CJieaOpHpJrQpgKmTvtdzr7U8RpwjEGZdw2MpmNqBg0/s1600/P1240532.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9HUJ4DBfHblRoy_ecGNZZrfluITnjUgOKkWQA_OJrt2313PKuPZGAKjY2YaSuGVi_FX51Q_cf-rvnMz13RrKiI9Y4IwRiJo61CJieaOpHpJrQpgKmTvtdzr7U8RpwjEGZdw2MpmNqBg0/s640/P1240532.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Stumbling Block", the first of the original tufa stones that began an obsession for collecting material Cheval would use to build his palace</td></tr>
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On his plot of farm land he dug a round basin and began to build what he called "The Spring of Life". His neighbors started to regard him as a madman as he filled his garden with his collection of stones. He would pile stones along his route and then return with his wheelbarrow at the end of the day. The amount of labor involved is heartbreaking for me to consider. I know this because I have collected hundreds of tons of rock myself over the years, but once I get them to my truck it makes transporting them much easier than hauling them several miles in a wheelbarrow. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOQ1YRj2EUNgAxtBwa-I34kMk6h8CiaIxc2GSk9SNB4kt34UG9hDiXNzPmQ66RQg-uSV8NLAtglQQQoSDlaUi3TJQqii4LUOHdx1pVVRdBLPA9gU_r4WRWaTg5dNeNGQMqwT_qBYZrxKh/s1600/P1240559.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOQ1YRj2EUNgAxtBwa-I34kMk6h8CiaIxc2GSk9SNB4kt34UG9hDiXNzPmQ66RQg-uSV8NLAtglQQQoSDlaUi3TJQqii4LUOHdx1pVVRdBLPA9gU_r4WRWaTg5dNeNGQMqwT_qBYZrxKh/s640/P1240559.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stones set along the ledge of a staircase. You can see that some of the smaller stones have fallen out of the wall because they were not mortared in deep enough.</td></tr>
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He did not realize the extent to which his endeavors would take him but he claimed his dreams at night were vivid and drove him to express himself. He gathered a variety of types of stones, including limestone, flint, sandstone, porphyry, black quartz, fossils, shells and clinker, which he began to to cement together in artistic compositions with a mixture of lime mortar. He began by working on what is the east facade of the structure, building two waterfall like constructions which he called "The Source of Life" and "The Source of Wisdom", emerging from a pond. These are watched over by a lion and dog.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFLDjV0J8q4_n5L_Wb_4cW2SsUXFSOo3rQD6Z01DCGHqq58sX8LpjJSF6W5mJH543zjin8pFg68Vwp5_Ssx4QMYDA5SADRUvZ6PT7Fod-Stq57i6vSwBCuFG-NcaqLB06BM__FKdBtL5s/s1600/P1240510.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFLDjV0J8q4_n5L_Wb_4cW2SsUXFSOo3rQD6Z01DCGHqq58sX8LpjJSF6W5mJH543zjin8pFg68Vwp5_Ssx4QMYDA5SADRUvZ6PT7Fod-Stq57i6vSwBCuFG-NcaqLB06BM__FKdBtL5s/s640/P1240510.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first constructions of the palace, The Source of Life, and The Source of Wisdom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Xnfl6fTKRqeDRIxw1R_pEhdsLDNEEAoh3PkNd6UyjFM10cBARAYCWxwWrwf4mZiSjjOoev3G2BFlcjqC86gVYc5Y-wpxMZ0RqWtylA-v4e1upVjdZN8tDWPgl-j_MzyoO24id0DdkENP/s1600/P1240654.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Xnfl6fTKRqeDRIxw1R_pEhdsLDNEEAoh3PkNd6UyjFM10cBARAYCWxwWrwf4mZiSjjOoev3G2BFlcjqC86gVYc5Y-wpxMZ0RqWtylA-v4e1upVjdZN8tDWPgl-j_MzyoO24id0DdkENP/s640/P1240654.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"At the source of wisdom you will find true happiness"</td></tr>
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He continued on, in part with visual inspirations from a publication called Le Magasin Pittoresque which was an early encyclopedic pictorial magazine he delivered to subscribers on his route. And there were exotic postcards of world monuments that became popular at the World Exposition in Paris. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmFgoIORqY2_PW0xyCNQRzVQbOfvZimJvWoDk2nXFcCE35A3qKCE8xll4JFefZ1-ocpHPpbugXXXXSbZDEU_lETehjhgdP3Dy2QSjucke8TpiFxCDs7gCmH0g9yS-DcoT3P_Mfn41BzGR/s1600/P1240604.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmFgoIORqY2_PW0xyCNQRzVQbOfvZimJvWoDk2nXFcCE35A3qKCE8xll4JFefZ1-ocpHPpbugXXXXSbZDEU_lETehjhgdP3Dy2QSjucke8TpiFxCDs7gCmH0g9yS-DcoT3P_Mfn41BzGR/s640/P1240604.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A collection of old postcards featuring great monuments of architecture around the world that may have inspired the imagination of Ferdinand Cheval</td></tr>
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He expanded the eastern facade, building what he called Saint Amédee's Cave, named for a local monk, and followed this with 'The Egyptian Monument", an homage to Socrates, and the tomb in which he hoped to be buried had the French government not prevented it later for public health reasons. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXA4zKhMe7XFWr5CPEbX-qnAZBJP01bSyHF1aSTxjOWS_5x9mEyc1cLFmIbul2KRJo3Jm0Kml7mSC-Ar-exHMcJ8xiJAYQa0JEfbeEbeJK_yd9m6FfjfPTPIvLfrQHmMmKAwVrGy1_by5/s1600/P1240567.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXA4zKhMe7XFWr5CPEbX-qnAZBJP01bSyHF1aSTxjOWS_5x9mEyc1cLFmIbul2KRJo3Jm0Kml7mSC-Ar-exHMcJ8xiJAYQa0JEfbeEbeJK_yd9m6FfjfPTPIvLfrQHmMmKAwVrGy1_by5/s640/P1240567.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columns of the Temple of Nature lead to a passageway through the palace, framing in the "Egyptian Monument" and a curving staircase to the upper terrace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaM9Bo8ULH3va8Xpmkrpm2aKMG8GU2uyIU-pJbT9cAGYqAVv0O3WqH2uRQYY5tXqz5T9rFBN3BimCapOrHuKzLnqkAKnq9btuOOvQa8S1IRiddYg7MOZ9U6-E4fHf_0aMFHWPuCRWsdcu/s1600/P1240655.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaM9Bo8ULH3va8Xpmkrpm2aKMG8GU2uyIU-pJbT9cAGYqAVv0O3WqH2uRQYY5tXqz5T9rFBN3BimCapOrHuKzLnqkAKnq9btuOOvQa8S1IRiddYg7MOZ9U6-E4fHf_0aMFHWPuCRWsdcu/s640/P1240655.jpeg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tomb where he had hoped to be buried</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To balance these constructions he built the Hindu Temple on the other side with a tangled mass of various creatures, and the "Swallows Niche" with plant forms, and an honorary niche for his trusty wheelbarrow.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHarLhEJ7cbhjCi4V7gd7LNbOH57zDXqbqFw4Z02AyDOa6E51ZjK5CgHyddbNzNMb4_8oguINE972tK8K_4NAaEtz7YNYQOPsDRzBp95V-7B9CWjJTxBXogY4Eo-ilnzXMmjY6ogb2cOgg/s1600/P1240648.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHarLhEJ7cbhjCi4V7gd7LNbOH57zDXqbqFw4Z02AyDOa6E51ZjK5CgHyddbNzNMb4_8oguINE972tK8K_4NAaEtz7YNYQOPsDRzBp95V-7B9CWjJTxBXogY4Eo-ilnzXMmjY6ogb2cOgg/s640/P1240648.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Swallow's Niche</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I used the same wheelbarrow for some 30 years until a wild assistant broke it, so I understand the importance of such a faithful tool. If I had a larger piece of property I might have built a crypt for my well worn tools.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp47JlWgMN65sfhTH4ELM52hpUflNtWUhbqOXkhRtbtoIPKykUQlFXqTyaUF6Xpn1aaQhJURpgYe7nIs2ECz00ik_9QgAjpgwiGeI_39PtBecM02jHr6FuOvekiWXGS-lzZkDiJnd90tiS/s1600/P1240602.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1017" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp47JlWgMN65sfhTH4ELM52hpUflNtWUhbqOXkhRtbtoIPKykUQlFXqTyaUF6Xpn1aaQhJURpgYe7nIs2ECz00ik_9QgAjpgwiGeI_39PtBecM02jHr6FuOvekiWXGS-lzZkDiJnd90tiS/s640/P1240602.jpeg" width="406" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferdinand Cheval and his beloved wheelbarrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next to this he built the towering "Three Giants", with long legs set with tiny bits of stone that frame two women in dresses. The giants wear crowns on which their names are inscribed, Cesar, Archemides, and Vercingétorix. Archemides was a Greek mathematician and Vercingétorix was a Gaul chieften who united his tribes in a revolt against the Roman Caesar. Many impressive Gaul ruins are found in this region. Next to the giants he built "The Tower of Barbarism" capped with delicate palm trees, and tree snag like forms. He used iron bars to reinforce these appendage like forms.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXP-J3XbmhL0Ea9EUlMItri3cwKhU7nSF2epmnIEvSk81KQCyFzVeQGyQDrHxbI9_3I3E3WN-bE5JplgyFqHKzSrzhiOFYLl892VhV7G9Y0Cca6-gPPLTZGViLeVXdIVrqith3eu3SfdBZ/s1600/P1240570.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXP-J3XbmhL0Ea9EUlMItri3cwKhU7nSF2epmnIEvSk81KQCyFzVeQGyQDrHxbI9_3I3E3WN-bE5JplgyFqHKzSrzhiOFYLl892VhV7G9Y0Cca6-gPPLTZGViLeVXdIVrqith3eu3SfdBZ/s640/P1240570.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It took Cheval 20 years to complete this elaborate facade that has a mind altering quality to it in its undulating complexit . It is about 30 meters long and 14 meters tall, in scale a major accomplishment for any individule. I have spent the winter's of over three decades traveling, much of that time visiting the great architectural endeavors of humanity and I can see traces of influences from places like Egypt, Angkor, India, and the Middle East iterpreted in his work. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8d67vtxlO_MMOs-qjrUvdc2HN5zqn5ilI0OdAblIjPKz9NZv3MvMYL1gA2VPQDuBBy5-04jY0PVjXOdcTmsgriEdSgsrb2V4M_FD7er-13tezkeIBU4O89_gTBNrhepBaYLm0qcqGw94L/s1600/P1240518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8d67vtxlO_MMOs-qjrUvdc2HN5zqn5ilI0OdAblIjPKz9NZv3MvMYL1gA2VPQDuBBy5-04jY0PVjXOdcTmsgriEdSgsrb2V4M_FD7er-13tezkeIBU4O89_gTBNrhepBaYLm0qcqGw94L/s640/P1240518.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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From there he labored his way around to the southern facade where he built niches with shelves on which to place stones he had collected that were dear to him. He called this section "The Antideluvian Museum", referencing the period in the Old Testament before Noah's flood.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpC3g24ubInSfHg3S7gi8-ijZbZdOYx-g40mnqVPvPDvYtWeetE7LArfV6Ug7aj5w-RG-zmKtNHPOWERe2qZ3ipxJuhKdTnlu6xhC8SfCFcEYI8rkQsMxlgXj6rEVB22WIiXn6O9B3I1J/s1600/P1240637.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpC3g24ubInSfHg3S7gi8-ijZbZdOYx-g40mnqVPvPDvYtWeetE7LArfV6Ug7aj5w-RG-zmKtNHPOWERe2qZ3ipxJuhKdTnlu6xhC8SfCFcEYI8rkQsMxlgXj6rEVB22WIiXn6O9B3I1J/s640/P1240637.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strange forms create a tree with vines and birds and animals arching over a gated niche</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvIpbDsqiqagq5zHkgKu4X9YNxTp02GN8LNgzD8QubkPGu0ipP34-BpTMHSJrAqR_6Oocc32CNm_YQZ3Ywm6Q15g3hnBMCyRp6Ep71JsmHrpl-k3AeRh-VwA2b_dSqoDQS7gRGKnAXHHi/s1600/P1240641.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvIpbDsqiqagq5zHkgKu4X9YNxTp02GN8LNgzD8QubkPGu0ipP34-BpTMHSJrAqR_6Oocc32CNm_YQZ3Ywm6Q15g3hnBMCyRp6Ep71JsmHrpl-k3AeRh-VwA2b_dSqoDQS7gRGKnAXHHi/s640/P1240641.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelves built in to the southern facade hold a collection of various stones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7xrhRLzNqlDoorBt16Z5kPIAfouF5H0OgeC2AVapk8l-RNIM9OZfL4Dc1bxbfBw-TAmcMh7gixFJQr4wcTr1Izo0QyljPT-5RYbzBM_GbnxVArSDczZ79sMSiaF6xzUd0yue3Kmq31pW/s1600/P1240525.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7xrhRLzNqlDoorBt16Z5kPIAfouF5H0OgeC2AVapk8l-RNIM9OZfL4Dc1bxbfBw-TAmcMh7gixFJQr4wcTr1Izo0QyljPT-5RYbzBM_GbnxVArSDczZ79sMSiaF6xzUd0yue3Kmq31pW/s640/P1240525.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The southern and western facades</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the corner transitioning from the southern to the western facade is a lovely little curved staircase with elegant proportions that leads up to the Terrace.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmP3kwp_y5uoXFU5gwWKExIOxiJJTQsR4j3bkyJL_wV__fhQU_XXFvJkKUXIRCHwi5CvVBf5GbH7TY_2iEhnpcwzsrS2T6y0wHqF3d8egzph2BmgFjzMuV6trLdCOZ51radjE8sqWfMR-v/s1600/P1240527.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmP3kwp_y5uoXFU5gwWKExIOxiJJTQsR4j3bkyJL_wV__fhQU_XXFvJkKUXIRCHwi5CvVBf5GbH7TY_2iEhnpcwzsrS2T6y0wHqF3d8egzph2BmgFjzMuV6trLdCOZ51radjE8sqWfMR-v/s640/P1240527.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A curving stair leading up to the Terrace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8c2DKve_2oVU_2H7Yif1V7sBjaVODHUil5k57xZIOPcAI2qYZF3tTSE3Rd58yfE4K4kJQgLsS0Y14g0SFshOtp-3T2jGM16HuseQwn5QaA9qdzLoKWP2vsVwu8qCgr4C9OdRHG5XPjrKi/s1600/P1240633.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8c2DKve_2oVU_2H7Yif1V7sBjaVODHUil5k57xZIOPcAI2qYZF3tTSE3Rd58yfE4K4kJQgLsS0Y14g0SFshOtp-3T2jGM16HuseQwn5QaA9qdzLoKWP2vsVwu8qCgr4C9OdRHG5XPjrKi/s640/P1240633.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mosque and the "Entrance to an Imaginary Palace"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The western facade is much simpler than the opposite side. Perhaps Cheval realized that he didn't have 20 more years to work on this one. The columns are smooth, framing representations of various types of architecture. He built a Mosque, a castle from the Middle Ages, "The Square House of Algiers", "The White House", a Swiss Chalet, and a "Hindoo Temple".<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyLXjC1RnINF5uvbYRhWi68r6R5hBGa_9n-biRKP0dfPTsyoNgdMZHDuW9w_O4-oPJqi-fVZHLFxApfZH57dJFJFA8s3SGFlBWnwWFUavQcwQwJkKy0i95xDf8V5ZmMf_nW-VS2QDIV-5/s1600/P1240493.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyLXjC1RnINF5uvbYRhWi68r6R5hBGa_9n-biRKP0dfPTsyoNgdMZHDuW9w_O4-oPJqi-fVZHLFxApfZH57dJFJFA8s3SGFlBWnwWFUavQcwQwJkKy0i95xDf8V5ZmMf_nW-VS2QDIV-5/s640/P1240493.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Castle from the Middle Ages</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ug4PMS3VIGC0j7iajIJ0PW7QjWoTOppW4buj3lZKjleLvGEiPl9B79VpmpM9hNqQ-9gMnwB0rhb11vC51bCXsXYcoklvCHB4eMyI9PGSSYFUWE9mJK7x6p9zK-LBpiSBWSztGp5e3Zra/s1600/P1240492.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ug4PMS3VIGC0j7iajIJ0PW7QjWoTOppW4buj3lZKjleLvGEiPl9B79VpmpM9hNqQ-9gMnwB0rhb11vC51bCXsXYcoklvCHB4eMyI9PGSSYFUWE9mJK7x6p9zK-LBpiSBWSztGp5e3Zra/s640/P1240492.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Square House of Algier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CelOwwyVoq8Qpqh1s72Sf9flW217lkuo24UWrD4q5yKGniG8y6oyNaGE86tHdDYcLqaoypPjCYNxl-EpJR0cYyMG22ZG45bdlT8E6NDgGbQ7FWihVJmbMVimNRnK18exX9mn2yUMdBUi/s1600/P1240490.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CelOwwyVoq8Qpqh1s72Sf9flW217lkuo24UWrD4q5yKGniG8y6oyNaGE86tHdDYcLqaoypPjCYNxl-EpJR0cYyMG22ZG45bdlT8E6NDgGbQ7FWihVJmbMVimNRnK18exX9mn2yUMdBUi/s640/P1240490.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Swiss Chalet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7SeBdReGQcr_PCfYoxq2ys74JXHQxJx3vfZxPyohtzaICTltnjtW9yA7pE5Kzv42S7hPdS9Q3xY0iZsCIoE0DmuiFV6Ew7UDozV7Ce4rH1cEvY5x6CAeVvr9wcckrYBoTAF0RbXWIc11/s1600/P1240491.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7SeBdReGQcr_PCfYoxq2ys74JXHQxJx3vfZxPyohtzaICTltnjtW9yA7pE5Kzv42S7hPdS9Q3xY0iZsCIoE0DmuiFV6Ew7UDozV7Ce4rH1cEvY5x6CAeVvr9wcckrYBoTAF0RbXWIc11/s640/P1240491.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The White House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeR29KTnkpl7XCqFQJ9gD7qWmnXrX26vxq1aYcsgOScNbmD_n1oMsAazdbdi3v48jSM3osBqIk5_WV4kPQ6ajjqhodFs9GknxkeWCgiKxjQgfxUqZQRXEppHI7q8vB-RiiiyFXT0qhiwX/s1600/P1240489.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSeR29KTnkpl7XCqFQJ9gD7qWmnXrX26vxq1aYcsgOScNbmD_n1oMsAazdbdi3v48jSM3osBqIk5_WV4kPQ6ajjqhodFs9GknxkeWCgiKxjQgfxUqZQRXEppHI7q8vB-RiiiyFXT0qhiwX/s640/P1240489.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hindoo Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
An entrance at either end of the facade leads to a passageway called "The Gallery" that runs the length of the palace. All of the surfaces are sculpted, including a menagerie of exotic animals, and plaques with inscriptions conveying the emotions Cheval felt as he labored on the project. Many of them refer in some way to his drive to create, and the extreme toil involved in the construction. One inscription says in translation, "This rock will one day tell many things". I think I know what he means. Rocks tell the stories of how they were formed over time, and the marks of their journeys being transported by the forces of nature. He originally titled his project "The Temple of Nature". He carved in to one panel in the passageway a poem sent to him by a poet from Grenoble by the name of Emile Roux Parassac in 1904. The title of the poem is "Ton ideal, ton Palais", which means "Your ideal, your palace". It is from this that Palais Ideal was given its official name.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGO6Z1Mbp6ZdryEcVTkKbDJkqSJC4jXd7F2S8_aL2IlnxGX4IMUvkxhQUiXg4hnEhAeSRTBUFio4PgoajXPSWwdCK4uzAp4hbF0okGb5zKG6adbkp_GfqfhCkCbxjBrCHJShxKy2ME-fg/s1600/P1240499.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGO6Z1Mbp6ZdryEcVTkKbDJkqSJC4jXd7F2S8_aL2IlnxGX4IMUvkxhQUiXg4hnEhAeSRTBUFio4PgoajXPSWwdCK4uzAp4hbF0okGb5zKG6adbkp_GfqfhCkCbxjBrCHJShxKy2ME-fg/s640/P1240499.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sculpted passageway cuts through the center of the Palais Ideal in Hauterives, France</td></tr>
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A menagerie of exotic animals, including a camel, a flamingo, a polar bear, and an elephant bring to life the wonders of the animal kingdom in this fabulous tunnel. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhea_bwzQeDIylKtYynGS3jhRXEbb4KCLm0yrqp5vZ17bjek2n73EMF6ehi6dnU7CgHdzYOmAcbtJq0sE6HbraRCIvUDbZ9aog5QUsJo9g4-JLzniZxedCz0n7XF5TDDfYZiLsT-_0AHYxI/s1600/P1240497.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhea_bwzQeDIylKtYynGS3jhRXEbb4KCLm0yrqp5vZ17bjek2n73EMF6ehi6dnU7CgHdzYOmAcbtJq0sE6HbraRCIvUDbZ9aog5QUsJo9g4-JLzniZxedCz0n7XF5TDDfYZiLsT-_0AHYxI/s640/P1240497.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A earless elephant in the gallery below an inscription that roughly translates as "Remember that man is only dust and soul after death"</td></tr>
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He built ingenious suspended chandeliers imbedded with rings of stones and carved reliefs in to the limestone and mortar on all surfaces of the walls and ceilings.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSRIzyccCQXckSgkmOE9e8l1W8XJAeYRhevBtzC1thFa_g53RhVYjeYWIts-gSy3JJuoTF8yMWyw_DYMt_H-27CGcUjbEFebsl-MwWj0pg9xEJff2FF5Lz8rRKKOAFENpraHKhgPARylZ/s1600/P1240496.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSRIzyccCQXckSgkmOE9e8l1W8XJAeYRhevBtzC1thFa_g53RhVYjeYWIts-gSy3JJuoTF8yMWyw_DYMt_H-27CGcUjbEFebsl-MwWj0pg9xEJff2FF5Lz8rRKKOAFENpraHKhgPARylZ/s640/P1240496.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Chandelier on the ceiling of the gallery</td></tr>
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Above the gallery is a terrace reached by three different winding stairways. I am tall and the passageways are short and narrow. I assume people were much smaller back then. I found the monument to be more intimate in scale than I had imagined it from photographs before seeing it in person. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSAxc8xrhkFR0ZhAaWILaov1sbtRiLT5tUtvIc0xkBReik-RGHhPMyxYH1eGKjIw_fu6gaZoBiZ7ZNMhAVaSLD9kCbKwt1Jzzkk5Kg5_KOLzVp4U64Lmo8ard05ekSffBPuxTcONWgnOu/s1600/P1240695.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSAxc8xrhkFR0ZhAaWILaov1sbtRiLT5tUtvIc0xkBReik-RGHhPMyxYH1eGKjIw_fu6gaZoBiZ7ZNMhAVaSLD9kCbKwt1Jzzkk5Kg5_KOLzVp4U64Lmo8ard05ekSffBPuxTcONWgnOu/s640/P1240695.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheval working on a scaffolding on palm tree sculptures above the Terrace</td></tr>
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There is a gated staircase to a parapet that affords views over the palace. I behaved myself and didn't climb over the gate as there were several other people around. I'm sorry now that I didn't ask somebody on the staff if I might be allowed to go up there as the images I've seen taken from that vantage point are quite wonderful.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iw4kiflFpq3U5UMyaudVEFdUBWElI4lKw36vmxBufZOjy2ov2dGRrPXZPAO2EIinyn1TrqfrZcybO9F-jsHe-4FF2yXIjS3Ll0su1u77zzxkJ3U8LkPJcEn8PahzBjBxUD5CYEtLDSBu/s1600/P1240494.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iw4kiflFpq3U5UMyaudVEFdUBWElI4lKw36vmxBufZOjy2ov2dGRrPXZPAO2EIinyn1TrqfrZcybO9F-jsHe-4FF2yXIjS3Ll0su1u77zzxkJ3U8LkPJcEn8PahzBjBxUD5CYEtLDSBu/s640/P1240494.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dates were inscribed to commemorate the times of construction work on various sections of the palace. The parapet at the top offers a bird's eye view of the palace but it is closed to the public.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0OZVxrSKQIXDlBPj_N9AAt6-6lfGNbPxn9vCYt8GzdTAql9U4hrL8AiTKRmpCMk_y-qWXhCkSk0TDpQ16t8jcuUfEwmyrIbKUmjfRwPKTR9p7W2iNl6vgmjH3ho2F0HVzQHGLz2vbhhQ/s1600/P1240529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0OZVxrSKQIXDlBPj_N9AAt6-6lfGNbPxn9vCYt8GzdTAql9U4hrL8AiTKRmpCMk_y-qWXhCkSk0TDpQ16t8jcuUfEwmyrIbKUmjfRwPKTR9p7W2iNl6vgmjH3ho2F0HVzQHGLz2vbhhQ/s640/P1240529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original "Stumbling block", the stone over which he tripped that set this lifelong project in to motion is mounted upon an architectural plinth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A Tree of Life surrounded by a fantastical array of turrets reminds me of the rooftop chimneys of buildings designed by the Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi in Barcelona, Spain.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZDXjRgJuull78YhyQgMLemGaZeT0VkiiUxJzSZeO2Ec03_a8gBZYCZPYs87mqHq0kDJ51oobihygJ-oQhVImJQBxPIOGzRf1xsJSyTbOroNAQvPa0igHrYoeHl9Zus-zsG-ridBbLmcc/s1600/P1240530.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZDXjRgJuull78YhyQgMLemGaZeT0VkiiUxJzSZeO2Ec03_a8gBZYCZPYs87mqHq0kDJ51oobihygJ-oQhVImJQBxPIOGzRf1xsJSyTbOroNAQvPa0igHrYoeHl9Zus-zsG-ridBbLmcc/s640/P1240530.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A curvaceous Tree of Life on the Terrace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Small sculptures of traveling pilgrims climb buttresses to high vantage points to take in the view. Everywhere you look there is something to discover. The intricacy of the embellishment is overwhelming to the point of being surreal. Everything has a story that comes from Cheval's imagination and his interpretation of the world he explored in his mind.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxtGwzQ5mJ3sU0XqEwaX9Yj6UWhb5pR4C88Y59CurWr523xpIxhLnECXyxsebE_nZrfyKKroxKVQG2C24ZLJdF8b9N_C2DYRgALct6rX6A7hDdObtdi2Sa2q7OmhQrFe4vqzKUaAhDoum/s1600/P1240670.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxtGwzQ5mJ3sU0XqEwaX9Yj6UWhb5pR4C88Y59CurWr523xpIxhLnECXyxsebE_nZrfyKKroxKVQG2C24ZLJdF8b9N_C2DYRgALct6rX6A7hDdObtdi2Sa2q7OmhQrFe4vqzKUaAhDoum/s640/P1240670.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilgrims scale the monument to castles in the sky</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwQqsbNBxsItV1lg0_FB9OQFIrT_YTiQNfujpKJarXCpw4mdqD1TGWmWGAsP8YG3GOTyk7g49ys8FKWNJwO-t_j0LzRQL_PgCiuDlidjaiVydlUt7K0pEhk0oJSpca53jcG_V4tLB0ynh/s1600/P1240531.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwQqsbNBxsItV1lg0_FB9OQFIrT_YTiQNfujpKJarXCpw4mdqD1TGWmWGAsP8YG3GOTyk7g49ys8FKWNJwO-t_j0LzRQL_PgCiuDlidjaiVydlUt7K0pEhk0oJSpca53jcG_V4tLB0ynh/s640/P1240531.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sculpting of surfaces in places takes on a psychedelic nature remeniscent of limestone cave formations</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABsN1cLGVL67NkKSPVJThKVspHDv_CT3-QIM_XXKB3kpdxlY0yYLh23gy4U9fg48yvkiBfOLeIDoyTleLev7NhB8TPdj2ukqGlCBEIVB7Z-xsWX6rPq8zffwDKn8NfJTELBk0NbvY7toN/s1600/P1240639.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABsN1cLGVL67NkKSPVJThKVspHDv_CT3-QIM_XXKB3kpdxlY0yYLh23gy4U9fg48yvkiBfOLeIDoyTleLev7NhB8TPdj2ukqGlCBEIVB7Z-xsWX6rPq8zffwDKn8NfJTELBk0NbvY7toN/s640/P1240639.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A parapet provides the highest vantage point in the Palais</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The north facade was probably the final construction of the Palais Ideal. Cheval had gained considerable experience building his monument and some of the finest work is found on this wall. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMMi3nICRCatZh_evVYEMy1pIF5TjoeoeVI2TFMeEK4Koi5IGYZgAfJS0vSnuMmTZ6UcvX24sYDTrqjlFNbBHuEOnjUNxNXpsjbkVuHsiBBPvUjfwcikKnlZBi5mnsF_Q9OLXhHjB_Wh3/s1600/P1240484.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMMi3nICRCatZh_evVYEMy1pIF5TjoeoeVI2TFMeEK4Koi5IGYZgAfJS0vSnuMmTZ6UcvX24sYDTrqjlFNbBHuEOnjUNxNXpsjbkVuHsiBBPvUjfwcikKnlZBi5mnsF_Q9OLXhHjB_Wh3/s640/P1240484.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The North Facade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The base of the wall contains three grottos with an animal inside each one. A tangle of intricate serpents garlands the arches alluding to the Garden of Eden. The faces of Eve, and Adam protrude from separate places over which finely crafted organic cathedral like embellishments project from above. The technical prowess of this work is daunting, with free hanging botanical protrusions dangling out over space. It seems as if he were coming to terms with religious beliefs as they may have applied to his life while expressing a significant love for the natural world. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVH_2aF0uZxGJ2-_zgIfD3zvKnaTEGv6kXFc6oqaAqh8Ai1Su3TFktl8_7oV9Yz6NDweEhh0QSxXkvwGIepPKH10zDtKOJkoOMyaQjdb4Gq-Q0VkV9CIno9iQ1r4DoIjD2xVZace5V-zA/s1600/P1240483.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVH_2aF0uZxGJ2-_zgIfD3zvKnaTEGv6kXFc6oqaAqh8Ai1Su3TFktl8_7oV9Yz6NDweEhh0QSxXkvwGIepPKH10zDtKOJkoOMyaQjdb4Gq-Q0VkV9CIno9iQ1r4DoIjD2xVZace5V-zA/s640/P1240483.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eve and Adam peer from a fantastical conglomeration of snakes and pendants</td></tr>
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In one grotto stands a deer. In another there is a pelican. Walking the long, laborious daily postal route could possibly have induced states bordering on hallucinations that drove his imagination. He would have encountered a great many animals as well on his daily sojourns that helps explain the variety of animals carved in to the palace. Like nature itself, there is a wondrous diversity represented here.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRAwlB5CB1q3aFh9lfEz8zFOQjIOa6ei_kS-tpM_mYUxHCed0ecWtkk_HC0OORInPIxLPzAM2eWPXHIp3YtMLGjvRLBW5POhyIAOA45bDXO-oCPLH5I6xdfLvmmO9SvfvmRGLZfvsmSAS/s1600/P1240481.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRAwlB5CB1q3aFh9lfEz8zFOQjIOa6ei_kS-tpM_mYUxHCed0ecWtkk_HC0OORInPIxLPzAM2eWPXHIp3YtMLGjvRLBW5POhyIAOA45bDXO-oCPLH5I6xdfLvmmO9SvfvmRGLZfvsmSAS/s640/P1240481.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A deer grazing on leaves in a niche</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz90d3bjMvPu1Hfvjv-jMErT4LpwaTFw6K0l0ZoiOcE_3Nsf6N2MHcEfDA7zVxYpXWzUXbz_v9ijDFEQRKcbWTgaR0HHMMnSFDKVdn3DhzEwSTTgtI2AUwibp2uW1Ym8tzHu8rapBaaAXu/s1600/P1240682.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz90d3bjMvPu1Hfvjv-jMErT4LpwaTFw6K0l0ZoiOcE_3Nsf6N2MHcEfDA7zVxYpXWzUXbz_v9ijDFEQRKcbWTgaR0HHMMnSFDKVdn3DhzEwSTTgtI2AUwibp2uW1Ym8tzHu8rapBaaAXu/s640/P1240682.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pelican tucked in to a niche on the north facade</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC63jCoxT8pgpGzfbcVVHFAyMouy4t8QOuIzZ110EVkl2-0wRUje2Fe0usUTvo4eKTNKn5YJ3rrZwwJ2-fyKQ8dOPX4qEPswaqAV8KmYXvfXVK9g_Q_OZZHBn4_s-Pn0Dht64qIUGq76-F/s1600/P1240486.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC63jCoxT8pgpGzfbcVVHFAyMouy4t8QOuIzZ110EVkl2-0wRUje2Fe0usUTvo4eKTNKn5YJ3rrZwwJ2-fyKQ8dOPX4qEPswaqAV8KmYXvfXVK9g_Q_OZZHBn4_s-Pn0Dht64qIUGq76-F/s640/P1240486.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"This marvel built by its author has no peer in the universe"</td></tr>
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Near the completion of the project he inscribed a plaque summarizing his accomplishments.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mPrSZ5uHRcDEUvrpHWFAgyP0dn6b9xJBOKSFZq_s9Fdq4-1hp6sUvFoDaaROQPFLbU21FGch7TVofeN31WpC37oP8_budHzvjT7yEahgA58Y1CIfm9qRp-LX9lfQChKt76bb68bP8KcK/s1600/P1240683.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mPrSZ5uHRcDEUvrpHWFAgyP0dn6b9xJBOKSFZq_s9Fdq4-1hp6sUvFoDaaROQPFLbU21FGch7TVofeN31WpC37oP8_budHzvjT7yEahgA58Y1CIfm9qRp-LX9lfQChKt76bb68bP8KcK/s640/P1240683.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"1879-1912, 10,000 journeys, 93,000 hours, 33 years of trials, let anyone more stubborn than me set to work"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkEkhQ6FVv1QRuM0z3Xnz4t70Rx3KRyj6Sem8cjGjruPSrPHNwQ9nIdRXNY3acDOZkmaJ3oyrmx_3XVvirjrn3lu6O_Je81AWFk404ETg6t9N-d6qqHtzDgVJMULo2SrHgDGZOfrUWuYF/s1600/P1240475.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkEkhQ6FVv1QRuM0z3Xnz4t70Rx3KRyj6Sem8cjGjruPSrPHNwQ9nIdRXNY3acDOZkmaJ3oyrmx_3XVvirjrn3lu6O_Je81AWFk404ETg6t9N-d6qqHtzDgVJMULo2SrHgDGZOfrUWuYF/s640/P1240475.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Palais Ideal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
33 years, much of it spent working with lamplight at night were spent to complete this incredibly ambitious project. Inspired only by his imagination, influenced by what he saw on his daily walks and limited access to publications, he built one of the world's great visionary art works. In 1905 the first visitors began to arrive to see this marvel of expression. After years of consternation by his neighbors, his accomplishments were finally receiving their due. He gladly gave tours, which must have been astonishing to experience first hand for those who made the effort to find this remote marvel. I was there on a Sunday and there were a number of people who joined me on that unseasonably warm December day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmlGaZTANEv4NX3_HSWc22oWSfJKBFVE-wccSQkkWNZ_OIB7POQLmZIEZK6fdDaB01H6RycgPaO_4vAhnV6FQMbsmPZp_1l5a3fi9VciSGt_zTKFM-kieU70JXOXp1TJuP-5Pd_McLxQ2/s1600/P1240572.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmlGaZTANEv4NX3_HSWc22oWSfJKBFVE-wccSQkkWNZ_OIB7POQLmZIEZK6fdDaB01H6RycgPaO_4vAhnV6FQMbsmPZp_1l5a3fi9VciSGt_zTKFM-kieU70JXOXp1TJuP-5Pd_McLxQ2/s640/P1240572.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A separate balcony Cheval built for viewing the Palais from a distance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLjA2mtw81uaP8LCbGsrkvud-8YAvXPhvH637-8MTwG_3xkEB8i49t_OxvPT0WMj00gXLtrF1LUXt1jqX7-oMdx6fcENJY2LblBltA_vs3UGnrbLykCDqAtIvRyfQyopICpcHdSPpSeLV/s1600/P1240580.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLjA2mtw81uaP8LCbGsrkvud-8YAvXPhvH637-8MTwG_3xkEB8i49t_OxvPT0WMj00gXLtrF1LUXt1jqX7-oMdx6fcENJY2LblBltA_vs3UGnrbLykCDqAtIvRyfQyopICpcHdSPpSeLV/s640/P1240580.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Palais Ideal from the viewing balcony</td></tr>
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But after 33 years he wasn't finished with his labors. Because the French government would not allow him to be buried in the palace, he embarked on the construction of a mausoleum in the town cemetery, a project that would require the next 8 years of his life. He completed this amazing structure at the age of 87. I sometimes tell people this story since there seem to be no retirement for me. I'm still toiling on my constructions at the age of 61, with no end in sight. So technically I have 26 years of work ahead of me to catch up to Ferdinand Cheval, if the body is willing and able.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxZz7-sXZM4dJHIJHPdGJ9EBLrmHXZ4_CUHpB3p1Zw1F0y1fI_WrHxN5JIzKm2hq9Od7R0TpDDSF_BJJ-J_AKuHBb0RtjAPwFU-7ELPpASgOpgo5ft2nSdgnE9lE5fC7sm9-G-w23w2fS/s1600/P1240701.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxZz7-sXZM4dJHIJHPdGJ9EBLrmHXZ4_CUHpB3p1Zw1F0y1fI_WrHxN5JIzKm2hq9Od7R0TpDDSF_BJJ-J_AKuHBb0RtjAPwFU-7ELPpASgOpgo5ft2nSdgnE9lE5fC7sm9-G-w23w2fS/s640/P1240701.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferdinand Cheval's mausoleum in the Hauterives cemetery</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKvme6MEJrH7uLcqLzoTXwsGkQZT2IRVh4bC5UyO4Hy12BJ1LYh0LQeRGCSE-_UicID-c9QJnjZqeLj1VKFP1nYg_vYZhZXXiIJRy5Rd01RgnI6kodYhelAUDdDV0IiStf9HsGuIZSJR3/s1600/P1240708.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKvme6MEJrH7uLcqLzoTXwsGkQZT2IRVh4bC5UyO4Hy12BJ1LYh0LQeRGCSE-_UicID-c9QJnjZqeLj1VKFP1nYg_vYZhZXXiIJRy5Rd01RgnI6kodYhelAUDdDV0IiStf9HsGuIZSJR3/s640/P1240708.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of the facade of the mausoleum</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmmJnpjw-b-1um5yq2LQlp0i4JZwa9ZZrgv79XqAML_XY8t43Tjm7EGhgCOi7wJn2DBpvIkMztKjoXZMUvm8esb1Y8d6l_yHGfKVwReQHbENesaOgdj4eR95DI9atForj9xco3mTFjIUd/s1600/P1240705.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmmJnpjw-b-1um5yq2LQlp0i4JZwa9ZZrgv79XqAML_XY8t43Tjm7EGhgCOi7wJn2DBpvIkMztKjoXZMUvm8esb1Y8d6l_yHGfKVwReQHbENesaOgdj4eR95DI9atForj9xco3mTFjIUd/s640/P1240705.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheval must have encountered many snakes on his journeys as they are a popular theme in his works</td></tr>
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Before he died he had his biography certified, ensuring that the world would know that he and he alone created this monument to his tenacity and imagination. Shortly after his death at the age of 88, the Palais Ideal began to attract the attention of a new generation of artists. A number of emerging geniuses visited Hauterives to see for themselves this unique creation, including those who pioneered the surrealist movement. André Breton, Max Ernest, Pablo Picasso, and later Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely were among the many artists who found inspiration here. I follow humbley in their footsteps.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivSD-dxvnqcIZmUFeKok_UuBV8wT1v-nEHHx4ccJvHa0rr5Gqw8weY0qnnME8SCk6UtuOgSWrE3cs9EnRHgILUUa6PUG9bU1xWFwESbJH71icl9Z8PSB57Oy38ZqfMBy33IJI-T6QfS6G/s1600/P1240608.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivSD-dxvnqcIZmUFeKok_UuBV8wT1v-nEHHx4ccJvHa0rr5Gqw8weY0qnnME8SCk6UtuOgSWrE3cs9EnRHgILUUa6PUG9bU1xWFwESbJH71icl9Z8PSB57Oy38ZqfMBy33IJI-T6QfS6G/s640/P1240608.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pablo Picasso photographed at the Palais Ideal in 1934</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOXWjBhOVvCwl5Rs1o3nDEDL2zWiKkJs0G_Vpy64cChNbvs1mC1pLE27IVq_w6ntdlHSxeWHpaCAQ2tLOleoffctVKFLb3MYqLIBMY8tixvPNKkz_5JuSpKXP_4phRxYE_QrqsIJ7rHfD/s1600/P1240610.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOXWjBhOVvCwl5Rs1o3nDEDL2zWiKkJs0G_Vpy64cChNbvs1mC1pLE27IVq_w6ntdlHSxeWHpaCAQ2tLOleoffctVKFLb3MYqLIBMY8tixvPNKkz_5JuSpKXP_4phRxYE_QrqsIJ7rHfD/s640/P1240610.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A drawing by Pablo Picasso of the Palais Ideal</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAXDmikqfuGmYophkOWm6Ne5jVCXfYUF9wfug2zqRRzA2oXkWmH0d28ownAKeOQT7h7FoUopeIv88h0X9hOLC0OMZZScyD1HWUrBX3h87q8z7Iarr_NexsuekooGLZ7seMVZYfzGWYyUA/s1600/P1240617.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1015" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAXDmikqfuGmYophkOWm6Ne5jVCXfYUF9wfug2zqRRzA2oXkWmH0d28ownAKeOQT7h7FoUopeIv88h0X9hOLC0OMZZScyD1HWUrBX3h87q8z7Iarr_NexsuekooGLZ7seMVZYfzGWYyUA/s640/P1240617.jpeg" width="404" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading, always, Jeffrey<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfMbWii57A1-ztPoReR6wVDqkIKgGC0qvcEu49vx365QW3FmHc-XxK4v8mceMr4pmJu5Egy2Mg3X4E2zkEa5Ra3TqekDrXpP8P7pf2ZHaD9Vbk8RG6xqry2urVdPF4fZy1rX2t-BJj9gb/s1600/P1240482.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfMbWii57A1-ztPoReR6wVDqkIKgGC0qvcEu49vx365QW3FmHc-XxK4v8mceMr4pmJu5Egy2Mg3X4E2zkEa5Ra3TqekDrXpP8P7pf2ZHaD9Vbk8RG6xqry2urVdPF4fZy1rX2t-BJj9gb/s640/P1240482.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many snakes</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiN4OUYwCR9tXrwfHtfGtoEKSrf4UqwnXXNzSgJH_-mJAl_ApkGSwHLlJ2yBtwvY5zJ3mWRVULdVqnFUUtl212k8wU0CX3K981yC4xoVYucaCW77rKHi882fJzOb_zkje003hdFa95H3o8/s1600/P1240485.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiN4OUYwCR9tXrwfHtfGtoEKSrf4UqwnXXNzSgJH_-mJAl_ApkGSwHLlJ2yBtwvY5zJ3mWRVULdVqnFUUtl212k8wU0CX3K981yC4xoVYucaCW77rKHi882fJzOb_zkje003hdFa95H3o8/s640/P1240485.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vltZMuGq8odXA6Yl4ALfWiTdXMh5lMO7IeUsvZjHBENHIQ4FaHCsPocZQ1R0gd6pC2r3PJOeXETAThjeLcoRpVERsvhwZ6Pfw9Lsty09O7jMXtLkkQ9lOTk99-DgiZI-Yu3M_778TrQU/s1600/P1240488.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vltZMuGq8odXA6Yl4ALfWiTdXMh5lMO7IeUsvZjHBENHIQ4FaHCsPocZQ1R0gd6pC2r3PJOeXETAThjeLcoRpVERsvhwZ6Pfw9Lsty09O7jMXtLkkQ9lOTk99-DgiZI-Yu3M_778TrQU/s640/P1240488.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The north facade</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFCVp0jdPzFtKhAowmc9Hf-U17AyU3g9QAaVdYIClwL74o5EZalVPbhu2l2Iqm_Oq1rKH_qR5LvCONxOZpsrU5UaELzHpJBZFoyjjSBBudKgEMS6_EOogt6BvNrBOqsRgcT2ZtEDzceiH/s1600/P1240501.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFCVp0jdPzFtKhAowmc9Hf-U17AyU3g9QAaVdYIClwL74o5EZalVPbhu2l2Iqm_Oq1rKH_qR5LvCONxOZpsrU5UaELzHpJBZFoyjjSBBudKgEMS6_EOogt6BvNrBOqsRgcT2ZtEDzceiH/s640/P1240501.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of decorations in a stairwell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9PVmWr5cmOj3upyOZQKfl3H82n3hCxJCe19ggWHd9a6UQis_G159Wj9ycoEd6GhwHbYmla8mMvWyRUtYqu4zqqTnMTnyD4-fro5w6I9WnIki06vlWA7lFU0M4QPDUbCZmT32tZ5PqZs7/s1600/P1240562.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9PVmWr5cmOj3upyOZQKfl3H82n3hCxJCe19ggWHd9a6UQis_G159Wj9ycoEd6GhwHbYmla8mMvWyRUtYqu4zqqTnMTnyD4-fro5w6I9WnIki06vlWA7lFU0M4QPDUbCZmT32tZ5PqZs7/s640/P1240562.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A castle built in to a corner of the Palais</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V-Sgr1NtBw2lHbmWPZH7kLcRSNTqTchLkBGABULl_wAMvY-_PucKA5M2sysF1MeAQj3QynBk3EB7hFo0FwcJyNtS8QomBaktm-tJ0FDfi3v94CFfmkQLEP-XaT2fxAtaMtKaNrzVQlc-/s1600/P1240568.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V-Sgr1NtBw2lHbmWPZH7kLcRSNTqTchLkBGABULl_wAMvY-_PucKA5M2sysF1MeAQj3QynBk3EB7hFo0FwcJyNtS8QomBaktm-tJ0FDfi3v94CFfmkQLEP-XaT2fxAtaMtKaNrzVQlc-/s640/P1240568.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The facade where it all started</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A vine draped balustrade on a staircase in the northeast corner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baroque details seem to blend nature and achitectural details found on Gothic churches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61Slf_GTGwKB3JqepJnnQbsq1H4oD-vB_O7a1jjvfwXJ3DToCfGybh8IbRNA0FCEMVZaDq0SPYJWL8OeiIal9nDCvdgrI_LmhNM9tk9MEDWxgAP_k90k3JEwNEO97D-IX8wWxr3WbnfWb/s1600/P1240680.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61Slf_GTGwKB3JqepJnnQbsq1H4oD-vB_O7a1jjvfwXJ3DToCfGybh8IbRNA0FCEMVZaDq0SPYJWL8OeiIal9nDCvdgrI_LmhNM9tk9MEDWxgAP_k90k3JEwNEO97D-IX8wWxr3WbnfWb/s640/P1240680.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adam, a snake, and an apple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMG1ZNFLSPSPLMkPvyacJ8ukk6oW_DQyK91NcPk7LHhlk_HSaGjjm1-u7iqYdbiDPtFwB6FfRKcjOsLXxtrE37eLfqRWRV4Na6dWDNrLiN2UMhi0KrR7G3frGoyPy598t2oVTenXWFChL/s1600/P1240689.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMG1ZNFLSPSPLMkPvyacJ8ukk6oW_DQyK91NcPk7LHhlk_HSaGjjm1-u7iqYdbiDPtFwB6FfRKcjOsLXxtrE37eLfqRWRV4Na6dWDNrLiN2UMhi0KrR7G3frGoyPy598t2oVTenXWFChL/s640/P1240689.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicate palm trees reaching to the sky</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBAhZQkI8ymwkj0rbfJlLKYLfiAEl51-82Jx_mHyhfM7obTqGE281ncxZBCyEdbd56b1hEa2KWJHBPisv3WQJuo2R8wWJmyZ9gXElkheYaJnc8qZPmVIhcQ8jumBOg2m_ddkBHg3spcJx/s1600/P1240663.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBAhZQkI8ymwkj0rbfJlLKYLfiAEl51-82Jx_mHyhfM7obTqGE281ncxZBCyEdbd56b1hEa2KWJHBPisv3WQJuo2R8wWJmyZ9gXElkheYaJnc8qZPmVIhcQ8jumBOg2m_ddkBHg3spcJx/s640/P1240663.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homeland-God-Work</td></tr>
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-15312004474307677302019-12-01T14:49:00.000-08:002019-12-01T14:49:22.874-08:00The Gardens of Ancient Egypt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtoiWgpQeJyzziq7x9Fv13wwo3sLRM9IJV1RxgjMh2X-H5PzY0JXJnVRIwEIzXDoZoSi-gXMU0jdfbnxSuO3UqLRv51Pwm-C2IdKAER2K03_Fj3sYT98s1kRKFYWq7peJlTmh6wr-EfTg/s1600/P1090095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtoiWgpQeJyzziq7x9Fv13wwo3sLRM9IJV1RxgjMh2X-H5PzY0JXJnVRIwEIzXDoZoSi-gXMU0jdfbnxSuO3UqLRv51Pwm-C2IdKAER2K03_Fj3sYT98s1kRKFYWq7peJlTmh6wr-EfTg/s640/P1090095.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papyrus and Cypress Trees, Temple of Horus, Edfu</td></tr>
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This past winter (December 2018-February 2019) I decided that it was time to visit Egypt. I've been exploring the Mediterranean region for several winters, including two trips to Spain and Morocco, three to Italy, a winter in Greece, and trips to Lebanon and Turkey. I also traveled in Jordan and Israel on this last journey. This year I plan on traveling overland from Paris to Greece via Lyon and Marseille, Northern Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, and Albania from early December to March.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papyrus stalks depicted on a temple wall</td></tr>
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I've been to a lot of ancient sites around the world, but nothing compares with the antiquity of the Nile Valley. Europeans lived as hunter gatherers while an elaborate civilization flourished along a green ribbon in the Sahara, where the most sophistcated societies built unparalleled monuments to their gods and rulers. This is no literary masterpiece. Encapsulating a history spanning thousands of years is a daunting task that I found overwhelming, and it took many months to finally put this essay together. Like history, it tends to ramble, and probably has a fair share of misinformed hypotheses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTLtsiVzQYt-zcMxHFP3sA1Ec0r7nRYeVM7dH6btyi9klVkTJlVmJk0shVB9IkBXQH1bVgcm8JyGk0gJLINslEFQUEVx14oxTYCPvubq5qOGpS7o06DLTONSz7Ehl2oRnNLXBZjW5lI2U/s1600/P1120534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTLtsiVzQYt-zcMxHFP3sA1Ec0r7nRYeVM7dH6btyi9klVkTJlVmJk0shVB9IkBXQH1bVgcm8JyGk0gJLINslEFQUEVx14oxTYCPvubq5qOGpS7o06DLTONSz7Ehl2oRnNLXBZjW5lI2U/s640/P1120534.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A model of a house with a courtyard garden planted with fruit trees surrounding a fish pond, meant to provide a comfortable home in the afterlife, The Egyptian Museum</td></tr>
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The desert country that we know as Egypt was once covered in Savannah grasslands, where great herds of elephants and gazelles grazed and hunter/gatherers subsisted. About 7,000 years ago a drying climate forced inhabitants to retreat to the fertile shores of the Nile as the grasslands turned to desert. And there they started to garden. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK146Cr16pXl0SNb9SfGgc5ILnlj6zW1qVrOyJXhpYJ9rgd8c7UGQuZnTkrmw9zpjHduEcvnPBbMSvr3-I_OaYTqJfBsDhyS-PI4r3PHupPrLZNpoFku2f5jYNKmyqdEW7-z5-rg-Rmsb/s1600/P1080179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK146Cr16pXl0SNb9SfGgc5ILnlj6zW1qVrOyJXhpYJ9rgd8c7UGQuZnTkrmw9zpjHduEcvnPBbMSvr3-I_OaYTqJfBsDhyS-PI4r3PHupPrLZNpoFku2f5jYNKmyqdEW7-z5-rg-Rmsb/s640/P1080179.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ox drawn plough and date palms and fruit trees along a canal from a wall painting, Tomb of Amennakht, a workman at Deir el Medina, the West Bank, Luxor</td></tr>
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The ancient Egyptians invented irrigation systems, digging canals to distribute water, and using a device called the Shadoof, which is a weighted pole with a bucket at the other end that would raise water to higher elevations. They domesticated animals, and Oxen started pulling ploughs for tilling the earth. They created the sickle for cutting grain, and papyrus paper and black ink to keep track of everything with hieroglyphic writing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnMU5rAyXr-glJaKU0GXN6wfTommjqNXX4n4QhBTr83MZpW3hIO-9WuerENcR0ox5Y2gMEYJdF78kAH-_FdOQXeeuo2f84WhtR_iQmBkbtt8rww9732BN7dNeXLQvhpJe4f8dV16dyyl1/s1600/a+road-map-of-egypt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnMU5rAyXr-glJaKU0GXN6wfTommjqNXX4n4QhBTr83MZpW3hIO-9WuerENcR0ox5Y2gMEYJdF78kAH-_FdOQXeeuo2f84WhtR_iQmBkbtt8rww9732BN7dNeXLQvhpJe4f8dV16dyyl1/s640/a+road-map-of-egypt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nile is the lifeblood of Egypt</td></tr>
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The Nile River is the lifeline of Egypt since ancient times. The longest river in the world flows north from Lake Victoria draining the lands of eleven present day African countries. Thousands of years of annual flooding have deposited rich silts along its banks creating a green ribbon across the parched deserts of Northern Africa. The Egyptians named the region Kemet, the Black Land. The agriculturally productive soils allowed for a surge in population in a relatively restricted area. That civilization evolved to govern and control a populace that inspired creative ambitions unseen previously in the world. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvf89HzC7579QgC5ydCklzQ7R3x16n7NNT7o5SK8umt_ZjhjrW3bg0ql928wi1nihuouzeawD9uOa87FQ5-u54qgRDqoEvXmcAJmr_zrPckd8SPUUwJ87uJs_ZuXczApv-BfuJjSPQ53wm/s1600/Irrigation+Channel%252C+Aqaba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1600" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvf89HzC7579QgC5ydCklzQ7R3x16n7NNT7o5SK8umt_ZjhjrW3bg0ql928wi1nihuouzeawD9uOa87FQ5-u54qgRDqoEvXmcAJmr_zrPckd8SPUUwJ87uJs_ZuXczApv-BfuJjSPQ53wm/s640/Irrigation+Channel%252C+Aqaba.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irrigation methods developed by the ancient Egyptians are still utilized in many parts of the world. These are small vegetable plots near the beach in Aqaba, Jordan</td></tr>
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At the same time a belief system developed integrating the natural world in to a sophisticated mythology merging life and death and the perceived afterlife. Lower Egypt, around the Nile delta, and Upper Egypt, stretching in to Nubia and the cataracts on the river at Aswan and further south were thought to be unified as a kingdom by the ruler Narmer around 3,100 BC.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgcxHZ_LV7Xr73fVZ8k-r0ntV3L4D-bBH8gvg3xPqxOyJZG_pUOdaRm_FdQAYUgI_Sobi10THDKECNWFH2Cc3Vjt37lgEYrGV1wqNtAaDtZxQpl0p5pV37kQadH9soKYCJ7TsHR45kVdU/s1600/P1040258.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgcxHZ_LV7Xr73fVZ8k-r0ntV3L4D-bBH8gvg3xPqxOyJZG_pUOdaRm_FdQAYUgI_Sobi10THDKECNWFH2Cc3Vjt37lgEYrGV1wqNtAaDtZxQpl0p5pV37kQadH9soKYCJ7TsHR45kVdU/s640/P1040258.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oxen being led to sacrifice to the Gods</td></tr>
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The annual flooding of the river, inundating the fields, made the growing labor force seasonally available for other tasks, so the people were conscripted during this down time as a form of tax to build ambitious royal projects such as funerial pyramids, temples and tombs. The river would rise with floodwaters from the high mountains of Ethiopia in June and remained flooded with fluctuations until October. This created a cycle around which society revolved. Water would rise as much as 45 feet at the first cataract at Aswan, and 35 feet at Thebes (Luxor) downstream. Many temples, including the largest, at Karnak, would be partially submerged during high water periods. The water would run 25 feet deep at Memphis, making it possible to transport large cut blocks of quarried stone on barges closer to desert sites where the great pyramids were built. During the 3rd Dynasty, in the 27th Century BC, the first massive stone pyramid on Earth was built at Saqqara, the necropolis for the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis. Memphis now lies at the edge of the sprawl of Cairo, Africa's largest city. The pyramid has a stepped design and was once clad in smooth polished limestone. A project of this scale had never been perviously attempted in human history.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY1bKuFNBc3vFf7glVwW_EifJVS1RIrq45e7mAvUxlKQHSE-GEqPpJsaFvrcMdYies4X18RZhAI02V9DcDQ3c6FKoTtj55rAb4MhXF4wNdRh7sXXo2uFVKx4ilz0xEtWKQu9x41pI5Sbg/s1600/a54+P1040203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY1bKuFNBc3vFf7glVwW_EifJVS1RIrq45e7mAvUxlKQHSE-GEqPpJsaFvrcMdYies4X18RZhAI02V9DcDQ3c6FKoTtj55rAb4MhXF4wNdRh7sXXo2uFVKx4ilz0xEtWKQu9x41pI5Sbg/s640/a54+P1040203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara was the first giant pyramid to be built in Egypt, in the 27th Century BC</td></tr>
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It is thought that the pyramids were meant to be the access point for the pharaoh to commune with the Sun God Ra. Allusions to nature were common in Egyptian design and art and rapidly developed in to an elaborate mythology where civilization and nature were inextricably intertwined. These grandiose projects were not built by slaves, but were undertaken by the laboring populace as a unifying endeavors that brought Egyptian society together in a common cause.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsY076TbzUal_4TNsJBT0DxKBuxOuT6zrbMqAEGNC3Kss9YSkBQ32UF_W1s6YD2n3K60i3bsZbK6lKu5mbjyBm1HWwe_bH_oiCGXl-AIP4N7DHVAOVU7hyphenhyphenwARhOLH9jdwLAZIDU54hZeHw/s1600/P1040206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsY076TbzUal_4TNsJBT0DxKBuxOuT6zrbMqAEGNC3Kss9YSkBQ32UF_W1s6YD2n3K60i3bsZbK6lKu5mbjyBm1HWwe_bH_oiCGXl-AIP4N7DHVAOVU7hyphenhyphenwARhOLH9jdwLAZIDU54hZeHw/s640/P1040206.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reed bundle like carved stone columns at Saqqara</td></tr>
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The 5th Dynasty Pyramid of Unas at Saqqara, like others from that early period, was filled with rubble. This method of construction did not withstand the ravages of time like those at Giza which were made entirely with large cut stone blocks. This small pyramid was called Nefer Usat Unas, which means Beautiful are the places of Unas. The complex was linked to a lake by a causeway, perhaps including plantings, although there is no evidence to determine that. The Pharaoh Unas had his sarcophagus placed in a tomb accessed by a steep shaft beneath the pyramid, leading to three chambers lined in carved alabaster. The carvingd are the first records of the Pyramid Texts, which are a series of spells meant to insure a well prepared route in to the afterlife for the deceased. The ideas laid forth here became the tradition for later dynasties in preparation of their tombs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5GAz28RtxxA8IVn49AQC0rElRvUeqeNTnzN3coX8-ssCJ4KzegukzvtBjKdwnMPjCZaHQW6PYxihg5AHM3q2c1WyJ3xIcvqr1Yofll6wOGXwjQWFTbLvQUFVmQQBvWybtMDvijgyTWv9/s1600/P1040238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5GAz28RtxxA8IVn49AQC0rElRvUeqeNTnzN3coX8-ssCJ4KzegukzvtBjKdwnMPjCZaHQW6PYxihg5AHM3q2c1WyJ3xIcvqr1Yofll6wOGXwjQWFTbLvQUFVmQQBvWybtMDvijgyTWv9/s640/P1040238.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Pyramid Texts illustrated on the walls of the tomb of Unas</td></tr>
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In less than 100 years after the completion of the Pyramid of Djoser, building began on the massive pyramids at Giza. It took about 85 years to complete the three main pyramids there. The Great Pyramid of Khufu was 481 feet high and was the tallest man made structure on Earth until the 19th Century! The second largest, the Pyramid of Khafre was built by his son. The Pyramid of Menkaure, built by Khafre's son is much smaller but has the most elaborate funerary temples of the three great pyramids.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAjrCn21PFoFJ4ncomwGqWYBtcxEcZ3cxcvj4dXEzCAwMj5Xk2AsRfkymTNgbNxGgKCxAZWwN2x0Tg7VjFtwlhnpoXqQ55tc0XPEqrk_rDgHzbAUUFkvU-aC5i_xaiIffdsgLNd_zbH3G/s1600/P1040426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAjrCn21PFoFJ4ncomwGqWYBtcxEcZ3cxcvj4dXEzCAwMj5Xk2AsRfkymTNgbNxGgKCxAZWwN2x0Tg7VjFtwlhnpoXqQ55tc0XPEqrk_rDgHzbAUUFkvU-aC5i_xaiIffdsgLNd_zbH3G/s640/P1040426.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pyramid of Khafre still has some of its original limestone cladding at the top. The taller Pyramid of Khufu stands behind it in this photo. The limestone was ground to a polish that would have had a brilliant whiteness.</td></tr>
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These monumental pyramids were surrounded by ceremonial structures where elaborate offerings could be presented to the Pharaoh and other blessed individuals in the afterlife and to the Gods that guided them on their journey. The Gods were not worshipped as idols, and the depictions carved in relief and in statuary were personifications through which to channel the divine forces they embodied. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7Rymeg-9LXuGbKN1EbgWeMbMU_4WwIpcZh6vRXGBSL6HQzSrDHvw3McwoUqNgOXM70-kl373dhxQcWdOnGIAVN1S0iz2V_4sHDLoOrJGFMD7JyeAfN7PbUCbcH3zkl2Pc6uBDh-JQ_Jv/s1600/P1080300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7Rymeg-9LXuGbKN1EbgWeMbMU_4WwIpcZh6vRXGBSL6HQzSrDHvw3McwoUqNgOXM70-kl373dhxQcWdOnGIAVN1S0iz2V_4sHDLoOrJGFMD7JyeAfN7PbUCbcH3zkl2Pc6uBDh-JQ_Jv/s640/P1080300.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A procession bearing offerings in relief on the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut</td></tr>
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Depictions on temple walls of offerings processions show a level of extravagance that is astounding. Tomb carvings depict grand processions bearing bountiful quantities of meat, fowl, vegetation, incense, and perfumed waters. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gresS56P-_CHsQc8xlr6OFc8NINq3EPWofxbwzeZanJIXGLmXULG6FEAFTjZ4gtyBG10F10bQftCEc_0ejyVi8N8EnWMfEwdIhzogdICTXJ1crlirc-JybM5o8ghA7YbUe0NG192NzVV/s1600/P1060723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gresS56P-_CHsQc8xlr6OFc8NINq3EPWofxbwzeZanJIXGLmXULG6FEAFTjZ4gtyBG10F10bQftCEc_0ejyVi8N8EnWMfEwdIhzogdICTXJ1crlirc-JybM5o8ghA7YbUe0NG192NzVV/s640/P1060723.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making an offering of perfumed water to Horus and Isis, Kalabsha Temple, Aswan</td></tr>
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Egyptian iconography is complicated and requires a lifetime of study to understand the elaborate rituals that enabled the passage between worlds. I cant begin to explain the dipictions I saw on the thousands of monumental wall reliefs I encountered traveling from the Sudan border to the Nile delta. The most southerly monument I visited were the famed temples at Abu Simbel. I had wanted to see these remarkable ceremonial spaces since I was a child reading National Geographic, which documented the moving of the massive stone carvings to higher ground to escape the rising waters of Lake Nassar, behind the Aswan High Dam.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQa11eIhY_bw3YFFfSFJcDGAa6FvmUqBSVt4qQhGFa6B8zHrU_UGAxNUEV2XUTOfPajaa4VgXWjaxILGygg-_z5ihpj0-Ao8F3oSiJOnJlZe0eUT8WVYHCu32J0p-F7aOTD6V5r0b3k7Bo/s1600/National+Geographic+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQa11eIhY_bw3YFFfSFJcDGAa6FvmUqBSVt4qQhGFa6B8zHrU_UGAxNUEV2XUTOfPajaa4VgXWjaxILGygg-_z5ihpj0-Ao8F3oSiJOnJlZe0eUT8WVYHCu32J0p-F7aOTD6V5r0b3k7Bo/s320/National+Geographic+Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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A false mountain was built to hold the rock cut temples dedicated to the Pharaoh Ramesses II and his wife Nefertari and the monuments were ingeniously reassembled, closely aligned to their original relationship with the Sun's angle on October and February 22nd when light penetrates to the inner most sanctuary. You can read more about the temple's construction, meaning, and relocations at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Simbel_temples<br />
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Its a long day trip from Aswan, and I was able to make the trip at a later time than when the tourist vans go, so I had the place mostly to myself, which was an incredible experience. The temples were once located on a bend in the river in a location meant to impress travelers along the river. But I digress, this monument is meant to impress the power of the Pharaoh and his divinity. Back to the garden...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaRQN_fgoOxrHFEbyHWrcN8B8BlKSiWvi7w0yEnlY19DGivxDxwdI_Kk6h5c71tif1Ouh9lDe_z9Qg7d4872CmpJ-_vuBIpzf_uwBUt7kHgWkmiZlATsDlmnNPQ4jE162zk5swst_YaLI/s1600/P1050532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaRQN_fgoOxrHFEbyHWrcN8B8BlKSiWvi7w0yEnlY19DGivxDxwdI_Kk6h5c71tif1Ouh9lDe_z9Qg7d4872CmpJ-_vuBIpzf_uwBUt7kHgWkmiZlATsDlmnNPQ4jE162zk5swst_YaLI/s640/P1050532.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ramesses II temple at Abu Simbel</td></tr>
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At the temple of Karnak, the second largest temple complex ever built (after Angkor Wat), Ramesses II is depicted making an offering before a Tree of Life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXtNlfk0ecutToqWKpqvHBqTev2ug0z9xgPabc2IhBmXFq1LwEcyuI0bVB-YCR-liNi_daXsjMzXPhBS4cUUnXR_1G_YzO-yaQ4x2nbMUILxgqHPhNrGHQs1vuWOEMDUuCXqNp-8JubBY/s1600/P1070536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXtNlfk0ecutToqWKpqvHBqTev2ug0z9xgPabc2IhBmXFq1LwEcyuI0bVB-YCR-liNi_daXsjMzXPhBS4cUUnXR_1G_YzO-yaQ4x2nbMUILxgqHPhNrGHQs1vuWOEMDUuCXqNp-8JubBY/s640/P1070536.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramesses II kneeling before a tree of life, making an offering to Thoth, the Ibis scribe god in the Temple of Karnak</td></tr>
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About 50 years earlier the female pharoah Queen Hatshepsut built her extraordinary mortuary temple beneath the spectacular cliffs of Deir el-Bahari near the Valley of the Kings. This construction is modeled after an adjacent mortuary temple but exceeds it in grandeur, elevating the prominence of Egypt's first female pharaoh and her divine connection to the God Amun. Only Ramesses II produced more architectural monuments than Egypt's queen. The mortuary temple has three terraces connected by central ramps that were once flanked by gardens planted with exotic trees. Two rectangular reflecting pools graced the second terrace. The orientation is related to the winter solstice, when light penetrates in to the deepest recesses of the temple. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkGSKOBGpJGJdqDVzfEgg9wvGnaWsFVu8kjfj6f26sKow-mq0FH8h3THbspNiPhyphenhyphen3p8S9xnpJsTGXz7EFAgVFAuERhCw6gCmr6VveY2-gI9zYkxeWtRRxNRjxxX7ctiT1LrZQAtOvkthu/s1600/P1080386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkGSKOBGpJGJdqDVzfEgg9wvGnaWsFVu8kjfj6f26sKow-mq0FH8h3THbspNiPhyphenhyphen3p8S9xnpJsTGXz7EFAgVFAuERhCw6gCmr6VveY2-gI9zYkxeWtRRxNRjxxX7ctiT1LrZQAtOvkthu/s640/P1080386.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut beneath the Deir el-Bahari</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbaSnYZHDpXqrlVDDZoDsRLQKQP8C6wFPe5rqm5KqTsygC7ljhljUT_nxctWnTWhj5jIJmFgrjDWOdKMQevCCYFAJeEHUfEByIKMuAncCiM-MLFxPM4yFEPSTpG5iQ5Brk17XEeem9U0I/s1600/P1080277+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1343" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbaSnYZHDpXqrlVDDZoDsRLQKQP8C6wFPe5rqm5KqTsygC7ljhljUT_nxctWnTWhj5jIJmFgrjDWOdKMQevCCYFAJeEHUfEByIKMuAncCiM-MLFxPM4yFEPSTpG5iQ5Brk17XEeem9U0I/s320/P1080277+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relief depicting men transporting large baskets containing Frankinscense<br />
and Myrrh trees</td></tr>
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Reliefs on the temple depict an expedition to the land of Punt where plants were transported back to Egypt in large baskets by boat and then overland in an ardous journey to this desert valley. These are the earliest known depictions of people transplanting trees. The Punt is believed to be the coast of present day Somalia.<br />
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A beautiful relief carving of coconut palm groves along canals graces one of the walls in an elegant, natural style. Coconut palms are not found along the Nile because of infrequent rainfall. Deep rooted date palms thrive along the river and are seen in great number.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHRvqMUrqqW4YVZlypP8GUR0XiMHTG9a4zhgYyw4kdDP4CftuAFunfyEI3Zco4GFPjwJntd0GcYJo-df0plw9E2M_4v6quJjegzRH08z7eFrb0DxKqQRDkrntxkhJpY28HW7xVwI7rj72/s1600/P1080280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHRvqMUrqqW4YVZlypP8GUR0XiMHTG9a4zhgYyw4kdDP4CftuAFunfyEI3Zco4GFPjwJntd0GcYJo-df0plw9E2M_4v6quJjegzRH08z7eFrb0DxKqQRDkrntxkhJpY28HW7xVwI7rj72/s640/P1080280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut palms from Punt, with ladders for picking the coconuts</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO90B7pFsB98tr8bedwogxXp6T9TBH0Cld-3b2hb61OSj2JY6KMe2LwFnKlODZAd5ZoSBROkF1vfPKbEELwKbpqnLNTTBb5PWagGgh5ubrGOY5iPwM7VuFnoLmplFjBuYWZ7XcarYLaBAb/s1600/P1080247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO90B7pFsB98tr8bedwogxXp6T9TBH0Cld-3b2hb61OSj2JY6KMe2LwFnKlODZAd5ZoSBROkF1vfPKbEELwKbpqnLNTTBb5PWagGgh5ubrGOY5iPwM7VuFnoLmplFjBuYWZ7XcarYLaBAb/s320/P1080247.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Excavations revealed the trunk of a tree that is believed to be one of those brought from the Punt. Frankinsence and Myrrh were highly desired sources of incense used in temple rituals. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvNuaYbfiDlM93jhFYGXoSRUOf2epzy5YyY09oEgoTviBSRMUF4bAW2QHMPHtfTj2QwliTo_jkugSZl1pDeY_P3JFrUUH_8Xz6hRpiOF4kLCDGDS5Q5basQa5dxhsIoGHrUHCD2LcCsga/s1600/P1080248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvNuaYbfiDlM93jhFYGXoSRUOf2epzy5YyY09oEgoTviBSRMUF4bAW2QHMPHtfTj2QwliTo_jkugSZl1pDeY_P3JFrUUH_8Xz6hRpiOF4kLCDGDS5Q5basQa5dxhsIoGHrUHCD2LcCsga/s320/P1080248.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at the trunk of a tree planted 3,500 years ago</td></tr>
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It must have required a sophisticated system and enormous amounts of labor to transport water from the Nile to this distant garden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcM0f9HGZ_4cv4tVDBL2S4mAlTMnyPrZwbKUD0na8tPVgsu8iDmSRI66sRp7xwS1sDulMPhEm1G5InGI3oHH4PSRSum5ETjnA-wm4PHEnbz4w-8unKRLWDfWldrbbEnPKrlMcAzgc327N/s1600/P1070812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcM0f9HGZ_4cv4tVDBL2S4mAlTMnyPrZwbKUD0na8tPVgsu8iDmSRI66sRp7xwS1sDulMPhEm1G5InGI3oHH4PSRSum5ETjnA-wm4PHEnbz4w-8unKRLWDfWldrbbEnPKrlMcAzgc327N/s640/P1070812.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Groves of date palms create an atmospheric scene at the Temple of Karnak</td></tr>
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The reflecting pools would have been rectangular and were probably used as reservoirs for irrigating the gardens and for rearing lilies, fish, and waterfowl.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQmJBHJ3TkCrcQ2TfBp_2OZpmpKOIgYGdskogTlqVTYajpmY7-rvcaPc1WCETecOaGss3RpE6rArhxSfqB2-r1ud-pNTcn66w5_gM4GVJdkkO87kNLwF20FdPS7taXDWhKpgfbDwymaMP/s1600/P1100465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQmJBHJ3TkCrcQ2TfBp_2OZpmpKOIgYGdskogTlqVTYajpmY7-rvcaPc1WCETecOaGss3RpE6rArhxSfqB2-r1ud-pNTcn66w5_gM4GVJdkkO87kNLwF20FdPS7taXDWhKpgfbDwymaMP/s640/P1100465.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A contemporary illustration of an ancient Egyptian water garden surrounded by gardens filled with egrets</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNH-s1tgLE9g6mQHz1EF8c7-YS32zzczpAUThBx-N-X__68LHY1mnnGPN9UlXMSO6NMKMya4Hz3AV43cvT9OyHxfxODEomMJke3oSadl6ekx7AiCt2qUM2rOWZRfxyFtoiLYsyxmJOcSO/s1600/P1060445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNH-s1tgLE9g6mQHz1EF8c7-YS32zzczpAUThBx-N-X__68LHY1mnnGPN9UlXMSO6NMKMya4Hz3AV43cvT9OyHxfxODEomMJke3oSadl6ekx7AiCt2qUM2rOWZRfxyFtoiLYsyxmJOcSO/s640/P1060445.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multi trunked Doum Palms, <i>Hyphaene thebaica</i> have edible fruit, and are associated with the Ibis diety Thoth, the scribe. Seen here along the Nile near Aswan</td></tr>
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The gardens in front of the famed Egyptian Museum in Cairo have a rectangular reflecting lily pool modeled after the historical prototype.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVByNDvoTZoViptI1SpCsSYFLs1DJX3xeG9rwzVB4PAMF5c6XFUuwUQ6cphhG3eXZlkYOSVBWHHclT4CGqLzCa3Pvh0MWtVKZQYbVR37WrEnzTMZJrqUpOOXnhEwYDJSiTjDtD3cEohxA/s1600/P1030657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVByNDvoTZoViptI1SpCsSYFLs1DJX3xeG9rwzVB4PAMF5c6XFUuwUQ6cphhG3eXZlkYOSVBWHHclT4CGqLzCa3Pvh0MWtVKZQYbVR37WrEnzTMZJrqUpOOXnhEwYDJSiTjDtD3cEohxA/s640/P1030657.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rectangular pool with an island symbolizing the place of creation</td></tr>
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Papyrus, <i>Cyperus papyrus</i>, is a reed plant that grows in marshy areas throughout much of Africa. It has long slender stems capped with feathery filaments looking something like a feather duster. The plant is nearly extinct along the lower Nile today but was widely cultivated in ancient Egypt. It has a number of uses, including material for making baskets, mats, boats, sandals, cording, and most famously for paper. Papyrus paper was used to make scrolls, some of which in the dry climate of the Sahara have been preserved for thousands of years. The plant could also be burned for fuel and as a kind of incense.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4W5VobmTa6OVBTKWsfXoySHr37YJp5JgnHGqFeo4wRyeceSBTF2R3rFPQBdjwOvFIcGieg4DgZYswiC1Micd6iFQJW7U3a1YufWZ9G-hsuDIAp6jTbksTCmHM2pXnTfVzhuNsvO28_Ql/s1600/P1030893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4W5VobmTa6OVBTKWsfXoySHr37YJp5JgnHGqFeo4wRyeceSBTF2R3rFPQBdjwOvFIcGieg4DgZYswiC1Micd6iFQJW7U3a1YufWZ9G-hsuDIAp6jTbksTCmHM2pXnTfVzhuNsvO28_Ql/s640/P1030893.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isis? praying to Sobek, the alligator god of fertility and creativity, painted on Papyrus paper</td></tr>
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Papyrus was so important in ancient Egypt that columns on temples were sometimes modeled after them. They are frequently found painted in the borders of friezes and sometimes as a pedastle as well.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0G5kUIuFo_JpwTa3by9oavOX8GqbNvU-9AlggiWtr0EhPey_hLZP_0oXl2NS1CN3Fv8pj3GmSq4fQ5ytkE1punFgX4iDO5fcOeMSdUHnkL4E02zMucclKasaqPNZMmBoD6bO8-PxwTv8_/s1600/P1080734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1114" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0G5kUIuFo_JpwTa3by9oavOX8GqbNvU-9AlggiWtr0EhPey_hLZP_0oXl2NS1CN3Fv8pj3GmSq4fQ5ytkE1punFgX4iDO5fcOeMSdUHnkL4E02zMucclKasaqPNZMmBoD6bO8-PxwTv8_/s640/P1080734.jpg" width="441" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horus, the Falcon God, Osiris, and Babi, the Baboon God of the underworld behind a pharaoh in the Valley of the Kings standing on a papyrus stalk</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k_mB-WXgSMQ3Hv5Wg5sddRywdd_-ILCdwPz-vAgtKmPUBHUy_XzCiC9E_z2U3eiXVn_WIiys-I_PrsmUWK20X7etE8RiOKGUfQdTULoBaoQt0A0JS3WKs2JKZccQ3AxKRQkw-nmlxZX-/s1600/P1070807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k_mB-WXgSMQ3Hv5Wg5sddRywdd_-ILCdwPz-vAgtKmPUBHUy_XzCiC9E_z2U3eiXVn_WIiys-I_PrsmUWK20X7etE8RiOKGUfQdTULoBaoQt0A0JS3WKs2JKZccQ3AxKRQkw-nmlxZX-/s640/P1070807.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaring Papyrus columns at the Karnak Temple at Thebes (Luxor)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwLzgkMxCR-Yfd7CuGG-ulZWyHsgTVT5LoDVNQ5LsC6qJFlTn-SRYX3iXHsJgp6ZDNnIbB1gz4fYT2o3F2bE1xEVoG0b8nahme3BiXoC5dY73EzVySmSfLqYO5DTbhOOkPi6UCznrgwQN/s1600/P1070825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwLzgkMxCR-Yfd7CuGG-ulZWyHsgTVT5LoDVNQ5LsC6qJFlTn-SRYX3iXHsJgp6ZDNnIbB1gz4fYT2o3F2bE1xEVoG0b8nahme3BiXoC5dY73EzVySmSfLqYO5DTbhOOkPi6UCznrgwQN/s640/P1070825.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautifully rendered papyrus capital from the Temple of Philae, Aswan</td></tr>
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Egyptian temples incorporated gardens in to their designs, to provide food, shade, and pleasing environs. The temples were the domain of priests and the pharaohs who ruled them. Ordinary citizens were not allowed inside the temple walls. The rites performed by the priests were needed to maintain the process and balance that kept society functioning harmoniously.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyG69g_sl7pUVL19j5XGQ6O9LfUv9uEm4qhfB-HM8qAPDpjbAdcOA4khebTxVaQIt84juYq9wYDIZfKJ5fDIdcgQvEwhTLmdGf75zdY9J4Uz7HmaRQTgaTxREY7k9hz2PpBhE5OT5VVmOA/s1600/P1080232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyG69g_sl7pUVL19j5XGQ6O9LfUv9uEm4qhfB-HM8qAPDpjbAdcOA4khebTxVaQIt84juYq9wYDIZfKJ5fDIdcgQvEwhTLmdGf75zdY9J4Uz7HmaRQTgaTxREY7k9hz2PpBhE5OT5VVmOA/s640/P1080232.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pharaoh seated on a throne in a garden before a procession of gods at the threshold of the afterlife, Valley of the Kings</td></tr>
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Collecting plant and animal species through trade became a trademark of the pharaohs. Reliefs in an area at Karnak called the Botanical Garden of Thutmose III depict botanical collections in a garden setting. A variety of plants and animals grace the walls, exemplifying the vast domain ruled by the kingdom.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrH4RJCqEcYu11BMFhXFJNBA_BqEoI6YpyjlnK5P1SIOaJzgLHAS5PwEZHUUe5uCt1MB7eN04vlsIJGzcthIJKPEQghLV1LA829G6brxlrY1PDMVjdudOx1QE3r3QycERQh28hpKcRD3Nn/s1600/P1070790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrH4RJCqEcYu11BMFhXFJNBA_BqEoI6YpyjlnK5P1SIOaJzgLHAS5PwEZHUUe5uCt1MB7eN04vlsIJGzcthIJKPEQghLV1LA829G6brxlrY1PDMVjdudOx1QE3r3QycERQh28hpKcRD3Nn/s640/P1070790.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden panels in the Botanical Garden of Thutmose III, Temple of Karnak, Thebes (Luxor)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aOahukitPMJKsgNzk-7Vy6cTTbo-qlqcjDd8huGQPdC3HdAE6hBWVV9-m4TqgGZss3B2XnmkzIIHav8jUlIcIV0GZjqcxV1zCbQBu7talI2xTlwXzxXFJuz_pVNS-dqIiiquAGxoKYF8/s1600/P1070791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aOahukitPMJKsgNzk-7Vy6cTTbo-qlqcjDd8huGQPdC3HdAE6hBWVV9-m4TqgGZss3B2XnmkzIIHav8jUlIcIV0GZjqcxV1zCbQBu7talI2xTlwXzxXFJuz_pVNS-dqIiiquAGxoKYF8/s640/P1070791.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another panel from the Botanical Garden of Thutmose III, Karnak</td></tr>
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A garden would have been a highly sought after feature of the afterlife. Gardens provide a peaceful haven that humanity craves, especially in desert environs. Water and shade and sustinance bring about wellbeing. <br />
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Plants had associations with various gods. Hathor and Horus are connected to water lilies and papyrus, date palms to Re and Min. Osiris is paired with the Tamarisk, and Isis and later Hathor with the Sycamore, <i>Ficus sycomorus</i>. In the Pyramid texts, Horus, the falcon god seeks refuge beneath an Acacia Tree. <i>Ziziphus jujuba</i>, the Jujuba tree is tied to the alligator god Sobek. Alligators were kept in ponds in gardens, and the magnificent temple of Kom Ombo between Aswan and Luxor was dedicated to Sobek. When the domesticated alligators died they would be mummified for eternity, as were a number of other animal species connected to the gods. The Pyramid texts mention that ba, or the soul can rest in the branches of the Jujuba tree.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDA_W1yiWqwENieke6i-zpOuKnZRhj-LcNpUYgAeLII-WqhYHhjPm1NYogJObgrku_HaDjbQFwcIMW3UNUHu0AkwATvafhplDaZV7bziY4-RsGLUoti8UnCX14q5huEHPfTrxbTGl0uTn/s1600/P1060601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDA_W1yiWqwENieke6i-zpOuKnZRhj-LcNpUYgAeLII-WqhYHhjPm1NYogJObgrku_HaDjbQFwcIMW3UNUHu0AkwATvafhplDaZV7bziY4-RsGLUoti8UnCX14q5huEHPfTrxbTGl0uTn/s640/P1060601.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mummified Nile Alligators found at the Temple of Kom Ombo</td></tr>
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Aviaries were common in Egyptian temple gardens, and collecting birds for their beauty, and as a source of food and feathers and offerings brought about the domestication of aquatic species and falcons. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cPfZBsRateBlb56WvKIsRQyt_9AWK20TjGzEPk3PsN6OvTEe1mxs-7ltr2MD5AKA0OQ8mE95pWSBJirIr4NUzy6FxwCYUQdva3TKmvGeRozagY1Dq2pFOESBpKZFntFsZ0LvZwxeDS6F/s1600/P1050698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cPfZBsRateBlb56WvKIsRQyt_9AWK20TjGzEPk3PsN6OvTEe1mxs-7ltr2MD5AKA0OQ8mE95pWSBJirIr4NUzy6FxwCYUQdva3TKmvGeRozagY1Dq2pFOESBpKZFntFsZ0LvZwxeDS6F/s640/P1050698.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stilts along the banks of the Nile in Aswan</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rP2mS_dRCvrFsBfdryRmg5XKH43ltga9j6nyAlHgOb0RrAFTFZ8mfbt1vbsGBNLKfotm33jlPXPGL9rGrd7MS0Ki19Lu1OWlee8YxSUdAmQGbbf8jpKlNDqXOSAZyte0id1ifN3Qa0j8/s1600/P1060351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rP2mS_dRCvrFsBfdryRmg5XKH43ltga9j6nyAlHgOb0RrAFTFZ8mfbt1vbsGBNLKfotm33jlPXPGL9rGrd7MS0Ki19Lu1OWlee8YxSUdAmQGbbf8jpKlNDqXOSAZyte0id1ifN3Qa0j8/s640/P1060351.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A grey heron in the Egyptian pantheon of the gods is Bennu</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipNjIg2nxoczo7Ro5c5ZsGZEHjJFxIQHHQ72Dy5xayHA-fKv2is_ctxZTd2eJZNW8EaN0ArLPQsRQluDkLrc_CQ8vnUI59bXKn0HHwnirMlA7PgymRUteXnGPmXLf8xYWPezNGZxPT9Za/s1600/P1080185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipNjIg2nxoczo7Ro5c5ZsGZEHjJFxIQHHQ72Dy5xayHA-fKv2is_ctxZTd2eJZNW8EaN0ArLPQsRQluDkLrc_CQ8vnUI59bXKn0HHwnirMlA7PgymRUteXnGPmXLf8xYWPezNGZxPT9Za/s640/P1080185.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bennu, riding on the prow of a boat</td></tr>
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There was a great deal of bird life along the Nile and depictions of birds in heiroglyphs are common. The characteristics of a specific type of bird would be portrayed in the divine wearing various crowns with meaningful embellishments that tell a story. One could spend their entire life studying Egyptology. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHOWARrvRL-2Oiz4PzjVHx3rjuP3Puph9VvBTYt8s4UJ0Ix0ZPcaXHH45nbVG0YfqxGI0BUT63UB3cU5Bgc6RaoPbGjJI3aFMEng2jivas-G4uDMO3LidwfHSGUCRFuAn78K7nMSUphV3/s1600/P1090175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHOWARrvRL-2Oiz4PzjVHx3rjuP3Puph9VvBTYt8s4UJ0Ix0ZPcaXHH45nbVG0YfqxGI0BUT63UB3cU5Bgc6RaoPbGjJI3aFMEng2jivas-G4uDMO3LidwfHSGUCRFuAn78K7nMSUphV3/s640/P1090175.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful depiction of a flock of ducks at the Temple of Abydos</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63FqwhBbqkFlzz3ZXZwLdeN2J7L-7h7g1AxU2TGLPq7_wxQj8rM1l87QLJ9i4sz97t6Y6vjKWj5EvO1Z2Bhw2kVBJbKeIEvc7V2F_DgnzoroZId7jQfvGOsi8kaR0a8lT79aigjxH-JLT/s1600/P1080675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63FqwhBbqkFlzz3ZXZwLdeN2J7L-7h7g1AxU2TGLPq7_wxQj8rM1l87QLJ9i4sz97t6Y6vjKWj5EvO1Z2Bhw2kVBJbKeIEvc7V2F_DgnzoroZId7jQfvGOsi8kaR0a8lT79aigjxH-JLT/s640/P1080675.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horus, the Falcon God</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1K2O6gljBREkwKkrd0WiTZZmeZNMfPHIEImHhBKx_XoApN4f025GWs3uU-MFPI9KyI2hyphenhyphenp46ixnCoVN9XZcjzwt2Etj4oR_YyapeGwbwFI_wiPZOOrdZU54XQpOnB5WJ58Zv5_8QlD-K/s1600/P1120523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1K2O6gljBREkwKkrd0WiTZZmeZNMfPHIEImHhBKx_XoApN4f025GWs3uU-MFPI9KyI2hyphenhyphenp46ixnCoVN9XZcjzwt2Etj4oR_YyapeGwbwFI_wiPZOOrdZU54XQpOnB5WJ58Zv5_8QlD-K/s640/P1120523.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mummified falcon</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82MzCJq65-h1ZIBLZKav7-cPFV6ci8umP-k2V7HnCV5q3RaKQ6A1ghqZLfKTlR-4b4KVPSFsiY8Q3cJGRD8aGEMMz7XHWwn637YMd1j_QuhVttiqhyzb-8450U7LQhkOMWsRh5ooB11OD/s1600/P1030853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82MzCJq65-h1ZIBLZKav7-cPFV6ci8umP-k2V7HnCV5q3RaKQ6A1ghqZLfKTlR-4b4KVPSFsiY8Q3cJGRD8aGEMMz7XHWwn637YMd1j_QuhVttiqhyzb-8450U7LQhkOMWsRh5ooB11OD/s640/P1030853.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of waterfowl and waterlilies in a painted floor from the palace of Pharaoh Akhenaten in Armana, Egyptian Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVbVDT1YJZRuGgvlwUrV3iGBAzPKToz-iq50WEjXjE3TH7DnUVyP4PUPWQhEe2voylW-9PWyW3nTLeSGgpQ3mMEWU6EDBU3ZuFxfUEomS1-epuy8Em8Yx-xnL9NWUKHlpHZNwu1efOBCH/s1600/P1080582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVbVDT1YJZRuGgvlwUrV3iGBAzPKToz-iq50WEjXjE3TH7DnUVyP4PUPWQhEe2voylW-9PWyW3nTLeSGgpQ3mMEWU6EDBU3ZuFxfUEomS1-epuy8Em8Yx-xnL9NWUKHlpHZNwu1efOBCH/s400/P1080582.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remains of a statue of Akhenaten from Armana</td></tr>
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Akhenaten, the father of Tutankhamun, and husband to Nefertiti was something of a rogue pharaoh, abandoning the worship of multiple gods in favor of one supreme diety, Aten, who is then represented as a solar disk. His depictions were a departure from the idealistic representation, portraying him in a more realistic fashion. His political shift in religious beliefs was very unpopular with the priests who's power and influence he wished to compromise. <br />
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He moved his capital from Thebes to Armana in the Minya province north of Thebes, where he built temples, palaces, and gardens in the harsh, rocky and less hospitable environment. I didn't visit Armana as little remains, but there are texts that describe terraced gardens cut in to the rock leading down to a series of pools. If you want to go in to great detail about the life of Akhenaten, read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akhenaten<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNIMyc78fQenx4pSMfIUXea_B1yDCYCWc05Q7R5fo7g6bTKBOvPmdG1ESD_SFaCPCA3GQZZg23f9GPKUSxjNp7fshYJLeYtM9Xsz8Ck50ueeC8EqfEOJaOHEy-4-FFkAY9KfjdkZoVSAy/s1600/P1030882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1465" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNIMyc78fQenx4pSMfIUXea_B1yDCYCWc05Q7R5fo7g6bTKBOvPmdG1ESD_SFaCPCA3GQZZg23f9GPKUSxjNp7fshYJLeYtM9Xsz8Ck50ueeC8EqfEOJaOHEy-4-FFkAY9KfjdkZoVSAy/s640/P1030882.jpg" width="584" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Akhenaten, and a much smaller Nefertiti making offernings to Aten</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lduWO_AsNBn-6zRPynjSKZuHTSQ7eMLh7dcFx_QdfsGIAMUGzG_X716alVUehj6rmFdO_uvHYhWvU0wfhVDrbD0yC5eVxZJX8hVrPiBZhjdR6rtkwmEicFAndZb1V8zlZTdrrORyQYa6/s1600/P1030858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lduWO_AsNBn-6zRPynjSKZuHTSQ7eMLh7dcFx_QdfsGIAMUGzG_X716alVUehj6rmFdO_uvHYhWvU0wfhVDrbD0yC5eVxZJX8hVrPiBZhjdR6rtkwmEicFAndZb1V8zlZTdrrORyQYa6/s640/P1030858.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A remnant of a painted floor depicting gardens and a pool, from Pharaoh Akhenaten's Palace in Armana, in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo</td></tr>
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After his death much of his legacy was erased as Egyptian society returned to its original beliefs and rituals. His young son Tut helped to instigate that transition. Tut's inbred life was short, ending at the age of 19. Much of the treasure found in his infamous tomb is believed to have come from his father's treasury.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5S5FULDvuQu9Ick9katJMtvJ8wkAJbgXtYOue8fr_SgxPVEnZ3mtYwBiRLfExqqf31VVJfEOuU6IW02Ze8QVzXZp3gsXxUybOUMk3QMBwtQb2Jqz6UAAUzwzg9Kd_QEnjD0FUpbuEAXs/s1600/P1120568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5S5FULDvuQu9Ick9katJMtvJ8wkAJbgXtYOue8fr_SgxPVEnZ3mtYwBiRLfExqqf31VVJfEOuU6IW02Ze8QVzXZp3gsXxUybOUMk3QMBwtQb2Jqz6UAAUzwzg9Kd_QEnjD0FUpbuEAXs/s640/P1120568.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tutankhamun and his wife depicted on a golden throne</td></tr>
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I spent two months in Egypt and visited a great many ancient sites. Some of my favorites on the west bank of the Nile in Thebes where the Valley of the Kings and Queens lie, are tombs created by the workers for themselves. A large seasonal artisans settlement at Deir el-Medina contained 120 houses where skilled artists favored by the pharaohs and nobels lived and worked on tombs hidden in the rugged canyons with the hopes that they could be kept secret from grave robbers. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU9AJc3ZdPQFc9tcvlqdtnAapYNkm4mNDtg_93zMEXIi10vIuW8ZIMZiL84asuHDWS_tzGLBnw266MvuJmVnZjaudgLpC2CmsewEg9H7OL-MFJmhJhO0L0IbUmUB4POQ_KfTaGv3bcgGC/s1600/P1080162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU9AJc3ZdPQFc9tcvlqdtnAapYNkm4mNDtg_93zMEXIi10vIuW8ZIMZiL84asuHDWS_tzGLBnw266MvuJmVnZjaudgLpC2CmsewEg9H7OL-MFJmhJhO0L0IbUmUB4POQ_KfTaGv3bcgGC/s640/P1080162.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ruins of the worker's village at Deir el-Medina</td></tr>
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The dry climate has preserved the pigments in paintings in a remarkable state. When the workers weren't laboring on their commissions they often embellished their own tombs. The afterlife was such a part of one's existance that death was a highly anticipated event to be prepared for. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sRY5U2iCvDm8lBJazc4q4xxhyphenhyphenOr9NovpDi1NeI_IPCevtPEHhcyOZNgRrJT5b2HylR-eapWaZODTcnYamxVrf9h8JnYJdOgI24V2gsQDD67m0BNjiJATCtUmiU-qzBjWriQ44O3LHKym/s1600/P1080165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sRY5U2iCvDm8lBJazc4q4xxhyphenhyphenOr9NovpDi1NeI_IPCevtPEHhcyOZNgRrJT5b2HylR-eapWaZODTcnYamxVrf9h8JnYJdOgI24V2gsQDD67m0BNjiJATCtUmiU-qzBjWriQ44O3LHKym/s640/P1080165.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agricultural scene from the tomb of Sennedjem, Dier el-Medina</td></tr>
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The workers tombs have a fresh and realistic look depicting scenes from every day life without the need to over idealize its subjects. Many of the artists who painted walls also farmed when the Nile's waters receded, so many scenes depicting agriculture, family life, and nature can be found in these more intimate tombs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4b-FjlKP70XDCts_tnzQJNJxqI3MjaRPfFxNu0iZms3M1tePa9Bq07MLZ33c_yB3hroruxor4ZoNHqwucs5Oj38CRAApjaW8_crbMx84UV1BqNM3Cuwin3ti5UwYNO6CEtH8dED-cnwU/s1600/P1060405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4b-FjlKP70XDCts_tnzQJNJxqI3MjaRPfFxNu0iZms3M1tePa9Bq07MLZ33c_yB3hroruxor4ZoNHqwucs5Oj38CRAApjaW8_crbMx84UV1BqNM3Cuwin3ti5UwYNO6CEtH8dED-cnwU/s640/P1060405.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fields along the Nile near Aswan</td></tr>
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There was a code of ethics that guided Egyptian society and at the time of death, the jackel headed god Anubis would guide the soul to a kind of judgement hall where Osiris heard confessions of worthiness and avoidance of sin. In some texts the heart was weighed on golden scales against that of the feather of truth. If the heart was heavier it would be devoured by the goddess Ammut, and the soul would be forgotten as non existent, a dreaded fate. Passage to an eternal life of joy was the blessing of having been judged a good person in one's Earthly life. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtDarZBoKXdyL3omLu8f78oe1_FKWiv_OR5h_wcNmB6O3aXUnq3ZuNDThGTZ3tU1lPON82kPT_3yQi8_f6JLIH-UkmpZn-mjBEn3smVmM8PK6UQcRXHoRUD_wkKVi1aJRHR5-kLg-cqnU/s1600/P1120706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtDarZBoKXdyL3omLu8f78oe1_FKWiv_OR5h_wcNmB6O3aXUnq3ZuNDThGTZ3tU1lPON82kPT_3yQi8_f6JLIH-UkmpZn-mjBEn3smVmM8PK6UQcRXHoRUD_wkKVi1aJRHR5-kLg-cqnU/s640/P1120706.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oxen pulling a plow with irrigation canals, on papyrus, Egyptian Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o84G9ifa9Lvp9HqGj2WEhgn2H-dGQSu0uBkqbB5mxmUJH_tB7LNeJ3vxsciluAbOV09tQZpgM6o-qWJouJ_YiErM3ieSyRI_wqBUDU8R-SGmWBhG5WqbSeTlsbPXR32tcSSonA93Fxqd/s1600/P1080169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o84G9ifa9Lvp9HqGj2WEhgn2H-dGQSu0uBkqbB5mxmUJH_tB7LNeJ3vxsciluAbOV09tQZpgM6o-qWJouJ_YiErM3ieSyRI_wqBUDU8R-SGmWBhG5WqbSeTlsbPXR32tcSSonA93Fxqd/s640/P1080169.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sennedjem and his wife Lyneferti kneeling before the Goddess Hathor as a Sycamore Tree in the worker Sennedjem's tomb at Deir el-Medina</td></tr>
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Hathor, often depicted with cow ears, was a goddess in the realms of both life and death, providing sustinance and wisdom. In the tomb of Sennedjem, scenes of a proper life invites the blessings of the gods and a successful transition to the afterlife for him and his family.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb9PsYsz-AGs1hcMKjApRBNoP7rt0XIfj9dlRYL3UnWn5fBhqjSXbGvoebQ3IEJaF-6EjawvAuUTqwrriPPdCJQumXbQY1b3Ilp1mC6zI-DGWo3KrFWroSuXrrmQFJK9IH8ljzqmizDrL/s1600/P1080189.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb9PsYsz-AGs1hcMKjApRBNoP7rt0XIfj9dlRYL3UnWn5fBhqjSXbGvoebQ3IEJaF-6EjawvAuUTqwrriPPdCJQumXbQY1b3Ilp1mC6zI-DGWo3KrFWroSuXrrmQFJK9IH8ljzqmizDrL/s640/P1080189.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bundle of offerings in the Tomb of Sennedjem</td></tr>
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And in that afterlife one hopefully resides in a garden of plentitude, beauty, music, and joy. It is a reward that inspires many beliefs, for what better outcome could there be than to go back to the garden. If I were to chose a fate for my soul after a long, challenging life on earth, I'll be happy to end up in my own back yard<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRk5fDzboPa7fCYXqvKt2jXdYSP4xqNtlMw0Wd5x4oou2iTxQelWeNXPF6UoMWJHlmaAcYjKnSNlPh37kxM_HBMloOUdPtFBmrocGG62juFcjw6Hf7t8fswKvC6kjNSY6ES270aYg8dkl/s1600/My+garden+9%253A19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRk5fDzboPa7fCYXqvKt2jXdYSP4xqNtlMw0Wd5x4oou2iTxQelWeNXPF6UoMWJHlmaAcYjKnSNlPh37kxM_HBMloOUdPtFBmrocGG62juFcjw6Hf7t8fswKvC6kjNSY6ES270aYg8dkl/s320/My+garden+9%253A19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading, Jeffrey<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rvn9LB0sDU24rj1pDeiRKLLbQ6B3sjqGl3k_UYcaSQISa4AOMdsz_e0jS4uHibNx0E2tQV74Jp-6mGh4ggSkAP1WIMLcYlAhPBjde1Ak0-3ShBVlUUqqU7FmWpio0N3wjVXCYAiCBWCt/s1600/P1080210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rvn9LB0sDU24rj1pDeiRKLLbQ6B3sjqGl3k_UYcaSQISa4AOMdsz_e0jS4uHibNx0E2tQV74Jp-6mGh4ggSkAP1WIMLcYlAhPBjde1Ak0-3ShBVlUUqqU7FmWpio0N3wjVXCYAiCBWCt/s640/P1080210.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The soul being guided to the place of judgement</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdsMgUbKRa3ql8oJ2gigjhNxqYBKgmFl-cVQfNcrzc7FE_2GyjIQrRbs8cOCU5qLKKshnfmRk79OSd8WNZWucaemfd2z31zCsJgLjMc4ONmIkH5ZIoK7_CwvN-rQ1LkGT9yO-356e9U-E/s1600/P1030801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdsMgUbKRa3ql8oJ2gigjhNxqYBKgmFl-cVQfNcrzc7FE_2GyjIQrRbs8cOCU5qLKKshnfmRk79OSd8WNZWucaemfd2z31zCsJgLjMc4ONmIkH5ZIoK7_CwvN-rQ1LkGT9yO-356e9U-E/s640/P1030801.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paying tribute</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_eApPdBUOzeL_UupOwyoXFC2uDhDadvThfKuDzbovGKBIF5Mo1mV19ijsvOLCHGRxXAY1goiYbTIftXJa6TOofJl3pFzYzyTLKKUo74X-fWB-mxZvX-LCyWI5_NDfdQ7cf6coqyVWBET/s1600/P1080704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_eApPdBUOzeL_UupOwyoXFC2uDhDadvThfKuDzbovGKBIF5Mo1mV19ijsvOLCHGRxXAY1goiYbTIftXJa6TOofJl3pFzYzyTLKKUo74X-fWB-mxZvX-LCyWI5_NDfdQ7cf6coqyVWBET/s640/P1080704.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating the passage to the afterlife</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6CG6KFnFr1dIGuBuASvRAEFjDOR9fRzcXTRwtK660pXSDIy-brWRdDGQ1Y-PS6nZMOCA6kk3d4CjHn49AksYSax5eEC19MypK-sB-P0XOuEe2e4ALfPR2BuLLAVNVaeI78q5C4vWKoXq/s1600/P1050684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6CG6KFnFr1dIGuBuASvRAEFjDOR9fRzcXTRwtK660pXSDIy-brWRdDGQ1Y-PS6nZMOCA6kk3d4CjHn49AksYSax5eEC19MypK-sB-P0XOuEe2e4ALfPR2BuLLAVNVaeI78q5C4vWKoXq/s640/P1050684.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aswan Botanical Gardens, Kitchener Island, Aswan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zYqaCNt3OEWGuC1ib2xpUGBLrj6UB7hjqhwqfN03g5R2O4yxzD7KwM4sCsMHaDqAkTXD1pwk78q19i1cm2qxfZSigcDa3d7Kw6ZPY0qvsJnnM4YF3hoxwHBoU94MroLJnGXxm0ueCErU/s1600/P1030517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zYqaCNt3OEWGuC1ib2xpUGBLrj6UB7hjqhwqfN03g5R2O4yxzD7KwM4sCsMHaDqAkTXD1pwk78q19i1cm2qxfZSigcDa3d7Kw6ZPY0qvsJnnM4YF3hoxwHBoU94MroLJnGXxm0ueCErU/s640/P1030517.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nile River in Cairo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hyroglyphs at the Temple of Karnak</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shorebirds carved in to pink granite, Kom Ombo<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvM79EeTOY1knWeNu2OVmT_kZyU_2gVVokvFAELEIA_HPshSYabt30skfYPI-MKgpE-f597eoEZ3Adk_LfkjebENGJOXrXqe8oAgtAwSJEjGsoVZbXJINjEOoPcTTLpxKDqfuZLH2aFgPr/s1600/P1080617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvM79EeTOY1knWeNu2OVmT_kZyU_2gVVokvFAELEIA_HPshSYabt30skfYPI-MKgpE-f597eoEZ3Adk_LfkjebENGJOXrXqe8oAgtAwSJEjGsoVZbXJINjEOoPcTTLpxKDqfuZLH2aFgPr/s640/P1080617.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An ornamental detail, Valley of the Kings</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ram headed Sphinxes, Temple of Karnak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwXTAeYISVN5fpXBKdy0pLVFr08VduAmy9Jtjr0A9qn3p50E4HVXTczn5XFZb8jEfzaG6VUGAVYnph5HSTLKH9K32L76ToPdOweZd8R1UchLw5EAVFGDrKzudWhAoM4cD5YfYqFd7W5TK/s1600/P1070591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwXTAeYISVN5fpXBKdy0pLVFr08VduAmy9Jtjr0A9qn3p50E4HVXTczn5XFZb8jEfzaG6VUGAVYnph5HSTLKH9K32L76ToPdOweZd8R1UchLw5EAVFGDrKzudWhAoM4cD5YfYqFd7W5TK/s640/P1070591.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sacred Lake at Karnak was used for ritual cleansing, navigation rituals, and as an aviary for aquatic fowl.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1wze5lCCt108pYVoSr5803l0lbJ-P_VW-uLOoNXysz1TK1YQlVjhPl0EQl-0ajLVD33fJfOIfV1aiNcORtTqzTHhQUCARfbPxHHrTuieCUkVlofZNftcvGq_1N_mXnSTE3wDymkawcpA/s1600/P1070799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1wze5lCCt108pYVoSr5803l0lbJ-P_VW-uLOoNXysz1TK1YQlVjhPl0EQl-0ajLVD33fJfOIfV1aiNcORtTqzTHhQUCARfbPxHHrTuieCUkVlofZNftcvGq_1N_mXnSTE3wDymkawcpA/s640/P1070799.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Date Palms, Karnak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIR1gRcgRTdyReTaeKqVP5u6NJzRqITovnt-Yeuatdrnd68se1aZhceueFFozNs3OvFKn4y88UkWo_AukZ4q1f4Wpc0JgUn11L0Vc4WbWv7rLwpwww-Uwi0nKXW0gYNFAcJcyz-hqh9V5/s1600/My+garden+9%253A19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIR1gRcgRTdyReTaeKqVP5u6NJzRqITovnt-Yeuatdrnd68se1aZhceueFFozNs3OvFKn4y88UkWo_AukZ4q1f4Wpc0JgUn11L0Vc4WbWv7rLwpwww-Uwi0nKXW0gYNFAcJcyz-hqh9V5/s640/My+garden+9%253A19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My garden in October</td></tr>
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-24333457734734666702018-06-10T16:49:00.000-07:002018-06-12T20:15:47.022-07:00The Driftwood Wall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvO92XYD4fnIoZjXYHvkJ-65TZcb-XkY9iY06VTLSyZJBYhxK-intrQ2rix20LPj4m8TuyPhxYc50XwnnPc-aq4PyWDpJJkPAPwLHvCPsWRai1B9B3od6ZyiAx3URrs40iavK2fDM0gxF6/s1600/fullsizeoutput_45e3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvO92XYD4fnIoZjXYHvkJ-65TZcb-XkY9iY06VTLSyZJBYhxK-intrQ2rix20LPj4m8TuyPhxYc50XwnnPc-aq4PyWDpJJkPAPwLHvCPsWRai1B9B3od6ZyiAx3URrs40iavK2fDM0gxF6/s640/fullsizeoutput_45e3.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A section of the Driftwood Wall mosaic in the Humboldt Room of the Homestead Building at Camp Glenorchy</td></tr>
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This is another essay about one of the many projects I worked on while I was at Camp Glenorchy, north of Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand. The area is one of spectacular beauty, which was the primary inspiration for the things that I built there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiGORARgle-ShusNuQHyiERnJWHPgBw4SkSnOPb4twdhctcel-OnrYzfLdc8ewJAbewqcROKQ-vKIKMNtN8grXDMzf2-FfNOlMtIKyXKPD-rBPumLt4gzzbq4bVtgobGuTz9a3LZJblUK/s1600/P1010471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiGORARgle-ShusNuQHyiERnJWHPgBw4SkSnOPb4twdhctcel-OnrYzfLdc8ewJAbewqcROKQ-vKIKMNtN8grXDMzf2-FfNOlMtIKyXKPD-rBPumLt4gzzbq4bVtgobGuTz9a3LZJblUK/s640/P1010471.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driftwood washed up on the shore of Lake Wakatipu at 25 Mile Creek</td></tr>
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I normally work with stone and plants, building gardens and mosaics. The main focus of my involvement with the Camp was the Braided Rivers Project. Camp Glenorchy is the philanthropic endeavor of an American couple who I had worked for at the Islandwood School several years ago:<br />
https://jeffreygardens.blogspot.com/2011/06/artist-in-residency-at-islandwood.html<br />
This was followed seven years later by the commission of the Halls Hill Labyrinth:<br />
http://jeffreygardens.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-halls-hill-labyrinth-essay.html<br />
A couple of years after completing the Labyrinth I was brought to New Zealand to work on Camp Glenorchy. I spent 6 months, starting in November of 2016, and then returned the following November for another 6 months. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DRFk8iQWAUPHQZiAq8Vyqa_Qi4lAy1gHp7C0-UA60BRWUAsesEi59xvmvP2ioRod28XpLsvvFPuWMsrA6J_JrD8kNZEXCtawTZoxjC8i6Zq5Mbg5E2TMhnuG3egealw5Zeu2LxpJF12p/s1600/Camp+Magazine+Article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DRFk8iQWAUPHQZiAq8Vyqa_Qi4lAy1gHp7C0-UA60BRWUAsesEi59xvmvP2ioRod28XpLsvvFPuWMsrA6J_JrD8kNZEXCtawTZoxjC8i6Zq5Mbg5E2TMhnuG3egealw5Zeu2LxpJF12p/s640/Camp+Magazine+Article.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An article about Camp Glenorchy in Mindfood Magazine</td></tr>
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Early on I showed my client a photo of a driftwood mosaic built by an amazing stone artist named Lew French, from Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. I built a garden in Chilmark on the Vineyard for actors Brooke Adams and Tony Shalhoub and was able to see some of Lew French's fantastic work. My Mother gave me a copy of his beautiful book, Stone by Design for Christmas. While he works primarily with stone, he sometimes incorporated driftwood in to his mosaics. Turns out I'd be following in his footsteps.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJSyZFIf4A39QMyDrbLIeQrjme_hqBQsUAXJ5uK3cJIpoFYtujN2XtyUfC9HQn0TErQ6CYpz8F-15bUsQwEvglQMy3UqXDVQWZwejhrj9Q14dt1ZjXi7mpuCxKeGwGfhszyr5Cjc2mPDs/s1600/SC_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJSyZFIf4A39QMyDrbLIeQrjme_hqBQsUAXJ5uK3cJIpoFYtujN2XtyUfC9HQn0TErQ6CYpz8F-15bUsQwEvglQMy3UqXDVQWZwejhrj9Q14dt1ZjXi7mpuCxKeGwGfhszyr5Cjc2mPDs/s640/SC_06.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stone and driftwood mosaic by Lew French</td></tr>
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On the shores of Lake Wakatipu in the area where I was working you can find wonderful specimens of driftwood, waterworn knarls of roots, trunks, branches, and burls. I began collecting interesting pieces in my compulsive way for adorning the rather forlorn area around the Caravan trailer I lived in behind the general store. The photo I showed to my client inspired her to propose that I build an ambitious wall mosaic of driftwood in the Humboldt Room of the camp's lodge. The wall is 2 stories high and faces the Humboldt mountain range across the lake, seen through two sets of glass doors and a window centered in the gable. I was a little taken aback by the scale of this concept, as I had never built a driftwood mosaic before. After doing a fair amount of searching on the internet I came to the conclusion that this might end up being the largest of its kind in the world! A good place to start...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkXQlrb1Fqpq1CQfrpeIQm_MFJxoLYTY7_DxWKQuMPfMvzrdb0BjSsoxVbPVj_Sn4z-CowHAD2YCP2SqDVyh0uLXUyi5fixcvhlO1VDkcTiZJBvefbB3Z9SlPXxNjAlHjKuj8VRdYy86K/s1600/P1000525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkXQlrb1Fqpq1CQfrpeIQm_MFJxoLYTY7_DxWKQuMPfMvzrdb0BjSsoxVbPVj_Sn4z-CowHAD2YCP2SqDVyh0uLXUyi5fixcvhlO1VDkcTiZJBvefbB3Z9SlPXxNjAlHjKuj8VRdYy86K/s640/P1000525.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wall slated to become a driftwood mosaic</td></tr>
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Fortunately I was able to work with a local master carpenter named Matt Hood, who had created wonderful wall compositions and trims in the room using recycled timber salvaged from demolished structures all over the South Island. Camp Glenorchy was built in compliance with the Living Building Challenge, which has the highest environmental standard for construction in the world, and dictates that recycled materials be used whenever possible. Salvaged wood and corrugated sheet metal from demolished wool sheds, stock yard buildings, and structures damaged by the Christchurch earthquake were purchased or donated, and brought to the camp. These timbers and planks exude character derived from the kind of wood they are, and the layers of old paint applied to them. They were sanded to reveal the underlying grain while retaining some of the color. Then they were composed, and innovatively incorporated in to the design and embellishment of a variety of structures. Rustic light fixtures were created with salvaged steel by Glenorchy artist Dan Kelly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQi_MPcaZ8fHmO9NRq6OEPanS7wYzDesLCMkC_AImVVgX-4bvZnSx8E89dhUlgamq6GLU3YAroUeabFJ4n2L5tdaFxIuqh2ZaKtCeQ-vXc__JkZHLL3EWbU3PpjO10khVGZnwNrwgWADhX/s1600/P1010204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQi_MPcaZ8fHmO9NRq6OEPanS7wYzDesLCMkC_AImVVgX-4bvZnSx8E89dhUlgamq6GLU3YAroUeabFJ4n2L5tdaFxIuqh2ZaKtCeQ-vXc__JkZHLL3EWbU3PpjO10khVGZnwNrwgWADhX/s640/P1010204.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mixture of various painted and natural finish boards artfully collaged by Matt Hood in to the walls and trim of the Humboldt Room. Light fixtures, wryly nicknamed "Dan's Cans" hang from the ceiling.</td></tr>
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We had to divise a method of attaching the driftwood in a way that would be structurally durable but with no visible fasteners. Matt proposed that we screw the individual pieces from behind through sheets of strand board using screws of varying lengths, depending on the thickness of the driftwood. I suggested that a sample panel be built underneath a window in a niche between cabinets in the room as a way to try out the method we could use later. Matt took this project on while I was building the Geologic Wall in the next room, and fabricated a detailed miniature prototype.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzqLVj7NXwSEFq04qjuVovcxdwmcbpk5RjdDsVC7R7aqhmCjZujQt7Bt3uRIZ2OxC-Yu6wsoYaM5vTdcdDq3dq-XRekODtsE-KR41TK0-mGuQQbHQ4LK3yOAQY7X_WU9adzpN7nNokAE7/s1600/P1410303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzqLVj7NXwSEFq04qjuVovcxdwmcbpk5RjdDsVC7R7aqhmCjZujQt7Bt3uRIZ2OxC-Yu6wsoYaM5vTdcdDq3dq-XRekODtsE-KR41TK0-mGuQQbHQ4LK3yOAQY7X_WU9adzpN7nNokAE7/s640/P1410303.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A prototype panel by Matt Hood in a window niche, with an ammonite fossil on the ledge</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjc84nx1dNoE6brtEG53mLq4Vq3fr9Sgj40NlVA0nmKENOiPPgavpeBdu4-SWcwfO_gdxreR58wBaJQjg7qqPV9F4t1Z77sr3H-l2p8WppCWZqQVkoxo5a6tLazZ_uSJajCpOmH3lIkjp/s1600/P1010472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjc84nx1dNoE6brtEG53mLq4Vq3fr9Sgj40NlVA0nmKENOiPPgavpeBdu4-SWcwfO_gdxreR58wBaJQjg7qqPV9F4t1Z77sr3H-l2p8WppCWZqQVkoxo5a6tLazZ_uSJajCpOmH3lIkjp/s320/P1010472.JPG" width="320" /></a>I had been collecting driftwood for some time, including along the West and South coasts of the island during exploratory adventures. Whenever I found a cool looking piece of wood on the beach I would carry it back to my truck to add to the pile. The thing about large mosaics is that you need a lot of material to work with, more than you will actually use because its the ones that fit well that make the final cut. You have to have great patience and perseverance to manifest this kind of art.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnGVLlmPw29BCk7Poh3874oA9vdpfWZVmypWRkzVV5XJVNSh4xTPyLoMr9B_khK06KMdBQ4ktkqJ50BjwDzyQd-iRR51HkWYN-F1qgiKUY1jBxn54icbgi4UeyuX3aVJRPPQ74bTyhFOS/s1600/P1020075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnGVLlmPw29BCk7Poh3874oA9vdpfWZVmypWRkzVV5XJVNSh4xTPyLoMr9B_khK06KMdBQ4ktkqJ50BjwDzyQd-iRR51HkWYN-F1qgiKUY1jBxn54icbgi4UeyuX3aVJRPPQ74bTyhFOS/s640/P1020075.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful wood collected from the shoreline near Kinloch on Lake Wakatipu</td></tr>
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The camp officially opened in Mid March of 2018. The day before the opening, I was asked if I could mock up a section of wood mosaic so that people at the dedication ceremony could get an idea of what would eventually be covering the unfinished plywood. So I spent the afternoon tacking pieces together with finish nails in a temporary fashion. It was good practice fitting together the different shaped pieces and developing a sense of how the multitude of forms and colors of driftwood could be composed in to an artistic whole.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWf6ScfQDgKU-cwu6aKsP7bSTBIhbJh9LALKg2FHLm369WBkDbbwyQ6GvAIlsil1JQU-CSKyORQRG1dFamA-8XT8EsTygBojCsfSA0myrBS5LV1qywnfJ7odKmG6ycrBZiuHQVWszJxQjr/s1600/P1010416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWf6ScfQDgKU-cwu6aKsP7bSTBIhbJh9LALKg2FHLm369WBkDbbwyQ6GvAIlsil1JQU-CSKyORQRG1dFamA-8XT8EsTygBojCsfSA0myrBS5LV1qywnfJ7odKmG6ycrBZiuHQVWszJxQjr/s640/P1010416.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temporary mock up of a section of driftwood mosaic for the dedication ceremonies</td></tr>
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When we finally started work on the wall, we needed a far greater selection of raw material, so Matt and I drove around the Lake to the resort village of Kinloch, where the Dart River flows in to the lake. Vast amounts of driftwood are carried down the river and deposited along the shoreline here. The sheer volume of what we found in a couple of kilometers of lakeshore provided enough driftwood to mosaic the entire town of Glenorchy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0L7c5vBGaNncCy48ktwabgYizMUZbMgKxvlI0unTgXiCI1Wpf5FMCVCEwSqNELeuQhVB4YKyzIKzGvidhHif9waoHE_UUwRYEqQePdVeroWNfs4ox-xdnPhq7qO1MYfN4Gl7Ki6AGo53s/s1600/P1010900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0L7c5vBGaNncCy48ktwabgYizMUZbMgKxvlI0unTgXiCI1Wpf5FMCVCEwSqNELeuQhVB4YKyzIKzGvidhHif9waoHE_UUwRYEqQePdVeroWNfs4ox-xdnPhq7qO1MYfN4Gl7Ki6AGo53s/s640/P1010900.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driftwood naturally piled along the lakeshore by the current of the Dart River</td></tr>
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One of the most interesting things about this material is that it represents all of the different types of wood found on the forests mountainsides that surround the rivers that flow in to the Dart and eventually in to the lake. There are hardwoods, wonderful red colored Totara, Red and Silver Beech, Southern Rata, Coprosma, and even exotic Goarse that was brought from Scotland to use in hedgerows.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALT3qX6QGvMIB-b4uCPSFHKqUHPGevQga5We0z5ENX0P-ZVXVT7Kbigi4ISzhYAFQ4Ubg0_540JIZyMoHD2T2I_of3vg72qqPqxYHgpM3Y1UnZ4qkvRm2_EC1zgVyXV5xtilBPRpj9TgB/s1600/P1410041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALT3qX6QGvMIB-b4uCPSFHKqUHPGevQga5We0z5ENX0P-ZVXVT7Kbigi4ISzhYAFQ4Ubg0_540JIZyMoHD2T2I_of3vg72qqPqxYHgpM3Y1UnZ4qkvRm2_EC1zgVyXV5xtilBPRpj9TgB/s640/P1410041.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lush mixed forest of Red Beech (Fuscospora fusca) and Totara (Podocarpus totara) with an understory of Coprosma sp, Pittosporum sp, and many ferns along the Routeburn River</td></tr>
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Each part of a tree is different. If a storm topples an entire tree in to a river, and it washes down to the lake, it will be broken on its journey in to smaller pieces that are eventually worn to a smooth finish. Roots structures are the most interesting as they snake through each other in fantastic shapes. Sometimes they hold stones like a gem set in organic jewelry. Burls can look like faces and ears. Trunks and branches with knots can look like birds, seals, witches and snakes. We often animated them, holding a piece over our faces and making funny sounds. The knarlier the piece of wood, the knarlier the character would be. These are literally the bones of trees, and they have many stories to tell.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoking </td></tr>
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So the obsession began. We filled my truck. Then we filled Matt's trailer. Then he started showing up in the morning with more driftwood on a regular basis. We decided to work off site by the Caravan trailer that I lived in behind Mrs. Wooley's Store because I had a leaky shed we could work under if it rained. There was also space to unload and pile wood, and we didn't need safety fencing around us like we would onsite, and not be intrusive to guests staying there. <br />
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The piles of wood grew to the point that it was hard to get to my door and I had to clear paths to keep from tripping and falling at night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Iz9U9Kn-JE4X5clq3wB_Nyzg0SKgtDZ9fxOc3Q_sEB9MnyOaZMDIPckl2mpNg5LbMjZY9KWRRI9rE3ihW0JA_Yddvy6ZzOTTyOYPVhBhyYuvvl-cnhqMF9k8ZRnEq6WScKrGBixhXNBi/s1600/P1010877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Iz9U9Kn-JE4X5clq3wB_Nyzg0SKgtDZ9fxOc3Q_sEB9MnyOaZMDIPckl2mpNg5LbMjZY9KWRRI9rE3ihW0JA_Yddvy6ZzOTTyOYPVhBhyYuvvl-cnhqMF9k8ZRnEq6WScKrGBixhXNBi/s640/P1010877.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt and I were like beavers once we started collecting driftwood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFH-myQMllVavS3BGRoMsVEcKmQx4ihSkbP27gykj-leZU6t5bGuJ6Zb6JLhl5pIDACBarYaCEDrusbkPAdJCgTWd-cPYjJDATubiyGCxMYJPTYx5NXCxlljefZnjRU9Kvx0EEOonLnlmf/s1600/P1010889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFH-myQMllVavS3BGRoMsVEcKmQx4ihSkbP27gykj-leZU6t5bGuJ6Zb6JLhl5pIDACBarYaCEDrusbkPAdJCgTWd-cPYjJDATubiyGCxMYJPTYx5NXCxlljefZnjRU9Kvx0EEOonLnlmf/s640/P1010889.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A truck full of driftwood treasure. There is so much that you couldn't tell we had been there.</td></tr>
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Matt cut panels of strandboard in to the shapes of the sections of wall we were covering. This way we could screw the driftwood from behind, attaching it securely in place, with surprising strength. He ordered a selection of different lengths of self drilling wood screws so that we could access the thickness we were drilling in to and then use a screw that went in as far as possible without poking out the other side. I cut stones on my wet saw so that we could glue them flat side down to the strandboard, and then perfectly frame them with naturally fitted eyelids of driftwood. Originally we planned to make a Tree of Life, with a tree trunk trimmed flat on one side that would fit between the two sets of double doors and then branch out above them. But a green lighted Exit sign went up right where the crown would have started. While it would have been very cool, it was logistically much more involved to create a tree, so we went with a different concept.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagk6MfKvs9VPdwPdBgkYl_XxQTTMQ2JRjTFiQeDuewEMen8K9q-SiSHJxdvk_f4SRI7964JtNXcOu9CpWF9exEDF0vZGgyo3lSVxO1UWxi2_saPp9CoNdrk7FPgSvHilaDvTGlYbMpLbA/s1600/P1410122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagk6MfKvs9VPdwPdBgkYl_XxQTTMQ2JRjTFiQeDuewEMen8K9q-SiSHJxdvk_f4SRI7964JtNXcOu9CpWF9exEDF0vZGgyo3lSVxO1UWxi2_saPp9CoNdrk7FPgSvHilaDvTGlYbMpLbA/s640/P1410122.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood and stone interconnected to create eyes</td></tr>
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There is a famous Maori legend of a Sleeping Giant that lies in the lake that helps explain the rising and falling of the water's surface in a tide like fashion. This link describes the story well. https://www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz/blog/queenstown-blog/the-legend-of-lake-wakatipu/<br />
It was suggested by a woman with Maori ancestry working on the project that we allude to the Sleeping Giant in some way with the mosaic. I also had in my mind that a number of forest and water spirits intertwined in the work would as a whole would represent the spirit the giant. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRmz1GrM4vEk8XgF-kuelahATQ3c23-0UVnaGlVddSYFeq68kaBF11okOduEbySWFASU0HmRMP6JY5K24r_j3gJPvMtGMlupoYshdkZQrBZawOsTL8pvMQcHmQnLdQuazFnwAyHYT0EJb/s1600/P1010479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRmz1GrM4vEk8XgF-kuelahATQ3c23-0UVnaGlVddSYFeq68kaBF11okOduEbySWFASU0HmRMP6JY5K24r_j3gJPvMtGMlupoYshdkZQrBZawOsTL8pvMQcHmQnLdQuazFnwAyHYT0EJb/s640/P1010479.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tourists have made teepees with driftwood on the beach at 25 Mile Creek on Lake Wakatipu</td></tr>
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We would compose the driftwood in a section, finding pieces that nested together as if they were meant to be intertwined. I often say an affirmative "yesss!" when something slides perfectly in to place. Then we would screw that section together to secure it and continue onward. We used a lot of small pieces wood and pebbles to fill in the background gaps so that the strandboard wouldn't be visible. Once a panel was sufficiently covered, we lined it up with the one that would be connecting to it and attached more wood to it so that they would interlock seamlessly when we put them up on the wall. It was a learning process and things didn't always go as planned, but we were fastideous and made it work with the necessary adjustments. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8d-H1n_oPu8dTO5bTgNnZ8W5nlivIbe3a77A-c1e2DeO9G8ejElWyxZ2XZ1w8Ary-CYd_ls-CBDM6tFy1pW1ybpqX_VeABcgrH1gp1Ckkip-M4kuxnUHgASakeT_UlrjxJ2fBsnrslFY5/s1600/P1010909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8d-H1n_oPu8dTO5bTgNnZ8W5nlivIbe3a77A-c1e2DeO9G8ejElWyxZ2XZ1w8Ary-CYd_ls-CBDM6tFy1pW1ybpqX_VeABcgrH1gp1Ckkip-M4kuxnUHgASakeT_UlrjxJ2fBsnrslFY5/s640/P1010909.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on a panel that would fit in a strip by the doors</td></tr>
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Once the panel was ready we would flip it over and Matt would trim the edges with a Skil and hand saw. The first ones we made went on either sides of the doors. Beautiful repurposed hardwood planks frame the doors and the panels had to fit behind those, and be flush with the walls at the corners. The trick there was that the walls are planked with varying thicknesses of boards that were uneven, so our panels got stuck on the thicker protruding ones.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpexGMd4bLD4JiFZgEt4Yuy3kUYwfX_XM0zP4PWXAI6VAyewLJwSyOEm5-9KguyJfslLYMrvawXBAneVklT5QSdUp654G1iUm-Z9prOmzpGCg06_PUKTiCByfNn41EC1TupBWsJAAlfwkl/s1600/P1020164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpexGMd4bLD4JiFZgEt4Yuy3kUYwfX_XM0zP4PWXAI6VAyewLJwSyOEm5-9KguyJfslLYMrvawXBAneVklT5QSdUp654G1iUm-Z9prOmzpGCg06_PUKTiCByfNn41EC1TupBWsJAAlfwkl/s640/P1020164.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Hood trimming the edges</td></tr>
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The first panels were large and we realized how heavy they were when it was time to move them, especially because of the weight of the stones and some of the dense hardwoods. We took the door trim off, made some adjustments to get the panel in to place, and then used heavy duty screws to bolt it to the wall. It was exciting to see the beginning to what would eventually become a dramatic work of art.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOVAUuY2WZOeG80DZYP-ByJ0VTlCOFRSkEmJQi7ruszILweob4zVIiQ2yhMgnt1ZKl0sXZvc0VM0U9eXm_bQ5ULDt2AmG7sJkLyw2ugXTCgw7zM5vh6CJY5ZC_6WLkIUNFmP2vlKmXptt/s1600/P1010928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOVAUuY2WZOeG80DZYP-ByJ0VTlCOFRSkEmJQi7ruszILweob4zVIiQ2yhMgnt1ZKl0sXZvc0VM0U9eXm_bQ5ULDt2AmG7sJkLyw2ugXTCgw7zM5vh6CJY5ZC_6WLkIUNFmP2vlKmXptt/s640/P1010928.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first panel in place</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k_Y9XzTruVHOy7cuDGEf7HDo37B5pnPiAMXDE-MDD_ESQVUaTvkLQkbssNRTc8wZ1K4kHj8ionugRBe8YvYWwIRgqJ_glU4NSxJE37uJ0wByTzRHk0-QeV90gn6k4p7TzHpKtMorPnrZ/s1600/P1020172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k_Y9XzTruVHOy7cuDGEf7HDo37B5pnPiAMXDE-MDD_ESQVUaTvkLQkbssNRTc8wZ1K4kHj8ionugRBe8YvYWwIRgqJ_glU4NSxJE37uJ0wByTzRHk0-QeV90gn6k4p7TzHpKtMorPnrZ/s640/P1020172.jpg" width="426" /></a>Ironically, I think that the first panel we made is perhaps the most successful section of the wall for its composition and mixing of colors. Each following section has its own character depending on who was composing it. The other side of the door had the issue of a red fire alarm and a motion detector that we had to build around. The trappings of public buildings meeting code requirements is one of the joys of working on such projects. This side had to be done in 3 interlocking panels to fit around these units, which were neatly trimmed in hardwood frames. We actually did one of the panels backwards and had to do some adjustments to remedy this simple error. The measurements needed to be exact for the panels to slide in to place.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SF80VjNvMMLzlOq95Ux0lXU6SyBaJoQkuqTSEa7BMpCwbc2hGZW0Z8KU0a17BXTEBAVk07HI5HlMx6oAn5CygJziQylhRSjkxblXPXEOWYd8VO0u7LYkGpIg76gxTcV0jtX0v47h5QqF/s1600/P1020173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4SF80VjNvMMLzlOq95Ux0lXU6SyBaJoQkuqTSEa7BMpCwbc2hGZW0Z8KU0a17BXTEBAVk07HI5HlMx6oAn5CygJziQylhRSjkxblXPXEOWYd8VO0u7LYkGpIg76gxTcV0jtX0v47h5QqF/s640/P1020173.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Felted wool pieces beautifully appliqued to make a panel of the braided Dart River by local artist Amanda Hasselman</td></tr>
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If you take your time and really study the wall, you will discover a miriad of the details. Each piece of wood has a character unto its own, a root that circumnavigated a boulder, a branch that once reached for sunlight, knots that look like eyes, a fork stick that makes a mouth. Its not unusual for our minds to create associations related to that which we find familiar, and there are hundreds of creatures intermingling here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdI_L-Myey-yxNcniv2_13aSkg-KHO8visEasQMvuzGiNvrm08YvukWKBZ2dfoNAVI0fVJfS5WEGJN3sZ8Le6uCEw0dhludjloNS6tvgEc1OMCssJPQ7-7XFiUwtoqR6gsIJTo2iIH8qUk/s1600/fullsizeoutput_45e4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdI_L-Myey-yxNcniv2_13aSkg-KHO8visEasQMvuzGiNvrm08YvukWKBZ2dfoNAVI0fVJfS5WEGJN3sZ8Le6uCEw0dhludjloNS6tvgEc1OMCssJPQ7-7XFiUwtoqR6gsIJTo2iIH8qUk/s640/fullsizeoutput_45e4.jpeg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up view of the panel on the left side of the doors</td></tr>
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Once we had reached the top of the doors on either side we could start making panels that were more horizontal, spanning the wider space between the wall and the window. We could use longer and thicker pieces here that projected further from the wall. Some of the compositions are rather chaotic with so many wild shapes. I tried to include large driftwood to contrast all the little bits that were busily finding their way in to the mosaic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgKJLhP84Tje4ch521ESQkJrZ3_XWVAwUYnY-670wZhSU7LsGSYkwEA7ZYbEESYPk9Xs0jaYPd0OCsxGnO2srmCJHsXbekvVoQSE5M37dN76ye0_C6c0L2cvvStap1yBtrjKEFkP_of2q/s1600/P1410177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWgKJLhP84Tje4ch521ESQkJrZ3_XWVAwUYnY-670wZhSU7LsGSYkwEA7ZYbEESYPk9Xs0jaYPd0OCsxGnO2srmCJHsXbekvVoQSE5M37dN76ye0_C6c0L2cvvStap1yBtrjKEFkP_of2q/s640/P1410177.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A panel made to fit over the doors.</td></tr>
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When we reached the gable, the panels had to be cut at an angle. Because the ceiling has acoustical fabric overlaid with strips of hardwood, the angled edge had to be trimmed with individual pieces once the panels were in place. We also had to work around two beams that support the ceiling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSV6UjlLHIF3dBCh3bD_BvUSTJz71eeppZIy4ws9uaI-gj8aW5hpU7FwFJr5IbBGK5IBxGNvaYshyphenhyphen_h_z7uepgyf5cMj5l41mOBQzvyfKmsZ4ko-o71ckEq2I5oUbG-COv17av-TmM6yq/s1600/P1410301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSV6UjlLHIF3dBCh3bD_BvUSTJz71eeppZIy4ws9uaI-gj8aW5hpU7FwFJr5IbBGK5IBxGNvaYshyphenhyphen_h_z7uepgyf5cMj5l41mOBQzvyfKmsZ4ko-o71ckEq2I5oUbG-COv17av-TmM6yq/s640/P1410301.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fitting panels around the window and Exit sign</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX4MBfFYgA5nxTABE3tODiIlhHeQ_p9UpWoGFX3gT29aJyJrql6NS4nOIdq09e4Ncb86JahwBqLu8kTpfUQxEii5YPjq2xu1_eGDdTsCA5pa4UFg8HtpR7eb2pnCmeX6QvOKfjUH4VSgx/s1600/P1400233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX4MBfFYgA5nxTABE3tODiIlhHeQ_p9UpWoGFX3gT29aJyJrql6NS4nOIdq09e4Ncb86JahwBqLu8kTpfUQxEii5YPjq2xu1_eGDdTsCA5pa4UFg8HtpR7eb2pnCmeX6QvOKfjUH4VSgx/s200/P1400233.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maori wood carving<br />
in the Te Papa Museum<br />
in Wellington</td></tr>
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We used a very fancy sissor lift to hoist the panels up and then positioned and bolted them to the wall. The Skyjack is an awesome machine that made the project logistically manageable. I was also able to attach wood to the wall in situ because this part is higher up and individual pieces of wood could be screwed in from the top where the fasteners couldn't be seen from the floor. I incorporated some paua (abalone) shells that were given to me for their reflective quality. Cut pieces of Paua are used for the eyes in traditional wood carving. More spotlights were added to illuminate the wall better.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPho0QKxBkrVtIzTR4xJVje9c4tViZ3q6H7C_SRmZxoWMbd_PNdM7CNig9IdnSyT6BqpieqzCb_9yS7Ka75n5u-TA6nH5ZTgUM6gz2_30FsLKAbY96F1pVw6epS4DjmywFji5APfXwuyP/s1600/P1410322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPho0QKxBkrVtIzTR4xJVje9c4tViZ3q6H7C_SRmZxoWMbd_PNdM7CNig9IdnSyT6BqpieqzCb_9yS7Ka75n5u-TA6nH5ZTgUM6gz2_30FsLKAbY96F1pVw6epS4DjmywFji5APfXwuyP/s640/P1410322.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to fill in another section of the gable</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91CG9sw523WV05UJt9Jt-Esad0XAK8SoWk9feIidJ6Q8_uTuSZ2Lcm2P2hGEpV1pXDJjL2bGZt4QfcgacwH6bH3sibzCKVuuBQM2f3BYHS-h5uI4fNzGxFKHrcTcT7KA-tOXVzXaLix6G/s1600/P1410342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91CG9sw523WV05UJt9Jt-Esad0XAK8SoWk9feIidJ6Q8_uTuSZ2Lcm2P2hGEpV1pXDJjL2bGZt4QfcgacwH6bH3sibzCKVuuBQM2f3BYHS-h5uI4fNzGxFKHrcTcT7KA-tOXVzXaLix6G/s640/P1410342.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closing in the final triangular sections of the gable on the sissorlift</td></tr>
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I finished the gable by creating an somewhat masonic looking mountain pyramid that speaks to the Humboldt Mountains that the room is named after. These dramatic mountains are visible through the glass doors and window. A paua shell eye gazes from the peak to suggest the collective wisdom of Nature watching over the lake and everything around it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Paua Shell in the Eye of the Mountain</td></tr>
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People staying at the camp would come by to see the progress and return later with others to show them this crazy work of art coming to fruition. Its tangled composition captures the wild character of the places we collected the wood by the lake.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driftwood washed up on the lakeshore near Kinloch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Muse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsCqfKan11L78x1j8JCO8QoZYSa0ab_qlgWvYFUrVfwOKnwoBmgt2kykcASPczHY85bnH5mcDhqsWeGNgQ0ZARPUbG4zPqEtN0UhVbrvcjmOvoioSsMCCGcvr-zcvaUE_sI9KUXf-fLbm/s1600/P1010915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsCqfKan11L78x1j8JCO8QoZYSa0ab_qlgWvYFUrVfwOKnwoBmgt2kykcASPczHY85bnH5mcDhqsWeGNgQ0ZARPUbG4zPqEtN0UhVbrvcjmOvoioSsMCCGcvr-zcvaUE_sI9KUXf-fLbm/s640/P1010915.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sleeping Giant rippling on the waters of Lake Wakatipu</td></tr>
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Once this project was finished I had fulfilled my goals for what was an intense and highly productive 6 months building homages to the magnificent beauty that surrounds the town of Glenorchy. Before I left we held a dance in the Humboldt Room to christen the wall. It was a magical celebration in a magical space. Dancing with Driftwood, a beautiful way to honor a labor of love.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaffQNL8w5ev5GjTS6VjlRI5wG4d9-gv5vlZXry1PN1jCewrI-cB9OYAI53MkSULCf0uG2i2zGnG6FCpI2Q95eicp7YgNKP8-lYH9apidBuMKAMf9nutqQElUpz7cxJFJ6JzqWQctynjFb/s1600/P1410882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaffQNL8w5ev5GjTS6VjlRI5wG4d9-gv5vlZXry1PN1jCewrI-cB9OYAI53MkSULCf0uG2i2zGnG6FCpI2Q95eicp7YgNKP8-lYH9apidBuMKAMf9nutqQElUpz7cxJFJ6JzqWQctynjFb/s640/P1410882.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Thanks for reading always, Jeffrey<br />
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-528548994576764542018-05-24T22:53:00.001-07:002019-04-05T14:23:26.728-07:00The Geologic Wall <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pink Piemontite and Green Schist whirlpool twists through the gap between beautiful stones</td></tr>
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Geology is a word derived from Ancient Greek; Geo, meaning Earth, and ology meaning the study of. It is Earth science, the definitions of the solid and liquid masses that form our planet, and the multitude of rock types that are manifested by the forces of Nature. My father's parents were geologists, rock hounds as they were called in the Western US. They went out on digs to find minerals that they cut and polished to make cabochons for cowboy belt buckles and bolo ties, and specimens they sold in their small rock shop and at shows. I loved looking at all the beautiful minerals in cases in the house and collected stones out in the garden. My grandmother later donated their best specimens to the geology department at Oregon State University. It is no wonder that I work with stone, and understanding the processes involved in how they came to be is an essential part of that work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQCWVYK0_UfM9TIrLhyokR48R5WnIga29vNy5CJBHZ5evYThZxi9sUYLaVD1HGV2g8nyhDFhg29szdUxuI75VfE4kv4310dRsUbaAUTtKNBu0ZsHoi5GjuakNJzpDZHrZrnC_Dt_LSRxB/s1600/1a+Sweet+Home+Rock+%2526+MIneral+Society.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQCWVYK0_UfM9TIrLhyokR48R5WnIga29vNy5CJBHZ5evYThZxi9sUYLaVD1HGV2g8nyhDFhg29szdUxuI75VfE4kv4310dRsUbaAUTtKNBu0ZsHoi5GjuakNJzpDZHrZrnC_Dt_LSRxB/s400/1a+Sweet+Home+Rock+%2526+MIneral+Society.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Grandmother on the Sweet Home Rock and Mineral Society float</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small niche in a narrow wall built on the other side of a pair of double doors from the main wall.<br />
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I arrived in New Zealand in early November, 2016 to begin work at Camp Glenorchy, in the town of Glenorchy, north of Queenstown at the Head of Lake Wakatipu. I was brought here to build a representational braided river, weaving the community and the natural landscape in to a path system in the camp. As I started to explore the lakeshore and rivers I was entranced by the beauty and variety of minerals to be found in such abundance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KKu05n2YNFA8A4uFlSeFEXYucYQgTddRM9Ou0xwPoJx_lB78VLzno6G8uGkSJqUcsgDW_DhtAN0jsAZZYyG0bjBsLO9DVXHvZ_ovF-K7XKYYe3iYg1YkdWyYqJkxHNYI9dBnXaJXvR_X/s1600/P1010272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KKu05n2YNFA8A4uFlSeFEXYucYQgTddRM9Ou0xwPoJx_lB78VLzno6G8uGkSJqUcsgDW_DhtAN0jsAZZYyG0bjBsLO9DVXHvZ_ovF-K7XKYYe3iYg1YkdWyYqJkxHNYI9dBnXaJXvR_X/s640/P1010272.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beach at 25 mile Creek on Lake Wakatipu, where I collected many of the larger stones in the wall</td></tr>
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I have an obsessive propensity to collect stone. I cant walk down a rocky beach without surveying what I am seeing, and always seem to come away with a pocketful, or armloads, or in the case of this project, truckloads of beautiful specimens of metamorphic rock that were deposited by massive glaciers during the last ice age. The stones I collected piled up around my trailer, with no real idea of what I might do with them. It was my hope that I would be able to build a wall that showcased the wonderful minerals from this region. I gathered stones with specific shapes that would lend themselves to building and having exceptional character. I always do this with a sensitivity to impact so that no noticable trace is left when removing rock from the natural landscape.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhWoOkxPdPT5fvmQeA3rcVqNpD3ye1r68nvZBeHkJJ3qUPMQERzh2n9QZuL8cRePYUH15u4rtugzgmMbnhavE8FK6kf3PXG-4nfih4HwX7PJ5Saa2qKWoEt_9-YC7SgY3-7qlZG07RPDL/s1600/P1010010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhWoOkxPdPT5fvmQeA3rcVqNpD3ye1r68nvZBeHkJJ3qUPMQERzh2n9QZuL8cRePYUH15u4rtugzgmMbnhavE8FK6kf3PXG-4nfih4HwX7PJ5Saa2qKWoEt_9-YC7SgY3-7qlZG07RPDL/s640/P1010010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many truckloads of stone I collected for the Geology Wall</td></tr>
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On a road trip around the east and south coasts, I visited the Geology Museum at the University of Otago in Dunedin. I asked a man setting up an exhibit if there was anyone who taught there who might have knowledge of the minerals found in the Lake Wakatipu region. I was directed upstairs to the office of a professor named Daphne Lee. She was very accomodating and gave me a book she had coauthored with a geologist named Jane Forsyth called <i>Central Rocks: a guide to geology and landscapes of Central Otago</i>. Otago is the name of the province that encompasses Lake Wakatipu. I had brought my laptop with me and showed her some of the stepping stones I was making at the camp, and explained that they were geologic samplers of minerals I collected from specific locations, including the West Coast. She told me that she didn't know of anyone who had ever done this before and suggested that I contact Jane Forsyth and her partner Ian Turnbull. This couple did much of the field work and analysis of the Wakatipu region for the New Zealand Geologic Survey. They had published a detailed book and beautiful map of the Wakatipu and its exposed formations. I was surprised when they wrote back right away and came to visit me a few days later. They spent an entire afternoon going over my collection and identified all but one stone, which I had brought from the US. You could see that they very much enjoyed doing this. Their knowledge was spectacular to me. Finally I had found experts who knew the stories of the materials I've been using for 30 years building mosaics. While I have some geology background, I find it one of the geekier sciences, and very difficult to understand when you read the textbooks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cNbeqE5iO5PDFaVKXN8m2qUBHRICOOZviimtMcaJqIQMtXLX8YsQc9MHE5urgCLtmCeN9zzwM2LbzR_lL3ktqK3oUXnsENgXsBP8yc2VnKRyHEnwd_e7O7SX4Qo87zZam3mYm1HWVjJn/s1600/DSC01948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cNbeqE5iO5PDFaVKXN8m2qUBHRICOOZviimtMcaJqIQMtXLX8YsQc9MHE5urgCLtmCeN9zzwM2LbzR_lL3ktqK3oUXnsENgXsBP8yc2VnKRyHEnwd_e7O7SX4Qo87zZam3mYm1HWVjJn/s640/DSC01948.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 of about 120 stepping stones I made that were installed in paths while I was home</td></tr>
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There are a lot of nice stone walls in this region of the South Island, which is a primary source of some of the finest building stone in the country. There is a traditional look to the wall work, most commonly being flat laid schist slabs making a horizontal stacked arrangement. The classic regional freestanding wall has a row of vertically set stones forming the cap.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOjRtUrm7Hdn84l1E2F6wToikIB6xIVVt_K2FLN9CiNQ4TdukjCEOT4c0BzVJRLMKhUqER-NbidyveZqAItYj_nUyFiBAeEFePb2w5YbYD9MCYT4y979DqbKktNpFukgdVodY-dYgQSLN/s1600/Stone+Wall+detail+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOjRtUrm7Hdn84l1E2F6wToikIB6xIVVt_K2FLN9CiNQ4TdukjCEOT4c0BzVJRLMKhUqER-NbidyveZqAItYj_nUyFiBAeEFePb2w5YbYD9MCYT4y979DqbKktNpFukgdVodY-dYgQSLN/s640/Stone+Wall+detail+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old schist wall in the Frankton Cemetery, south of Queenstown</td></tr>
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I found a beautiful ruined wall at Bob's Cove on Lake Wakatipu near a historic lime kiln, where the only limestone outcrop in the region occurs. The limestone was burned to make lime dust for use as the binding material for making mortar and concrete. This pioneer wall's material was locally collected and has larger stones in a variety of shapes and mineral types, which I loved. This is more evocative of the work that I like to do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQDHOtKo_r5ye03x-crIXzGaEOI2p3oaZ4WJkorYF0Bclt_ao_S95VVRxWrXD3qjHdMoYqaG-OOBOqN79uPzqg3NEqNLVFbUnPklHjDmVcw7eXT0oJeevkSpvxQKPULuwXW_IGbclttZX/s1600/Bob%2527s+Cove+Stone+ruin+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQDHOtKo_r5ye03x-crIXzGaEOI2p3oaZ4WJkorYF0Bclt_ao_S95VVRxWrXD3qjHdMoYqaG-OOBOqN79uPzqg3NEqNLVFbUnPklHjDmVcw7eXT0oJeevkSpvxQKPULuwXW_IGbclttZX/s640/Bob%2527s+Cove+Stone+ruin+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ruined stone wall at Bob's Cove</td></tr>
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As the Homestead Building, the main lodge at Camp Glenorchy was being built, I worked with a crew to create a braided river mosaic for the Conservatory floor. <br />
http://jeffreygardens.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-braided-rivers-project-beauty-of.html<br />
The Conservatory is a glass doored room with an innovative glass ceiling that contains solar panels that were manufactured in Dubai. A stone wall was proposed for the inside wall as a passive solar collector of heat from the sun. The sun warms the wall and stores heat that disperses through the night. Another stone mason was scheduled to build this wall but I had loftier hopes for the room, and begged to be allowed to create the wall I had dreamt of. I was kind of burnt out from making endless braided river mosaics and was excited to do a vertical project that didn't have to be perfectly flat. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOS-udLSrqH7c34mqfzxuW7AIw48xVz4a4ceaFLJ42n_MakRFVu-GrCGbXEGQ5hqk5Fa5845SEOvxYFuD5KPInvBPNX2QNUqVnTZWNVNXRS1Vu3C8H5ktm8wJwZ1ETtdtS3scFpM0Jt8P/s1600/P1000800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOS-udLSrqH7c34mqfzxuW7AIw48xVz4a4ceaFLJ42n_MakRFVu-GrCGbXEGQ5hqk5Fa5845SEOvxYFuD5KPInvBPNX2QNUqVnTZWNVNXRS1Vu3C8H5ktm8wJwZ1ETtdtS3scFpM0Jt8P/s640/P1000800.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Conservatory doors after installation</td></tr>
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Working in the confines of this building had its challenges as there were so many things going on and builders of every trade were jockying for places to set up saws, pile lumber, paint woodwork, install lighting and electronics, and laying floors. I started bringing in an assortment of stone in to a narrow room. The project manager had set up his office in here, so I wasn't able to do any indoor cutting. There was also a small kitchen area set up for workers in the midst of it all. I kept a path open down the middle of the room so that workers could get through. I usually do my stonework outside, so that created another set of challenges, in how to mortar stone and clean the work without flooding the room. I carefully finish my work by spraying the surface with a squeeze handle nozzle on a hose. They bought me a small wet shopvac for this purpose, which I used to suck up the water and mortar slurry that I washed off the walls after each building session.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing in stone and starting to mock up the first course of the wall</td></tr>
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I started by laying out the first course of stones, large, heavy, and beautiful specimens, who's bases I cut flat so that they would sit flush with the polished floor. I protected the floor with rolled construction cardboard and sheets of used plywood. In the beginning it was insinuated by the project manager that I was not qualified to build a properly engineered wall, so I had to prove that I knew what I was doing by example. Galvanized brick ties were screwed in to the sealed strand board wall I was building against. I reinforced the wall with ample scraps of rebar and reinforcing mesh I recycled from the storage yard, and drilled and inserted bolts in to stones that stood on end to tie them in to the concrete that I poured behind the courses for back fill. I don't think this wall will be falling apart any time in the next few thousand years, and should withstand earthquake activity.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stockpile of a small portion of the stones I collected for the Geology Wall</td></tr>
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The arrangement of the stones is decided in advance by placing and fitting them together. I like a tight fit so the stones have to nest together in a way that feels right. There is an intuitive sense of spatial recognition that is required, and I often exclaim an affirmation if the marriage of stone is meant to be. Its important that the individual pieces compliment each other and create a base with the next course in mind.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekcp7LNf1UJh0M9Mie77iN7zhKUo_NnvECEoQKJMQPLVqCmrfmzq0QXvswOjE12VYm92qYn4NpBb6oiM67P0-gQPzAXSScj8_IfGZrNUfQ6JIUXrBWwi8wFQpOl83LjMVPpXYngSEE6Xk/s1600/P1000871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekcp7LNf1UJh0M9Mie77iN7zhKUo_NnvECEoQKJMQPLVqCmrfmzq0QXvswOjE12VYm92qYn4NpBb6oiM67P0-gQPzAXSScj8_IfGZrNUfQ6JIUXrBWwi8wFQpOl83LjMVPpXYngSEE6Xk/s640/P1000871.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mocking up the first course of stone, with brick ties screwed in to the wall</td></tr>
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I used large stones near the base to give a solid look to the foundation of this 3 meter (9 1/2 feet) wall. They project farther out than the top so that there is a slight battening to the face, giving it a gravitational strength.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6aZXX7o4wfQtiZwT9Cmc4tdWbs8Ievxl7qdTH4gXtaJGQyBR8IOSl2mWmwZ0WOU0_2VI7Svc1KLgDpTW7dwm_Wy2VEhSvuj5NtqAsXxF7RkXvZeyDTEoEptAwcHD23RnEeAuedUAQopC/s1600/P1000878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6aZXX7o4wfQtiZwT9Cmc4tdWbs8Ievxl7qdTH4gXtaJGQyBR8IOSl2mWmwZ0WOU0_2VI7Svc1KLgDpTW7dwm_Wy2VEhSvuj5NtqAsXxF7RkXvZeyDTEoEptAwcHD23RnEeAuedUAQopC/s640/P1000878.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A side view showing brick ties and bolts in the upright stones</td></tr>
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I mortared the first course of stones in place. Some of them have shapes like the mountains in the region, miniature snowy peaks. I don't like to see mortar joints in my work so I sometimes trim the stones with a diamond blade saw to remove bumps and make them fit more tightly together. I also used thin shingle like stones I find on certain beaches of the lake shore that I stack to make tiny cairns. The shapes are like long triangles laid flat so that they are well embedded in to the mortar backing them. These little cairns fill the gaps between the stones in a way that speaks to the forces of Nature that formed the rocks, like super heated chemically laden water that deposited the quartzite minerals in the fractures in the base schist stones, solidifying in to the white and gold striped veins. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0gwnjeAdHR2KYKzaVRKocuSUENz9CBY2GjPgD8TNA_CnT-lCioYNCd1iHpyDhYtdJDPAiptEJk4T9H6esTBF-p-0FPeqBpfPuvZs48NbO1L0LvA7Jz2xE9pZJBtOYvw5GoardHYu2uAt/s1600/P1000875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0gwnjeAdHR2KYKzaVRKocuSUENz9CBY2GjPgD8TNA_CnT-lCioYNCd1iHpyDhYtdJDPAiptEJk4T9H6esTBF-p-0FPeqBpfPuvZs48NbO1L0LvA7Jz2xE9pZJBtOYvw5GoardHYu2uAt/s640/P1000875.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first course of stone mortared to the floor.</td></tr>
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I used this detail throughout the wall, which gives a delicate unifying pattern to the design. Cairn building (stone stacking) is popular on the South Island of New Zealand, probably because there are a lot of water worn flat schist stones along the river banks and beaches of the lakes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZwf1FoIeOxH2pUSsA489ZSuYBaHf60chguqsrWlfLa2XxZ_53sa_ywYNepO1l0AgDq0IZ1G7L2eQmI7XcHyeCFKlngh2EzcnXc9alOjvlM2-U9pO1QYqcJ2V7CTGxhNc_sEo8dHA8XPT/s1600/Cairns+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZwf1FoIeOxH2pUSsA489ZSuYBaHf60chguqsrWlfLa2XxZ_53sa_ywYNepO1l0AgDq0IZ1G7L2eQmI7XcHyeCFKlngh2EzcnXc9alOjvlM2-U9pO1QYqcJ2V7CTGxhNc_sEo8dHA8XPT/s640/Cairns+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairns at Blue Pools in Mt. Aspiring National Park</td></tr>
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When the first course of stones was set, I back filled the space behind them with wet concrete and rubble I collected from the construction site, along with rebar for reinforcement.<br />
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Then I mocked up and set the second course in mortar. The tightly fit stones take on a metaphorical look as to how they might appear when moved and wedged together by water in a river. Each of the stones has some feature that made it special to me. There are wonderful stripes of quartzite, and a wide range of colors. Some are dense and smooth and others are layered. Each has a story to tell of how it came to be what it is today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQr7zbxv0J6MBDVoAHFbSZrc6COku2tzmcS36KGk4hCbbOMf7ODtyYSPw7V-ViYnomqXPIEVFDEurfl-1sXpCEMoSzYm-28o1bTrFTcwfI176z5Ay_Ex_ItIDVxhLOTPlpCKTDnrhEtPP0/s1600/P1000889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQr7zbxv0J6MBDVoAHFbSZrc6COku2tzmcS36KGk4hCbbOMf7ODtyYSPw7V-ViYnomqXPIEVFDEurfl-1sXpCEMoSzYm-28o1bTrFTcwfI176z5Ay_Ex_ItIDVxhLOTPlpCKTDnrhEtPP0/s640/P1000889.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end section of the two courses of stone</td></tr>
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The way the room was built made it necessary to finish the ends as the rough beams that I was building up to only projected two inches from the wall I was building against. The pattern of filling gaps with the thin stacked shingles made it possible to finish the spaces between the beams and the larger stones where they didn't line up perfectly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GL-LquZBlavP8llJgdLZvKzU-u-9pf4Wvsc8xK0jeHsIT1j5x60o-PAOLcohYdcmDll7AgaPs29s2YrZQQJD0bjSFGefh0v3jK1RhNC7B9h7QQZsHdHi4lN-eiWZPWoZH3WW52bNmI0V/s1600/P1000887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GL-LquZBlavP8llJgdLZvKzU-u-9pf4Wvsc8xK0jeHsIT1j5x60o-PAOLcohYdcmDll7AgaPs29s2YrZQQJD0bjSFGefh0v3jK1RhNC7B9h7QQZsHdHi4lN-eiWZPWoZH3WW52bNmI0V/s640/P1000887.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second course all the way across.</td></tr>
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The interior window I was supposed to build around, set in the middle of the wall had a frame that didn't work with what I was creating, so a carpenter friend, Matt Hood built me a new rough hewn hardwood frame from beautiful repurposed planks. It became the perfect compliment to the rustic stone work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXtPNGAtNR_lpeKTXFHNQJ_o7MYlmtCb_wdiEnKwhsRJ7jW0nYUHKNzr21THac88IxMavIniq3nsmx9Zb_WjP9FDiNcR222z7L6qss6pu78qpWTiZVEHA_3kfficVSkQlP048OFezSTn6/s1600/P1000912+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXtPNGAtNR_lpeKTXFHNQJ_o7MYlmtCb_wdiEnKwhsRJ7jW0nYUHKNzr21THac88IxMavIniq3nsmx9Zb_WjP9FDiNcR222z7L6qss6pu78qpWTiZVEHA_3kfficVSkQlP048OFezSTn6/s640/P1000912+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working up to the new window frame</td></tr>
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On the other side of the pair of double glass doors leading in to the Greenstone Room is a narrow strip of wall that was designated to be stone as well, so I began to work on that, since vertical stonework is done in layers. Finding good corner stones is not easy and I was fortunate to have started collecting material over the 8 months before I commenced on the project. I used a lot of stone! This section had the same issue of finishing up to the edge of a beam that didn't project far from the base wall. You can see how I used the small shingles to fill in the gaps.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jfBcwV2G_wAaJrnLTPlsPoZrzO9u5fXntrgAEoI3kW8P80PBOPZaue1Yad_2-1JB62n07CsdesQph2sbbqLeLmoPhL8Q939rp_2qz_WfzYIbzPGkNRSrEGgnHXDJAWDud3uvi-Eht64z/s1600/P1000908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jfBcwV2G_wAaJrnLTPlsPoZrzO9u5fXntrgAEoI3kW8P80PBOPZaue1Yad_2-1JB62n07CsdesQph2sbbqLeLmoPhL8Q939rp_2qz_WfzYIbzPGkNRSrEGgnHXDJAWDud3uvi-Eht64z/s640/P1000908.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 courses of stone on the narrow wall section. The foreman had his work desk set up right next to this section of wall!</td></tr>
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While I was working on the project, an amazing woman I knew who lived in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico passed away, so I built her a memorial niche. I wanted to create a variety of spaces in the wall on which to place objects, candles, or bouquets. These are flat ledges with arches, or slabs for roofs. My dear Aunt passed away shortly before I returned to New Zealand so I also built a niche for her. And then my best friend's Mother died and I built another. There are 7 in all, dedicated to the spirit of departed women I've known.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjzAyRZCNu0cWKyHl9Y_ulRldKdrJr0KZLDSVxzj7yGQ1K-M_m_YWIyL7QDJH8G2nnm-JMY0gyYl8ld1KQNcFeS3g5GDnc-thxhLplP7XM36VjftvDY4vOiwAdJEDmFYySrXiYnlq7jf_/s1600/fullsizeoutput_4341.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjzAyRZCNu0cWKyHl9Y_ulRldKdrJr0KZLDSVxzj7yGQ1K-M_m_YWIyL7QDJH8G2nnm-JMY0gyYl8ld1KQNcFeS3g5GDnc-thxhLplP7XM36VjftvDY4vOiwAdJEDmFYySrXiYnlq7jf_/s640/fullsizeoutput_4341.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building Marian's Niche</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EzE_xswA0JzdZ3cU5DANVdSdvtz4JfYnWkxrHXLIcVqwD5hyphenhypheniXXnnFSKFa1B_pPy61VQ_e59hCUcFN7212466CGor8THkxhuXbwB69C_JsRU-KvwAXK8vdtEIJHCeGaVfYLLXIraChhq/s1600/Helen%2527s+Niche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EzE_xswA0JzdZ3cU5DANVdSdvtz4JfYnWkxrHXLIcVqwD5hyphenhypheniXXnnFSKFa1B_pPy61VQ_e59hCUcFN7212466CGor8THkxhuXbwB69C_JsRU-KvwAXK8vdtEIJHCeGaVfYLLXIraChhq/s640/Helen%2527s+Niche.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie Helen's Niche</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqqdBdzT_NQ0_IvNxOs6AJzFrCwbV5ZWioINoHztgzFMTERpkuJWUjNmaXvu0RTe9Iw6CNFdJVm0VwFBz9qq5DvU2SnZsZ63oHS7CQuqFPvPWsyi4elDDx3JedaGa-WyOHo1THtR8ZJMq/s1600/P1010173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqqdBdzT_NQ0_IvNxOs6AJzFrCwbV5ZWioINoHztgzFMTERpkuJWUjNmaXvu0RTe9Iw6CNFdJVm0VwFBz9qq5DvU2SnZsZ63oHS7CQuqFPvPWsyi4elDDx3JedaGa-WyOHo1THtR8ZJMq/s640/P1010173.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Margaret's Niche</td></tr>
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The wall got higher, and more interesting as it grew, and a regular stream of visitors came to see what was evolving. The stones in this wall are so beautiful to me as individuals, that it felt like I was making organic jewelry with semi precious minerals. I would lie awake at night thinking about the collective energy of what I was manifesting in this monumental work of art. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqIsfT7jwMx4iYhl5S9TMKXjbKJwfet42xyFcBT8OYctkz5YWvxlAL0Y_Mt4bkKykdosrmqvoXxGtR3HUX8l723MZJ0O6T5YIfUNWO4iShkgIundNrx0X18DHVERVOdR6UpbDPTyuoF83/s1600/P1000966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqIsfT7jwMx4iYhl5S9TMKXjbKJwfet42xyFcBT8OYctkz5YWvxlAL0Y_Mt4bkKykdosrmqvoXxGtR3HUX8l723MZJ0O6T5YIfUNWO4iShkgIundNrx0X18DHVERVOdR6UpbDPTyuoF83/s640/P1000966.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 courses up.</td></tr>
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I had to make regular trips in search of specific shapes to finish the corners on the end of the walls. Just at the edge of town is the Buckler Burn River, which has some of the prettiest stone in the area. I could drive a few minutes away and spend an hour on this beautiful river, wading in the current to see what I could find.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfl6pS2W9PRzvSxrPtMKTtC1ZkpVxy_Cc_yzD7qputj7WlecD4ng7-9ZTzVdiua0Y3CAm-dmOx4zt6FcSOjUGJwng2sCXoik_GTvIEWeNEFVHMZkSaRcqkvdI2OyMB4bBlrrYxYwExbt1/s1600/Buckler+Burn+River.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfl6pS2W9PRzvSxrPtMKTtC1ZkpVxy_Cc_yzD7qputj7WlecD4ng7-9ZTzVdiua0Y3CAm-dmOx4zt6FcSOjUGJwng2sCXoik_GTvIEWeNEFVHMZkSaRcqkvdI2OyMB4bBlrrYxYwExbt1/s640/Buckler+Burn+River.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Buckler Burn River</td></tr>
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My client brought me the parts of a Tibetan necklace from the store that had been taken apart, to incorporate in to the wall. At first I thought it would be strange to include these exotic images of Buddhas and Bodhisatvas in to a wall about New Zealand Geology. So I recessed them in to little niche spaces framed in the flat single stones like miniature shrines. They are tucked back from the surface so that you come upon them while exploring the wall. I researched the descriptions of the various figures and brought the conciousness they represented in to the design.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGLbyP85yBonyZx-tlylsShzpb0aCxCx8mjNgF2R-5FTQzr8szi0Fe4P4qPH8Hhc5TbqMKk8XMf7-qLYDSYdbSwj5BaftxhTH05VO_aPKDraYoVXKQsnmHKiRnVZ_Srff1usXSWDKpusK/s1600/fullsizeoutput_4378.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGLbyP85yBonyZx-tlylsShzpb0aCxCx8mjNgF2R-5FTQzr8szi0Fe4P4qPH8Hhc5TbqMKk8XMf7-qLYDSYdbSwj5BaftxhTH05VO_aPKDraYoVXKQsnmHKiRnVZ_Srff1usXSWDKpusK/s640/fullsizeoutput_4378.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small hammered brass Buddha sits in a cave like niche</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkHv4lhYKxMmR7bjWq_sbDMuEIH4u9Ho113QsIK21Ksp9NjHXN-yR78Jd6J6H1F6OqMUypjzyMJtkZv1w7UkZ-IznovwRrzRrR2RgSshKB3AbIcqCjW1nbXt94wMl5fLp1HE9cdEst9Uu/s1600/P1010185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkHv4lhYKxMmR7bjWq_sbDMuEIH4u9Ho113QsIK21Ksp9NjHXN-yR78Jd6J6H1F6OqMUypjzyMJtkZv1w7UkZ-IznovwRrzRrR2RgSshKB3AbIcqCjW1nbXt94wMl5fLp1HE9cdEst9Uu/s640/P1010185.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tiny glass window framed in hammered brass reveals a Bodhisatva inside in a Tibetan votive</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQf8-aXai6qvBQJMM6fVoDpKtwatp93GKBSC9dNofbAQNwvanS2lSZ3ZiyEcYE2TxdP26TS2JRxshgcfg6pKvWcwOSrYJTgWjE-zuaoI2fZmmsIhBad6uU6GCpj-9qdFpWRJVPeO43nQyq/s1600/P1000968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQf8-aXai6qvBQJMM6fVoDpKtwatp93GKBSC9dNofbAQNwvanS2lSZ3ZiyEcYE2TxdP26TS2JRxshgcfg6pKvWcwOSrYJTgWjE-zuaoI2fZmmsIhBad6uU6GCpj-9qdFpWRJVPeO43nQyq/s640/P1000968.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;">
A hammered brass image of Manjushri, Bodhisatva of prajñā, transcendent wisdom.</div>
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Over two weeks I finished the narrow wall in the far corner, which contains one small niche backed with a beautiful piece of pink Piemontite I found in the Shotover River near Queenstown. I was about 3/4th of the way finished with the larger wall at this point.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zp6SA-hh0Z_ga-Jc7tem8j4vq4LWfaHKUBDoSLsTeBCQUYor3QnDPaH8W4_9Vh4pM5Wz38riaCxzKU7n7wq0q4HwOSSk-3j00uGecnO8jI2UDnzhOwAv-xQ_poot6rlN2e2sXvYH9FRj/s1600/P1000973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zp6SA-hh0Z_ga-Jc7tem8j4vq4LWfaHKUBDoSLsTeBCQUYor3QnDPaH8W4_9Vh4pM5Wz38riaCxzKU7n7wq0q4HwOSSk-3j00uGecnO8jI2UDnzhOwAv-xQ_poot6rlN2e2sXvYH9FRj/s640/P1000973.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The pressure was on to finish the wall so that the building could be signed off by inspectors. I worked long days and late in to the night on several occassions. It was always easier to work when the other contractors were gone, so I labored evenings and weekends for weeks on end.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bX84IrvAlqqGaJcYMZ4UtkCQJffXjAE-3S4rTVGOtYaYUwgeHrEt-HPh2qg5mabcJYUks978nrADcCtDciuaM4dblwTP5ofaF3y6lYePUC-Nt5bj1uFWy4kJV4vAX0FCpNe7T6_ZbG6-/s1600/P1010035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bX84IrvAlqqGaJcYMZ4UtkCQJffXjAE-3S4rTVGOtYaYUwgeHrEt-HPh2qg5mabcJYUks978nrADcCtDciuaM4dblwTP5ofaF3y6lYePUC-Nt5bj1uFWy4kJV4vAX0FCpNe7T6_ZbG6-/s640/P1010035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I neared the top I had to do a lot of cutting to get stones to fit snugly under the beam at the top. I worked from planks set on saw horses, and eventually a ladder. I struggled at times to lift heavy stones in to place. All of my fat has been burned off on this project and I am as lean and strong as I ever have been. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSnJxHkL5GV72hf72fCAk4k94Gi9sfTGVwzu-yTuQ6bKekvczjKYxTwsHsKNTJlEDLkLXRrmeZT_meekYiXCL3D3c8E1sW3V0i7zC11noG2Mdn3Gqdd9RY1kMo2BKDZ8RvMZGYsPEMl7_/s1600/P1010171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSnJxHkL5GV72hf72fCAk4k94Gi9sfTGVwzu-yTuQ6bKekvczjKYxTwsHsKNTJlEDLkLXRrmeZT_meekYiXCL3D3c8E1sW3V0i7zC11noG2Mdn3Gqdd9RY1kMo2BKDZ8RvMZGYsPEMl7_/s640/P1010171.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished wall, wet, so you can see the colors</td></tr>
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I finished the last of the wall in the dark one evening while a friend illuminated the wall with his cell phone, as the electricity wasn't on. The last stone was heavy, so he helped me lift it in to place. I named that last stone, in the upper right hand corner the Emmy Stone after him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxubLf6YwTqM8sz3oyu4ltaYY1mS98s0C4XljHYlH_RRKvpTPXbzTj_Db_6Z6PO3KheMs07sr8Ab7k9SOrUGew5kVR7tvgCsjJo4F5W9N8y_ch4ZqEz7pAGg3HnMPJEW91uABM3wt79Rm/s1600/P1010087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxubLf6YwTqM8sz3oyu4ltaYY1mS98s0C4XljHYlH_RRKvpTPXbzTj_Db_6Z6PO3KheMs07sr8Ab7k9SOrUGew5kVR7tvgCsjJo4F5W9N8y_ch4ZqEz7pAGg3HnMPJEW91uABM3wt79Rm/s640/P1010087.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flash photo of the finished top of the wall so that I could check my work when I got back to my trailer. The Emmy Stone is in the upper right hand corner.</td></tr>
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Once the wall was complete the floor had to be cleaned and reground to restore its polished finish. I worked with the floor grinders to resolve what kind of finish I would put on the stone to enhance the color, once it was cleaned with hydrochloric acid. The cleaning took the three of us 8 hours and was not fun. We wore respirators and eye protection all day. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5s_oZ2hpvyZmtf4jNQ5N8ILUs9bsagzq3yhiIskvpwluysAcxJZaT1L2-NhzlNF69ozBNz45mjeGQG3c7ngMDH1bm1aFayd_Cs52h20wd2FLkGPpIt-E4cd7B6LBz-gHfuhmjenw2D0_/s1600/P1010161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5s_oZ2hpvyZmtf4jNQ5N8ILUs9bsagzq3yhiIskvpwluysAcxJZaT1L2-NhzlNF69ozBNz45mjeGQG3c7ngMDH1bm1aFayd_Cs52h20wd2FLkGPpIt-E4cd7B6LBz-gHfuhmjenw2D0_/s640/P1010161.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleaning the wall with diluted hydrochloric acid, called Spirit of Salts in New Zealand</td></tr>
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I went over every stone with a screw driver to trim excess mortar and then scrubbed every face with stiff brushes, adding more acid to remove stubborn spots. The acid dyed some of the white quartzite a weird yellow color so those had to be scrubbed out with soap and water later. In the end I chose a stone hardener rather than a sealer which lightly enhanced the stone but maintained a natural appearance. I didn't want it to have an artificial plastic sheen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4V8JcwgRLmYkOHaiJCQ2gUDO-b2FmE953k1zM6ZOj12QXFdHBBZMpoWWemylsM-8hkVyMQ6K5tkR8osxrw75QBhs0OG7CnnhLERG0E0tRgTQAnxy0mgteaPWzOoXIHhOVCIm7K1YcuwWy/s1600/P1000970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4V8JcwgRLmYkOHaiJCQ2gUDO-b2FmE953k1zM6ZOj12QXFdHBBZMpoWWemylsM-8hkVyMQ6K5tkR8osxrw75QBhs0OG7CnnhLERG0E0tRgTQAnxy0mgteaPWzOoXIHhOVCIm7K1YcuwWy/s640/P1000970.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The finished wall is quite trippy. Every stone is special in its own way, and the fit and composition of how they are interconnected has a certain zen balance to it. Close inspection reveals wonderful details and discoveries. One of my favorite objects in the wall is a weathered spiral cast metal pump part that washed up on a beach near Punakaiki on the West Coast of the South Island. Spiral shapes form when an object grows outward while turning, or is orbiting and expanding at the same time. Its a pattern found in Nature from the subatomic to the galactic scale. Since everything is essentially made of elements dispersed in the dust of stars, we are connected in a cosmic way to the stones in the wall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPWxYaI-sFCXY7bvUPiT8V1eTeqr-zeotPHJfoPRFcZEY_dA4h9QBiZfGrfT7lkqC_N48_oM5Kjhxd_VNIcRJGsaSZbktu39xSPjcPPNtoA8swBTsI4pG0tlWHqwViMTrBaRjZ2DpCPH6/s1600/P1010172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPWxYaI-sFCXY7bvUPiT8V1eTeqr-zeotPHJfoPRFcZEY_dA4h9QBiZfGrfT7lkqC_N48_oM5Kjhxd_VNIcRJGsaSZbktu39xSPjcPPNtoA8swBTsI4pG0tlWHqwViMTrBaRjZ2DpCPH6/s640/P1010172.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A square niche, a brass padlock, and a spiraling cast metal pump part from a boat I found on a beach on the West Coast</td></tr>
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Pieces of pink Piemontite, which I collected from the Shotover River just south of Frankton and Queenstown stand out for thier unusual color. The largest piece in the wall was given to me by friends who used to work at the airport. There is an area covered in stones where people leave rocks by the entrance before they board their flights because of weight allowances for luggage. The next time I went to the airport I was surprised to see how many stones there were in a garden bed outside the main entrance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmn-2mT-PqI7eq3UA9ldw0XNsaseqYHs0MCwM4ge_N74NgEXq9VzAU2710eRSEkGDs5ESxhK-89Nxidj8T9aHJbC_MUYHj_FaTiNcWewQq_9lyhZ7LvHrOpVqdM0PUUCgp6v7Mwff1epEm/s1600/P1010186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmn-2mT-PqI7eq3UA9ldw0XNsaseqYHs0MCwM4ge_N74NgEXq9VzAU2710eRSEkGDs5ESxhK-89Nxidj8T9aHJbC_MUYHj_FaTiNcWewQq_9lyhZ7LvHrOpVqdM0PUUCgp6v7Mwff1epEm/s640/P1010186.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large piece of pink Piemontite that was left outside the Queenstown Airport</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlHSwU6vMNILCQQk0TQ4VBhOjFKnolbRzKoYCpTT0f1pd6MKLrMZKrG3XJDQL_rVRZjgXarWz3Iis_FOukHjAvKM3_K4JtDAfjnFy_nXe304AIsbaLiEozOj09hXlNjv9tDXmBRLFQYkR/s1600/P1010198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlHSwU6vMNILCQQk0TQ4VBhOjFKnolbRzKoYCpTT0f1pd6MKLrMZKrG3XJDQL_rVRZjgXarWz3Iis_FOukHjAvKM3_K4JtDAfjnFy_nXe304AIsbaLiEozOj09hXlNjv9tDXmBRLFQYkR/s640/P1010198.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The arched niche I built for my Aunt with a green stone with a layer of quartzite we call the Platypus on the left</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznt7puQhV0iC7JcI996I5CZf-o-J0NegOLUnuenMVdiP3ksjWjETPvBwIjRjMXdrrHFoWoE6DtMO0uHYiEv7fBEUfF23XdwmXZygR5dKNY-vKBphwRS5y2f6IDoPHOMNXj4E6-kmNHUr4/s1600/P1010188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznt7puQhV0iC7JcI996I5CZf-o-J0NegOLUnuenMVdiP3ksjWjETPvBwIjRjMXdrrHFoWoE6DtMO0uHYiEv7fBEUfF23XdwmXZygR5dKNY-vKBphwRS5y2f6IDoPHOMNXj4E6-kmNHUr4/s640/P1010188.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another niche backed by a beautiful piece of quartzite layered schist. A part from a boat engine I found on a beach is tucked in to the lower corner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpNUzj4hQR7pUGZYAeX6DqbEUs0egq0B42GIZM2skyZH8rATnIMO-8UJ5ZKAi6c2s8xzkb8wX5SSBbr61sYcQF-u5Xwleb3TjGEQhT8SPT_hNXRDeRMh5vEBNGCJDTo-G_IyWgaLJGbDA/s1600/P1010194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpNUzj4hQR7pUGZYAeX6DqbEUs0egq0B42GIZM2skyZH8rATnIMO-8UJ5ZKAi6c2s8xzkb8wX5SSBbr61sYcQF-u5Xwleb3TjGEQhT8SPT_hNXRDeRMh5vEBNGCJDTo-G_IyWgaLJGbDA/s640/P1010194.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This niche has a base stone with a zig zag edge that I found in the Earnslaw Burn</td></tr>
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After the dedication of the building, I contacted Jane and Ian, the geologists I had met the year before, and asked them if they would be interested in giving a talk about the stones in the wall and the floor mosaics. The lecture Ian gave was a dream come true for me. I really built the wall for these two amazing people, who understand what it is that I worked with. The audience got a condensed but throrough 200 million year history of the geology of New Zealand and then a tour of the various stones, with explanations as to how they formed. It is really the reason I built the wall, to create a bridge between rocks and the science of how they were formed, thier source, and distribution of where they are found. It is a tool for engaging with stone on a deeper level of understanding.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgacGYzrmG11ZQdqF1FixJ3jsnijsvAZ2ctPo-ZpLRZFgstNjZQ5iCfzJsqhOI-6AQssgZqvy79ySxDGanZIQQZvarEjW6yepWN-mPT3SaVbIpTdjRyEyo3NacnDEQgOi1ubbho7iVqbqL/s1600/Ian+Turnbull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgacGYzrmG11ZQdqF1FixJ3jsnijsvAZ2ctPo-ZpLRZFgstNjZQ5iCfzJsqhOI-6AQssgZqvy79ySxDGanZIQQZvarEjW6yepWN-mPT3SaVbIpTdjRyEyo3NacnDEQgOi1ubbho7iVqbqL/s640/Ian+Turnbull.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ian Turnbull, discussing the various lines of quartzite intrusions formed at different periods in a piece of Greywacke</td></tr>
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At one point he told the audience that if a group of geologists from New Zealand were to gather here and get drunk, that they would be rolling all over the floor, which shows the revealed cut open interiors of the stones.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_o4ZTYcvZC4Wm-XbgsDNdPKzcHqp_VUpdZzCXDsTtP2OM1lURLC-obtOmue1uutFjMYqqVb1f56aMW8cScMbcMUGBG0ua4HONZsylzxu1ITx8Ypc6Swl-v1Lwo0zMCFVPUe6FJmrVh8jX/s1600/P1410274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_o4ZTYcvZC4Wm-XbgsDNdPKzcHqp_VUpdZzCXDsTtP2OM1lURLC-obtOmue1uutFjMYqqVb1f56aMW8cScMbcMUGBG0ua4HONZsylzxu1ITx8Ypc6Swl-v1Lwo0zMCFVPUe6FJmrVh8jX/s640/P1410274.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This dark grey line was once a thick layer of shallow sea sediment, perhaps 5 meters thick that was compressed by enormous pressure in to the 5 centimeter vein it is today.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLf7YU94mPISF5A1tVU6MBJpRYLfX2doHpdEdgjTA28KK4jazAlMwFjM3DAU809ZVz3s_vujf3MDkZPIBP3NyCIRrsFLkF0diUuXhe_LXHWg87YSfPG03zu2NLd9yu1TJVvLoqj2MCEJZ/s1600/P1010200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLf7YU94mPISF5A1tVU6MBJpRYLfX2doHpdEdgjTA28KK4jazAlMwFjM3DAU809ZVz3s_vujf3MDkZPIBP3NyCIRrsFLkF0diUuXhe_LXHWg87YSfPG03zu2NLd9yu1TJVvLoqj2MCEJZ/s640/P1010200.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A red edged stone looks like the fire at Rat Point that occured on the Glenorchy road above the lake the previous summer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NZ8wflD80Z7xGP8rKYkw7fY1fxZtflZeiznEtjTGO-0UYlX5jnVNHIH0-7_4E7XxJrTkBD_U1c-sB7QQyihBwEGSwRzFA_R3YFfNoKDYa78iFBjGpJslG78ub0RDNoH5Tcmmr6nuA0Jp/s1600/P1010184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NZ8wflD80Z7xGP8rKYkw7fY1fxZtflZeiznEtjTGO-0UYlX5jnVNHIH0-7_4E7XxJrTkBD_U1c-sB7QQyihBwEGSwRzFA_R3YFfNoKDYa78iFBjGpJslG78ub0RDNoH5Tcmmr6nuA0Jp/s640/P1010184.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More beautiful stones. The lime green stone to the far right is Epidotic Schist, as compared to Green Schist in the upper left side.</td></tr>
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Most of the stones in the wall are from the Metamorphic Geologic Group. There are three types of stone, Igneous, which is of volcanic origin, Sedimentary, which was sediment laid down on sea and lake floors, and Metamorphic, which are the previous two changed under extreme heat and pressure deep in the Earth's crust. Faulting, and then glaciation and erosion exposes the stone at the surface. Water carrying the stones in a river or washed up on a beach wears the surface down, shaping, smoothing and polishing it. This water worn, traveling material is what I collect and work with in my art.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aKnDZCqXr-JQbLtwekqOiapATxwJC72Qjyth62JW1muxS9YAyDAxKmfVLfs270FOsLZ-niAhA8bAd4QYSi8Zmt3f2scstp27szc04VXvQl0bqJ__C6PXi2xQrPpEZURIi6ETqOQk_p6k/s1600/P1010199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aKnDZCqXr-JQbLtwekqOiapATxwJC72Qjyth62JW1muxS9YAyDAxKmfVLfs270FOsLZ-niAhA8bAd4QYSi8Zmt3f2scstp27szc04VXvQl0bqJ__C6PXi2xQrPpEZURIi6ETqOQk_p6k/s640/P1010199.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A variety of beautifully striped and colored stones are showcased in the Geology Wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Geology Wall</td></tr>
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As soon as the room was ready they wanted to furnish it for the opening. The furniture has been rearranged a number of times and they still haven't gotten it right. I had to let go of a number of desires during this project, but if you can spend some time exploring this wall and it isn't buried behind chairs, it is well worth while.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Braided River floor in the Conservatory connects three sets of exterior double doors to two sets inside</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The narrow wall in the corner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqnO2VoOISsFysUbjhM04CTD9WP3YCnwYXnA05xf5I1MwgbxasE9Geyb3YK-P_cM0F9A9FQElXQJO2b5oTRLCn9pM35X8VNJyhTwH-gWUN2FeO402fZcBwsT014TTf-9ILOerBD6sTZut/s1600/P1010189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqnO2VoOISsFysUbjhM04CTD9WP3YCnwYXnA05xf5I1MwgbxasE9Geyb3YK-P_cM0F9A9FQElXQJO2b5oTRLCn9pM35X8VNJyhTwH-gWUN2FeO402fZcBwsT014TTf-9ILOerBD6sTZut/s640/P1010189.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trio of Tibetan votives set in the wall amongst niches of various shapes and sizes</td></tr>
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The Geology Wall project was followed by more Braided River mosaic construction in preparation for the opening of Camp Glenorchy. After the ceremonies, I began an ambitious endeavor to create what is perhaps the World's largest driftwood mosaic of its kind, in collaboration with master carpenter Matt Hood. In many ways it is like the wooden version of the Geology Wall, telling the story of the forests that grew up the Valleys above the lake, fallen from their moorings in to the rivers and worn to a softer form on their journey downstream to the beaches where we collected it. There are many species of trees in the forest that make for distinctive pieces of driftwood, each with its own unique character and story. This will be the subject of my next essay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Driftwood Wall in the Humboldt Room</td></tr>
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I like it when my work means something, when it changes the way people think and feel about the natural world, and in the process of doing the work I learn to have a greater understanding of what it is that I'm manifesting. Its always more fun to admire it than it is to build it, but as projects go, this was a fun one. May it inspire a deeper appreciation for geology in those that spend time with it.<br />
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Thanks for reading, Jeffrey<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Higher States of Being</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaRbEgIPTITEieQuermjei2AWF6mofbe95d9FzXV61X25xwVqog1rJ7_veHom9V1Hp5oYlyyLnnfzA18ueLr4xOEuKvSoLaS1RikeCXrxcDphqVctPMUdDh4DkNhz4Ml5XtrqlZXqWMWr/s1600/P1010005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaRbEgIPTITEieQuermjei2AWF6mofbe95d9FzXV61X25xwVqog1rJ7_veHom9V1Hp5oYlyyLnnfzA18ueLr4xOEuKvSoLaS1RikeCXrxcDphqVctPMUdDh4DkNhz4Ml5XtrqlZXqWMWr/s640/P1010005.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of two old padlocks donated by my client</td></tr>
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-3748603320645038842018-05-19T10:14:00.000-07:002018-05-21T23:55:17.925-07:00The Braided Rivers Project<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An aerial view of braiding in the Dart River I took from a helicopter</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting on the completed polished Braided River mosaic in the Greenstone Room</td></tr>
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In the Autumn of 2015 and Spring of 2016 I built what I consider to be one of my most meaningful works, the Halls Hill Labyrinth on Bainbridge Island in the State of Washington (http://jeffreygardens.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/the-halls-hill-labyrinth-essay.html ). In the middle of that project my clients purchased a foreclosed campground and general store in the town of Glenorchy, north of Queenstown on the South Island of New Zealand near their second home. Unbeknownst to me they embarked on a major project developing the world's first Zero Net Energy Campground development, with the goal of meeting the stringent standards of the Living Building Challenge (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Building_Challenge).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Construction site at Camp Glenorchy when I first arrived</td></tr>
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We were shooting footage up at the labyrinth for an episode about my work as a mosaic artist for Oregon Public Broadcasting's show Oregon Art Beat (http://watch.opb.org/video/2365664204/), when we ran in to my client in a cafe, and she told me that they wanted to bring me to New Zealand to work on an installation called "The Braided Rivers Project" at Camp Glenorchy. I had never been to New Zealand and was excited about the prospect of spending time in this mythical country. So the following November, I flew to Queenstown and was picked up and taken to the town of Glenorchy, at the Head of Lake Wakatipu. The lake is 80 kilometers (50 miles) long, the longest in New Zealand, and 380 meters (1,250 feet) deep at its deepest point.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Wakatipu looking in the direction of Queenstown, with Pigeon Island in the distance</td></tr>
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Lake Wakatipu and the mountainous area surrounding Glenorchy are legendary in this country. Many films have been shot in the Paradise Valley, including scenes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Hobbit, The Chronicals of Narnia, the lastest episode of the Mission Impossible series, and a wickedly dark miniseries made by the famed Kiwi film maker Jane Campion, Top of the Lake.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Paradise Valley, Diamond Lake, and the Rees River</td></tr>
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When I first came to Glenorchy I gave a presentation to the community on my work, and later participated in a design workshop with a number of locals to broaden community involvement. I rather candidly asked people to invite me over for dinner since I had been living in a caravan trailer behind the store for several months while I worked on the project. This enabled me to get to know the amazing local people better and to hear stories about their connection to the surrounding landscape and opinions about what is happening at the camp. I've since had many delicious meals with people I now consider to be good friends.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flyer for my first presentation to the community of Glenorchy</td></tr>
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On my first trip I didn't have a vehicle so I dragged logs down the street from the town golf course where they had been cutting up fallen trees and built a pair of sand boxes to do mock ups with stone I collected in shopping bags along the river and lake shores. It was at this point that I was dubbed "the crazy American" by my neighbor, who's son saw me hauling logs at dusk.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sample mosaic set in sand, experimenting with stone gathered from the area</td></tr>
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I studied the rich history of the region, reading a number of books about the pioneers who first came to this wild land. My grandmother on my mother's side had relatives who arrived in Invercargill on the South Coast in 1860. They only lasted a couple of generations before moving to Oregon, as life was quite challenging in this wet and wild country at that time. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Laing family plot in the Wallacetown Cemetery north of Invercargill</td></tr>
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I also immersed myself in the region's amazing geology. The word geology has ancient Greek roots, meaning "the study of the Earth". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology. I spent a great deal of time collecting stone to use in the mosaics and landscapes that I built to make the camp not only more beautiful, but to establish a direct relationship with the forces of Nature that created this amazing part of the World.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite areas for collecting stone along the Dart River</td></tr>
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The South Island is a geologic wonderland, an obduction zone where the Pacific Plate is sliding over the Australian Plate, basically scrunching the island and faulting the vast mountain ranges of the Southern Alps in to a rugged landscape. There is a predominance of metamorphic schists veined with white quartzite in the Glenorchy area. Its a wild and sparsely developed region and I had access to amazing amounts of beautiful stone spread across broad braided river plains and miles of lake shore. Massive glaciers covered the region during the last ice ages, scraping and depositing enormous deposits of rock as they receded to the small remnants clinging to the highest mountain slopes today.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo I took from the plane flying in over the Dart River in a glacial carved valley in the Southern Alps</td></tr>
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I was able to take a few brilliant helicopter flights over the region to photograph the landscape from above and collected over 100 images of braided river patterns, which I studied in detail in order to better understand the complex flowing and everchanging patterns I would be emulating in the mosaics I planned to build. Braided rivers form when large amounts of sediment are deposited in a river bed, forming shallow river channels separated by gravel bars that frequently change shape as water levels rise and fall.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An epic view of the Dart and Rees Rivers flowing around Mt. Alfred above Lake Wakatipu</td></tr>
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The scale of this project was so huge that I decided it would be beneficial to use cut stone rather than trying to find the enormous quantity of naturally flat faced stones that would be required to built the mosaics. The smooth. cut surfaces would also nicely depict the reflective quality of flowing water that I wanted to achieve. The camp bought me a beautiful diamond blade rock wet saw with a sliding table and miter saw on which I and a helper cut thousands of stones that would eventually be laid to create the braided rivers. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Porta-Brickie Rock Saw</td></tr>
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I cut so many rocks that a thick layer of rock silt had to be regularly shoveled off the ground and hauled away. Sometimes a rock would catch in the blade and shoot like a bullet hitting the wall of the warehouse. It was hard to find people willing to try cutting as it was potentially terrifying, but I was very careful, wearing rubber gloves, head phones, and rain gear to protect myself from the spray of water and noise, always keeping my fingers away from the fast spinning blade. I became a very proficient stone cutter, buzzing through them like an assembly line.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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We cut large quantities of green schist that would be used to make the river channels, and white quartzite stones to create the sinuous islands and shorelines of the braided rivers.<br />
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The first section of river mosaic that we built happened the day before I left at the end of my first 6 month stay in Glenorchy. I had been working mainly on landings to the porches and doorways of the seven cabins and round medallions that would be set in the intersection of paths that would be built while I was away.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dart River mosaic landing on one of the cabins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK1LvmVrWc9o8lm05B8azFL22qXBP3nykxcA8sf7LJrpfQL0pYt_IjLw9brx-T1l1wsbnmQRfikHRwDOHq_WA5RJkZ2RthqT-dtDMgpwLPUXY9zc-lP8E6TM_6mPgCVxFhH_dUoIVVect/s1600/Dart+River+Path+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK1LvmVrWc9o8lm05B8azFL22qXBP3nykxcA8sf7LJrpfQL0pYt_IjLw9brx-T1l1wsbnmQRfikHRwDOHq_WA5RJkZ2RthqT-dtDMgpwLPUXY9zc-lP8E6TM_6mPgCVxFhH_dUoIVVect/s640/Dart+River+Path+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stepping stone path made with stones collected from the Dart River</td></tr>
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I had proposed that the Dart River mosaic run through the Homestead building, which is the main lodge for the camp. It would pass through three glass doorways in to the Conservatory sunroom, and then across the Greenstone Room and out the back side of the building across a terrace linking to a curved bridge over a grey water treatment wetland. The camp treats all of its waste water in a series of three wetlands, which I embellished with stones and logs to mimic the shorelines of the lake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XIsGHFpBg2uTshObf2D5OrqhY_1OZ_ZfHOm5-EsmQyPsLCH8nWyPh95IOISZPc_Lvod3xRc4LakKFc51vK3SI28JRYF7nmRXyCbU1nU6e9cqQQS5PQUElbrcbawE1s7xmMDerdZvoAhx/s1600/P1410162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XIsGHFpBg2uTshObf2D5OrqhY_1OZ_ZfHOm5-EsmQyPsLCH8nWyPh95IOISZPc_Lvod3xRc4LakKFc51vK3SI28JRYF7nmRXyCbU1nU6e9cqQQS5PQUElbrcbawE1s7xmMDerdZvoAhx/s640/P1410162.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The foot bridge over a grey water treatment wetland, with the exposed liner along the edge covered in logs and stones</td></tr>
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The Conservatory floor was formed up and reinforcing steel placed and then a cement truck arrived and funnel shaped buckets of concrete were lifted in with a huge construction crane and poured.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakIb1xYulCWaBtNmy6zzNp35B4MljnDX6LphglQ1hO9buFifU16ELRYdej9IHmEIapeKhyphenhyphenLoew-Arzf1jl4nDu2j7_qxGwrcMPbWaivsOQGNIrzErM0Bn8dBUJG6XlCXu2kOMlBgn2qdn/s1600/Conservatory+floor+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakIb1xYulCWaBtNmy6zzNp35B4MljnDX6LphglQ1hO9buFifU16ELRYdej9IHmEIapeKhyphenhyphenLoew-Arzf1jl4nDu2j7_qxGwrcMPbWaivsOQGNIrzErM0Bn8dBUJG6XlCXu2kOMlBgn2qdn/s640/Conservatory+floor+design.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The braided river design sprayed on the base that the concrete was poured over.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfFxAH7UVux0vUFfC4cUW1vx8DY9exjl45jZpbiggyE3GXdaFSn2YcB20YgWb4PGtRBvVa6EheWX1sUkPGgzqaSBw6xzvixbUlvDOCVuWQLPr28a8rJUhBbQ5Jt57IJrJ40IzXRIiDX1O/s1600/Concrete+Pour.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfFxAH7UVux0vUFfC4cUW1vx8DY9exjl45jZpbiggyE3GXdaFSn2YcB20YgWb4PGtRBvVa6EheWX1sUkPGgzqaSBw6xzvixbUlvDOCVuWQLPr28a8rJUhBbQ5Jt57IJrJ40IzXRIiDX1O/s640/Concrete+Pour.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pouring and spreading the concrete for the Conservatory floor</td></tr>
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The Conservatory floor was a single pour of concrete, so logistically we had to lay all of the cut stone for the river mosaics as quickly as possible. This was not a fun task but I had a crew of of 5 diligent helpers who worked tirelessly for 8 hours from planks spanning the pour. It was a cold wet day, which gave us more time to work before the concrete set, but it was hard to see what we were doing in an overall sense as we were scooping out handfuls of wet concrete and pressing the stones in as flush and level as possible. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNA-EIHLlFn2D86HQW1JA1Gyvs6PIZZ9AflqkLcXq4Pm4cPIODdGFwpv8EsXVfWwsdGCW2ypqUHP0Kk44ucbZI_4iz0s0DNvCv_YXUmrupkKmDkcpkdK2TDa7iirqyX1qTevmv3pvcLu8m/s1600/Conservatory+floor+pour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNA-EIHLlFn2D86HQW1JA1Gyvs6PIZZ9AflqkLcXq4Pm4cPIODdGFwpv8EsXVfWwsdGCW2ypqUHP0Kk44ucbZI_4iz0s0DNvCv_YXUmrupkKmDkcpkdK2TDa7iirqyX1qTevmv3pvcLu8m/s640/Conservatory+floor+pour.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting stones in a single pour of concrete to create a braided river mosaic</td></tr>
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All of the stone used for the Dart River mosaics were collected from the Dart itself, so that it is literally from the place it represents. The floor would later be ground by floor polishers, revealing the river design, like an organic terrazzo. I flew home and it was a period of months before the grinding commenced, but the work turned out to be pretty exciting, especially for the floor grinders who had only worked on plain concrete floors up to that point.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDi2URSSoEbkFxI768vGtPOz9ZbLxmvEAUmLIhzIFD83v_MPb39A_LBaCjeeikpoZBsVqak_QIcnaZ_uDCPWXGNVCgPTxFKN-Je4PI58SfyVEyQNOAbyv4A8l7osmAQZpSbNftMB10ZUP/s1600/P1010931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDi2URSSoEbkFxI768vGtPOz9ZbLxmvEAUmLIhzIFD83v_MPb39A_LBaCjeeikpoZBsVqak_QIcnaZ_uDCPWXGNVCgPTxFKN-Je4PI58SfyVEyQNOAbyv4A8l7osmAQZpSbNftMB10ZUP/s640/P1010931.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The polished floor in the Conservatory</td></tr>
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When I returned in early November, 2017 I began work on a major path installation running from the Campfire Shelter, down through a breezeway that covers the entrance to the Homestead Building, and out to the entry driveway. This mosaic represents the Rees River and the way it lies geographically in the valley, superimposed on the layout of the camp. It flows, in an antigravity way up a slope to a wide space between the stone walled greywater wetland and the shelter. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLA4__L_1knyNKuKF6htMF0LSQhK7X1BbE8YWqSsYZLJbilZaqBYMymYOuQwRc14UlVS2DzfyyZbtdOjGy_n_TC-A5OYduOZqMU5ntj2L8ulbGsXh2SKXFK-KU8LsMnwYKXs0ZnjDdaf8/s1600/Braided+River+Path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLA4__L_1knyNKuKF6htMF0LSQhK7X1BbE8YWqSsYZLJbilZaqBYMymYOuQwRc14UlVS2DzfyyZbtdOjGy_n_TC-A5OYduOZqMU5ntj2L8ulbGsXh2SKXFK-KU8LsMnwYKXs0ZnjDdaf8/s640/Braided+River+Path.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A crew formed and poured an exposed aggregate concrete path inset with flat stones, leaving a recess which was filled with cut stone mosaic later.</td></tr>
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At this point I created a metaphor for how the rivers flow in to Lake Wakatipu, building with a mix of stones from the lake shore and larger stones flat flagstones I collected from the Earnslaw Burn river. I had to wade across this small river in rapids and carry back the nice flat stones and then trim the edges to make them perfectly flat. One day when the weather was hot the river was running high from glacial melt and I fell in the rapids and was swept about 100 meters down stream. The perils of wild stone collecting!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0laUXKGjpXlBM5vW-jJ26200fLA9VKYpxeCiH_74rKHp_xB4s26UQrQQ_Yo5vTmRw3F-XS9FuvQ6zw5wPdNwkmoe1LS1VoiJ_W9Xil4jTwOa8gF5WTHy7xLlo19AhKXcj6gfEXNyKAoe/s1600/Lakeshore+mosaic+in+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0laUXKGjpXlBM5vW-jJ26200fLA9VKYpxeCiH_74rKHp_xB4s26UQrQQ_Yo5vTmRw3F-XS9FuvQ6zw5wPdNwkmoe1LS1VoiJ_W9Xil4jTwOa8gF5WTHy7xLlo19AhKXcj6gfEXNyKAoe/s640/Lakeshore+mosaic+in+progress.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting work on a lake shore mosaic, including an awkwardly placed water tank access hole which I was able to disguise.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges7-4eQtLmAdIL2eIHzx19_QRiOJXKqqKJ9Ziv5sznaEDxckyhXLISu-vf4gNUCt13A6dqDFtSbsTv2iyzkccwihqc45UFjeGv8VtSPymTuE5X49SNjpBn-4Kq2yaEIsl7m8Y0J-7bSs1/s1600/Beginning+of+the+Braided+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges7-4eQtLmAdIL2eIHzx19_QRiOJXKqqKJ9Ziv5sznaEDxckyhXLISu-vf4gNUCt13A6dqDFtSbsTv2iyzkccwihqc45UFjeGv8VtSPymTuE5X49SNjpBn-4Kq2yaEIsl7m8Y0J-7bSs1/s640/Beginning+of+the+Braided+River.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rees River mosaic flowing from a mosaic depicting Lake Wakatipu (try to find the access lid)</td></tr>
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It took about two months to complete this very long mosaic, using thousands of saw cut stones. It was exciting to see the river take form as it flowed down the slope. The edges of the river were formed using flexible hardwood boards with exposed aggregate concrete poured with wood expansion joints, leaving a 4 inch depression for me to fill with mosaic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYr-FBuKdfGjV1kOulTOxg2SnGLwLv7slMCXWtap5TtnSB7UIJVTHicsQxQ4LZKaE56jCqcOT1mohnBTXcIWmsQ2rxfG2V_d93jeOKKTvJ4fYbo_OA3RZ3zVX4BN0_LMxXdMiPqnEjYZ4L/s1600/Breezeway+path+setup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYr-FBuKdfGjV1kOulTOxg2SnGLwLv7slMCXWtap5TtnSB7UIJVTHicsQxQ4LZKaE56jCqcOT1mohnBTXcIWmsQ2rxfG2V_d93jeOKKTvJ4fYbo_OA3RZ3zVX4BN0_LMxXdMiPqnEjYZ4L/s640/Breezeway+path+setup.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Form work for the path leading to the entry driveway</td></tr>
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Once the mosaic was set, I replanted the narrow beds on either side of the path with Silver Tussock grass (Poa cita), Cabbage Trees (Cordyline australis), and Lancewoods (Pseudopanax crassifolius), which become small, very narrow trees. I surrounded these with beautiful stones collected from the lake shore and the Buckler Burn and Dart Rivers to give the feel of river banks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM50bGvW6f4IbKChATodotAJ-LSmAke935nFzF1TEAmrfNQZZQ5w-i3EYpOO3kYD-e7f59UNT4iVDNS0668v6ZVAHLWxPjB9f6L3E9Xib33VzRyvH24x-zB6NineH6q2bplapEGN0Cl9Om/s1600/P1410052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM50bGvW6f4IbKChATodotAJ-LSmAke935nFzF1TEAmrfNQZZQ5w-i3EYpOO3kYD-e7f59UNT4iVDNS0668v6ZVAHLWxPjB9f6L3E9Xib33VzRyvH24x-zB6NineH6q2bplapEGN0Cl9Om/s640/P1410052.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rees River mosaic flowing from the Campfire shelter </td></tr>
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My objective was to capture the essense of the rivers that flow in to the lake, mirroring how they lie in their natural setting, superimposed geographically to how they would flow through the camp's landscape.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyssh2IRxiv185v5w-0KsGduAebQvNpsVahUHmZgIv84s7dKQBZ_mQibzlLSF5KH3Yxywqr2s1c0YO2FdVn1qkWcJtDQ9gy60Gp7wkPKrCyZTHf6LJyiJWX1lyOEOaw9ymqhxF3LoU1OxM/s1600/Braided+river+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyssh2IRxiv185v5w-0KsGduAebQvNpsVahUHmZgIv84s7dKQBZ_mQibzlLSF5KH3Yxywqr2s1c0YO2FdVn1qkWcJtDQ9gy60Gp7wkPKrCyZTHf6LJyiJWX1lyOEOaw9ymqhxF3LoU1OxM/s640/Braided+river+detail.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A detail of the Rees River mosaic</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFl6f8ps00zlvz-h-wJHp6NwSJ46x9hGnfi6T6pwbKpsQAXsWZAfX0gk-om8wsfJBDDMOHE_MMP_53O9WXfYHBoNdqGU9G5A470e5maimmhSlCDzqFSpuX55FOy6ODkaplm-i2_XZ44WQ/s1600/Braided+River+Path+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFl6f8ps00zlvz-h-wJHp6NwSJ46x9hGnfi6T6pwbKpsQAXsWZAfX0gk-om8wsfJBDDMOHE_MMP_53O9WXfYHBoNdqGU9G5A470e5maimmhSlCDzqFSpuX55FOy6ODkaplm-i2_XZ44WQ/s640/Braided+River+Path+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Rees River mosaic as it flows towards the breezeway connecting the Amenities Building to the Homestead Building</td></tr>
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Over the Christmas holiday, while most of the construction crews were on break, I began work on the section of the Dart River mosaic floor of the Greenstone Room. This is a lounge area between the beautiful camp kitchen and dining area, and the Humboldt Room, which is used for gatherings. Over a 4 month period I only took two full days off when some friends came to visit and we made a trip to spectacular Milford Sound. It was an exhausting but productive time that pushed me to my limits.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ax7kw-CVP0z5NWEVl-oXP2jpWWRG1S2zi8xgSlCvLwz14XRnC1_bVrDSG48e4IL-BdTKEeI9aTDMkzR1DX9lujnOTQah_o4NwHa529eWQ_6Pexbcl1NGhtMnPShkFQON9t0o7fYNte_L/s1600/P1390350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ax7kw-CVP0z5NWEVl-oXP2jpWWRG1S2zi8xgSlCvLwz14XRnC1_bVrDSG48e4IL-BdTKEeI9aTDMkzR1DX9lujnOTQah_o4NwHa529eWQ_6Pexbcl1NGhtMnPShkFQON9t0o7fYNte_L/s640/P1390350.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A blank slate recess ready for me to start laying out the Dart River mosaic in the Greenstone Room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6Fo2siU4u5Yci5wKj3e995pcYik9GBv-l6XImXGUNV5wpFUG8uCJNQfpMwXsSOB6JN72HHOu690U4HkcBPCunvOAbDqAebRGoZP8st9snL6NFfRpq8wISrerr_v-PRbUy31bC7cRBETw/s1600/beginning+Humboldt+Room+Floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6Fo2siU4u5Yci5wKj3e995pcYik9GBv-l6XImXGUNV5wpFUG8uCJNQfpMwXsSOB6JN72HHOu690U4HkcBPCunvOAbDqAebRGoZP8st9snL6NFfRpq8wISrerr_v-PRbUy31bC7cRBETw/s640/beginning+Humboldt+Room+Floor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laying cut stone for the floor in the Greenstone Room</td></tr>
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I had to cut thousands of stones collected from the Dart River in to flat slices that I set in a thin bed of mortar, trying to keep the surface as level as possible so that it could later be grouted and ground smooth. It was a laborious and tedious process that took about a month to complete. Every morning before I went to work I would look at photos I had taken on helicopter flights to study the patterns found in the Dart River so that as I laid the stones I could organically capture the essence of the river. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqq6K4eZ-Ftdi5Mo6s1joKSPapdq0_ctXw-Zv1trbBYYgK_LUej4tfYAJsp4-tCCsmJpz-xcdFZTKTtSNKFbbK6jUBZCkbdu9eB-Jz4onNuM8uuFASYI5pONF61w9r3PS9ABzHap0T-liG/s1600/P1000713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqq6K4eZ-Ftdi5Mo6s1joKSPapdq0_ctXw-Zv1trbBYYgK_LUej4tfYAJsp4-tCCsmJpz-xcdFZTKTtSNKFbbK6jUBZCkbdu9eB-Jz4onNuM8uuFASYI5pONF61w9r3PS9ABzHap0T-liG/s640/P1000713.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braiding on the Dart River</td></tr>
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The individual slices of stone are in themselves very beautiful. I don't think a floor like this has ever been constructed before. The cuts reveal a variety of patterns in the stone depending on what type of mineral it is, with many quartzite inclusions. A few are conglomerates, while most are types of green and epidotic schists. The white quartzite stones have a lot of character with dark veins running though them, displaying their geologic structure. The river channels flow through the doorways of the Conservatory and connect to the outdoor terrace.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFACEIAh-nUq9y3vesDPv-AlVSkiy2w6KGZNcHovIgCfKbXzY-tFCgjSoaF4YVofcf1VfT8F6wYVwPFO9hVXV69yqzgALrMD6pZgz2S-TnASTmIU_xp299otBY8fi7VSWpmadz62DuM6T/s1600/P1000783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFACEIAh-nUq9y3vesDPv-AlVSkiy2w6KGZNcHovIgCfKbXzY-tFCgjSoaF4YVofcf1VfT8F6wYVwPFO9hVXV69yqzgALrMD6pZgz2S-TnASTmIU_xp299otBY8fi7VSWpmadz62DuM6T/s640/P1000783.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed laying of stone for the Dart River mosaic before grouting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnh1ciICuNH6pBAwArv0Xpv1t8Lo-tpuEyJX_ZloualZETktPXKLCUYhKh9rRXNfdPBEQi3pfo6xDMg7HNsaj1EcsyXsqT-l1XnhNB7Cowg7TD95f5RKBJZuWzulT-xWofrwUwJ5fnfiQ0/s1600/P1000785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnh1ciICuNH6pBAwArv0Xpv1t8Lo-tpuEyJX_ZloualZETktPXKLCUYhKh9rRXNfdPBEQi3pfo6xDMg7HNsaj1EcsyXsqT-l1XnhNB7Cowg7TD95f5RKBJZuWzulT-xWofrwUwJ5fnfiQ0/s640/P1000785.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A detail of the set stone in the Greenstone Room</td></tr>
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The floor was then grouted with a grey polymer grout with small aggregate added as recommended by a man from the floor grinding company. I had spent three days cleaning out the gaps between the stone with a masonry drill bit so I could use aggregate I collected from the Dart River, but because this project was managed by opinionated people who didn't trust my theories the grouting didn't approximate the look and spirit that I had intended, and I wasn't happy with the end result. The grout he mixed and I applied on a Saturday was gooey and thick and coated the entire floor. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUkygrAtceAXC1YZEJ15pxbtH0r6msCiJ6X9WxzwyH9DyI6-0lyikKZKpfOztMexw3RsaPELZSDWtdW0wfi6W_xFH8ovLoafRNj0TZDO2VedxGJL2hsDXHujDryiOhupa6UW4SIB-CjJs/s1600/P1000786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUkygrAtceAXC1YZEJ15pxbtH0r6msCiJ6X9WxzwyH9DyI6-0lyikKZKpfOztMexw3RsaPELZSDWtdW0wfi6W_xFH8ovLoafRNj0TZDO2VedxGJL2hsDXHujDryiOhupa6UW4SIB-CjJs/s640/P1000786.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey polymer grout troweled in to the gaps between the set stones covered the entire mosaic</td></tr>
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Two hardworking young men from Queenstown Concrete Grinding Company took on the arduous task of grinding down the covering layer of grout to expose the stone underneath. Some additional filling was required, and one stone popped out and had to be reset, but after several days of grinding a beautiful floor mosaic was revealed. They then polished it to a brilliant shine. Some of the stones I set were lower than others, but grinding down to expose them made a rippling effect in the reflection of light that compliments the watery appearance of the mosaic.<br />
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I had hoped that a large print of the photo I took of the Dart and Rees Rivers flowing around Mt. Alfred would be hung on the wall above the floor so that people could see the direct relationship between my muse and the resulting creation, but to my disappointment this never happened.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafb-g_5ZuVITOjYA17f3Ga_EaiClm61BincxD9T6tQwDkKgfGD15esndQhJFYdjz_zo8RqMD0HlHi6dGAMEDL3HKmBuIPOOE3MGjXP7GQbzKDHlqPZGkBWyLhgGcdJXwA3yKiz2AtW8Z-/s1600/Greenstone+Room+floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafb-g_5ZuVITOjYA17f3Ga_EaiClm61BincxD9T6tQwDkKgfGD15esndQhJFYdjz_zo8RqMD0HlHi6dGAMEDL3HKmBuIPOOE3MGjXP7GQbzKDHlqPZGkBWyLhgGcdJXwA3yKiz2AtW8Z-/s640/Greenstone+Room+floor.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed floor in the Greenstone Room with furnishings for the lounge area</td></tr>
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Outside of the Conservatory, a terrace was poured leaving recesses for me to build river channels that flowed from the doors of the room out to the edge of the garden that I later built in front of the Homestead Building. This terrace has a trellis that will someday be shaded with a grape vine. The channels rather awkwardly end at the edge of the terrace but I had to stop somewhere. The original intention was to continue the river through the garden and across the road to phase 2 of the project, which will be built at a later date, but I don't think I'll be taking on this ambitious extension.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPd9yUT8NBLLten6ewNpDLEhcr5B2X13QYLGwKkod6vhnAnLvhYaEzsC1NusZ9x-v8sZjMCPhBAGfd9Iu7jKv5RZNaIbNq-n1EbGivDCcBMH8A7KC5DI5_GMwn46rpJ67Rz_o-lcPVbvZ/s1600/P1000990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrPd9yUT8NBLLten6ewNpDLEhcr5B2X13QYLGwKkod6vhnAnLvhYaEzsC1NusZ9x-v8sZjMCPhBAGfd9Iu7jKv5RZNaIbNq-n1EbGivDCcBMH8A7KC5DI5_GMwn46rpJ67Rz_o-lcPVbvZ/s640/P1000990.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Conservatory Terrace pour with recesses for Braided River mosaics</td></tr>
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<tr><td colspan="4">The official opening of the camp was set for mid March, so I worked long hours to complete the river mosaics, and an incredible Geologic wall in the Conservatory that I will write about in a seperate essay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLYKQrmvkXXQYhI0oH8UfT0frbYXuU5GElj_x-Kj_0ac1MmqUrPwEMRkInvMnAILvxJnJ-FhUmrHXGA9opG0yJafqejAmKLc4DBF8USyNyizvJNZZoyqoXVDehxuqgF0RwJDK3ezOHcy_/s1600/P1410277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLYKQrmvkXXQYhI0oH8UfT0frbYXuU5GElj_x-Kj_0ac1MmqUrPwEMRkInvMnAILvxJnJ-FhUmrHXGA9opG0yJafqejAmKLc4DBF8USyNyizvJNZZoyqoXVDehxuqgF0RwJDK3ezOHcy_/s640/P1410277.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dart River mosaics in the terrace off the Conservatory</td></tr>
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The terrace between the Greenstone Room and the Grey Water Wetland was poured leaving a recess for a mosaic that would connect the Dart River mosaic to a double radius curving wooden footbridge over the wetland to the Campfire Shelter. I pushed myself to complete this fairly large mosaic with a few days of help from a woman who took one of my stepping stone workshops. She was a natural and quickly mastered the technique of laying stone. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVZnjEGoJyVTyDho4jbtBHjfkkd76IxRcNFBmVwh3EWH7u312OZLAePYxs73IHjEWEGtR5zo01v-1Zt6vOT_nPT_ed9T0xqemIoWCS_MAsxbJ-jzHYg69JT_XE-h6iYEY0omdstjQnHP1/s1600/P1040714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVZnjEGoJyVTyDho4jbtBHjfkkd76IxRcNFBmVwh3EWH7u312OZLAePYxs73IHjEWEGtR5zo01v-1Zt6vOT_nPT_ed9T0xqemIoWCS_MAsxbJ-jzHYg69JT_XE-h6iYEY0omdstjQnHP1/s640/P1040714.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Form work for the Homestead Building Terrace</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bS7ZXQLPo0-LdIVFC1kMRo_WEF3MsCmjm8xICQAab9rD-Lm5BL9GJJj3UNmQrIZ2yQfFudAYKSYFPk5HSOMi-A79WrV4faq45CtGD6El1T6NQQdu5GcjVDi1iCNJaI4TXjflQeIkEDTJ/s1600/P1410837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bS7ZXQLPo0-LdIVFC1kMRo_WEF3MsCmjm8xICQAab9rD-Lm5BL9GJJj3UNmQrIZ2yQfFudAYKSYFPk5HSOMi-A79WrV4faq45CtGD6El1T6NQQdu5GcjVDi1iCNJaI4TXjflQeIkEDTJ/s640/P1410837.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed final section of the Dart River mosaic</td></tr>
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I then returned to working on the Rees River mosaic, completing the section from the breezeway to the entry driveway. The final section was under the breezeway itself, which had been poured so that usable access to the entrance of the Homestead Building was available. So this section had to be saw cut and removed so that I could install the mosaic. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwJjtCboNjwhuQRo_Kq9DMYiiSH1ENsosK25leAaBCl2r7Xiy5_DzreQYijncLbZLZbZegDY7nQZ0thcJEX-D5oUriHJXn357NtB94axjZuimlkRVswrvQBkjArM1jsrQi2gy_1fA7XEU/s1600/Breezeway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwJjtCboNjwhuQRo_Kq9DMYiiSH1ENsosK25leAaBCl2r7Xiy5_DzreQYijncLbZLZbZegDY7nQZ0thcJEX-D5oUriHJXn357NtB94axjZuimlkRVswrvQBkjArM1jsrQi2gy_1fA7XEU/s640/Breezeway.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Formed recesses for the braided river mosaics and the breezeway paving before this section was cut and removed.</td></tr>
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Finally this long and arduous project was complete in time for the Camp's opening ceremonies. I cleaned the stonework with Hydrochloric Acid, which in the trade is called Muriatic Acid in the US and rather strangely titled Spirits of Salt in New Zealand. The acid reacts to the base in the mortar and disolves the film that remained on the surface of the stones, revealing a beautiful clean finish.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf045qCpP-f48SbftGcItM66btTpXRvwRKPX13-TiJF4rvY3wxN0BWTwoAleR-kdENxR1SDFf-JpwC68DgJBTZTB-YNZD4TddsjrnR8VyV80gRALIfq-R9Ic2DN3NjYbU2GYLPlaB5IEBB/s1600/P1410825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf045qCpP-f48SbftGcItM66btTpXRvwRKPX13-TiJF4rvY3wxN0BWTwoAleR-kdENxR1SDFf-JpwC68DgJBTZTB-YNZD4TddsjrnR8VyV80gRALIfq-R9Ic2DN3NjYbU2GYLPlaB5IEBB/s640/P1410825.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final section of Braided River mosaic running through the breezeway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkwW4U9x2o4sAjXMoLg40W67dspGwE499RSlPsMWux7k0cqBn64uHiDYcX8_UU_O81xSk7HEEeOWU7EqR4hNkaiAIpyhAZUzmWdxU41DvB4quWsB-TvWjb03tpeZzsRxaBPGnvVIdDS8O/s1600/P1010983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkwW4U9x2o4sAjXMoLg40W67dspGwE499RSlPsMWux7k0cqBn64uHiDYcX8_UU_O81xSk7HEEeOWU7EqR4hNkaiAIpyhAZUzmWdxU41DvB4quWsB-TvWjb03tpeZzsRxaBPGnvVIdDS8O/s640/P1010983.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed Rees River pathway</td></tr>
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A female Paradise Duck would sometimes land on the river mosaic, and even came in to the Greenstone Room one day. I saw it as a blessing by the Spirits who I wanted to appease by building this representation of the spectacular rivers flowing in to the lake. She would drink water from the shallow gaps between the stones and was unfazed by the closeness of people. Paradise ducks mate for life and I assume that she at some point lost her life partner, and began to socialize with humans.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fmdJAxkxgEyBlw2kiO2Lx08J1FG4vF3DsR9FDZ2guWDYX2x7bzP4_YK3sAtCmOtrBkjWAC1cSWUkhFYALgooRuZv0LJ2dVCKgQoJwRAFbQM1RTjcGDUuBjPNey00wZ4HBOHhSD5daGqg/s1600/Paradise+Duck+on+Rees+mosaic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fmdJAxkxgEyBlw2kiO2Lx08J1FG4vF3DsR9FDZ2guWDYX2x7bzP4_YK3sAtCmOtrBkjWAC1cSWUkhFYALgooRuZv0LJ2dVCKgQoJwRAFbQM1RTjcGDUuBjPNey00wZ4HBOHhSD5daGqg/s640/Paradise+Duck+on+Rees+mosaic.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A female Paradise Duck on the Rees River mosaic</td></tr>
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Because the Rees River mosaic ended at a rather bleak looking expanse of grey concrete blocks laid in a herringbone pattern to pave the entry driveway, I built a multi colored stone mosaic curb to border the edge of the garden that I built in front of the Homestead Building. This was done distract the eye from the bland paving. For me it emulated the edge of the lake so that the driveway would read more like a body of water, connecting it to the natural landscape. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew03Q9ML0zSnkTJ3UrPwBkLBobdVjj86CePYmwMhqGEkHN8YtE25tVTPKzBbf4LydLlnkvp14OL4Ye_27wnEj346j7X8TGHAD0w3VTPD8H73pgp2HcDRBoIc07uO0gr4n8cctscv5HR5z/s1600/P1410316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew03Q9ML0zSnkTJ3UrPwBkLBobdVjj86CePYmwMhqGEkHN8YtE25tVTPKzBbf4LydLlnkvp14OL4Ye_27wnEj346j7X8TGHAD0w3VTPD8H73pgp2HcDRBoIc07uO0gr4n8cctscv5HR5z/s640/P1410316.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A multi colored stone mosaic curb edges the entry driveway and the Homestead Building Garden</td></tr>
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I laid large flat schist flagstones to form a generous path through the carefully composed native plant garden. I laid the stones in a zen arrangement, with each stone relating to the next in a naturalistic way. The intent is to create a contemplative walk through the garden. I had large, spectacular boulders collected from the Paradise Valley placed in the garden by skilled heavy equipment operators, which speak to the mountains in the distance. Once this garden was completed, we were ready for the grand dedication of Camp Glenorchy and its transfer to the Community of Glenorchy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZ_0jU9WXHQgOmdwAlGlpASHsdGS7h6sPDz5YSMowgcStQc8bEqWgXhAWsxrOjm9hC76IcHx5RBxBhPUAUsndU_NmenNwrK2o8K-5Twa2xcH-uKaXoqcLkRIgvoEdo00NJ5lgUysZB-OO/s1600/P1410824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZ_0jU9WXHQgOmdwAlGlpASHsdGS7h6sPDz5YSMowgcStQc8bEqWgXhAWsxrOjm9hC76IcHx5RBxBhPUAUsndU_NmenNwrK2o8K-5Twa2xcH-uKaXoqcLkRIgvoEdo00NJ5lgUysZB-OO/s640/P1410824.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Homestead Building Garden</td></tr>
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Any profits generated by the camp will now go in to the Community Trust, funding future projects to benefit the town and its citizens. Camp Glenorchy is a philanthropic venture like no other in New Zealand, a model for environmental technology, innovative architecture, and an inspirational melding of concepts to create an accomodation experience like no other.<br />
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My goal for the work I did on this project was to integrate the magnificent power of the surrounding landscape in a way that speaks directly to it, and brings it in to the site in a way that honors the beauty and geology of this incredible place. I worked on a shamanistic level that was often challenging within the logistical confines of a major construction project. The levels of understanding that I embued in my work will take time to reveal themselves to the people who work here, visit, and stay as guests. Intuitive and observant people I've met have expressed deep spiritual feeling illicited by what they see here. It is my hope that the Braided River mosaics and the Geology Wall and Driftwood Wall I built provide a vehicle for better understanding the forces of nature that make this place so special.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgws5qakT47bCVL8UgOIxyzMugTUgm3SEgwOn03a6pFWnaZJ8WZ1Eb_-mG0Ukg3lip8jF_s_z7u2BWKDwbaCXzZ27RxmjOgoucH_42QnkkCaI1mWxvgPI3PCRhfXvOFw157w9n0fQAmD33i/s1600/Glenorchy+Dart+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgws5qakT47bCVL8UgOIxyzMugTUgm3SEgwOn03a6pFWnaZJ8WZ1Eb_-mG0Ukg3lip8jF_s_z7u2BWKDwbaCXzZ27RxmjOgoucH_42QnkkCaI1mWxvgPI3PCRhfXvOFw157w9n0fQAmD33i/s640/Glenorchy+Dart+Lake.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dart River, Rees, and Buckler Burn Rivers flowing in to Lake Wakatipu with Glenorchy and the camp at the top </td></tr>
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While I was working on the project, a friend sent me this beautiful poem by Beat poet Gary Snyder. It speaks beautifully to the experience I had while building the Braided Rivers:<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><table><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="4">Lay down these words</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Before your mind like rocks.</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td colspan="2">placed solid, by hands</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">In choice of place, set</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Before the body of the mind</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td colspan="2">in space and time:</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Solidity of bark, leaf or wall</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td colspan="2">riprap of things:</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Cobble of milky way,</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td colspan="2">straying planets,</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">These poems, people,</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td colspan="2">lost ponies with</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Dragging saddles --</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td colspan="2">and rocky sure-foot trails.</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">The worlds like an endless </td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td colspan="2">four-dimensional</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Game of Go.</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td colspan="2">ants and pebbles</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">In the thin loam, each rock a word</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td colspan="2">a creek-washed stone</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Granite: ingrained</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td colspan="2">with torment of fire and weight</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Crystal and sediment linked hot</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"></td><td colspan="2">all change, in thoughts,</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">As well as things.</td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
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</td><td> </td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Gary Snyder<br />
<b>Riprap</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Dk1ZEvIFULulnRCbBubF_PYfFO-CxnMgELaJZ7dKYHYRMrivyGQIJI5hTkvVRe0YqJWOFJgDw3zQy3JPTgX5ek8T4hjBFFKVOiGAHculTER2W66XdGmmonSc2fwHdnJgyDbxTzoP_uVI/s1600/P1010377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Dk1ZEvIFULulnRCbBubF_PYfFO-CxnMgELaJZ7dKYHYRMrivyGQIJI5hTkvVRe0YqJWOFJgDw3zQy3JPTgX5ek8T4hjBFFKVOiGAHculTER2W66XdGmmonSc2fwHdnJgyDbxTzoP_uVI/s640/P1010377.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A friend's beautiful child on the Greenstone Room floor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34j4OzFNUbH9Jr2twZ7gXXlODgABYEJ-X1G5NZuUN9qVpqPB5Hra2Dp-dT2Y-px28_V7E_r5J8MZLxymnUI0mvGqhvU2bOqrSYpSAArInoY1WfkHWj9A2tiJ_gkWuuCDeKIOE_6gDTsCm/s1600/Collecting+rock+on+the+Dart+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34j4OzFNUbH9Jr2twZ7gXXlODgABYEJ-X1G5NZuUN9qVpqPB5Hra2Dp-dT2Y-px28_V7E_r5J8MZLxymnUI0mvGqhvU2bOqrSYpSAArInoY1WfkHWj9A2tiJ_gkWuuCDeKIOE_6gDTsCm/s640/Collecting+rock+on+the+Dart+River.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My lonely little Ute. Collecting stone on the Dart River in Paradise</td></tr>
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Thanks for reading, Jeffrey</td></tr>
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</td><td><br /></td><td><br /></td></tr>
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</div>
Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-28347829696036223942018-04-09T16:56:00.000-07:002018-04-17T04:19:02.150-07:00Otari Native Plant Botanical Garden and Wilton Bush, Wellington, New Zealand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RfiRf7CVruQCO6q9dRnUfwj5AaJTPl1b6xE2QNLJcAZj1aWslaO_zfDz654BAJsmMhTMoe6Xe3Vb4dAvmb_JxhWxxud5BRw4mb15xKOis2PuvZbKxj-STRfUqZvoV71S1jhDwR9QfW2C/s1600/P1400441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RfiRf7CVruQCO6q9dRnUfwj5AaJTPl1b6xE2QNLJcAZj1aWslaO_zfDz654BAJsmMhTMoe6Xe3Vb4dAvmb_JxhWxxud5BRw4mb15xKOis2PuvZbKxj-STRfUqZvoV71S1jhDwR9QfW2C/s640/P1400441.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fine specimen of Cordyline, the Cabbage Tree</td></tr>
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I flew up to Wellington for a week to get away from my project at Camp Glenorchy after 5 months with barely any time off. I wanted to have an urban experience to contrast living in a small town at the end of a vast spectacular wilderness on the South Island. While working at the camp I met a couple who lived in London for 20 years. James Fraser is a horticulturalist and garden designer who specializes in New Zealand native plants and thier use in British gardens. Now living in Wellington with his wife Biddy, an accomplished artist, they were generous to take me up to the Wellington Botanical Gardens. A few days later they suggested I visit the Wilton Bush and Otari Native Plant Botanical Garden, five kilometers from the city center in lush hill country to the north. I caught the #14 Wilton Bus and the driver told me where to get off. What I experienced that afternoon is a botanical garden of the highest rank.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqf4OdgFU44zyVpKtZ7OwU7qp_Vku3O99JmrZfPeubYzaWFkA1HMcTGsPVpL33ryS5WPCcMtjvIbmDYYavQh4P7IGPk9sAqXxKH1zV66ni6bSpbn70QSyZnAhyU50jXeZ24uI333yH5-zC/s1600/otari-forest-tracks+%2528dragged%2529+1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1132" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqf4OdgFU44zyVpKtZ7OwU7qp_Vku3O99JmrZfPeubYzaWFkA1HMcTGsPVpL33ryS5WPCcMtjvIbmDYYavQh4P7IGPk9sAqXxKH1zV66ni6bSpbn70QSyZnAhyU50jXeZ24uI333yH5-zC/s640/otari-forest-tracks+%2528dragged%2529+1+copy.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The bus dropped me off around the corner and I crossed the road and entered a beautifully designed parking area. This in itself is a rare thing in the world. Natural looking arrangements of native stone and rustic stone walls deliniate the carpark and timber bicycle racks. A finely carved Maori Waharoa Gate frames the entry that symbolizes passage in to another realm intrinsically connected to the natural world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrC60JTOJMwut4J25lTD0syjDzaCEpYasIktsGB0QU6F4UE_pzM1ON5TFxki280ufGU05KPOPMc3rZyoItklwV6uB56EbbhyphenhyphenY36aXXE4oOvQkkoJBzm9y1Q5NZ7j0b-5aqXHb5bpk_GrNJ/s1600/P1400473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrC60JTOJMwut4J25lTD0syjDzaCEpYasIktsGB0QU6F4UE_pzM1ON5TFxki280ufGU05KPOPMc3rZyoItklwV6uB56EbbhyphenhyphenY36aXXE4oOvQkkoJBzm9y1Q5NZ7j0b-5aqXHb5bpk_GrNJ/s640/P1400473.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waharoa Gate at the entrance to the gardens</td></tr>
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The native plant gardens landscape covers 5 hectares adjacent to 95 hectares of restored native forest called Wilton's Bush. The bush was named after a farmer named Lot Wilson, who set the land aside to preserve its wild state in 1860, while all of the surrounding lands were being logged or cleared for pasture. Its a glimpse of what was before the arrival of settlers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0xiX8R0BbcoIxpgrM9jDRIAFVuNusl-aFZkz3ERXu2IEkG14oN5psmEq8RVfaXMtT3ZfMWK4PjVUTVP5hJ9i798Z-AnkrRhUfAc-n9JofOqNRnkb2ITj1fk4djw8Nlog_4f_l1Y28j_5/s1600/P1400456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0xiX8R0BbcoIxpgrM9jDRIAFVuNusl-aFZkz3ERXu2IEkG14oN5psmEq8RVfaXMtT3ZfMWK4PjVUTVP5hJ9i798Z-AnkrRhUfAc-n9JofOqNRnkb2ITj1fk4djw8Nlog_4f_l1Y28j_5/s640/P1400456.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lush forests of Wilton's Bush Forest Reserve</td></tr>
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To the right after entering the gardens is the Alpine Rock Garden, which features plants found at high elevations. The paths are surfaced with finely crushed gravel with well composed layouts of native Greywacke stone framing the edges. These are paths that beckon you to make your way around unseen bends using design devices that allude to those found in Nature. Steps made from natural stone give the appearance of walking in a condensed natural landscape.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4seQFxt2OHb8fvFBYtOcilo0SY8fTbAsRfRWYxIMo5T17Ynh65lXZUtfEtMGtjBuOJ3hgPxAZF9oCZgneyQZUnOLjkxe-cc2vCHerFJOIa7RUnZB-wmoXSE5sQgqUDi9HZjilbOKKsubT/s1600/P1400311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4seQFxt2OHb8fvFBYtOcilo0SY8fTbAsRfRWYxIMo5T17Ynh65lXZUtfEtMGtjBuOJ3hgPxAZF9oCZgneyQZUnOLjkxe-cc2vCHerFJOIa7RUnZB-wmoXSE5sQgqUDi9HZjilbOKKsubT/s640/P1400311.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the Alpine Garden</td></tr>
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A water garden of connecting pools winds though boulders and Veronicas, Tussock grasses, Astelias, and Schleranthus in nicely composed plantings. There is an art to arranging plants in a way that emulates Nature that requires great skill. More often than not, gardeners and landscapers tend to plant in evenly spaced rows for the simplicity of installation and lack of imagination.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JQ5BJcGxOO164Hx4EnL7cdgadhuJEhPou1IIvuSHNC2rW6FN6qYBVnsjF0BS1XM5WjB_kTZEUfJg6Lu3wGdEWicCqe3-qYPiSnGqopHwnPh0f5On8nm5t1CihAoFXo5j8oBYpRJYSN7u/s1600/P1400312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JQ5BJcGxOO164Hx4EnL7cdgadhuJEhPou1IIvuSHNC2rW6FN6qYBVnsjF0BS1XM5WjB_kTZEUfJg6Lu3wGdEWicCqe3-qYPiSnGqopHwnPh0f5On8nm5t1CihAoFXo5j8oBYpRJYSN7u/s640/P1400312.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pools in the Alpine Garden</td></tr>
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The path leads in to the wild bush between a number of Kauri Trees, New Zealand giants that are native to the more northern parts of the North island. Because of their excellent timber quality, Kauri forests were heavily logged and very few ancient trees exist today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoqNIkj5aF2Tc8-WcTzbxrT_f45ukTynuGhO1yX26zjJ4rX275fi4IwgcpvEeh5-1Qz2vk4JnUkE4edBEy-RsxvmDqxKdv5uLF9oeTXcxqZKDycdLkLHVxR6eL5ElJb1iwPdBTR5Sy0e8/s1600/P1400471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoqNIkj5aF2Tc8-WcTzbxrT_f45ukTynuGhO1yX26zjJ4rX275fi4IwgcpvEeh5-1Qz2vk4JnUkE4edBEy-RsxvmDqxKdv5uLF9oeTXcxqZKDycdLkLHVxR6eL5ElJb1iwPdBTR5Sy0e8/s640/P1400471.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kauri trees edge the path leading in to the Wilton Bush</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvva6SE1CA3SJR4ywnP9aQs_05p3T5M3V7zYQw2kRZqGWKGmP5uMo89QRqV2B0UYXV6yniF2LeaMlRqiIW0sHDhc07b9z8vvA3135cGoQRmZ9yEOaM1HF9LHCFrv2BeRH32RT50kC4gSP/s1600/P1400387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvva6SE1CA3SJR4ywnP9aQs_05p3T5M3V7zYQw2kRZqGWKGmP5uMo89QRqV2B0UYXV6yniF2LeaMlRqiIW0sHDhc07b9z8vvA3135cGoQRmZ9yEOaM1HF9LHCFrv2BeRH32RT50kC4gSP/s640/P1400387.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A vine wrapped Kauri trunk</td></tr>
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From the single story Te Marai o Tane Information center, a 75 meter long bridge called the Canopy Walkway crosses 18 meters above a deep ravine revealing spectacular views in to the forest canopy. It is something of a surprise to come out suddenly over this deep canyon filled with lush bush growth and behold it from such a lofty vantage point. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4t6Izkd7OYQOBnMR3amVu1jv3ZYK4U2bNXU2YL4QHD9LOnIPaP1aER78f5uqR2A5FEhUoffj2qX6WtXQDT2pcF0cejKaHzKYXb-B9nouVDkZKA8ltKvI-rLC06v_nI695JsX8EaheFYI/s1600/P1400459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4t6Izkd7OYQOBnMR3amVu1jv3ZYK4U2bNXU2YL4QHD9LOnIPaP1aER78f5uqR2A5FEhUoffj2qX6WtXQDT2pcF0cejKaHzKYXb-B9nouVDkZKA8ltKvI-rLC06v_nI695JsX8EaheFYI/s640/P1400459.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Canopy Walk</td></tr>
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The forest includes a mixture of conifers in the Podocarpus family. These include Rimu, Matai, Miro, and Totaras. Tree ferns growing near the bottom of the ravine are particularly magnificent when seen from above.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q48LWXtlI5LgO2Qi3vaUCSdQwjw7tI1sPyhWf1sJRDHnxe0AoHCDfPK_5WNfLlq1SldYB2UHSVahVUQeK4g7FZXykrHkgGcnWXLbHYtwIkb4rNF6TPpXnHDTVaR8FU5oHqlyOF_ngAy9/s1600/P1400465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q48LWXtlI5LgO2Qi3vaUCSdQwjw7tI1sPyhWf1sJRDHnxe0AoHCDfPK_5WNfLlq1SldYB2UHSVahVUQeK4g7FZXykrHkgGcnWXLbHYtwIkb4rNF6TPpXnHDTVaR8FU5oHqlyOF_ngAy9/s640/P1400465.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of a mixture of Podocarp trees from the Canopy Walkway</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iW07QWkWHZOxKdqgagQQ57rhth4ugphIfyKwm9KSZP8dZ0u3LDyQ8lKkwRtBvFMCIf_jBeNxE11J002-xCeTh8mRethWSU2ENp4AQ_abJ93b4o4ZT52emSGrZhSQOgyhTh-W-YPVfSLp/s1600/P1400458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iW07QWkWHZOxKdqgagQQ57rhth4ugphIfyKwm9KSZP8dZ0u3LDyQ8lKkwRtBvFMCIf_jBeNxE11J002-xCeTh8mRethWSU2ENp4AQ_abJ93b4o4ZT52emSGrZhSQOgyhTh-W-YPVfSLp/s640/P1400458.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Tree Ferns from the Canopy Walkway</td></tr>
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Meryta (Puka) trees have beautiful large glossy leaves. Single stalked when young, they branch out and form canopies after they begin blooming. They are native to the Poor Knight's Islands, to the north of Northland on the north end of the North Island. I just had to write that sentence...;-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8LYG83s9koZNTJoi4x5aan7YNKvy5CrqLvF85mamXD3x5Mj_fQVEbLLBX1wkTnBdmA6kFN58XLTTFS3y6IYe1Rhg260U-Sa0Zm5-8Yin6vD6c8QLneeVt85vH3rTOQI9tfhRPcn1TvRh/s1600/P1400474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8LYG83s9koZNTJoi4x5aan7YNKvy5CrqLvF85mamXD3x5Mj_fQVEbLLBX1wkTnBdmA6kFN58XLTTFS3y6IYe1Rhg260U-Sa0Zm5-8Yin6vD6c8QLneeVt85vH3rTOQI9tfhRPcn1TvRh/s640/P1400474.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young Meryta sinclairii (Puka)</td></tr>
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Knightia excelsa, the Rewarewa Tree has long velvety red flowers in Spring that are a source of nectar for Tui's, which have a distinctive and very diverse song. Most New Zealand native plants have small flowers that are usually white, because there are few native butterflies that would be attracted to colorful flowers. Most Kiwi plants are pollenated by different types of flies, blow flies, hoverflies, and drone flies, as well as weevils, moths, and 30 species of native bees. Plants that are pollenated by birds tend to have larger flowers bearing lots of nectar, and are frequently red in color like those found on Rewarewa and Rata trees (Metrodideros).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyhdWW0z0EHqnLm_kbR5-EeEIk49Qi4UXGIEaE6O6NbUAPNDogIyKx3-PeeEnmEfh0ts9XYCHjUnkPIB2bJwqcj2X539gKPQvh7xGFS0F0pJJMa01W-QlDsMO6O-w9QNT96pvJW83v1wG/s1600/P1400463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyhdWW0z0EHqnLm_kbR5-EeEIk49Qi4UXGIEaE6O6NbUAPNDogIyKx3-PeeEnmEfh0ts9XYCHjUnkPIB2bJwqcj2X539gKPQvh7xGFS0F0pJJMa01W-QlDsMO6O-w9QNT96pvJW83v1wG/s640/P1400463.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knightia excelsa (Rewarewa, NZ Honeysuckle)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBzpgQHrpirUb2vtjL4bCzdxNfXDnRloIBLak0x9qp_l6QH4Szy-Mu5ZQeqoxt2lglB5daotKpbjsQg5zOIKKw8EwNVxq8XcS3RRkTEqDXi8hQbPep-Gg5mULq20tBog7z7z-vJ1WDczl/s1600/P1390490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBzpgQHrpirUb2vtjL4bCzdxNfXDnRloIBLak0x9qp_l6QH4Szy-Mu5ZQeqoxt2lglB5daotKpbjsQg5zOIKKw8EwNVxq8XcS3RRkTEqDXi8hQbPep-Gg5mULq20tBog7z7z-vJ1WDczl/s640/P1390490.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metrosideros umbellale (Southern Rata) in bloom on the last day of 2017 at Milford Sound</td></tr>
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At the end of the canopy walk you pass through another carved Waharoa Gate. At the center of the gate is the face of Tane Mahuta, the guardian of the forest and all living things within it, with Paua shell eyes. The left side represents the insects of the forest, and on the right, the birds. The stippled pattern represents the seeds of all the plants growing here. Passing through the "Waharoa, you symbolically give your Mana, or power to Tane Mahuta as a sign of respect for all forests. Nature is the Tuakana, or elder of man, and by giving your respects to the forest you are granted passage through the forest. By entering through the gateway you enter in to another time, space, and realm that is spiritual, energizing and safe from the outside world."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEAHbxTyA93afVpjtdTDszlQIpZlE9-xoOLeGWUtm9xDyW5pcsVpEPGX5f7wsaygCNL02jQ9WTAUnHJQ5s0-NWlmK_hStugy4Wf7OUfxSZ7i4u7X8f7079B0kU611_z_-EsSBH52RABAq/s1600/P1400453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEAHbxTyA93afVpjtdTDszlQIpZlE9-xoOLeGWUtm9xDyW5pcsVpEPGX5f7wsaygCNL02jQ9WTAUnHJQ5s0-NWlmK_hStugy4Wf7OUfxSZ7i4u7X8f7079B0kU611_z_-EsSBH52RABAq/s640/P1400453.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waharoa Gate at the end of the Canopy Walk</td></tr>
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Entering the main part of the gardens, it opens up to a nicely proportioned rectangular lawn surrounded by gravel paths. The lawn is named after the botanist Leonard Cockayne (https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3c25/cockayne-leonard) who established the gardens in 1927. Considered New Zealand's greatest botanist, he and his wife Maude are buried nearby. He began what is today a collection that numbers around 1,200 native species, including some hybrids and cultivars. Many of the plants are threatened in their natural habitat, so the garden is a kind of biological bank for preserving the amazing biodiversity that is found in New Zealand. The results are wonderful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGtteuz7nrDC-zpD3z0BoqxZG6n-Y92FjRSepN8ebvwm4QTyc514wGFPaukpfzErXzfxeV-Oa2h4hL8IthjNv9dzhwn3TosAbM8XSzoegTvKqDgrkqWYtpPXrYwervTimxJOkRqNRJv0c/s1600/P1400450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGtteuz7nrDC-zpD3z0BoqxZG6n-Y92FjRSepN8ebvwm4QTyc514wGFPaukpfzErXzfxeV-Oa2h4hL8IthjNv9dzhwn3TosAbM8XSzoegTvKqDgrkqWYtpPXrYwervTimxJOkRqNRJv0c/s640/P1400450.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cockayne Lawn and Brockie Rock Garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9DXflZkVr0cwAk8ewcp-_E5CIB-RmOdRcEkgtMalc2jCWb3RJwDT1Kq-ZT3724Z-zmenGFat4Hqzxb7p65WdTvT4aLvWQQuEzK1myqafr-KBpTdgOQmyoSTeEkJNAoLK96lQvbRz6Kks/s1600/P1400435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9DXflZkVr0cwAk8ewcp-_E5CIB-RmOdRcEkgtMalc2jCWb3RJwDT1Kq-ZT3724Z-zmenGFat4Hqzxb7p65WdTvT4aLvWQQuEzK1myqafr-KBpTdgOQmyoSTeEkJNAoLK96lQvbRz6Kks/s640/P1400435.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cockayne Lawn with the Brockie Rock Garden on the left</td></tr>
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To the right of the lawn is a bed of plants useful in ornamental gardens, and on the left is the Brockie Rock Garden. Its named for Walter Boa Brokie, a noted botanist who worked extensively on the spectacular Christchurch Botanical Gardens on the South Island. He became curator of the Otari garden in 1947 and laid out the collection for the rock garden and many of the tree and shrub plantings during his tenure, expanding on Cockayne's vision.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Thb2a0hHfinbuSyh52gD5mbuH_ERGTYD5YDCBPRhyBJV4jWaLC1Mc-kGDHedCXBvq4K7eDw9oEawIP3noBQV3bRbuX8z-sAIqhAvEzSz82PseJeuQUHpOADOsVVXCuqpaE9TxuKBdCM6/s1600/P1400436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Thb2a0hHfinbuSyh52gD5mbuH_ERGTYD5YDCBPRhyBJV4jWaLC1Mc-kGDHedCXBvq4K7eDw9oEawIP3noBQV3bRbuX8z-sAIqhAvEzSz82PseJeuQUHpOADOsVVXCuqpaE9TxuKBdCM6/s640/P1400436.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Brockie Rock Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKwiU91e-ePw6SdesEUF5slnU9S_GvJJeJmwKScJ11UR4d3EWiQ2VCevSNkei_vbfZVt1-1BwjFV9Kqc0jglxJG8i3WhtT5OmX2-ZusuuTDZ9awOJpjJLl84VTgs3xfVYhawoS6Nvjqku/s1600/P1400418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKwiU91e-ePw6SdesEUF5slnU9S_GvJJeJmwKScJ11UR4d3EWiQ2VCevSNkei_vbfZVt1-1BwjFV9Kqc0jglxJG8i3WhtT5OmX2-ZusuuTDZ9awOJpjJLl84VTgs3xfVYhawoS6Nvjqku/s640/P1400418.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A section of the Brockie Rock Garden</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3xS8SkuG0i60o69Gy3qgWYPtoRJCjC5TJYu4dDY4t1QImZfAZUF2VFtu2VmJqv3BEE64lvDFpRm0rjBkuDaCiojBq4wnppjGp-6BKBMiTKXWk8opjOdJiC_nIOx0kL6B1KGonh9FJFPo/s1600/P1400419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3xS8SkuG0i60o69Gy3qgWYPtoRJCjC5TJYu4dDY4t1QImZfAZUF2VFtu2VmJqv3BEE64lvDFpRm0rjBkuDaCiojBq4wnppjGp-6BKBMiTKXWk8opjOdJiC_nIOx0kL6B1KGonh9FJFPo/s640/P1400419.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foreground: Geranium travesii (Chatham Island Geranium), and Celmisia (Rock Daisy) in the Brockie Rock Garden</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WmUkN3tuKbDuMwV6-lEgdBr77L62NOYS0cQaRtSTFCM1KWqq6nUUwLXbYl_vrfSn0NJUJkigcEzSgrxSsFOPCQMU3NJA__3WXBSmXObU4NWiAgROOJYc9OaDFTu3SaNu5MjkxYajXylr/s1600/P1400427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WmUkN3tuKbDuMwV6-lEgdBr77L62NOYS0cQaRtSTFCM1KWqq6nUUwLXbYl_vrfSn0NJUJkigcEzSgrxSsFOPCQMU3NJA__3WXBSmXObU4NWiAgROOJYc9OaDFTu3SaNu5MjkxYajXylr/s640/P1400427.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Brockie Rock Garden, with Hebe, Parahebe, and Euphorbia glauca</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBSc_080l9ZF9OyxJwq8WtthGSOCq07s6-7v0COoPolBEv4ony5rA28obAJzOnmwZ29Ky7ymT5stKNZsR6egjCrL0_lWqYELY6rSLlDqypv1xZZW6CkSah7kREzUHL3njutBA9tB3bKd_/s1600/P1400421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBSc_080l9ZF9OyxJwq8WtthGSOCq07s6-7v0COoPolBEv4ony5rA28obAJzOnmwZ29Ky7ymT5stKNZsR6egjCrL0_lWqYELY6rSLlDqypv1xZZW6CkSah7kREzUHL3njutBA9tB3bKd_/s640/P1400421.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Brockie Rock Garden with flaming orange Carex</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cmLLTkCHxs1tmgqcoOqTOmoHqBoDoBCeM2ibBSnBaP8Yug2g8PJ1hwR1JmOpNlw2O3he86r3-81JxSeYQvjnJXXl5ptmXLYMY7GGfw8HfERJBpZ8FbzpeiCxL2X2pXcelxTS-LvSziAm/s1600/P1400438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cmLLTkCHxs1tmgqcoOqTOmoHqBoDoBCeM2ibBSnBaP8Yug2g8PJ1hwR1JmOpNlw2O3he86r3-81JxSeYQvjnJXXl5ptmXLYMY7GGfw8HfERJBpZ8FbzpeiCxL2X2pXcelxTS-LvSziAm/s640/P1400438.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Containers on the deck of the Leonard Cockayne Center planted with Astelias</td></tr>
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To one side of the Leonard Cockayne Center is a small nursery where plants in the collection are propagated for future plantings and species conservation. It was closed at the time I was there and I was unable to speak to any staff about the gardens. Nearly all of the 1,200 species of plants in the garden were grown from seed or cuttings from their natural habitat. Some threatened plants are propogated for reintroduction to areas where they have been lost.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc71u6rIYBvWrhrulvqsN9nmpeR20LIN8QQGcoJRpcbLvlOFvy_RMfUY8CyTbZUWftSrtGnGFOPXIv0-ytDfMnaPdww5jqxoGJVZmoMPCfjqlZeMHHtITAIavyVLx4xMDlUSe79pWezw1/s1600/P1400439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1265" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJc71u6rIYBvWrhrulvqsN9nmpeR20LIN8QQGcoJRpcbLvlOFvy_RMfUY8CyTbZUWftSrtGnGFOPXIv0-ytDfMnaPdww5jqxoGJVZmoMPCfjqlZeMHHtITAIavyVLx4xMDlUSe79pWezw1/s640/P1400439.jpg" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sign for the nursery, explaining methods of propagation</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqlcC2TDw2i0j87C371QYoSBg79T5EM1rnIFsyuf9QolksYfQu7TO8XxFxMiAsQxd0HUXtA9UGPhKskuV3X2s433CYirm_bbBIEDLSIg-NuDZQOHGWEdxHGuHlhIEoNHy5AegRSFzs7L4/s1600/P1400422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqlcC2TDw2i0j87C371QYoSBg79T5EM1rnIFsyuf9QolksYfQu7TO8XxFxMiAsQxd0HUXtA9UGPhKskuV3X2s433CYirm_bbBIEDLSIg-NuDZQOHGWEdxHGuHlhIEoNHy5AegRSFzs7L4/s640/P1400422.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spiny Aciphylla aurea grows in high altitude landscapes<br />
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At the end of the lawn, a stone terrace overlooks a lower graveled garden planted with plants found in rain shadow environments, where the climate is drier. The terrace contains the graves of Leonard Cockayne and his wife Maude.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67Scfy_QbLVHHouzwqvjv3TPrumhe93E1B7P2hgVhlNpwD-GdnjYpudCj94B3PGgb6Y6BJUu0Yhxg3b9umtzwnWiun_kyo-jmT3ODvLYv7FJb9w34VbRg1JKnabL0tyHzscvAriuPUdKh/s1600/P1400413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67Scfy_QbLVHHouzwqvjv3TPrumhe93E1B7P2hgVhlNpwD-GdnjYpudCj94B3PGgb6Y6BJUu0Yhxg3b9umtzwnWiun_kyo-jmT3ODvLYv7FJb9w34VbRg1JKnabL0tyHzscvAriuPUdKh/s640/P1400413.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stone terrace, called the Cockayne overlook, looking over a gravel garden</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDcmDbI06m45msl6oRR0oVp2TxZ76p0HYNyBMU2AlWbmzbMCHUg_ZAkvg6ajK_U9A9tpezr484eYz9Tupvj7RWHHvdNpJcLPOt7xC8ng1oAw021Y9Ac1bfszkiVQVaWG7FLyGrPnJdTc-/s1600/P1400409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDcmDbI06m45msl6oRR0oVp2TxZ76p0HYNyBMU2AlWbmzbMCHUg_ZAkvg6ajK_U9A9tpezr484eYz9Tupvj7RWHHvdNpJcLPOt7xC8ng1oAw021Y9Ac1bfszkiVQVaWG7FLyGrPnJdTc-/s640/P1400409.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Carex (Sedge) in a gravel garden below the Cockayne Overlook<br />
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Austroderia species (Toe Toe) are tall grasses distinctive for their flowering plumes and are popular in New Zealand gardens. They are closely related to the South American Pampas Grass, Cortaderia selloana, more commonly used in the West.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1KGAexbNcVrvBQBXRhTQ6kCJA0LQxF4kBSHl4WrpCgKMJl0UP7rsTx_ydFJNRFlA6wfEoR131CHa1Rmbta1jMo8onV99DT4pIU81FREcPlqJPTQvjXTf_r0YqQ7yei44XYwgYQt7K281/s1600/P1400414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1KGAexbNcVrvBQBXRhTQ6kCJA0LQxF4kBSHl4WrpCgKMJl0UP7rsTx_ydFJNRFlA6wfEoR131CHa1Rmbta1jMo8onV99DT4pIU81FREcPlqJPTQvjXTf_r0YqQ7yei44XYwgYQt7K281/s640/P1400414.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astroderia (Toe Toe) in a Tussock ecosystem planting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GITcb6_gCCaUb5kI33lj5Hm1CNhNpijLwvH1LHREsnIQ-S_N2L5Qqa2Ovta_bshEaiYiRBLz7-WkFChPdqeQFEidQSGxoVKM4_Kzgx2L2D7ps7swhsPaSNGF3UoAdfuUcRoVnAxNLPtw/s1600/P1400372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GITcb6_gCCaUb5kI33lj5Hm1CNhNpijLwvH1LHREsnIQ-S_N2L5Qqa2Ovta_bshEaiYiRBLz7-WkFChPdqeQFEidQSGxoVKM4_Kzgx2L2D7ps7swhsPaSNGF3UoAdfuUcRoVnAxNLPtw/s640/P1400372.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The buff colored plumes of Austroderia (Toe Toe grass) lights up the path, with a bronze Phormium (New Zealand Flax) to the right, and tall mature Pseudopanax ferox (Lancewoods) and brown Carex (Sedge)</td></tr>
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Grasses and Sedges are beautifully arranged in naturalistic combinations with distinctively textured shrubbery. Some are orange, others lime green, or tan and buff colors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwanDvJlJWQ8VJm1M2lfsRwdvCK2XOZdfV2cPcQl2dypVIWG1fgusnQ_pHtCJDIJ3Zi4Cbv9mEyhfQ6MJrH6bFIc6IOwwGEWX5uV0g8vO-e3xNIoGA8MkCIr1TUJAWbRB418luGc_lAFZA/s1600/P1400370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwanDvJlJWQ8VJm1M2lfsRwdvCK2XOZdfV2cPcQl2dypVIWG1fgusnQ_pHtCJDIJ3Zi4Cbv9mEyhfQ6MJrH6bFIc6IOwwGEWX5uV0g8vO-e3xNIoGA8MkCIr1TUJAWbRB418luGc_lAFZA/s640/P1400370.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedges</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ws17R6LiwXBX5C2F_mww9VKB36AlIUzPt-QTlSKHfS3vUYNkiU6ff5sfPa6MMsJatrxFFEQRmZavnT3Omud_sfM2Q5WTVUXAKzu5D8L2B69iI1ObIMRo1jSoZxMhR8542BVVzYUUrqx-/s1600/P1400396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ws17R6LiwXBX5C2F_mww9VKB36AlIUzPt-QTlSKHfS3vUYNkiU6ff5sfPa6MMsJatrxFFEQRmZavnT3Omud_sfM2Q5WTVUXAKzu5D8L2B69iI1ObIMRo1jSoZxMhR8542BVVzYUUrqx-/s640/P1400396.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasses and Sedges and Groundcovers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fKpWH4xrS-wAxPWry-p71-PRvKTSffJ9dCkZLDJ_I8zJs-56UrI8I0szijK5r2t-Uzedmiba741pwVLcRwcJ37HCOy_8cGcuqnnmQw8QHVMNk3CNOMw9I9bQ9NlA0f4__wr9MSLuHSt3/s1600/P1400364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fKpWH4xrS-wAxPWry-p71-PRvKTSffJ9dCkZLDJ_I8zJs-56UrI8I0szijK5r2t-Uzedmiba741pwVLcRwcJ37HCOy_8cGcuqnnmQw8QHVMNk3CNOMw9I9bQ9NlA0f4__wr9MSLuHSt3/s640/P1400364.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasses, Sedges, Hebe and Corokia cotoneaster</td></tr>
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Gahnia rigida is a sedge found in coastal bogs that has a nice architectural form, with tall chestnut brown flower stalks that turn to a brown seed bearing nut with maturity.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisX92L5v_tFX4weRuVzieAZUEvi2_xaWfBpXiyKSsQ4pekHLJVT06XgHlG4BC-eHvOa4lpxtjv1TwERPoszISy_tiaG7Gc-jXSYxE_GnZArL0MKfiXbtXTG2diM1-qjhkLkRvi8syN-0m1/s1600/P1400375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisX92L5v_tFX4weRuVzieAZUEvi2_xaWfBpXiyKSsQ4pekHLJVT06XgHlG4BC-eHvOa4lpxtjv1TwERPoszISy_tiaG7Gc-jXSYxE_GnZArL0MKfiXbtXTG2diM1-qjhkLkRvi8syN-0m1/s640/P1400375.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gahnia rigida, (Sawsedge) found in coastal bogs on both the North and South Islands in the Coastal Garden</td></tr>
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Some of the most textual plantings in the rock garden are groupings of Divarcating plants, with densely angular twiggy branches and tiny leaves. Corokias with silvery twigs and foliage contrast softly with bronze barked Meuhlenbeckias, Coprosmas, Myrsine, Plagianthes, and Sophora (Kowhai). These plants adapted to predation by 9 species of large flightless birds called Moas, which are now extinct. The largest species grew to 3.6 meters (12 feet) tall, and could easily strip the leaves from plants without defensive characteristics. The only native mammals in New Zealand are bats, so Moas and other birds were the source of wild meat for the Maori people, which led to their extinction.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NOgNIrgCjqxQnwf_pgJjeTYQv31_eSscqrjOk45zXobMs1Wc0L1xc-FMkN3XjCblrQx2oW4nlzVhfiikaXzBpeOyOSO0XRBjPXji0azHmmTMeIqyOlmmpE_Kq1c65nHQPvHrQ6v2vzgL/s1600/P1400359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NOgNIrgCjqxQnwf_pgJjeTYQv31_eSscqrjOk45zXobMs1Wc0L1xc-FMkN3XjCblrQx2oW4nlzVhfiikaXzBpeOyOSO0XRBjPXji0azHmmTMeIqyOlmmpE_Kq1c65nHQPvHrQ6v2vzgL/s640/P1400359.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corokias, Meuhlenbeckias, Coprosmas and Pseudopanax</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk9MY8O-5K6CZO2j8240-MVeFy2ATXmoaKu6NnTrlRq0cUMMvuf9UT9C09VsOPy4H5X9ycoxUGXKKnXshd8DXGuoNuy-LC8fznzOZgen69B1FnBvaLRbmgzDbGGzgMLsDGF0R2nkVtAI4/s1600/fullsizeoutput_45e5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk9MY8O-5K6CZO2j8240-MVeFy2ATXmoaKu6NnTrlRq0cUMMvuf9UT9C09VsOPy4H5X9ycoxUGXKKnXshd8DXGuoNuy-LC8fznzOZgen69B1FnBvaLRbmgzDbGGzgMLsDGF0R2nkVtAI4/s640/fullsizeoutput_45e5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ52KTWXX9LAN0gm130_-DYbIYdcoPtMM8awQiw6zAYmrEhHVUQW2dJNba13WsiIinAXFWXRfkBZ9Egwx2Roz-af0J7sz_anmiOJkmKIIkna8_KF9pEu93Q2SYmr1hjTBPvvox_awvtO_V/s1600/P1400362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ52KTWXX9LAN0gm130_-DYbIYdcoPtMM8awQiw6zAYmrEhHVUQW2dJNba13WsiIinAXFWXRfkBZ9Egwx2Roz-af0J7sz_anmiOJkmKIIkna8_KF9pEu93Q2SYmr1hjTBPvvox_awvtO_V/s640/P1400362.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wonderful textural planting of Divaricating Plants</td></tr>
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One of the most striking plantings in the garden is a dense grove of Lancewoods (Pseudopanax ferox). This species has become quite rare in the wild. Its Doctor Seuss look owes to an evolutionary characteristic where juvenile plants have long tough bronzy spiny leaves that droop downward on a narrow stalk. When the plants reach a more mature age they form a rounded clump of foliage at the top and drop the lower leaves revealing a strong, deeply fissured trunk. This adaptation is believed to have developed as a defense against foraging giant Moas. The thick juvenile leaves may have been difficult for Moas to eat, and the clump forming at the top of tall mature trees would have been out of reach.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fantastical grove of juvenile and mature Pseudopanax ferox plants and Hebes</td></tr>
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A garden featuring Hebes, Olearias, and Pittosporums connect the two sides of this lower area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglBzJhM0H8cPG4vbNoo-rYxM374QlHY2RnDzbp19ebLDQnmEtNidMr0_Zr87LdZOcuQQAxXkdAZLz04f4FIDwIqKckXvtXNipCYbI7GSq2ki6Dd4Hxeff0uCvhAeQrnjNVDmMEf3ago9u/s1600/P1400385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglBzJhM0H8cPG4vbNoo-rYxM374QlHY2RnDzbp19ebLDQnmEtNidMr0_Zr87LdZOcuQQAxXkdAZLz04f4FIDwIqKckXvtXNipCYbI7GSq2ki6Dd4Hxeff0uCvhAeQrnjNVDmMEf3ago9u/s640/P1400385.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phormium cookianum (Mountain Flax), Hebe salicifolia, Olearia, and Pittosporum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4usdwar9TCD-BiJQpsnP0ssYRo3MbA1cPO0A0EIaKkYbc_ut4giyb-kOQaXt8sjw0sNLrezx_9f7Tuf_ke4Qu6x_8hfb3lEOT6r-0RDn6uyuO9PK_YnjD5s0osRK3SxMAqofI88Nnvneq/s1600/P1400392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4usdwar9TCD-BiJQpsnP0ssYRo3MbA1cPO0A0EIaKkYbc_ut4giyb-kOQaXt8sjw0sNLrezx_9f7Tuf_ke4Qu6x_8hfb3lEOT6r-0RDn6uyuO9PK_YnjD5s0osRK3SxMAqofI88Nnvneq/s640/P1400392.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga) and Right: Pseudopanax under a canopy of multi-trunked trees.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfhjk7MwoS8kCGFtpomz9cKWIDVOypo32CDZx3Vmi3EaZJljBNMDlrCsVrg79D4TRlMiZUehj6sjNwjerDI6UzR7kXuAHfv2O6FqrlArw9PWypmTCswTssLNC92AXnZtJSrcyDxgLGelm/s1600/P1400404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfhjk7MwoS8kCGFtpomz9cKWIDVOypo32CDZx3Vmi3EaZJljBNMDlrCsVrg79D4TRlMiZUehj6sjNwjerDI6UzR7kXuAHfv2O6FqrlArw9PWypmTCswTssLNC92AXnZtJSrcyDxgLGelm/s640/P1400404.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Coprosma is a genus of many types of shrubs and groundcovers found all over New Zealand. One of my favorites is Coprosma ciliata, a large upright shrub with tiny rounded glossy leaves set on horizontal fan like branches. Coprosmas sport colorful berries in orange, yellow, and bright blue depending on the species. Bronze and variegated colored foliage cultivars are commonly planted in California gardens.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxruX85_s9m6ZGzTTJAjrBbhwI2S2xe7nAtmFk5xMJ3zP_qbK7zD8T9qiCPONPSRmxXTyFblZIgaKg4t2UEwx-udrpta20LAfdbGZbqjhaJAFVwcfaI3IBGLhpRDWS5MaKXuXKRjmC3NT0/s1600/P1400407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxruX85_s9m6ZGzTTJAjrBbhwI2S2xe7nAtmFk5xMJ3zP_qbK7zD8T9qiCPONPSRmxXTyFblZIgaKg4t2UEwx-udrpta20LAfdbGZbqjhaJAFVwcfaI3IBGLhpRDWS5MaKXuXKRjmC3NT0/s640/P1400407.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coprosma ciliata</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujUrMwdjMEt73AL_-noMXrfpv932-pmi0aiDFZGwtdcpO6Tt3UOLDoU1Eb0GVvvHAvDEL5CIlPRQrqIF9y3VPa3UvK90H1tTt-MRz9SI_nMunDi2BXcAYS6SErGAxgdxDkzZwMsQsxFsn/s1600/P1400430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujUrMwdjMEt73AL_-noMXrfpv932-pmi0aiDFZGwtdcpO6Tt3UOLDoU1Eb0GVvvHAvDEL5CIlPRQrqIF9y3VPa3UvK90H1tTt-MRz9SI_nMunDi2BXcAYS6SErGAxgdxDkzZwMsQsxFsn/s640/P1400430.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coprosmas and Meuhlenbeckias and a variety of ground covers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3eVPOtg3rOHjNavU2D530YcKBdu-_Csjm7JOtYXONIx4w6LFVQ-7tzJ2XYaGa-90aSG0hGiBeG4KB5S36f2GzwATy6nDV3G7xKtHoWqYGV4XxmOMcs40-ZlvI3ZcIbQHH660g4tGpeRk/s1600/P1400431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3eVPOtg3rOHjNavU2D530YcKBdu-_Csjm7JOtYXONIx4w6LFVQ-7tzJ2XYaGa-90aSG0hGiBeG4KB5S36f2GzwATy6nDV3G7xKtHoWqYGV4XxmOMcs40-ZlvI3ZcIbQHH660g4tGpeRk/s640/P1400431.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An artfully laid out path</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO9KU7r8uan3ojICC96lpNRU4ZieuEJKWA6GBAlW7vrGYZwBQpGqcVic-m8pe4I1XlSgi7_I6qWA9DYiCfVgh-TlofTlarZhV7T6zEmgcadjkqtgLSOAQnVRyh9BGBkpMBpzQyXFG-BL7/s1600/P1400434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO9KU7r8uan3ojICC96lpNRU4ZieuEJKWA6GBAlW7vrGYZwBQpGqcVic-m8pe4I1XlSgi7_I6qWA9DYiCfVgh-TlofTlarZhV7T6zEmgcadjkqtgLSOAQnVRyh9BGBkpMBpzQyXFG-BL7/s640/P1400434.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out in to the Wilton Bush</td></tr>
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A trail from the Alpine Garden leads down a steep forest path in to the Wilton Bush to a small waterfall. From there the path follows streams in a circuit path. The oldest tree in the Wellington region, an 800 year old Rimu stands on a hillside accessible by a network of trails.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9o5Om7iMd0zwbdcOBQC9bi-yLm9ezVlQ5kLOyoJ-2TgJGquzRkSvrIVdFzbBZLaBZpInKLNW2CkFWCmj7meQFSUJQ1x9NcW3hcStYYYUZUAGVANbCXaXoeaHl974r1AKCWkm-hVFUlg4x/s1600/P1400321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1070" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9o5Om7iMd0zwbdcOBQC9bi-yLm9ezVlQ5kLOyoJ-2TgJGquzRkSvrIVdFzbBZLaBZpInKLNW2CkFWCmj7meQFSUJQ1x9NcW3hcStYYYUZUAGVANbCXaXoeaHl974r1AKCWkm-hVFUlg4x/s640/P1400321.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The waterfall with Elatostema rugosum (Parataniwha, New Zealand Begonia) growing at it's base</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWK_HVqqK4z8-FQkEDff7-0-UXjqLubi27DmQGaMHyEAT6tUYbWtoc-Qky_Z4ixvn0ey4D0K3iBRTNRznEO718KTpghdeTgTsYw2ymNAdlvwDfvZmsmO-0RVChO6K6mk-Fex2dePSJrTLI/s1600/P1400324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWK_HVqqK4z8-FQkEDff7-0-UXjqLubi27DmQGaMHyEAT6tUYbWtoc-Qky_Z4ixvn0ey4D0K3iBRTNRznEO718KTpghdeTgTsYw2ymNAdlvwDfvZmsmO-0RVChO6K6mk-Fex2dePSJrTLI/s640/P1400324.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelf fungi on a decaying tree trunk</td></tr>
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The trail leads through picnic lawns and extensively restored bush plantings. Thousands of trees and shrubs have been planted to accelerate the regeneration of the forest. Birdlife is recovering due to increased habitats and efforts to remove introduced predators, such as Stoats, Possums, and Rats and Feral Cats.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoWNUdWMN0uVen7BiBGHLxvNj22MOsG97J1DEh5zHnTQrqyRcgW0lDJX1HzlgqTcYEcHUBssUvsXgsskEOhg6ARkPXeiR-HvVoz40e2sycSpWjrfcr50a9dCTOLSkfmg1FrhxkIRgXwyi/s1600/P1400352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoWNUdWMN0uVen7BiBGHLxvNj22MOsG97J1DEh5zHnTQrqyRcgW0lDJX1HzlgqTcYEcHUBssUvsXgsskEOhg6ARkPXeiR-HvVoz40e2sycSpWjrfcr50a9dCTOLSkfmg1FrhxkIRgXwyi/s640/P1400352.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Troup Picnic Lawn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_vlRuwnvn3ftr5icD1GHCR-ZLQQw99Vt_TQckpFsLN0pBx-ddrafKrY6YZD02H5dspg1ig58Euaa0gkmLbtXQ6IeHen4R4rRCmVnLLjFBGQzcIFdVouUAK3TekXdeqrkcZq4t0oUf-pk/s1600/P1400325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_vlRuwnvn3ftr5icD1GHCR-ZLQQw99Vt_TQckpFsLN0pBx-ddrafKrY6YZD02H5dspg1ig58Euaa0gkmLbtXQ6IeHen4R4rRCmVnLLjFBGQzcIFdVouUAK3TekXdeqrkcZq4t0oUf-pk/s640/P1400325.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The South Picnic Area in the Wilton Bush</td></tr>
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On the map the trail leads to the Karori cemetery. I was expecting a small burial plot but was surprised to find the second largest cemetery in New Zealand rambling in various states of decay across the crest of a series of hills. 80,000 people are interred here in mostly concrete crypts. The lush bush surrounding the cemetery makes it a lovely memorial garden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzNzimV_ebtACuPftSJjCfHUp9yB4e76TQl08Jk7LIcTk_ONkMMrReSgHQdPZ1zYe5psooz_RvBVWEpUICtPV8PkNLo37j3rSw9DTZu4GG-F2WNJX2_IRgMYx3qgNLvSgyb9C3C1ct34X/s1600/P1400334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzNzimV_ebtACuPftSJjCfHUp9yB4e76TQl08Jk7LIcTk_ONkMMrReSgHQdPZ1zYe5psooz_RvBVWEpUICtPV8PkNLo37j3rSw9DTZu4GG-F2WNJX2_IRgMYx3qgNLvSgyb9C3C1ct34X/s640/P1400334.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Karori Cemetery</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwgb_diLYrV1x7K7QzvaTrX5kZj0O85_akeZD0JKMJdCWOfscFOVeShwx-slKGSuL_oZpKhhhpoVjjKMthJt4qrWjIU_B62PrbcMnS_4lOYOMBeYVX-Dn9Ff2vmaNm3rWxmqMtQSpUDIG/s1600/P1400338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwgb_diLYrV1x7K7QzvaTrX5kZj0O85_akeZD0JKMJdCWOfscFOVeShwx-slKGSuL_oZpKhhhpoVjjKMthJt4qrWjIU_B62PrbcMnS_4lOYOMBeYVX-Dn9Ff2vmaNm3rWxmqMtQSpUDIG/s640/P1400338.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Karori Cemetery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lnCSaw2__YWn8e8Gv2pQ1lx3Ipr3BSXudyXHdZtEi85iBwnxncJqj-UHQle-bfnl2IyZICzoDvkra8O6hqOqj0zSuFYKlT1tqNfgz0ufQlEYQ8ama6HC4PiWDWPws3oFMVbsm1QYwT9y/s1600/P1400341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lnCSaw2__YWn8e8Gv2pQ1lx3Ipr3BSXudyXHdZtEi85iBwnxncJqj-UHQle-bfnl2IyZICzoDvkra8O6hqOqj0zSuFYKlT1tqNfgz0ufQlEYQ8ama6HC4PiWDWPws3oFMVbsm1QYwT9y/s640/P1400341.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Karori Cemetery</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-M5OPuRJfoAD7pXCYfaGv56ZkzV9su78swk1v0bv7s9yzv23pFrj9x_2IwNqbFv26SqVERo0yUDDNHkeiF0t_CEFK3EMpyeuQ146a4PSelDq0a5Wg645K4vzXf5mx74JMK3-dFds_r-_I/s1600/P1400346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-M5OPuRJfoAD7pXCYfaGv56ZkzV9su78swk1v0bv7s9yzv23pFrj9x_2IwNqbFv26SqVERo0yUDDNHkeiF0t_CEFK3EMpyeuQ146a4PSelDq0a5Wg645K4vzXf5mx74JMK3-dFds_r-_I/s640/P1400346.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hiking back along the streams, and up the hill, I returned to the Botanical Garden. I wandered the paths again admiring this wonderful plant collection set brilliantly amongst the carefully placed stones spotted with beautiful lichens. The light grew silvery with some coastal mist drifting in. A magical day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuCgZvVsvr4-bMadqPTQdbB3yZMQz36UvfH8ZQgQPZAwcCyUaFnJ0e7WMBOB7aJPd6GDsxQJtYWDma9xMvPdljikrPby1SvsFm0QUOGDI6XN7B-d8N2o1QL5iu4Ss5yCi9-_PEhCyzaBN/s1600/P1400436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuCgZvVsvr4-bMadqPTQdbB3yZMQz36UvfH8ZQgQPZAwcCyUaFnJ0e7WMBOB7aJPd6GDsxQJtYWDma9xMvPdljikrPby1SvsFm0QUOGDI6XN7B-d8N2o1QL5iu4Ss5yCi9-_PEhCyzaBN/s640/P1400436.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of the many projects I have been working on at Camp Glenorchy is what I call the Zen Garden. It is a strolling garden in front of the Homestead Building, which is the main lodge for the camp. I laid generous local schist flagstones to create the paths, a material that is not readily available in the Wellington region. I laid the stones in a way that they relate to each other and create a path that slows you down, so that people will stroll the garden and take in its details. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KzRJqOc-iYrPbIiKMi53WPhsIHaX_msFlUQKxCwfv9SMpUyoBh4UnP0ZAFDxy2mkd3T-eck8hMAvHSyG_CzH7n1IFyargS-LTSl7GgbB6J6UUtb2BGrsxaOXw56z9oJ8JCFuWFOiAT7B/s1600/P1010981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KzRJqOc-iYrPbIiKMi53WPhsIHaX_msFlUQKxCwfv9SMpUyoBh4UnP0ZAFDxy2mkd3T-eck8hMAvHSyG_CzH7n1IFyargS-LTSl7GgbB6J6UUtb2BGrsxaOXw56z9oJ8JCFuWFOiAT7B/s640/P1010981.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Zen Garden at Camp Glenorchy</td></tr>
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I also incorporated beautiful large boulders that speak to the mountains beyond. All of the plants used in the gardens are native to New Zealand except for those that produce food. It was an exciting project for me as I was mainly focused on creating stone mosaics for a long period of time. I've put a great deal of time in to learning more about the wonderful native flora that graces this amazing country. In the fall I transplanted collections of two species of Acaena, a groundcover from the Paradise Valley up the Dart River. I dug them from an area that has been disturbed by the road grading so as not to disturb a wild habitat. Garden building is my first love. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpXAYXFJIp3ZXlUhQ_NtY9Ai7XStc6biyhqVGfoEYB50cdRepaQLNPvK6YbVZ7v8y-wS1AS_d3ArbXXxqnuMhOmozio8z05Qg7qBs3N78InkLsUQejPOd5Yvg2dav9fODfzNT_SYIgEHA/s1600/fullsizeoutput_45dc.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpXAYXFJIp3ZXlUhQ_NtY9Ai7XStc6biyhqVGfoEYB50cdRepaQLNPvK6YbVZ7v8y-wS1AS_d3ArbXXxqnuMhOmozio8z05Qg7qBs3N78InkLsUQejPOd5Yvg2dav9fODfzNT_SYIgEHA/s640/fullsizeoutput_45dc.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Roses from a Women's retreat placed in a stone bowl I carved, in the Zen Garden at Camp Glenorchy</td></tr>
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Thanks for reading, Jeffrey</div>
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-70193258286321822362017-05-14T10:32:00.000-07:002017-05-14T10:39:22.516-07:00The Four Elements Mosaics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaWm0OrHzm-xeGODt_O-C-uCnXSNnrak90t59-0dlOihpdF_XtBt88PHI9UCfGk1VBoPbxYPIWIKRy8CVJoF9BEnVPk3VLSHguVX-E8sr6zgwTFndDvWwGs3xaedh7HbJ6IIHBq51az6F/s1600/Four+Elements+Mosaic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaWm0OrHzm-xeGODt_O-C-uCnXSNnrak90t59-0dlOihpdF_XtBt88PHI9UCfGk1VBoPbxYPIWIKRy8CVJoF9BEnVPk3VLSHguVX-E8sr6zgwTFndDvWwGs3xaedh7HbJ6IIHBq51az6F/s400/Four+Elements+Mosaic.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Four Elements Mosaic panels set in front of the Potting Shed</td></tr>
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I've just returned to the USA after working for 5 1/2 months on a project on the south island of New Zealand, in the small town of Glenorchy in the Otago Province. It is a place known for its breathtaking scenery, located at the head of Lake Wakatipu, the longest lake in the country. I will be building a number of mosaic related projects for the Headwaters Project at Camp Glenorchy over the next few years. While waiting for the finished grades to be completed in the development, which involves the construction of a number of cabins, a campfire shelter, campground, and lodge commons building, I built a series of precast mosaics that can be used later on the site. Many of those are stepping stones surrounded by river stones to create water permeable walking paths or for insets to puctuate smooth exposed aggregate concrete paths. https://www.theheadwaters.co.nz/whats-coming/camp-glenorchy/<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdt5IWzYblK3mMCmgW-idhFtFgInRzRdOXarPsMUrKn1lxr_0kNSxTTX11EZ1VurckdpgkARBWe2H9_W7p8M_2fT7k9K_2C3HX3zRczQBRqSXSSkSgvIT24HUoYpb_AMfPymlud71_TiGo/s1600/Dart+River+Stepping+Stone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdt5IWzYblK3mMCmgW-idhFtFgInRzRdOXarPsMUrKn1lxr_0kNSxTTX11EZ1VurckdpgkARBWe2H9_W7p8M_2fT7k9K_2C3HX3zRczQBRqSXSSkSgvIT24HUoYpb_AMfPymlud71_TiGo/s400/Dart+River+Stepping+Stone.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stepping stone made with stone collected from the Dart River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r07pt2f0Yx_v0jCyeEruw5CjtW3PANWrqUJ8Mi0cMBhsozEXCnmkBwczY1l7gfEdCMMjoFNlQmja7WlUA650nL_H74CGybcMyXxB6o76D38H-gHepb1-F4IEw1RSOLX0DQ4005HtQwbw/s1600/Dart+River+Path.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r07pt2f0Yx_v0jCyeEruw5CjtW3PANWrqUJ8Mi0cMBhsozEXCnmkBwczY1l7gfEdCMMjoFNlQmja7WlUA650nL_H74CGybcMyXxB6o76D38H-gHepb1-F4IEw1RSOLX0DQ4005HtQwbw/s400/Dart+River+Path.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A path of stepping stones from the Dart River</td></tr>
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A wet saw was purchased so that we could cut stones in to slices to create more flat material as many tons of flat stone will be needed to complete the many mosaics proposed for the project.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvghOyaAP-nV0klG4d_tZsi3slmdHNiOEHejmEoUbE9Goi6fgUeQ6BatRKGbRIzfOVWm3MsfVQRaPdBdVPgDReJP0ePaAA01a_VlDF1CBSBEOGkYbHMxaEVsB8LTuW_XmfOJeqTz1f_Mis/s1600/DSC00946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvghOyaAP-nV0klG4d_tZsi3slmdHNiOEHejmEoUbE9Goi6fgUeQ6BatRKGbRIzfOVWm3MsfVQRaPdBdVPgDReJP0ePaAA01a_VlDF1CBSBEOGkYbHMxaEVsB8LTuW_XmfOJeqTz1f_Mis/s640/DSC00946.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Wet Miter Box Stone Cutting Saw with a sliding table is wonderful for cutting stones</td></tr>
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I completed 21 Mandalas to inset in to the exposed aggregate path that runs in a loop around the campground to create a ring of energy. Each mandala is made from stone collected from an area that the intersection is directionally oriented towards in the landscape, in addition to stone collected directly from the site. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQLYCVxsPzFgLKpV6BRm1Aex-K_zNJk7oeuE47abxmj25gU7c8WFlT9aBBlboJQIRJt8o1v1ZCg_OnpU45NCVQXPQu3HshOBEn1kR-I_ogKhTjvY4UV0Ow0Atq7vPYihLOmukVYOSSb8D/s1600/Buckler+Burn+Medallion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQLYCVxsPzFgLKpV6BRm1Aex-K_zNJk7oeuE47abxmj25gU7c8WFlT9aBBlboJQIRJt8o1v1ZCg_OnpU45NCVQXPQu3HshOBEn1kR-I_ogKhTjvY4UV0Ow0Atq7vPYihLOmukVYOSSb8D/s400/Buckler+Burn+Medallion.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mandala made from stone from the Buckler Burn River inset in to an exposed aggregate path</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXctYKDugxAVGdB5Jcdqx2JSB3AY0Hb7LPOojyLUDNZzxniNqY10dEVG2zT7-_FOamJOa7zYdvlAY9uAMvur2rLJhatjhoaTcUr4tW2iMyQ8zJ2PfAmBPQIz8jOaevu2JS4ykEiw2ULIS_/s1600/Stepping+Stone+Path.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXctYKDugxAVGdB5Jcdqx2JSB3AY0Hb7LPOojyLUDNZzxniNqY10dEVG2zT7-_FOamJOa7zYdvlAY9uAMvur2rLJhatjhoaTcUr4tW2iMyQ8zJ2PfAmBPQIz8jOaevu2JS4ykEiw2ULIS_/s640/Stepping+Stone+Path.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stepping stones set in gravel in front of Mrs. Wooley's General Store</td></tr>
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I was also asked by my clients to create a carpet like mosaic as a kind of threshhold for a structure. I have built a number of these carpet mosaics in the past, a few of which have received a lot of attention through publications and the internet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYhF8lNk6kmKdQn4t7aXVHytEsrLpnyx9UsQUSozCJgYeKi8cLlM2INFx0SJLshJM-CVDAHjiWoPR4aHQtkz1c4ewklPPnVYsSTVdw6OP18fmZku20AKEggFvQSbO3XpTo8ptvUjG16wd/s1600/2xa+Landscape+Architecture+Mag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYhF8lNk6kmKdQn4t7aXVHytEsrLpnyx9UsQUSozCJgYeKi8cLlM2INFx0SJLshJM-CVDAHjiWoPR4aHQtkz1c4ewklPPnVYsSTVdw6OP18fmZku20AKEggFvQSbO3XpTo8ptvUjG16wd/s640/2xa+Landscape+Architecture+Mag.jpg" width="506" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my first patio projects modeled after a Persian Carpet on the cover of a magazine</td></tr>
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The concept I decided to realize was to represent the four elements found in Nature, Earth, Fire, Water and Air, as they encompass the forces which created and sculpted the region in to what it is today. There is a 5th Element, Aether, which I opted out of as it applies more to space than to the planet Earth. To make these panels I created a square form to cast 32 x 32 inch (81 centimeter) mortar set pavers, a size that is substancial but still managable to move with a hand truck. I built the form on a recycled pallet with a sheet of plywood attached to it. I've been using recycled wood from the project so this form didn't turn out to be the most professional looking box but when I am creating mosaics that emulate textiles and weavings, like carpets, I find that some imperfection and undulation gives the impression of some fluidity.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJRJgSOZ8RJCC1ysdb8LZv34xLHZ285_sOaScQr2MXg6s904_DUbFf5wUUw0BRnzhT2gNUKMto1CTTCAV1gIl9fWnO-guB_hyiCrfGAUjKmr_2jIyBfe8MTSYilGPu4_HhS5UndfrJcSO/s1600/Prayer+Rug+lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJRJgSOZ8RJCC1ysdb8LZv34xLHZ285_sOaScQr2MXg6s904_DUbFf5wUUw0BRnzhT2gNUKMto1CTTCAV1gIl9fWnO-guB_hyiCrfGAUjKmr_2jIyBfe8MTSYilGPu4_HhS5UndfrJcSO/s640/Prayer+Rug+lr.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Islamic Prayer Rug with two Cypress Trees and a Tree of Life in front of my house</td></tr>
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On my first exploration of the South Island I drove up the beautiful West Coast and then back across the center to the East Coast. When I was in the city of Christchurch, I saw a series of paintings inspired by patterns found in Maori Flax weavings. New Zealand Flax is a common grass like plant of the genus Phormium found all over the country. Its long fibrous blade like leaves can be split in to durable strips and woven to make mats and clothing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMJxqN0OF0OdC3sZXeOSsMorWAuFF1NzGN1eqngU4p6bth94GBfUb-Jwxf81-Oh8EKXffQg07x4dQI3DWUfZEpTSGqvRo5JKJJ5GeD_TAmiRWqaDtpICUwWFz5hbhErfn3VdODrsvi2we/s1600/P1240562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLMJxqN0OF0OdC3sZXeOSsMorWAuFF1NzGN1eqngU4p6bth94GBfUb-Jwxf81-Oh8EKXffQg07x4dQI3DWUfZEpTSGqvRo5JKJJ5GeD_TAmiRWqaDtpICUwWFz5hbhErfn3VdODrsvi2we/s640/P1240562.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Zealand Flax growing along the shores of Lake Matheson on the West Coast of the South Island</td></tr>
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Tukutuku is a woven panel used to decorate the walls of buildings. Because the the nature of the material, patterns naturally form in triangular shapes. I had originally intended to create naturalistic scenes depicting landforms but I didn't like the way they read so I experimented with abstraction using the influence of these triangular patterns, which I loved.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxCPi6AA6GXx8Z-B77Ip6V8wA8_EE-3c9x4WVk5tv8jBBLTbEP-0xWOHdnot_iVWBreYBx-zzPX5P94B2EKRl_sBonVqbtG2YcEtV5zIuy8vIBzckUBalPCjV4ie5CLA7vKW5tWjziGgi/s1600/Maori+Flax+Weaving.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxCPi6AA6GXx8Z-B77Ip6V8wA8_EE-3c9x4WVk5tv8jBBLTbEP-0xWOHdnot_iVWBreYBx-zzPX5P94B2EKRl_sBonVqbtG2YcEtV5zIuy8vIBzckUBalPCjV4ie5CLA7vKW5tWjziGgi/s640/Maori+Flax+Weaving.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maori textile weaving with triangular patterns</td></tr>
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One of my primary goals with this project is to incorporate and celebrate the breathtaking landscapes that make this region a popular tourist destination. Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains have drawn people wanting to experience the profound beauty of the area since the first European settlers arrived in the latter part of the 19th Century. The first pioneers followed the routes established by the original Maori people who came to this region to collect a type of stone sacred to their culture, called Pounamu. Pounamu, which is also called Greenstone, is Nephrite Jade, a hard, carvable and durable stone that ranges from pale white to the deepest greens, and is used to make blades, axes, and jewelry. The Dart River, which flows in to the head of Lake Wakatipu is considered one of the finest sources of this type of stone because of significant veins in the mountains exposed by landslides. The river and lake reside in a valley carved by once vast ice age glaciers. The lake bottom at its deepest point is 380 meters (1,250 feet) below the water's surface and the sides are quite steep except where rivers and streams enter it, creating alluvial deposits. Queenstown is the principal town, once a sheep station, then a center for provisioning regional gold miners, and now a major adventure tourism hub. A 35 minute drive on one of the most scenic roads in New Zealand takes you north to Glenorchy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI65hGiYrTaBVpeyLrZ-bvcEVtClcjjV35SllwIxEjyeJDtgfXbdvzkTZBQ7bQU8NsqxBcHiPrSn0FxoRrXNXxR008BiePG5zHeQQtPDY3uWaY0ewIPzVwsjLoyTTtbqcJg66PAquh5mB/s1600/fullsizeoutput_4f3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPI65hGiYrTaBVpeyLrZ-bvcEVtClcjjV35SllwIxEjyeJDtgfXbdvzkTZBQ7bQU8NsqxBcHiPrSn0FxoRrXNXxR008BiePG5zHeQQtPDY3uWaY0ewIPzVwsjLoyTTtbqcJg66PAquh5mB/s640/fullsizeoutput_4f3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of Lake Wakatipu from the Glenorchy Road</td></tr>
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The first panel the I constructed represented the Earth element. The tallest mountain in New Zealand is the highly revered Aoraki, or Mt. Cook, which is surrounded by a National Park of the same name. My time camping there was epic and will always be imbedded in my memory. The weather was all over the place, still and clear and beautiful one day, and intensely stormy and windy the next. One evening I hiked up the popular Hooker River Valley trail as the wind howled down the river. There were only a few people scrambling out as strongs gusts hurried them along, leaving me to be the last one out there. The last rays of sunlight illuminated the very top of the peak in an orange triangle, which reminded me of the color in the pattern on a weaving I photographed when I was at the Otago Museum in Dunedin. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-hRAFb-vJV5b1FkjRYnUUjIY8OnhvF8eYs3BhGDDYwQEXR3UH-Dy_gJQgrEMzQx-MV_je0R5D09mqwkextizZMiKebTq6I9OGsn439A8I1Kxiyo4BtpoFV7rCaVxyaOIXaB6qW3j20IK/s1600/P1250325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-hRAFb-vJV5b1FkjRYnUUjIY8OnhvF8eYs3BhGDDYwQEXR3UH-Dy_gJQgrEMzQx-MV_je0R5D09mqwkextizZMiKebTq6I9OGsn439A8I1Kxiyo4BtpoFV7rCaVxyaOIXaB6qW3j20IK/s640/P1250325.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aoraki, or Mt. Cook when I visited the park in December, 2016</td></tr>
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I recreated this in the mosaic panel, using triangular lines to form the forests at the base of the mountains, the tussock grass alpine regions beyond the treeline, and the snowfields and glaciers soaring to the summit of this magnificent mountain. The top is red to capture that moment when the last rays of sun struck the top of the peak. This single triangular design represents the number one in the series of four panels. I framed each panel with small even sized pieces of schist. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63GzF5udX3d9aiEqos4zqsYezr7w5stejM1AXP1yyfCWqQzLpQjQcm_s_wZd04PzqKoD5X5Q9ThQ_uQMpZyUt_6kEzgXPm7fZbSFh8aF9rZpI87vsPVQuxFbCDKlKwL3gYpa3tU0-oRK0/s1600/P1260003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63GzF5udX3d9aiEqos4zqsYezr7w5stejM1AXP1yyfCWqQzLpQjQcm_s_wZd04PzqKoD5X5Q9ThQ_uQMpZyUt_6kEzgXPm7fZbSFh8aF9rZpI87vsPVQuxFbCDKlKwL3gYpa3tU0-oRK0/s640/P1260003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Aoraki/Mt. Cook mosaic panel</td></tr>
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The orange and yellow stones are small pieces I collect from a gravel spit at the head of Lake Wakatipu where the Glenorchy Lagoons flow in to the lake, fed by the braiding of the Rees River. The lagoons are filled with vegetation which adds significant organic detritus to the water, creating tannin, or blackwater, the color of tea, which stains the white quarts pebbles commonly found on the shorelines with a distinctive rust color. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzqjFbgzmY6r3xXHg163KmNsH47MFzbx9SF_4C3lNL4gV9q4fI0YVxCmHS1PCNHwBzvJEqj1daGD0MoDKky04n_yYvXj4t3mf9Ubv5_anX5_ueHzDxZTMAg10Fr7uGNPsiTl0Jo5Lvfh2/s1600/P1220794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzqjFbgzmY6r3xXHg163KmNsH47MFzbx9SF_4C3lNL4gV9q4fI0YVxCmHS1PCNHwBzvJEqj1daGD0MoDKky04n_yYvXj4t3mf9Ubv5_anX5_ueHzDxZTMAg10Fr7uGNPsiTl0Jo5Lvfh2/s640/P1220794.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rust colored stones stained by tannin along the shore of Lake Wakatipu fed by water from the Glenorchy Lagoons</td></tr>
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The second panel I created depicts the element of Fire. I was trying to find a landscape that would relate to this concept. I considered the volcanos found on the North Island, as they are not a prominent feature on the South Island. Then one morning in January the power went out in Glenorchy. Campers on the lake shore at Rat Point, 2/3rds of the way towards Queenstown had built a fire that got away from them and swept up the slopes of the hills, burning a significant area. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=11781312 When I drove through the area a couple of days later it was rank with the smell of a scorched Earth. Charred brush and Cabbage trees sillouetted against the blackened hills made for an eerie and impressionable landscape. It was here that I found my inspiration for my next work. There are two rocky outcrops on the ridge at Rat Point, so in my abstraction, they formed. the number two in my series.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpex0ynw_5e1rdI5p_QegFflABWY2_vpH8kexj42TLMK1G_-f9sdNxIRG8ffZstGaC3N-HxKorg0XnJD8IaWu5t8Q95d-xrBxfLvQDBJIWbM7yUemdSbeaZHTgktuffGMBqi8k2Et6Y5u7/s1600/Rat+Point.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpex0ynw_5e1rdI5p_QegFflABWY2_vpH8kexj42TLMK1G_-f9sdNxIRG8ffZstGaC3N-HxKorg0XnJD8IaWu5t8Q95d-xrBxfLvQDBJIWbM7yUemdSbeaZHTgktuffGMBqi8k2Et6Y5u7/s640/Rat+Point.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rat Point after the Fire in January, 2017</td></tr>
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In the sand based mock up I made a frame of tiny uniform pieces of dark schist, and then made two interlocking triangles to depict the two peaks. I used orange and yellow pebbles collected from the lake shore to represent the fire, with the sillouettes of burnt Cabbage Trees (Cordyline australis) centered in each divided triangular section. The stones in the base of the mosaic were collected from the burned area near the road at Rat Point. I used mottled veined stones that looked to me like smoke to create the sky. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_17JUr9hUuW8Pk0f7aV0-nZAKLNXY78wqk-kTvmdosSzwhm8EbkcDdSFcgrfkrA7jKOsng6HynSKpSIqwWG1Cyzta0Rb7esW9EHii4dZNOyCfg4QdHyxIRORFt639gT2TAuFCQud27SH/s1600/P1260182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_17JUr9hUuW8Pk0f7aV0-nZAKLNXY78wqk-kTvmdosSzwhm8EbkcDdSFcgrfkrA7jKOsng6HynSKpSIqwWG1Cyzta0Rb7esW9EHii4dZNOyCfg4QdHyxIRORFt639gT2TAuFCQud27SH/s640/P1260182.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mock up in sand of the Fire Element Mosaic</td></tr>
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Then I removed the stones, keeping them sorted and filled the form with mortar, first adding a layer that I added reinforcing rebar. On top of that I've been imbedding various types of non recyclable garbage to keep it out of the landfill, and then another layer of mortar to cover that. Some day if these stepping stones are excavated, archaeologists will probably be more interested in the debris found inside that the mosaics themselves.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-dTxNFV0pFQTcp-ANkoFt409VsnvVhLaSZIak1ZA0AKGseFhP4dAdZCyo1CNrDjd8obYImxYNrGQhFTxSNN5wYBEWjKF2Ev-9AfuDr71JrjttEAE4dlVJ2iIvoONPf1qR4NY2GiC7znV/s1600/P1260126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-dTxNFV0pFQTcp-ANkoFt409VsnvVhLaSZIak1ZA0AKGseFhP4dAdZCyo1CNrDjd8obYImxYNrGQhFTxSNN5wYBEWjKF2Ev-9AfuDr71JrjttEAE4dlVJ2iIvoONPf1qR4NY2GiC7znV/s640/P1260126.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reinforcing rebar and debris imbedded in the base of mortar</td></tr>
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I replaced the stones from the mockup in approximately the same arrangement. This was allowed to cure for two days before I removed it from the form, which I reused to make the third and fourth panels.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eKUZ9eIIuZP1G0HAjfh_GkOWjqItiaT4HPkTL1GVI9aJ484GrPrduKvfrr5sKiE4npYDWI9FtHDrvS1Gfecy_5yJ6o6yKn5JGn2ZAbCgmE2vFzlsavdGOowdZAvnjD_-23yNyw3PRu0g/s1600/Rat+Point+Fire+mosaic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eKUZ9eIIuZP1G0HAjfh_GkOWjqItiaT4HPkTL1GVI9aJ484GrPrduKvfrr5sKiE4npYDWI9FtHDrvS1Gfecy_5yJ6o6yKn5JGn2ZAbCgmE2vFzlsavdGOowdZAvnjD_-23yNyw3PRu0g/s640/Rat+Point+Fire+mosaic.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed Fire Element mosaic</td></tr>
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The third panel depicts the element of Water. I spend a lot of time collecting stone along the banks of the areas rivers and streams and the lakeshore, so I decided to make a mosaic of the lake, with mountains in the background.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDDLEpDoxjkdDEy-ZZvEvPCbewz1NsPn_FUjeO3TGYXVRamojSVbQLpAkNLDRlMorGAW1BJzGXmwxDih1TRr4Bab-B1Nk7riXG5x9TbJ7qWTVAvuSOb0ZmBLogUCAFPtJBHUGcxfnNQ5L/s1600/P1260461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDDLEpDoxjkdDEy-ZZvEvPCbewz1NsPn_FUjeO3TGYXVRamojSVbQLpAkNLDRlMorGAW1BJzGXmwxDih1TRr4Bab-B1Nk7riXG5x9TbJ7qWTVAvuSOb0ZmBLogUCAFPtJBHUGcxfnNQ5L/s640/P1260461.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Humboldt Range reflected in Lake Wakatipu</td></tr>
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Once again I filled the form with sand and drew a design concept, with the Tooth Peaks of the Humboldt Range depicted in a stylized form using the number 3 for the order of the sequence, and made a mirrored reflection in the lake. I trimmed the edge with small even sized schist pieces to make a frame.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoP5Zn1gUNmgsWCsRiNcTCoc8c9cBZzHMvnbxKa_qiqZ7mj1gjjWxFXFvlWVPo253NohNUW-xRfhHWsHju6tZm-0Fis9L719qxtkdfIh2Z223b7inH_qFRQCLkEXVUYVGkDvxzqBZK2KPe/s1600/P1260007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoP5Zn1gUNmgsWCsRiNcTCoc8c9cBZzHMvnbxKa_qiqZ7mj1gjjWxFXFvlWVPo253NohNUW-xRfhHWsHju6tZm-0Fis9L719qxtkdfIh2Z223b7inH_qFRQCLkEXVUYVGkDvxzqBZK2KPe/s640/P1260007.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing the design on the sand in the form</td></tr>
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I filled in the design with a cloudy sky, as I don't have access to blue sky colored stones and it has been an unusually wet summer. The lake on cloudy days takes on a greenish cast, especially up where the Dart River flows in adding glacial silt to the lake water. The green shist in the area approximates this color well so I will be using a lot of it as I build braided river and lake mosaics to honor the surrounding landscape throughout the project. I added bits of the color of the mountains to allude to a reflection in the ripples of the water. The orange stones represent Red Tussock Grass that grows in the alpine areas on the mountain with forests on the ridges and snow on the peaks. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dL1ksvFQDo-8m_SaEzmbJpWotlLtNlKQ5ArpIdnOelhXYVQSiMt-1IQIrrTSeR0ARwQssW_ERuSdJ-9xY5XdgF9bn-rRS-BRxpRuTXlGl17onEJs6Z9p2Hthpe9Kyca4jgLL3mQa6Ghg/s1600/Wakatipu+Humboldt+Mockup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dL1ksvFQDo-8m_SaEzmbJpWotlLtNlKQ5ArpIdnOelhXYVQSiMt-1IQIrrTSeR0ARwQssW_ERuSdJ-9xY5XdgF9bn-rRS-BRxpRuTXlGl17onEJs6Z9p2Hthpe9Kyca4jgLL3mQa6Ghg/s640/Wakatipu+Humboldt+Mockup.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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After I completed the mock up I removed the stones in sorted piles and then filled the form with mortar, adding rebar for reinforcing and the garbage I've produced as a consumer to keep it out of the waste stream, along with scraps picked up around the site, like strapping tape from bundles of lumber. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8J4AfBwp3MfQ1OVNtlz5HTiHKEsv5GvCyH22t5oUC59zR_p4KPdbmRv4uzFahcWj5WqsLW5VdDS1K6MEz0gSHkW0zLG53TMSbzahCWoCDma1wOQ1SCA3PtUl-Xg0Z1ohwT2czQKV31t-/s1600/P1260127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8J4AfBwp3MfQ1OVNtlz5HTiHKEsv5GvCyH22t5oUC59zR_p4KPdbmRv4uzFahcWj5WqsLW5VdDS1K6MEz0gSHkW0zLG53TMSbzahCWoCDma1wOQ1SCA3PtUl-Xg0Z1ohwT2czQKV31t-/s640/P1260127.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reinforcing and debris in the Water Element panel</td></tr>
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Then I added a layer of wet mortar on top of that and set the mosaic in approximation to the mock up. This is how it turned out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0t7ajDyiYRxbsxtL7VKZkgFqTbf-i15ZuCxeJypDNR_1nxw4PwEt6WlMR0lP7mTqL1dCeiPm6X2Ui2v5Og5YFE8Ruqm4GEP5MtTXR9AfDgJyixTTQ6QTJYke59yJ3wQjZJD30SeXyqXIr/s1600/P1260137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0t7ajDyiYRxbsxtL7VKZkgFqTbf-i15ZuCxeJypDNR_1nxw4PwEt6WlMR0lP7mTqL1dCeiPm6X2Ui2v5Og5YFE8Ruqm4GEP5MtTXR9AfDgJyixTTQ6QTJYke59yJ3wQjZJD30SeXyqXIr/s640/P1260137.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Water Element mosaic depicting the Tooth Peaks reflecting in Lake Wakatipu</td></tr>
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The fourth panel is dedicated to the Element of Air. I decided to use the landscape up on the Paradise area of the Dart River Valley as the scene. This is an epic region where many films have been set, including parts of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Since air is transparent, I depicted a cloudy sky. Clouds gather against the mountainds coming from the Tasman Sea to the west and build up against the mountains. Strong winds whip down the valley with great force. During storms the Caravan trailer I was living in would rock like a train car rattling down the tracks. Four peaks frame the narrows through which the Dart River passes before it spreads out in to a classic braided pattern across the broad plain before flowing in to the lake.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDBYzOZQu2W9fNv9k_iFE-xm_QueS4Xqcga0wYCTR2m0KUzZpTZ6wMUoLAzRx2OAMtlBC330-nStsdw0fzDFAHbjUJwRIEtFTJBMNZHLn_Sr4k57Mk21_h_sfOg1oe7l4vdhHbOL7Fqx9/s1600/P1230747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDBYzOZQu2W9fNv9k_iFE-xm_QueS4Xqcga0wYCTR2m0KUzZpTZ6wMUoLAzRx2OAMtlBC330-nStsdw0fzDFAHbjUJwRIEtFTJBMNZHLn_Sr4k57Mk21_h_sfOg1oe7l4vdhHbOL7Fqx9/s640/P1230747.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used the same bed of sand, filling the form to create a mockup of the four peaks interlocking in triangles with crossing lines, framing alpine valleys filled with red tussock grass and tree covered ridges forested with the genus of Nothofagus Red and Mountain Beech and Podocarpus Totara forest. I made the bare flanks of the mountains where the snow had melted with dark schist, with traces of quartz snow near the mountaintops. I filled the sky with puffy white clouds made from white quartz stones. Its always interesting to convey concepts with tumbled stone, a material that has been on a unique journey of its own, one that possibly took millions of years to get where it was when I plucked it from its path.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXINpd9NKrXcMVvPQxKe9dNkD5sPnmW3Yl-w_QNI2yyR5lS7nk4UYQzRNvR3kevylIpDockprk3dlU2eAvVwcHPblGzliAbp3keFZ-ogE95ZXdRX3pDzz_xuryIk89NrIiolRZqLweHGwk/s1600/P1260285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXINpd9NKrXcMVvPQxKe9dNkD5sPnmW3Yl-w_QNI2yyR5lS7nk4UYQzRNvR3kevylIpDockprk3dlU2eAvVwcHPblGzliAbp3keFZ-ogE95ZXdRX3pDzz_xuryIk89NrIiolRZqLweHGwk/s640/P1260285.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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I set the stones from the completed mock up aside and repeated the filling of the form with mortar and debris before adding a layer of mortar in which to recreate the pebble design.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHnNC-sKTQoGQEsk61PqCLX4oLrrpA0eSBmcFTYn5wnZP87Ceb97i1rwPdAFbDrr7nEf2D7z0VoUZPGr-FlmF8x-5wNNYFBN26DjaUzJFuIHSaYy4vxROL1waQVo5kbJHHTSm3tXV4fFx/s1600/The+Air+Element+debris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHnNC-sKTQoGQEsk61PqCLX4oLrrpA0eSBmcFTYn5wnZP87Ceb97i1rwPdAFbDrr7nEf2D7z0VoUZPGr-FlmF8x-5wNNYFBN26DjaUzJFuIHSaYy4vxROL1waQVo5kbJHHTSm3tXV4fFx/s640/The+Air+Element+debris.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An array of debris and reinforcing bar in the Air mosaic panel</td></tr>
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When I set this mosaic in mortar I made the modification of adding the Dart River passing through the Narrows at the bottom of the scene.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqN0SJ2kfFLWPlT3evgZ7Dezu4eTjO2BVo6vo0EOxaIED2X9EMz8hM2xrKdCvlW5p9fl0uXmVENDAtmd1gTxUaiidTy0uFNHw_czSApi2UxIuUsAcfx0WNv1C-KpEdapqGHiyypLs_oAko/s1600/The+Air+Element.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqN0SJ2kfFLWPlT3evgZ7Dezu4eTjO2BVo6vo0EOxaIED2X9EMz8hM2xrKdCvlW5p9fl0uXmVENDAtmd1gTxUaiidTy0uFNHw_czSApi2UxIuUsAcfx0WNv1C-KpEdapqGHiyypLs_oAko/s640/The+Air+Element.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Air Element Panel</td></tr>
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And now the Four Elements panels are complete. They are quite heavy but I was able to move them by myself, hoisting them up vertically and then rolling them around to the front of the potting shed by the store on a hand truck. I'm very strong, and have been getting a lot of exercize working on this project. The Potting Shed is a beautiful rustic structure that can be moved with a heavy duty GCV fork lift that operates onsite. It was built by a talented Glenorchy based builder named Matt Hood in partnership with a guy named Mike. Lots of people walk on the panels. Some don't even notice them but others who are more intuitive are captivated by the stories they might tell. I did it for them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzelOEP64mcwbLO_Ujla0uMSXBjgaSHgAm9z54wVRRwimro65HVv6ztFDi7BUVaLvZs0rp7nraYRiRVftMd3DrZfSyCa8wV4BsFv9AM8-hwNsT0Dpdzs1Umc0FLapM850bjjm9bP5fEze/s1600/P1260371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzelOEP64mcwbLO_Ujla0uMSXBjgaSHgAm9z54wVRRwimro65HVv6ztFDi7BUVaLvZs0rp7nraYRiRVftMd3DrZfSyCa8wV4BsFv9AM8-hwNsT0Dpdzs1Umc0FLapM850bjjm9bP5fEze/s640/P1260371.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed Four Elements Mosaics arranged in sequence in front of the Potting Shed at Mrs. Wooley's General Store</td></tr>
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Thanks for reading...I haven't written anything for a long time because I have been so busy, but it is alway a pleasure to be able to put the time in to describing the thought that lies behind what I've been up to. Cheers, Jeffrey<br />
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-77984132475827266652016-11-15T11:22:00.000-08:002017-12-18T00:59:09.917-08:00The Braided Rivers Project; the beauty of stone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVfgq-qOU51F6EAKtX7PRCowP-gvt7H8XpKtL4ZBwYOgZXBNj3yR-GcA7fe38qgfOZMhoIsPxSoxP5JWZR3imrZxWkVlEmXzTMM6nJ57hAtzUHhIRTbIL19wDEK_q5AAIAX2k6Jc-SdlT/s1600/P1230597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVfgq-qOU51F6EAKtX7PRCowP-gvt7H8XpKtL4ZBwYOgZXBNj3yR-GcA7fe38qgfOZMhoIsPxSoxP5JWZR3imrZxWkVlEmXzTMM6nJ57hAtzUHhIRTbIL19wDEK_q5AAIAX2k6Jc-SdlT/s640/P1230597.JPG" width="528" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A marvelous skull shaped rock covered in paprika and grey colored lichens on the banks for the Bucklerburn River</td></tr>
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I've been working with stone for over 30 years, and I have to admit it is something of a love affair that I'll never tire of. I'm just beginning to work on what is called The Braided Rivers Project at Camp Glenorchy in the little town of Glenorchy, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu on the South Island of New Zealand. I flew here for a few weeks to meet the many people involved in this amazing project and to familiarize myself with the lay of the land, and see what is available in the realm of stones and pebbles that I will be working with to create mosaic paths and walls that will grace this wonderful endeavor. The camp when completed will be a model of energy self sufficiency and will supply its own water needs. You can read about the overall project by going over the extensive website at<br />
http://www.theheadwaters.co.nz<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqk5WlpK0wy8iKLiXd8JeWF3AzfrRuUQJDIN5O5sZdGT59FSlXoK_nzE3jaxlCCQ2sqJWDf1zQFh8oa2GFUxpYXj3uG8d5Txx4vjw3jBkIzflWXrVferpowyOU78f3IIy9rHnvb3DVnzs/s1600/P1230614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqk5WlpK0wy8iKLiXd8JeWF3AzfrRuUQJDIN5O5sZdGT59FSlXoK_nzE3jaxlCCQ2sqJWDf1zQFh8oa2GFUxpYXj3uG8d5Txx4vjw3jBkIzflWXrVferpowyOU78f3IIy9rHnvb3DVnzs/s640/P1230614.jpg" width="492" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pretty green stone from Buckler Burn River</td></tr>
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I love gathering stones and imagining the stories that might be attached to them in their geologic journey from the mountains to the sea. There are three kinds of stone on Earth, Ignious (Volcanic), Sedimentary (layers formed under water), and Metamorphic (Ignious and Sedimentary rocks changed under intense pressure and heat). Much of the stone in the Glenorchy region is Schist veined with quartzite, a Metamorphic rock group formed from both sedimentary and volcanic stone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdCubxlp9kEH5QE2gp_GU5i4sUL8VeA5gg5Nx0V7_8IBgy2doMzATAxM8LE3I5WsNPUKPm8WZzA0PqpXQ_FrS-JSQ1F2CDIlC1WsqC4FP2F4JsSTgnlO51zNZqTC4uZOzcY6NfY7hBk7s/s1600/P1220808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpdCubxlp9kEH5QE2gp_GU5i4sUL8VeA5gg5Nx0V7_8IBgy2doMzATAxM8LE3I5WsNPUKPm8WZzA0PqpXQ_FrS-JSQ1F2CDIlC1WsqC4FP2F4JsSTgnlO51zNZqTC4uZOzcY6NfY7hBk7s/s640/P1220808.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first collection of stones on the shore of Lake Wakatipu</td></tr>
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My first trip to Glenochy was for 2 1/2 weeks to familiarize myself with the area and meet a number of people working on this project. I gave a presentation on the history of my work with 180 images, drawing connections between where I am from in Oregon with the natural landscapes of New Zealand and their link via the Ring of Fire. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmTL4cwSA9n5J9Ri221XS7P5mVfXP-bXsZwmG7YZ4YqSUulF5w1qZah0J6s2OoU8yLzvaDsAW39QMFR7tk8dHrXU9PsdLvYqoDb23Hx4iMDMZaXIUMQ7emAvme9N6RicqU5AQRP4UpzwP/s1600/P1220681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmTL4cwSA9n5J9Ri221XS7P5mVfXP-bXsZwmG7YZ4YqSUulF5w1qZah0J6s2OoU8yLzvaDsAW39QMFR7tk8dHrXU9PsdLvYqoDb23Hx4iMDMZaXIUMQ7emAvme9N6RicqU5AQRP4UpzwP/s640/P1220681.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying in to Queenstown over Lake Wakatipu</td></tr>
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Flying in to this spectacular region of the South Island of New Zealand is a breathtaking experience. The weather was stunning the day I arrived, with crystal clear skies freshly washed by recent heavy rains and even some unusual late Spring snowfall. I arrived in Queenstown, set on a bend of Lake Wakatipu, the longest lake in the country. We then traveled one of the most scenic roads in the country, above the lake shore to the town of Glenorchy, at the Head of the Lake where the Dart and Rees Rivers flow down from the mountains to the north in braided patterns that will inspire the design of the paths we will be building.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOk_mfmcTzKxQIo6mTvqiJXIs6fdB0ErxCpqoaKqTmOCztjvuB7-9By2P_DzPLeBtmcOkqaK9RqRMpE0xzhvFrMFiReZbNLtOcKljnm4mA7p2gvYkWeMzt2fINmEHq9F-gPPfxhXxSfCm/s1600/P1230074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOk_mfmcTzKxQIo6mTvqiJXIs6fdB0ErxCpqoaKqTmOCztjvuB7-9By2P_DzPLeBtmcOkqaK9RqRMpE0xzhvFrMFiReZbNLtOcKljnm4mA7p2gvYkWeMzt2fINmEHq9F-gPPfxhXxSfCm/s640/P1230074.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braided patterns on the Dart river I took from a helicopter</td></tr>
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It didn't take me long to start exploring the area and finding out what it offers in terms of stones ecosystems, and geography. I am like a sponge when it comes to landscapes. I try to take everything in and read what I'm seeing and what those things have to tell me. Lake Wakatipu is 380 meters deep (1,250 feet) filling a glacial valley formed during the Ice Ages. A Maori legend says that the lake was formed when a giant Ogre, named Kopu-wai, was burned while he was sleeping. Waka can mean canoe in Maori and Wakatipu has a few potential meanings, including 'growing canoe' or 'sacred vessel' depending on the spelling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ8ZlipVTBsde4EeEjOeM2r1QrEsw5r0U2eCzMRodxvTxk3WEBh_sYEvu6JZp74_NKx3aCqSq0vPpmBMp2VT2Baip-2JF8mCj9kV8OhYPzCeAs2OQLBR3xIbJ2oowecODgJHb3hIBjsF1/s1600/P1230164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ8ZlipVTBsde4EeEjOeM2r1QrEsw5r0U2eCzMRodxvTxk3WEBh_sYEvu6JZp74_NKx3aCqSq0vPpmBMp2VT2Baip-2JF8mCj9kV8OhYPzCeAs2OQLBR3xIbJ2oowecODgJHb3hIBjsF1/s640/P1230164.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stones on the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu in Glenorchy</td></tr>
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The Dart and Rees Rivers flow down wide valleys, coming together in to the Head of the Lake. A trail has been built leading from the town up around the beautiful Glenorchy Lagoons, where waterfowl glide. A slender boardwalk winds through the marshes and out over the ponds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnmROyFJ7_Fk6BKkimx91BE107KWmGE3QyS-I1EKW4CNpX0lJjhGMeHhe66eXsn38fEWzE7ciBpOnXF7zMS1khHzqO46_-6yfUaiNPTPDjIzFhZjO_0VQ497CERdkQxSQdZ3TiYFPNu9q/s1600/P1230080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnmROyFJ7_Fk6BKkimx91BE107KWmGE3QyS-I1EKW4CNpX0lJjhGMeHhe66eXsn38fEWzE7ciBpOnXF7zMS1khHzqO46_-6yfUaiNPTPDjIzFhZjO_0VQ497CERdkQxSQdZ3TiYFPNu9q/s640/P1230080.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rees River flows parallel to the larger Dart River before merging at the north end of Lake Wakatipu</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaEuROt-MNJErYBKFWn1TyfFslSK-b99j52ioYdLBMRuWEZgZrdgtToZ6oYQ3eA_NHT3h6v9LD67XL7Nj7CgOlDATPZNFIV1bBWnRzT6tm3dZBfDfsaB7PVxdhnM9WRKoJHQ9c9b3x7Kp/s1600/P1230127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaEuROt-MNJErYBKFWn1TyfFslSK-b99j52ioYdLBMRuWEZgZrdgtToZ6oYQ3eA_NHT3h6v9LD67XL7Nj7CgOlDATPZNFIV1bBWnRzT6tm3dZBfDfsaB7PVxdhnM9WRKoJHQ9c9b3x7Kp/s640/P1230127.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Glenorchy Boardwalk</td></tr>
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When I tramped the Glenorchy Walkway I found a place to access the banks of the Rees River. The non native willows were freshly leafed out in brilliant green with the dramatic backdrop of the Humboldt Range and Mt. Earnslaw. The gravel bars along the rivers can be a great place to look for the right shaped stones for my mosaic work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKtxg01SuEkF-R9VOuAKmltyVYeDsbFYLZ1wMHxlrGIVFj_PJLEsSditnsUgl-k0VFPjgJFkPXiZOCcNKH_rR6Tsx-fW0y6pYiIoGlUCzVV86MWYlhu9SXHphLxW_m8FVvD3pU2NOK0B-/s1600/P1220880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKtxg01SuEkF-R9VOuAKmltyVYeDsbFYLZ1wMHxlrGIVFj_PJLEsSditnsUgl-k0VFPjgJFkPXiZOCcNKH_rR6Tsx-fW0y6pYiIoGlUCzVV86MWYlhu9SXHphLxW_m8FVvD3pU2NOK0B-/s640/P1220880.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Reese River braids its way to Lake Wakatipu</td></tr>
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I destroyed a few durable shopping bags collecting stones and carrying them the long haul back to and area where I would later begin to mock up sample mosaic designs. I didn't have access to a car on this first trip so a lot of the collecting I did had to be carted on foot. It is imperative to me that I leave no discernible impact on the landscape when I collect stones. It there is life attached to it I leave it where it was. If the shape is not what I am looking for, I will put it back in the indentation from where it came. This can sometimes lead to picking up the same rock later to inspect it again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFczZ9TTqjVJ-efkE5EewaVCubwnw4MylSmURGwqP7aId-upgcBqdgWLxYKwVcQSx-1PF1bzPjulLHR41cqGXt4qH3J-CDIUAluc0CK1pB6p8FBtsY-J_FvHKDCqWhVfTw0b_LmXRyzUB4/s1600/P1220972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFczZ9TTqjVJ-efkE5EewaVCubwnw4MylSmURGwqP7aId-upgcBqdgWLxYKwVcQSx-1PF1bzPjulLHR41cqGXt4qH3J-CDIUAluc0CK1pB6p8FBtsY-J_FvHKDCqWhVfTw0b_LmXRyzUB4/s640/P1220972.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selected stones from the Rees River chosen for their shape and character</td></tr>
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The stones I use for mosaic paving have to have a flat top surface and straight sides. I set them vertically rather than flat so that they are firmly imbedded in the mortar and wont pop out later. People often think that the stones I would use would be flat like a pancake, but from experience these will pop out of the mortar over time, so I set everything on edge unless the stone is at least 2 inches thick (4 cm).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o_zPTtSQx-mGfLA-mWzwvvhB_0DfY56fdeBDRvbDvLpo0uEI0Vb1aGyDuBfYO2HwMs2s3XwvHpQMyeMcxqUEce-eO99hkWk2T1eRIRXXYoU2oXZKirvaZK4HfUZYHPcPpK8hTmuU6sOV/s1600/P1230037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9o_zPTtSQx-mGfLA-mWzwvvhB_0DfY56fdeBDRvbDvLpo0uEI0Vb1aGyDuBfYO2HwMs2s3XwvHpQMyeMcxqUEce-eO99hkWk2T1eRIRXXYoU2oXZKirvaZK4HfUZYHPcPpK8hTmuU6sOV/s640/P1230037.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A temporary blessing starburst mosaic that I built outside the gate of the construction site of Camp Glenorchy made from stones picked from the parking area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG-pjfcFV7gl0XCpSNRUQOtanIcOUlwcoS8dWVQUP5eJ4jqH5tGfPuu49gfNDPkfuOfiUQ3oOv-IDzFL-ko98YTPpN_YxL4A3viFJ6_oduB0SsAiQdMt3drdRpG9ccLmV-dOgcdS1qX1t/s1600/P1230030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgG-pjfcFV7gl0XCpSNRUQOtanIcOUlwcoS8dWVQUP5eJ4jqH5tGfPuu49gfNDPkfuOfiUQ3oOv-IDzFL-ko98YTPpN_YxL4A3viFJ6_oduB0SsAiQdMt3drdRpG9ccLmV-dOgcdS1qX1t/s640/P1230030.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been gleaning the usable stone from the construction site to use later in the mosaics that will ornament the paths</td></tr>
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Stone is everywhere in this region. When you excavate, the ground is full of rock from the alluvial deposits of streams, rivers and slides flowing from the surrounding mountains. Shorelines and gravel bars in rivers are great places to look for nicely shaped stones. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-_hAvVyOva_gS3ufLtY1T6l7VU18sGMIWjkbgrwMd76zOphYLtR0nn5taP_gnwIsDdK4o-I4bL8xgTsoP6qqLdOdZBnkxQVPf60ZSelzTJPrHGBoXWRby3ilCnvu_gorkCpj37o3Wh9G/s1600/P1230643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-_hAvVyOva_gS3ufLtY1T6l7VU18sGMIWjkbgrwMd76zOphYLtR0nn5taP_gnwIsDdK4o-I4bL8xgTsoP6qqLdOdZBnkxQVPf60ZSelzTJPrHGBoXWRby3ilCnvu_gorkCpj37o3Wh9G/s640/P1230643.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pebbles and stones on the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu</td></tr>
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For many people over the centuries, the only time they may have arranged stones would have been to build a fire ring for camp fires. Even today a ring of stones and some charcoal will mark a popular place to gather just as they have for countless generations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQXKBX_aWtS88UpMhhUGxeXCAX0Nh4ufZeBbKJfR5qHYKFogx5Ae93IXlbBy8GVTTA4_fSFX49wa5HO5w_wMDvrIMenc6dFD1QXei8_Lkn9kKwxGB27IoIYawQBJnd8e-yyuAD47Pk0uA/s1600/P1230642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQXKBX_aWtS88UpMhhUGxeXCAX0Nh4ufZeBbKJfR5qHYKFogx5Ae93IXlbBy8GVTTA4_fSFX49wa5HO5w_wMDvrIMenc6dFD1QXei8_Lkn9kKwxGB27IoIYawQBJnd8e-yyuAD47Pk0uA/s640/P1230642.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A campfire ring along the shores of Lake Wakatipu</td></tr>
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This region is known for its schist building stone, which is shipped throughout the country for constructing walls and paving. Many homes in the area have stone walls made from rock quarried nearby or even on site and beautiful garden terraces are usually made from dry laid or mortared local schist. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUCxBmVx1eVAuxcVT3mAl1iUrFMPMWt41nu9Q6_nrsYiZp5WZ7wfNZ7QrIBNpUz9Hqcy9Ux6V5B6OFxIv3FODKnWoyLDUq4TpNaeedO6Cwr-bC1R76wEV593PXjYwm78a1SOqxZKo8uen/s1600/P1230359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUCxBmVx1eVAuxcVT3mAl1iUrFMPMWt41nu9Q6_nrsYiZp5WZ7wfNZ7QrIBNpUz9Hqcy9Ux6V5B6OFxIv3FODKnWoyLDUq4TpNaeedO6Cwr-bC1R76wEV593PXjYwm78a1SOqxZKo8uen/s640/P1230359.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walls built by a man as a form of therapy in Glenorchy. I love the built in seat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvts1Zpah6d_Ylisl-zW4Wf65_hjXC0KYaodaCUA72Dn0ByD9U0dWw1VavwfMdRCEMG899soPXBuFqU-Va_tuwmccUtCKt4L4u852CwhtgGpthN7mOgJRy4uIClxMlDekuygEV8e5mudk/s1600/P1220981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvts1Zpah6d_Ylisl-zW4Wf65_hjXC0KYaodaCUA72Dn0ByD9U0dWw1VavwfMdRCEMG899soPXBuFqU-Va_tuwmccUtCKt4L4u852CwhtgGpthN7mOgJRy4uIClxMlDekuygEV8e5mudk/s640/P1220981.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A schist bedrock formation on the slopes of the Wyuna Preserve</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTewhRDK84OoRod9gymv2o7tzYonr9UWNf1AzqMZoc31uL4roZQV5SYn19_fb5JHNZiOix7p9JG5iAAC0tt_xEQ6pINcdLxQDpaRiGdTHTsrR6p25uBAcwMNsqkBHW8foCNjaTR74sQeGm/s1600/P1230018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTewhRDK84OoRod9gymv2o7tzYonr9UWNf1AzqMZoc31uL4roZQV5SYn19_fb5JHNZiOix7p9JG5iAAC0tt_xEQ6pINcdLxQDpaRiGdTHTsrR6p25uBAcwMNsqkBHW8foCNjaTR74sQeGm/s640/P1230018.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exposed Schist with veins of white quartzite from a quarry on the Wyuna Preserve</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lzXyI3LaLxKwbRFiGZc3ezFAxDvcJrK0Qw2Cqy6748qzw21HpluTf59rHikSrIBUzp3C1btzCoxnt0ezxBlTx3amNyzBZFQcIIDTpgARSO9ZkR9sjKWdYC2S8rZykwCeu2SL-1gTGjtw/s1600/P1220833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lzXyI3LaLxKwbRFiGZc3ezFAxDvcJrK0Qw2Cqy6748qzw21HpluTf59rHikSrIBUzp3C1btzCoxnt0ezxBlTx3amNyzBZFQcIIDTpgARSO9ZkR9sjKWdYC2S8rZykwCeu2SL-1gTGjtw/s640/P1220833.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful lichens growing on Schist</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklqcYvGBPSjNvgky8qg1JTDy78M8kRtMjZHU0KlKelOz3IHYQDaTMsFb2SRjIt-vt8w0045aI8RBnY_glzbj3e5H_qFK7O7EQR8kk-pEnDpIoQzM_FF44T9EZxdRpzbeXy6YHpPcEKinN/s1600/P1220896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklqcYvGBPSjNvgky8qg1JTDy78M8kRtMjZHU0KlKelOz3IHYQDaTMsFb2SRjIt-vt8w0045aI8RBnY_glzbj3e5H_qFK7O7EQR8kk-pEnDpIoQzM_FF44T9EZxdRpzbeXy6YHpPcEKinN/s640/P1220896.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Schist walls from a ruined building in Glenorchy</td></tr>
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I will get to help place boulders on the site. There are a number of beautiful pieces lying around, and I will be looking for others when I go out to gather stone during the four months I will be in Glenorchy over the New Zealand summer. I hope to have the opportunity to create river like mosaics that flow around the edges some of these boulders that act as places to sit or for children to climb and jump from. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7u8Pb9Pb67u0cnEyNlJu1maY0awqVkxw97hVGsm1FGKb6w7505WWu1b-shFuw2CutnuANl0s9u81_sXyqizoZ2rkq-_ujugBld0_QZ16yp8y9CpYkov8ZIXmlEIbB2CqrbHcZ7v1XmPT/s1600/P1230166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7u8Pb9Pb67u0cnEyNlJu1maY0awqVkxw97hVGsm1FGKb6w7505WWu1b-shFuw2CutnuANl0s9u81_sXyqizoZ2rkq-_ujugBld0_QZ16yp8y9CpYkov8ZIXmlEIbB2CqrbHcZ7v1XmPT/s640/P1230166.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful Schist boulder near the Glenorchy Library</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPBK67sJpzigo30jFrU2EwvvFZBT-ttziL8Vax5gxetnIdAko97mYXv_XiTXWlLfW_a_EGUDp7t7E5bkTTPqZHVmLab-3cbUWdOvfvMgaT5G9SG-l_Z2nWEUafRIsULnqWAlUtX9sW30Y/s1600/P1230355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPBK67sJpzigo30jFrU2EwvvFZBT-ttziL8Vax5gxetnIdAko97mYXv_XiTXWlLfW_a_EGUDp7t7E5bkTTPqZHVmLab-3cbUWdOvfvMgaT5G9SG-l_Z2nWEUafRIsULnqWAlUtX9sW30Y/s640/P1230355.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large stones stockpiled in the storage yard at Camp Glenorchy</td></tr>
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One day I had the opportunity to go up in to the mountains on horseback with a local guide to visit the historic scheelite mines up on the slopes above the lake. Scheelite is a crystal mineral used in the production of Tungsten, a heavy substance with the highest melting point of any element and a density equal to uranium and gold. It was important in the manufacture of projectiles in ammunition and missiles, so the mining of scheelite here boomed during World War I and II.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJUP6CQ8Xjp0Ec0r3HGFG1peAbINA5P-DvaTEXCvnEgESWYNesZUrpbtRz8BX2hGQFheQpJMQ9l3Zg2Rmgbd2-FUJ0n9Xl2pQu_pmNBhkbG_ctiI6aiFRe7UYqIrvVT1OJ20-UsJxvL2e/s1600/P1230207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJUP6CQ8Xjp0Ec0r3HGFG1peAbINA5P-DvaTEXCvnEgESWYNesZUrpbtRz8BX2hGQFheQpJMQ9l3Zg2Rmgbd2-FUJ0n9Xl2pQu_pmNBhkbG_ctiI6aiFRe7UYqIrvVT1OJ20-UsJxvL2e/s640/P1230207.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding up in to the Richardson Mountains with Ruth Anne</td></tr>
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Its a beautiful area with the visible scars of mining softened by time. A number of historic miner's cabins cling to the slopes, remnants of the remote and difficult life hoping to wrest wealth from the Earth. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6U4ZnyVonWNm0GqJs-8E3PeYsokE4Y_8l6gttvtLShvilyFX57c6N3d5i16VF8LU_08mTxVBOn93oDzJCvFexRCJEDKZyaSA_GVEPxTldvd6qJG-1pjWfZu5WOwCGGh6IAUlkj0dUO-_/s1600/P1230268+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6U4ZnyVonWNm0GqJs-8E3PeYsokE4Y_8l6gttvtLShvilyFX57c6N3d5i16VF8LU_08mTxVBOn93oDzJCvFexRCJEDKZyaSA_GVEPxTldvd6qJG-1pjWfZu5WOwCGGh6IAUlkj0dUO-_/s640/P1230268+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flattened oil drums clad a simple miners hut </td></tr>
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I have proposed recreating the use of flattened oil drums for cladding sheds or for screens in Camp Glenorchy as a way to honor the history of scheelite mining in the region. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKpQIrWjpraambcjrNllPQuboP1Z8MkFWkJ_6t-3iymDMvamkAZt4RdOf0ZhSzvIhpLy_zFS_nvqCUk3zDCyKtw6Iq6PL0ggmkA4CBTubDhI3DCR4bSrnfgVISauzVRh73Serm3uTS0w3/s1600/P1230209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKpQIrWjpraambcjrNllPQuboP1Z8MkFWkJ_6t-3iymDMvamkAZt4RdOf0ZhSzvIhpLy_zFS_nvqCUk3zDCyKtw6Iq6PL0ggmkA4CBTubDhI3DCR4bSrnfgVISauzVRh73Serm3uTS0w3/s640/P1230209.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rustic interior of a miner's cabin</td></tr>
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A local metal artist, Dan Kelly will be creating a sculpture that plays off of the mechanics of a scheelite battery treatment plant next to the Campfire shelter at the heart of Camp Glenorchy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfZXz2Umf_qTjBT8xCMdppQU4ZcYAXPyj3bEmpJEsDtFaIPHX3ge4ppNbcjwFzTzkW02wDR34wEG1cn5X2K0WAogo7jCDwvC7ldlTy0HWCFPMcCRf4n76J0aCVWRsbRa_myzKOeh4FdaT/s1600/P1230217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfZXz2Umf_qTjBT8xCMdppQU4ZcYAXPyj3bEmpJEsDtFaIPHX3ge4ppNbcjwFzTzkW02wDR34wEG1cn5X2K0WAogo7jCDwvC7ldlTy0HWCFPMcCRf4n76J0aCVWRsbRa_myzKOeh4FdaT/s640/P1230217.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A restored battery where sheelite was processed and bagged for transport </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfPQHDwhYCMETyLz7o3A0qt94RIEnF-GEW_8BYj_Q_e_QAZLzxpdYvXfE-W3Qs8b1IqoxxxntEmwo2epRcxCUBiT0pN95A93hrCky6UfbHUVKwUUmQEoOVPmQsaV5HMH49wzSBDUmDev2/s1600/P1230216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCfPQHDwhYCMETyLz7o3A0qt94RIEnF-GEW_8BYj_Q_e_QAZLzxpdYvXfE-W3Qs8b1IqoxxxntEmwo2epRcxCUBiT0pN95A93hrCky6UfbHUVKwUUmQEoOVPmQsaV5HMH49wzSBDUmDev2/s640/P1230216.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interpretive sign shows the process used to screen, crush, and roast sheelite to remove impurities</td></tr>
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The flora of New Zealand is fabulous, most of it indemic to the islands. Flax (<i>Phormium tenax)</i> and Hebes and Sedges frame cascading streams in rich textural blankets. I hope to tap in to the essence of these iconic local landscapes to embellish the edges of the paths we're building for the project.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAwlTTgO9KRX4VmAiYUlOfEAJpXqcv_5Xg36SRO3W-3PU5VppM-2XaYClfqAYWd4tt4HtMk4DjKKqSI9KxDf1CQOW0Q8OPUXJmsBGqbgYaRmR9GBOSRWvN-BcRRlSwdDuT4hlWcFDWEvK/s1600/P1230301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAwlTTgO9KRX4VmAiYUlOfEAJpXqcv_5Xg36SRO3W-3PU5VppM-2XaYClfqAYWd4tt4HtMk4DjKKqSI9KxDf1CQOW0Q8OPUXJmsBGqbgYaRmR9GBOSRWvN-BcRRlSwdDuT4hlWcFDWEvK/s640/P1230301.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flax and Hebes frame a small cascade in the foothills of the Richardson Mts.</td></tr>
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Another outing with a neighbor to the cottage I was staying in took me out to the Beech forests of Mt. Aspiring National Park. The beech forests here are of the genus Nothofagus, which are also found in the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina, indicating the connection the two land masses once had when they were joined in the ancient continent of Pangea. The land mass of New Zealand separated from South America 80 million years ago. Its amazing the tree genera could survive such an epic journey.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-wCUoAI44pwCBAuZWKitbvtV5HiHHNU_p6z-lOetMZ7c0Dsc1xOqLIks4O4x4jbuYiMNYX9JwvKXTG5EGG6M6ocwpQy79B7GGnMuBRrhtRpwzTmBTUdiQKIZdRClJMahSceVXteeKfUu/s1600/P1220956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-wCUoAI44pwCBAuZWKitbvtV5HiHHNU_p6z-lOetMZ7c0Dsc1xOqLIks4O4x4jbuYiMNYX9JwvKXTG5EGG6M6ocwpQy79B7GGnMuBRrhtRpwzTmBTUdiQKIZdRClJMahSceVXteeKfUu/s640/P1220956.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Beech forest along the Sylvan Lake trail in Mt. Aspiring National Park</td></tr>
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New Zealand is the product of the collision of the Pacific and Australian plates, forcing the rise and fall of the many mountain ranges and volcanos found on the islands. Along the Fiordland coastline of the South Island, of which Glenorchy lies inland, the Australian plate is being subducted under the Pacific plate, while the opposite is true of the North Island. Because of the friction between the two plates, earthquakes and landslides are frequent in the region. An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the richter scale struck the west coast of the south island just two days ago as I write this.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF_B_IMm15QcyK9a2HffPCNl7RFjtBrTOb4gIl-a-cb8-naYhQeMmz-dGgCln6CSoQ2-kdYq2SFG7ZTBUL8Em9CS8vJXUwbFWOlzE_9z60IeIuGd_Hbnzazj-I9-l2VZ2EzCDU_OrjWzp/s1600/P1230591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF_B_IMm15QcyK9a2HffPCNl7RFjtBrTOb4gIl-a-cb8-naYhQeMmz-dGgCln6CSoQ2-kdYq2SFG7ZTBUL8Em9CS8vJXUwbFWOlzE_9z60IeIuGd_Hbnzazj-I9-l2VZ2EzCDU_OrjWzp/s640/P1230591.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Buckler Burn River flows down from the Richardson Mountains</td></tr>
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In every direction there are spectacular mountain views. The Buckler Burn River flows out of a steep canyon in to Lake Wakatipu just to the south of Glenorchy. The thick layers of stone imbedded with boulders reveal the dramatic and violent forces that created the region, faulting mountains, glaciation, a change in the Lake's level, flooding and landslides interplaying to build up and tear down the mountains. The Buckler's Burn is for me an art gallery of rock. Brilliant lichens and tufted mosses colonize the displaced stones on thier journey to the lake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjApu2ycEXrgn1xli6DkucFFhTjedgdf3gP-_2JXjVugfgsp_foifRNnHHhSfuzDf7igO38QC3QQsQcXcqy6xsp9je4rv6JQNM63SzXA0_V1c-Io2HrLgGULOSXwLWAdoTdn3jDDV9ngH/s1600/P1230621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjApu2ycEXrgn1xli6DkucFFhTjedgdf3gP-_2JXjVugfgsp_foifRNnHHhSfuzDf7igO38QC3QQsQcXcqy6xsp9je4rv6JQNM63SzXA0_V1c-Io2HrLgGULOSXwLWAdoTdn3jDDV9ngH/s640/P1230621.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful lichens on a schist boulder on the banks of the Buckler Burn River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXItIAmr9N3rtVe1mXtbYfWaGU8psZ3IPUER0e-rWP4wcSDZMko-OK_nEZjtUhaKb5N-O5MfZ1fzFOXINt9I2B7ZlKZbLnpVflgE9VTQBDifcfo3bw6whuS50Os9p9XEibXTRWj3iG4ezu/s1600/P1230602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXItIAmr9N3rtVe1mXtbYfWaGU8psZ3IPUER0e-rWP4wcSDZMko-OK_nEZjtUhaKb5N-O5MfZ1fzFOXINt9I2B7ZlKZbLnpVflgE9VTQBDifcfo3bw6whuS50Os9p9XEibXTRWj3iG4ezu/s640/P1230602.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quartzite stained with mineral iron glows with rich oranges, reds and yellows</td></tr>
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Another outing took us to a beautiful lodging retreat called Punatapu on the road back to Queenstown. Once inhabited by Maori tribes, Punatapu is a cluster of lodgings and living spaces built around a generous courtyard. Stone cobble blends the surrounding pavements with the lower walls of the buildings. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Diy5kr4EZOwZspWphyoGvYjpnyaPR7esIn59Ko_0WOrRzvugCJIEe54X9KDoTDBRWd4DjTJ8O32iI2ggm6cDoAoDGmBfRAN3E9Kro3YdVUbp4K5VSazxgQcf2z17HjmlHm8qbzMilVlw/s1600/P1230474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Diy5kr4EZOwZspWphyoGvYjpnyaPR7esIn59Ko_0WOrRzvugCJIEe54X9KDoTDBRWd4DjTJ8O32iI2ggm6cDoAoDGmBfRAN3E9Kro3YdVUbp4K5VSazxgQcf2z17HjmlHm8qbzMilVlw/s640/P1230474.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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I'm hoping to introduce stone cobble in to the framing of the parking areas at Camp Glenorchy. I've always loved the look of old cobbled roads that I encountered in Europe and colonial South America but have never had the opportunity to build such a thing. If thicker stones are carefully laid to form a flat surface in finely crushed rock, they would create a durable, permeable pavement that can handle the weight of heavy vehicles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBApQ-3BSNHBEGD-TthInKBsykpucz-eJ2QWPUkscNnjBzYHE49F7CPaw-YZ5q8xeI3E79zJ07VGWlVk0q0FPH5LDDLHEbcmQ1SJPm0ruVKdZembzM3TodRbrkghYyuMhdlJmcjV-kspGp/s1600/9q+Igatu+Cobble+Road2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBApQ-3BSNHBEGD-TthInKBsykpucz-eJ2QWPUkscNnjBzYHE49F7CPaw-YZ5q8xeI3E79zJ07VGWlVk0q0FPH5LDDLHEbcmQ1SJPm0ruVKdZembzM3TodRbrkghYyuMhdlJmcjV-kspGp/s640/9q+Igatu+Cobble+Road2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cobbled road in the old mining town of Igatu in Bahia, Brazil</td></tr>
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Punatapu was believed to be a trading center for Greenstone, a type of Nephrite Jade the Maori call Pounamu. It was used to carve spear heads and ceremonial pendants. Today Greenstone is designated the exclusive domain of the Maori and traditionally must be gifted through them. The smooth transluscent stone is carved in traditional designs. The upper Dart River is one of the main regions to find the mineral, which would have been transported down the lake by boat to this trading site.<br />
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A seven circuit walking labyrinth edged in gathered stones on a slope near a charming cabin was created by Auckland based artist Caroline Robinson. Caroline and I are working together on the Braided Rivers project and engaged in conversation and ritual during the 3 days she was in Glenorchy. She had visited the Halls Hill Labyrinth that I had built for the same clients on Bainbridge Island in Washington. It was a beautiful day and our group walked the seven circuits with reverence and intention. My wish is to incorporate ceremony and frequent blessings into the development of the projects to keep them meaningful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCYBGQ6LRMiNLzmtuLfj9_k5cCDB8snVlcPD0ONvUH9mcaBCdbqLJ8Nl0ktkCj2B4BrqW7CK7RySHFVAa2DIgpXfHV0L6BIc2OQ71zWZSMVs1lQS3CyJvecbUXSFtj8kBGac1mfnyzCwv/s1600/P1230504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCYBGQ6LRMiNLzmtuLfj9_k5cCDB8snVlcPD0ONvUH9mcaBCdbqLJ8Nl0ktkCj2B4BrqW7CK7RySHFVAa2DIgpXfHV0L6BIc2OQ71zWZSMVs1lQS3CyJvecbUXSFtj8kBGac1mfnyzCwv/s640/P1230504.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolyn Robinson's Labyrinth at Punatapu</td></tr>
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For Camp Glenorchy I wanted to create something visual for people to get a sense of what my vision might be for the Braided Rivers Project on this first visit, so I built a pair of sand boxes next to Mrs. Wooley's General Store. I hauled logs cut from fallen trees to the site and made frames with large stones anchoring the corners. The frames are rustic and the stones remind me of miniature mountains connecting to those seen in the distance. I filled the frames with several wheelbarrows of sand and screeded them flat with a board.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj8mTi-f5bgxSRlnUQZgFBgEp4u2peNg_r5t88BU9CgsDsOXE9H9v9VRuXvGDKV4l0y8gGAmFVLHbzi2071nNBTuljJ9gHyDwlDhA1ugJHZ-u3Uln_6VG_F-6zvpWyVgWGUblqNrGSWXy/s1600/P1230547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj8mTi-f5bgxSRlnUQZgFBgEp4u2peNg_r5t88BU9CgsDsOXE9H9v9VRuXvGDKV4l0y8gGAmFVLHbzi2071nNBTuljJ9gHyDwlDhA1ugJHZ-u3Uln_6VG_F-6zvpWyVgWGUblqNrGSWXy/s640/P1230547.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first sandbox I built is framed in logs scavanged from a woodland next to the golf course, braced with stones I found on the site.</td></tr>
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The sandboxes are a place to mock up mosaics to see what they might look like using the stones I collected over the previous two weeks. Its an opportunity for people to see what shapes of stone I like to use so that they can contribute their own collections in to the work. I will be able to do hands on workshops where people can learn to compose stone in to mosaics that we can later set in mortar in forms that can be used as stepping stones in the project.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdtl43Yi7OWFLHGwLx4-VCZJvqhLBYnkKi6OykMFioERb_qvJ7l7A8LDBtCN-9wj_KQdGWiBUbLsm1-9uaSHzOSXISa6YG6R7BU-WD_qbvtonQzxxSONgcI0tQo92ag6cZPk4qP7F50Ng/s1600/9p+Step+stone+in+form.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdtl43Yi7OWFLHGwLx4-VCZJvqhLBYnkKi6OykMFioERb_qvJ7l7A8LDBtCN-9wj_KQdGWiBUbLsm1-9uaSHzOSXISa6YG6R7BU-WD_qbvtonQzxxSONgcI0tQo92ag6cZPk4qP7F50Ng/s640/9p+Step+stone+in+form.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stepping stone I created in a form at home for a garden project</td></tr>
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These stepping stones can be set aside and used later when the final grading is ready in the Campground since I probably wont be able to build anything permanent on the site this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTzE3B-dYAYPe8Cv89pu-tZkymq1WT3bRgrAenPsFPvCbAqIgyVersjqXdUkmzZABoSrChzG4YYkp-zVS7zLZc_saMHOx80m2bO8xMfIAwa360-_m1LbtgAxMBYMK-L0Qv_IAwJ3gz3it/s1600/9q+Lilypad+step+path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTzE3B-dYAYPe8Cv89pu-tZkymq1WT3bRgrAenPsFPvCbAqIgyVersjqXdUkmzZABoSrChzG4YYkp-zVS7zLZc_saMHOx80m2bO8xMfIAwa360-_m1LbtgAxMBYMK-L0Qv_IAwJ3gz3it/s640/9q+Lilypad+step+path.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A path of mosaic stepping stones I built in a client's garden last year</td></tr>
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I started out building a starburst in the sand box like those I've made in the round stepping stones, and then began to lay out the flowing patterns of a braided river around it. I did colored sketches of a braided river while studying photos I had taken on a helicopter ride over the region and then tried to capture the essense of the Dart River in a temporary mosaic. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGzhGjg2wI37QD0C5dpYkPJqcZRijD4If1c_Cz2dVxrSsHKOs1ZQYWS231oAk3uUvpw2EoA_4a2V1WukJJoOyqwBuuVrbFFPCCRqQXV8CLGu6GvqqGU3G82qBBUyn97h89xR_JEETCA-x/s1600/P1230561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGzhGjg2wI37QD0C5dpYkPJqcZRijD4If1c_Cz2dVxrSsHKOs1ZQYWS231oAk3uUvpw2EoA_4a2V1WukJJoOyqwBuuVrbFFPCCRqQXV8CLGu6GvqqGU3G82qBBUyn97h89xR_JEETCA-x/s640/P1230561.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green stone river channels flow around a star burst, creating an eye</td></tr>
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Because the stones are shapes that fit tightly together with a flat top, the mosaic is durable enough to walk on even though it is only set in sand. In two days I was able to build a picture of what can be done using stone from the region. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc_qVx3uj3B6zSGHyenKouc6yjR0QvfSkd3SHPihT53PeJiov1xSECro6KJGQfamYSPm8nDwKjt0zW1ZmODurAbDWCpELEV31xR51AU7HBuLd8X6OkS8kGFZRkivymejBhEP43oZKyl4R/s1600/P1230578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjc_qVx3uj3B6zSGHyenKouc6yjR0QvfSkd3SHPihT53PeJiov1xSECro6KJGQfamYSPm8nDwKjt0zW1ZmODurAbDWCpELEV31xR51AU7HBuLd8X6OkS8kGFZRkivymejBhEP43oZKyl4R/s640/P1230578.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braided River mockup</td></tr>
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I now want to experiment with cutting flat schist flagstones to make the river channels so that they read more clearly. Schist has a reflective quality that could work well to recreate the way sunlight reflects on the water when seen from above.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtER7da6nkt1ZmQEk9gCgNeQMSDDtLS3mvUZiAQ2M6bgIHXoAnjf-S2FUg0_34KzzivrUh8bfFtY_ydK0YxiavnwxRk4OJ3bdY6wrPVHXIxbn3vSEwmI9uqYAbUNV6MnirWo1suLd2woHF/s1600/P1230431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtER7da6nkt1ZmQEk9gCgNeQMSDDtLS3mvUZiAQ2M6bgIHXoAnjf-S2FUg0_34KzzivrUh8bfFtY_ydK0YxiavnwxRk4OJ3bdY6wrPVHXIxbn3vSEwmI9uqYAbUNV6MnirWo1suLd2woHF/s640/P1230431.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rees River viewed from Harry's Hut at Angel's Rest Station</td></tr>
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In the second sand box, I built a set of starburst mosaics using stones that taper to a point at one end. These can be laid like slices of a pie to create rings of radiating stone. As the cluster of starbursts grew larger the results were visually exciting. I posted a photo that evening on my Gardens by Jeffrey Bale page on Facebook and it went viral, having 180,000 views in two days. I envision using this kind of pattern at the junction of three or more paths, where the lines can point you off in a number of directions. I will also be building a pad for a telescope for viewing the brilliant night skies found here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqucjlkNB35lBRJ0ZfTKYLgWGm76TYKkIckMa5sM0O3XpqsTBNZ4ztQu_5afqkzq4OuaMDa5YAsNXQEipMvts62QMhTJKUIiqYhfqdn9rDcOFJyavrQSGqJuAX1nZmL4_m0c0FYYnuVLR4/s1600/P1230843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqucjlkNB35lBRJ0ZfTKYLgWGm76TYKkIckMa5sM0O3XpqsTBNZ4ztQu_5afqkzq4OuaMDa5YAsNXQEipMvts62QMhTJKUIiqYhfqdn9rDcOFJyavrQSGqJuAX1nZmL4_m0c0FYYnuVLR4/s640/P1230843.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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My first donations of stones arrived. A woman who works in the General Store brought me a few beautiful pink veined stones from the Shotover River in another valley to the east on the other side of the Richardson Mountains. I'm excited to explore this area when I go back in December.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL_sH6Jp1Hu45htWBlgLDEr_iuO-50jGVhMu6NXEnOOD_Zzy1_GWV8RF5zJnRmbyDWgzsoMXAQf0EN-SgGD8jhILYqnNyYY_T-BhPDwJWVOUfndLXmto2VeNHf9uxgjoq4MjwzHY543GQ/s1600/P1230842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL_sH6Jp1Hu45htWBlgLDEr_iuO-50jGVhMu6NXEnOOD_Zzy1_GWV8RF5zJnRmbyDWgzsoMXAQf0EN-SgGD8jhILYqnNyYY_T-BhPDwJWVOUfndLXmto2VeNHf9uxgjoq4MjwzHY543GQ/s640/P1230842.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful pink colored samples of Piedmontite collected from the Shotover River</td></tr>
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On my last day in Glenorchy we drove up the Rees River to Diamond Lake to meet the people who own the expansive sheep ranch at Paradise. This area gained international fame as the setting for parts of the film series Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. Most recently the pastures above Diamond Lake were the site where a group of women lived in shipping containers in Jane Campion's six part series, Top of the Lake on Netflix. There were film crews working in the area the day we came up here. The Dart River winds its way up in to Mt. Aspiring National Park between breathtaking mountains. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNDgP2pM0-GtZeBdB9xzDQudMo0k9MzZBYFNb4kR-jz5GCK7b8cCQJopk6LJJwmTskC3isJn3a5LrskYqP-q-DHzBfdkbhmbUzxLK-LHZx-eIzmokM4ieCslsVxWisfYdG1NBrVP2QWkU/s1600/P1230748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNDgP2pM0-GtZeBdB9xzDQudMo0k9MzZBYFNb4kR-jz5GCK7b8cCQJopk6LJJwmTskC3isJn3a5LrskYqP-q-DHzBfdkbhmbUzxLK-LHZx-eIzmokM4ieCslsVxWisfYdG1NBrVP2QWkU/s640/P1230748.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was an incredible day for me because we drove up to a slope where vast amounts of tumbled stone deposited by flash floods is spread out in a wide area. The owner of the ranch gave me permission to collect stone here. There are lots of flat shapes, perfect for mosaic in a freshly distrubed area so that I wont disturb any life forms as they haven't had time to establish themselves. I get the sense there is far more stone here than I will need to do the entire project. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVmsDxuGRSeJ1pLUPMIBNqZWHD1SFHDVcYN1kSvkanqjGqHcbl1w-MsL7yR4zEOvrybm4wV5F7VjxSRiIG6WR2jzKtpH-euDbkcTG-V5PcV-I51K6vrGVh0ghyphenhyphenE9idB4dFArfsVZBQMWn/s1600/P1230791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVmsDxuGRSeJ1pLUPMIBNqZWHD1SFHDVcYN1kSvkanqjGqHcbl1w-MsL7yR4zEOvrybm4wV5F7VjxSRiIG6WR2jzKtpH-euDbkcTG-V5PcV-I51K6vrGVh0ghyphenhyphenE9idB4dFArfsVZBQMWn/s640/P1230791.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A slope covered in tumbled loose stone deposited by a flooding intermittent stream</td></tr>
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Its thrilling to know that I will be able to spend afternoons in this gorgeous setting collecting what I need to build beautiful mosaics for the paths in Camp Glenorchy and later the Glenorchy Marketplace.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOh_swTjRqco6gOeEDua7niF-n8WgLTtn7ZBZopA9BH3tYC2IpD5su8X8uAuT7550GKbIWGe7EzGtPVjaLk8X6fBk5YZWKwGjq2_9RjNiOF6yi4Fk3SdrMQESli9qe0Wo678n_enqVYSY7/s1600/P1230790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOh_swTjRqco6gOeEDua7niF-n8WgLTtn7ZBZopA9BH3tYC2IpD5su8X8uAuT7550GKbIWGe7EzGtPVjaLk8X6fBk5YZWKwGjq2_9RjNiOF6yi4Fk3SdrMQESli9qe0Wo678n_enqVYSY7/s640/P1230790.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A more detailed view of an area where I will be collecting stone for my pebble mosaics</td></tr>
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We visited another area where slabs and boulders of schist are quarried from a stream bed for building construction and paving. The heavy equipment is available on site to lift and transport large boulders.<br />
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Its yet to be seen what I will be able to create in Glenorchy over the next few years, but I'm excited by the possibilities. One of my favorite mosaics is one I built over a decade ago to look like the sea below the garden I built it in on Puget Sound. I sorted out various shades of green stone collected from the beach there and set them in undulating waves. I made orange red starfish that I could see crawling across the rocks in the clear water. For me it captured the essence of what I was trying to allude to. I hope I can create something that captures the soul of the braided rivers at the Head of Lake Wakatipu in Glenorchy as well. It all relates to the way we flow through life. I will always be collecting stones.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7T-dVkqReNmkIeTJoCLH6Yz6RnuijzNEAC_IKyF82efwKDTldTRJool2d0RZmkzZuFf-I_Q20U9ibReqF6XgPXnx0l3XG42mmWoavw0wYUa4-uZz-8p3kHB4Al9tyLLtX7RdrKGCZMLC/s1600/9m+Windcliff+Water+Mosaic+2+4%253A08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7T-dVkqReNmkIeTJoCLH6Yz6RnuijzNEAC_IKyF82efwKDTldTRJool2d0RZmkzZuFf-I_Q20U9ibReqF6XgPXnx0l3XG42mmWoavw0wYUa4-uZz-8p3kHB4Al9tyLLtX7RdrKGCZMLC/s640/9m+Windcliff+Water+Mosaic+2+4%253A08.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water mosaic at Windcliff on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State</td></tr>
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Thanks for reading, Jeffrey</div>
Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-37813415634468605552016-09-08T00:46:00.001-07:002016-09-11T08:16:02.136-07:00Jardin Etnobotánico de Oaxaca<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agave guiengola plants bloom in the Jardin Ethnobotanico de Oaxaca</td></tr>
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Oaxaca is one of the most historic and beautiful cities in Mexico. I hadn't been there for 30 years was amazed by how much it has grown in the last 3 decades. Sprawl has connected many of the towns that used to be located outside the city and traffic is terrible. But the city center has maintained much of its beauty and charm and remains one of the most popular cultural destinations in the country. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon promenade along Avenida Constitucion</td></tr>
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Oaxaca has a strong identity, enriched by its diverse population and vibrant indigenous cultures. It is a center for artisan crafts dating back many hundreds of years. The valley has been occupied for thousands more. Seeds from squash dated to over 10,000 years in age are some of the oldest known evidence of agriculture in the Western Hemisphere.<br />
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Oaxaca's colonial center is a gathering place for people from all over the valley and afar. Architecturally well preserved, many of the old buildings now house museums, art galleries, thriving markets, and fine restaurants serving variations on the distinctive cuisine of the region. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Biznaga, named for the Spanish name for Barrel Cactus, serves wonderful food a block from Plaza de Santo Domingo</td></tr>
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Galleries abound displaying works by a large variety of talented artisans and artists and I spent a lot of the two weeks I was there being inspired by what I saw. There are a number of architecturally beautiful museums blending old and new structures, displaying amazing works with a high regard for design and innovation.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colonial and modern architecture connect as part of the Centro Academico y Cultural San Pablo with a gallery, cafe, and library</td></tr>
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The primary reason that the Spanish took interest in the Oaxaca region was because of an insect called Cochineal that feeds on Nopal Prickly Pear Cactus. This female insect sucks juices from the plant and contains a red pigment called Carminic Acid that departs a rich series of colors depending on how they are treated. The Zapotecs, Aztecs and Mayans began dying fabrics with it in the 14th Century, and Europe became obsessed with the fabulous reds and purples that could be obtained using Cochineal. Its value by weight was greater than gold and for a time it became the second most important export from colonial Mexico after Silver. Cochineal thrives in the climate of the Oaxaca Valley but failed to survive when cultivated in other countries.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nopal Prickly Pear Cacti in the Jardin Ethnobotanico, Oaxaca</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cochineal insects on a Nopal leaf</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cochineal pigment used to dye yarn for carpet weaving in Teotitlan, Oaxaca State</td></tr>
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The wealth created by the Cochineal industry made Oaxaca the most important town in the region, and great churches and monasteries were built for powerful Spanish religious sects. The most incredible of Oaxaca's cultural institutions is located in the confines of the Templo de Santo Domingo located 5 blocks north of the city's main square, the Zocalo. Construction of the complex began in 1570 and took over 200 years to complete.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman</td></tr>
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When you approach the elegant golden stone structure, one of the most striking features are the unusual plantings in the plaza. Large squared graveled beds contain straight rows of a native species of bromeliad from the genus Hechtia. The tall slender dried brown flower stalks silhouetted dramatically against the lighter stone of the church at the time I was there. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dry flower stalks of native Hechtia bromeliads silhouetted against the golden sandstone of the Templo de Santo Domingo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hechtia bromeliads</td></tr>
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Oaxaca State is the home of 21 known species of the genus Hechtia, the greatest concentration of this genus of bromeliad. Many have reddish stripes or blood red spots giving them great ornamental potential, although they are not commonly seen in gardens. I assume that the spacing and straight rows of the plants mimics that of the many Mezcal Agave plantations in the region, the roasted hearts of which are used to make tequila like liquors.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grid pattern planting of Hechtia bromeliads in the Plaza de Santo Domingo de Guzman</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paving detail in the plaza</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another species of Hechtia is planted on stone terraces leading to a pedestrianized street</td></tr>
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Equally dramatic are the spires of blooming pale blue Agave guiengola, sometimes called the Dolphin Agave because of its smooth wide blue leaves. The margins are guarded by a row of tiny dark barbs giving the plant a refined look. They are planted in masses along one side of the plaza. The flower spikes soar to 12 feet. Many were in bloom when I was there, which signals the end of life for the plant. I was told that a probable cause is climate change and unseasonably warm temperatures that stress the plants triggering them to bloom.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful bluish leaves of Agave guiengola, native to Mount Guiengola near Tehuantepec in Oaxaca State</td></tr>
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The plaza is a popular gathering place and the site of many festivities. Vendors sell crafts to tourists while others visit with friends.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A vendor sells handwoven hats and bags in the Plaza de Santo Domingo</td></tr>
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The interior of the church is the most resplendent in the city, lavishly decorated in three dimensional plaster and carved relief. During the years of revolution in Mexico the church and monastery became a military barracks. It was reverted to use as a church in 1938, and in 1972 the monastery was converted in to the Museum of Oaxacan Culture. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HgE1G-zZAP1Y33uLHWdAuWNEa_uhIP8yr_6jaZnHmfbn2-kJ6Y0dic3WEzNsfwGalnYaSFlw9FePoD2nbkahyL2sMoIYiRMjGPSEJuNKv72i7jpXr3ZT9JEZqPFUyme3k-pntOuf2Lqi/s1600/P1100779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HgE1G-zZAP1Y33uLHWdAuWNEa_uhIP8yr_6jaZnHmfbn2-kJ6Y0dic3WEzNsfwGalnYaSFlw9FePoD2nbkahyL2sMoIYiRMjGPSEJuNKv72i7jpXr3ZT9JEZqPFUyme3k-pntOuf2Lqi/s640/P1100779.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An incredible family tree of the founder of the Dominican order, Santo Domingo de Guzmán, sculpted on the ceiling inside the entrance to Templo de Santo Domingo</td></tr>
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The adjacent Dominican Monastery is equally lavish, and has been converted in to one of Mexico's finest regional museums, the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bpIxazpEiIl95frQ6kyf6UOscstLnpkX_Zsbs4LQd_NjAfLlW0ogr2pWHosDrqzPbPrSznBJGXVqdi0Ky2Y70bR7_7J4pJcTQczMOTT1vLMxWFJC0yk6htrOGr-iA5qfomfXXmjh-ymF/s1600/P1120576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8bpIxazpEiIl95frQ6kyf6UOscstLnpkX_Zsbs4LQd_NjAfLlW0ogr2pWHosDrqzPbPrSznBJGXVqdi0Ky2Y70bR7_7J4pJcTQczMOTT1vLMxWFJC0yk6htrOGr-iA5qfomfXXmjh-ymF/s640/P1120576.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ceiling in the Monastery</td></tr>
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The vast complex and its miriad of spaces, workshops, chapels, and dormitory cells are now galleries displaying artifacts from the diverse history of the Oaxaca valley.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNTCwpV9_PdannIZ8OCQUFm4HVEInFbLsHz7qaMJKJ79tZioV9Jo1UekSfMdjaa12_6FoFRAfX6r6WJE5eQxGim3VE0P1Dbu2c0Brejg2tjU0O9ADzpqZ7pYxEqKoINocU4fR8vWkJp0_/s1600/P1120721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNTCwpV9_PdannIZ8OCQUFm4HVEInFbLsHz7qaMJKJ79tZioV9Jo1UekSfMdjaa12_6FoFRAfX6r6WJE5eQxGim3VE0P1Dbu2c0Brejg2tjU0O9ADzpqZ7pYxEqKoINocU4fR8vWkJp0_/s640/P1120721.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The monastery encloses some beautiful courtyards with fine cobbled pavements. The main central courtyard is surrounded by cloisters with a fountain flanked by columns at the center. The fountain would have originally been used as a water source for the complex.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44AYmi2D5vIwIYEPThnK06FMg5b8O4JLElMFFDsZxetHgKcGm7vthQCk-fY7c7if332xY3MxjVcDcSvvB82KVs2e6c7WxWsaS8SZgfQtmBLIZk4kWTPmSfqZB5WVAYYeOtFPIv6sPwoqq/s1600/P1120573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44AYmi2D5vIwIYEPThnK06FMg5b8O4JLElMFFDsZxetHgKcGm7vthQCk-fY7c7if332xY3MxjVcDcSvvB82KVs2e6c7WxWsaS8SZgfQtmBLIZk4kWTPmSfqZB5WVAYYeOtFPIv6sPwoqq/s640/P1120573.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main courtyard in the Monastery of Santo Domingo de Guzman</td></tr>
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Smaller courtyards were once used as utilitarian spaces. This one has been planted with native Plumeria trees with a square paving pattern set with three shapes of cut stone.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native Plumeria rubra planted in a smaller courtyard in the monastery</td></tr>
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The bold sculptural form of the trees contrasts nicely with the squareness of the space and the pattern of the paving.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuZ_HuQX62ikTyDuIIsnrcCDFxJSwQHNBVRNmbQ2h59nOlcFjD-0vWX1LeS0MJ3a2DL4GABemAsB0iv8MguwBYHMwsRiekPyly97BWX6lQuz_KTQSpEkontEhgy41tG7222pLcDnWe3E1/s1600/P1120620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuZ_HuQX62ikTyDuIIsnrcCDFxJSwQHNBVRNmbQ2h59nOlcFjD-0vWX1LeS0MJ3a2DL4GABemAsB0iv8MguwBYHMwsRiekPyly97BWX6lQuz_KTQSpEkontEhgy41tG7222pLcDnWe3E1/s640/P1120620.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down in to the courtyard </td></tr>
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Walking down the long hallways of the upper floors of the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, you come upon large open windows with fantastic views looking out over the courtyards and surrounding landscapes. Many of these windows don't have glass because of the benign climate of the region, and act like balconies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_PqdTwAeTUUFlAF9rw18d9rS0Nf7T8J_kpibqnlQHcr02s2_iQkDR3IDPpLZQZKb7kvUvG4E-xQT921vinrcjBEp75g23KMu-wvWFkORTuUiIczRKF_IvYZqmtnpXwEQz02sLkVib1w6/s1600/P1110597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_PqdTwAeTUUFlAF9rw18d9rS0Nf7T8J_kpibqnlQHcr02s2_iQkDR3IDPpLZQZKb7kvUvG4E-xQT921vinrcjBEp75g23KMu-wvWFkORTuUiIczRKF_IvYZqmtnpXwEQz02sLkVib1w6/s640/P1110597.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A family takes in the view from an open window</td></tr>
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The most wonderful views take in the lush and beautifully composed Jardin Ethnobotánico. This garden didn't exist when I was here 30 years ago. The project commenced in 1993 under the direction of the reknowned Mexican artist Francisco Toledo, who is also a strong advocate for the preservation of Oaxacan culture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyby7BN0XttrhJ1Sf2Xo30RT7LKCCQ1270SJFqzW3f9r1ROyg285YN2C0DSB2GOQr2fMbzTj9R9cnuE9lbxzEKL0V4Vi0x-j2zeVhk550Ub3gJU2CDWZDtt1r87V8eFIelSEFPgnWCT4le/s1600/P1120705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyby7BN0XttrhJ1Sf2Xo30RT7LKCCQ1270SJFqzW3f9r1ROyg285YN2C0DSB2GOQr2fMbzTj9R9cnuE9lbxzEKL0V4Vi0x-j2zeVhk550Ub3gJU2CDWZDtt1r87V8eFIelSEFPgnWCT4le/s640/P1120705.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A panoramic view of the Jardin Ethnobotanico from the Monastery of Santo Domingo</td></tr>
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The expansive walled grounds of the monastery complex originally had workshops and orchards. These were destroyed when the army occupied the complex during the revolution. For many years the property was used for storage and exersize yards and parking and garbage dumps when it was an army barracks. After the army vacated the monastery it was slated to become a convention center with parking lots occupying much of what are now gardens. Fortunately the concept of building a garden showcasing native and culturally significant plants took precident and construction began on the Jardin Ethnobotanico in 1994.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YptN1zm8rYZxN1rZVi4kso-z2BAQZLylo831JIlHP-xS9j5Eh-4c7HiD4c4agpKrFcULTAhr0XKJcEc-S1bzDL8pXeSboQL3fOzhDQh5_EK_l02SStr-oH_N4hNKjoaQAirI214eKYA-/s1600/P1110668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YptN1zm8rYZxN1rZVi4kso-z2BAQZLylo831JIlHP-xS9j5Eh-4c7HiD4c4agpKrFcULTAhr0XKJcEc-S1bzDL8pXeSboQL3fOzhDQh5_EK_l02SStr-oH_N4hNKjoaQAirI214eKYA-/s640/P1110668.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down in to a large cobbled courtyard</td></tr>
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To reach the Oaxaca valley, the roads crossing the state pass through rugged and diverse landscapes. I came from the market town of Tehuacan in Puebla State to the east through the spectacular Tehaucan-Cuicatlan Biosphere reserve. These mountains and valleys contain the world's largest concentration of columnar cacti. The state of Oaxaca contains the highest diversity of plant life in Mexico, as well as the largest diversity of ethnic groups.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-52Ljlu-j3k2HMufpDjJE_q5V8LmV142vJ9fAIwXYTJ6TI1wJxZaFBPM1PZsVS33bp2c3BnwnqK7yU_uspTRzUEvSerpb-1dLydQBVhyphenhyphen8YPw6_NJOfzq755Pitj0hfoMNJjqrKqs-ZYLu/s1600/Tehuacan-C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-52Ljlu-j3k2HMufpDjJE_q5V8LmV142vJ9fAIwXYTJ6TI1wJxZaFBPM1PZsVS33bp2c3BnwnqK7yU_uspTRzUEvSerpb-1dLydQBVhyphenhyphen8YPw6_NJOfzq755Pitj0hfoMNJjqrKqs-ZYLu/s640/Tehuacan-C.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columnar cacti cover the slopes of mountains in the Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve</td></tr>
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On one of the highways heading to the coast to the west the high mountain forests are lush with jungle. Like the state of Oaxaca, the Jardin Ethnobotanico has a dry side and a more moist side representing the climactic differences of various regions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYUWUYlG5fNVzPCSbvr8wjeebEfclzbsEnjyz-FGjBXBMPDqAlz2mKTZGrD9Cw5Dwz-zkyEpyZSzw3aFJdhLM6uFmiJM6Duph1UV9z114YyRhjbOC53T3ha8Pej643nd9-dZzjfPqKRWN/s1600/P1130650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYUWUYlG5fNVzPCSbvr8wjeebEfclzbsEnjyz-FGjBXBMPDqAlz2mKTZGrD9Cw5Dwz-zkyEpyZSzw3aFJdhLM6uFmiJM6Duph1UV9z114YyRhjbOC53T3ha8Pej643nd9-dZzjfPqKRWN/s640/P1130650.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouds form over the dense evergreen forests of Oaxaca's coastal mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02qcW2Qr0ciKGcixEAuCWyfSOmQGAUQ-GaqPN_xT6DoBsARwhyphenhyphenS6hgPEVrkswxXlltJ9sonqbehNMI0NY6o2XXP0ZLFVYOaM8DiJmF5xA1uN-vqNub6NUfZXCeYFndrT7SC1-24tE3vM4/s1600/P1120485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02qcW2Qr0ciKGcixEAuCWyfSOmQGAUQ-GaqPN_xT6DoBsARwhyphenhyphenS6hgPEVrkswxXlltJ9sonqbehNMI0NY6o2XXP0ZLFVYOaM8DiJmF5xA1uN-vqNub6NUfZXCeYFndrT7SC1-24tE3vM4/s640/P1120485.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnificent mountain vistas from Hierva del Agua, Oaxaca State</td></tr>
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In 1993 Francisco Toledo approached a man named Alejandro de Ávila, a man with great knowledge of the region. He proposed the idea of creating a botanical garden that is intrinsicly linked to the culture of the region, an Ethnobotanical Garden. With the backing of other members of organization Pro-Oax, which supports the preservation and enhancement of Oaxacan culture, the concept of a garden received the blessing of the government over other proposals.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plan of the Jardin Ethnobotanico</td></tr>
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The walled 2.3 hectare enclosure in which the garden was planted was in a state of great neglect. As excavations began, the remainders of centuries old facilities related to the monastery emerged.<br />
These spaces were incorporated in to the design as terraces and pools, including plantings that corelate to the original purpose of the spaces. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzSJLsm9_DjewqZva7Ri05urWbKAQonALtnmoHeEuAkgkMQaK8bw511KrFcJIkT35N9zoMQUhrKaxUJRS0xXp9Lptu38k421-yuPebedkkFcjQn06YVJj9QJJXB_j487wxlPfajQn0-yn/s1600/P1120692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzSJLsm9_DjewqZva7Ri05urWbKAQonALtnmoHeEuAkgkMQaK8bw511KrFcJIkT35N9zoMQUhrKaxUJRS0xXp9Lptu38k421-yuPebedkkFcjQn06YVJj9QJJXB_j487wxlPfajQn0-yn/s640/P1120692.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The remains of a 16th Century laundry area with a Soapberry Tree, <i>Sapindus saponaria </i>growing against the wall. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Soapberry Fig is a tree native to India that was brought to Oaxaca to make soap and is one of the few non native plants in the garden</td></tr>
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4 meter deep below ground lime kilns built in 1575 were used for the calcination of limestone by using coal or wood fire to heat the stone in a processs that took about a week to complete. The lime was used to make mortar for masonry in the construction of the church, monastery, walls, and outbuildings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdz9rIp8irNVTHJeD1vhw9X1ocpipGwcJrRXw2LQzWFPkbWp1NwNklQPJhMfGdmq0VUBC8lCJ1CABxSZI9NUtl7avtBrvd3pzm1KNT0idnFZWpPHPCv8DQJq-bX5conm3inQn0bVuzzfe/s1600/P1110974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdz9rIp8irNVTHJeD1vhw9X1ocpipGwcJrRXw2LQzWFPkbWp1NwNklQPJhMfGdmq0VUBC8lCJ1CABxSZI9NUtl7avtBrvd3pzm1KNT0idnFZWpPHPCv8DQJq-bX5conm3inQn0bVuzzfe/s640/P1110974.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A path crosses and steps down in to an old Lime Kiln, used to make lime for mortar</td></tr>
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The different areas are connected by a series of colored decomposed stone paths that zigzag through the<br />
plantings. The forms of the paths were inspired by the the cut stone mosaic facades of buildings at the Zapotec ruins at Mitla, 46 kilometers to the southeast of Oaxaca City. Mitla was an important ceremonial center when the Spanish arrived over 500 years ago and the decorative patterns are unique to it's tombs, palaces, and ceremonial spaces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5HzIrXhy4tDSdGOrzvXSsNa1TawzBygZRO7wkxBZ-kqRZJm42Kg7KreNZzYyCgo0tXJQKttWHTRJUKk8tqDbXC0xLH17vAPL2zYF-rGUEuwoH5353PsMmL1IK7jhdyV4ggNpD1UYfOnP/s1600/P1120293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5HzIrXhy4tDSdGOrzvXSsNa1TawzBygZRO7wkxBZ-kqRZJm42Kg7KreNZzYyCgo0tXJQKttWHTRJUKk8tqDbXC0xLH17vAPL2zYF-rGUEuwoH5353PsMmL1IK7jhdyV4ggNpD1UYfOnP/s640/P1120293.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grupo de las Columnas, Mitla</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrpgDL033GW2-l2PDbEKcYdzQFIPa8AsCkmlZ33GVLFRae1dDxZYNPQygU2VLe-wnOG7RPAX3lSwWjmLdpJfCDcYXeL3i_P_PPkkF_rM4tsQlXDefsi1wWElk27WVHLy4SGJQu3zRgU2g/s1600/P1120295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrpgDL033GW2-l2PDbEKcYdzQFIPa8AsCkmlZ33GVLFRae1dDxZYNPQygU2VLe-wnOG7RPAX3lSwWjmLdpJfCDcYXeL3i_P_PPkkF_rM4tsQlXDefsi1wWElk27WVHLy4SGJQu3zRgU2g/s640/P1120295.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A variety of cut stone mosaics decorate the walls of the structures at Mitla</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl_CeESh-1fTZFq1RXcOsbIUAllBTxwFkVB7Iy6ekQ4GvCdP7GvEbrQwEP2rKCAumjO4Zm3Xet3Cn_JzbspGEb8zewtrPnceg7BorPBNAsgX2aFQ8Pbst0cuP6Pw6wDSwyUOg8embGrHb/s1600/P1120296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl_CeESh-1fTZFq1RXcOsbIUAllBTxwFkVB7Iy6ekQ4GvCdP7GvEbrQwEP2rKCAumjO4Zm3Xet3Cn_JzbspGEb8zewtrPnceg7BorPBNAsgX2aFQ8Pbst0cuP6Pw6wDSwyUOg8embGrHb/s640/P1120296.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of a wall at Mitla displaying energetic shapes and traces of pigment from when the structures were painted</td></tr>
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The zigzag paths look dramatic and modern set against the artful arrangement of the plant material, while summoning conciousness of ancient Zapotec designs. A Mexican painter named Luis Zárate had significant influence on the design in consort with Toledo and Ávila. The result is an extraordinary garden composed with an artist's, anthropologist's, and botanist's sensibilities blended in to a series of sublime compositions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNWTLPdpAfmXIupQCCrriIuQNDj5ZzCSFteRaC9oFP5WtKiKEclIguumh2iK0m5KO8Wq0mir-FVBdvp1WEuSb2z8vw-z7OXfPhxbq8bjxOwBbVuAxfR4y_m5AqiTntYmAEUEqIDDCp-zP/s1600/P1120614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNWTLPdpAfmXIupQCCrriIuQNDj5ZzCSFteRaC9oFP5WtKiKEclIguumh2iK0m5KO8Wq0mir-FVBdvp1WEuSb2z8vw-z7OXfPhxbq8bjxOwBbVuAxfR4y_m5AqiTntYmAEUEqIDDCp-zP/s640/P1120614.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A green decomposed stone path, edged in steel forms a path through useful native trees in the garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BzAxRiUrEJhXYMyQKHIzMG79yLIoLZ92tjKx6zb_xE0YJKFjvzda6XFHKGSCZEBCVacDayaJHiWiQ963FFQYHPWHQZIQK-d_W8ff2tF7apmjMlzHjHsF7p4DUhs8b1gxLdA97sfsadSZ/s1600/P1130011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BzAxRiUrEJhXYMyQKHIzMG79yLIoLZ92tjKx6zb_xE0YJKFjvzda6XFHKGSCZEBCVacDayaJHiWiQ963FFQYHPWHQZIQK-d_W8ff2tF7apmjMlzHjHsF7p4DUhs8b1gxLdA97sfsadSZ/s640/P1130011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A steel basin and rill modeled on a design from Zapotec design from Mitla designed by Luis Zarate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGzWcvuDL_oqH7cPRO_eCJjxQrhILeJAGQg-Ug-JwTVN6W3jPi2ksBXwHp9N9WF6cNqD5HwwBS5V3ox7yzB0br8eyzUapbizT4K9ImHSBhS_Bw3HjHEhgCuhTJeDqNh0YrE-tIE0hGfpS/s1600/P1120337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGzWcvuDL_oqH7cPRO_eCJjxQrhILeJAGQg-Ug-JwTVN6W3jPi2ksBXwHp9N9WF6cNqD5HwwBS5V3ox7yzB0br8eyzUapbizT4K9ImHSBhS_Bw3HjHEhgCuhTJeDqNh0YrE-tIE0hGfpS/s640/P1120337.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior wall in the Grupo de las Columnas, Mitla</td></tr>
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The garden was originally designed to be entered from a courtyard on the church's plaza, where a thick rectangular plinth fountain designed by Francisco Toledo is made of native Montezuma Cypress clad in mica, a thin, shiny mineral. The fountain has a Mitla inspired "step fret" design cut out of it, and water died red with Cochineal drips over it. This entrance was closed and moved to a back street corner after several rare plants and cuttings were stolen from the garden. Visiting the garden can only be done on a tour now in order to prevent that from happening again. There are tours in Spanish and less frequently in English, which are very comprehensive and well guided. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Or5zTYxxmVSw_EQXULALaUu9db-3Du2763yVuJK6mqRSN1iqTC5B5svFD3rlKsWXrerrK3I1SCdoKAa1fHcEigKOzZTAet4apjuiZZUc248CNKR1_DRPMCp3kFt8gWe30w1VXA-GqURl/s1600/jardin-etnobotanico-de-oaxaca_7639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Or5zTYxxmVSw_EQXULALaUu9db-3Du2763yVuJK6mqRSN1iqTC5B5svFD3rlKsWXrerrK3I1SCdoKAa1fHcEigKOzZTAet4apjuiZZUc248CNKR1_DRPMCp3kFt8gWe30w1VXA-GqURl/s640/jardin-etnobotanico-de-oaxaca_7639.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sangre de Mitla Fountain by Francisco Toledo Photo by Dana Gallagher</td></tr>
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There is an interesting library with a focus on botany, agriculture, and art near the entrance where you can do research or linger while you wait for the tour to depart.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleJkZRevlVSSYgk0MSeGOFJWLhWTOLnEIuJyO_fYNEM9Il-U9U6SHqSueUxPs0J-O6wEUwhQum3vn1SB3SNZuNZLfW6LmI99phFxTQ8g5W6wU64rTnBd0ZsgbHscX0cnlgbxpRgvDt-ov/s1600/P1120112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleJkZRevlVSSYgk0MSeGOFJWLhWTOLnEIuJyO_fYNEM9Il-U9U6SHqSueUxPs0J-O6wEUwhQum3vn1SB3SNZuNZLfW6LmI99phFxTQ8g5W6wU64rTnBd0ZsgbHscX0cnlgbxpRgvDt-ov/s640/P1120112.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A book on the garden designs of artist Luis Zárate in the library</td></tr>
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When the tour of the garden finally begins, two of the first trees you encounter are an Amate Fig, <i>Ficus tecolutensis</i>, who's bark was used for making paper before the Spanish arrived (extensive information at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amate), and a Montezuma Cypress, <i>Taxodium mucronatum</i>. These magestic trees, related to the Bald Cypress of the swampy South Eastern United States can grow to great age and size.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P2Xv9TdVWjTFD5BZ0iQP5YUN5p8-LH_zsDoE8Onr7J_NnIbD2QZuFrjH-ouSo-tFxyOk4alJc_wU3_uxs-D3Af_NQJfKwPjViD9Wm9V2NnVEhUcxKZyt4N6zqlenPj-3LbfIMh9l_6y6/s1600/P1110747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P2Xv9TdVWjTFD5BZ0iQP5YUN5p8-LH_zsDoE8Onr7J_NnIbD2QZuFrjH-ouSo-tFxyOk4alJc_wU3_uxs-D3Af_NQJfKwPjViD9Wm9V2NnVEhUcxKZyt4N6zqlenPj-3LbfIMh9l_6y6/s640/P1110747.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Amate Tree and Montezuma Cypress and a bed of prehistoric Horsetails, <i>Equisetum myriochaetum</i></td></tr>
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In fact the tree said to have the widest trunk in the world is a famous Montezuma Cypress growing in the town of El Tule, southeast of Oaxaca on the road to Mitla. I remember getting off the bus here 30 years ago and being astounded by the fantastic sight of this 1,500 year old tree, that is 11 meters across (35 feet) at the base at its widest point. A well watered park now surrounds the tree and supports its need for moisture as the water table of the area drops because of extraction from wells.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgTsManSC49IcflpyPL1P34H9dE1sJgymfF00PIqXFflur8rBMXhNsD3t3icpGstD7ljuKHDQrAy81r5Gh6dt-ZpFbOpRPItArMjNKaf0nETEFuY6fqeD1C4nm2CPlg6KvQkq_TvQPGK7/s1600/P1120192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgTsManSC49IcflpyPL1P34H9dE1sJgymfF00PIqXFflur8rBMXhNsD3t3icpGstD7ljuKHDQrAy81r5Gh6dt-ZpFbOpRPItArMjNKaf0nETEFuY6fqeD1C4nm2CPlg6KvQkq_TvQPGK7/s640/P1120192.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The massive trunk of El Arbol del Tule</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk865phA1lH6N4ELKCUbl2vvkiy5wuZRt8jpCFoIJIuXSxNBUIt2wYVElKZo_xs5D4vjd9y_ez_h_I7_53VqfaJE8NXMXzwHav1TmWBa-VomjTCTTpue-xyAhDY1TP-qBT1fj8ggb7OV2e/s1600/P1120211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk865phA1lH6N4ELKCUbl2vvkiy5wuZRt8jpCFoIJIuXSxNBUIt2wYVElKZo_xs5D4vjd9y_ez_h_I7_53VqfaJE8NXMXzwHav1TmWBa-VomjTCTTpue-xyAhDY1TP-qBT1fj8ggb7OV2e/s640/P1120211.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Arbol del Tule</td></tr>
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Back in Oaxaca, a path below the imposing walls of the monastery leads to an innovative arrangement of yellow and red stones interplanted in small agaves, cacti, and recumbent desert plants. The stones are separated by a linear gap that mimicks the irrigation rills that have been excavated around the site.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4yxKQJmGzXft5WlRiba90Cpxs3HL7k-aO134A9bXjH9l2H6eS1fQJjyHrMuptBUz3Zho0hnmWXx_VMvHlQylz5WPPlcOODzLdiHaR4g7oG08mENCDbB-5TUeP4keLM4T8S1eVCseUilo/s1600/P1120613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4yxKQJmGzXft5WlRiba90Cpxs3HL7k-aO134A9bXjH9l2H6eS1fQJjyHrMuptBUz3Zho0hnmWXx_VMvHlQylz5WPPlcOODzLdiHaR4g7oG08mENCDbB-5TUeP4keLM4T8S1eVCseUilo/s640/P1120613.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow and red stones are arranged to create a dramatic pallet studded with small desert plants</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2bFbFDgavqpor23v4MXcQc6bVKbNd7u1U_4OThgyl-lwhtYTtN7DNMhCD5OfGkC4syRafOzK_63qh74juOig1wK7y6NKq8UQ1Rg7W-YGCAJeRin0_Qfy48hoA5S4PzOjPSnQcG4bm7rX/s1600/P1110794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2bFbFDgavqpor23v4MXcQc6bVKbNd7u1U_4OThgyl-lwhtYTtN7DNMhCD5OfGkC4syRafOzK_63qh74juOig1wK7y6NKq8UQ1Rg7W-YGCAJeRin0_Qfy48hoA5S4PzOjPSnQcG4bm7rX/s640/P1110794.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Further along the path are native Plumeria trees underplanted with beautiful Vriesia bromeliads surrounded by rough stones that set off the plants and create an ecosystem similar to their native habitat. The largest possible trees were transplanted in to the garden when it was built to give it a more mature character. A lot of experimentation was required as they didn't have much previous experience moving large trees in the region. Many of the plants have been rescued from road building and construction projects.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_B7KllPHDFt-UErjQCSxSXJvfCF_8P2OMkG0wQ2iFQSx4HskA7tOn2cIUFF9pmr7HVqEM461aiLXR-Ioe2x874W4VV_1QA1Jh8MfPaqHipI8ezuKnwjyvnGtzAkZAYvOCRZYeW21zhnIh/s1600/P1110601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_B7KllPHDFt-UErjQCSxSXJvfCF_8P2OMkG0wQ2iFQSx4HskA7tOn2cIUFF9pmr7HVqEM461aiLXR-Ioe2x874W4VV_1QA1Jh8MfPaqHipI8ezuKnwjyvnGtzAkZAYvOCRZYeW21zhnIh/s640/P1110601.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plumerias and Vriesia Bromeliads</td></tr>
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Oaxaca state has the largest number of Plumeria species in the world. These trees are popular ornamentals throughout the tropical and sub tropical world, prized for their fragrant flowers, sometimes called Frangipani. The fragrance, most powerful at night, lures Sphinx moths as pollinators, even though they contain no nectar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf6WisUtF9ccjlf2teFiNOsKCUUDOEUTNr0z6sZ7b1Qw3BR1IWPP-0IPtAXO_jUGSgPXtwvNhDMCjR1DdHdVYG4MiFCy4EA99hwHIS2dD8wGWTRzP0PwRWH4KTD7VkNtC4RjPrHvROkuN/s1600/P1110616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf6WisUtF9ccjlf2teFiNOsKCUUDOEUTNr0z6sZ7b1Qw3BR1IWPP-0IPtAXO_jUGSgPXtwvNhDMCjR1DdHdVYG4MiFCy4EA99hwHIS2dD8wGWTRzP0PwRWH4KTD7VkNtC4RjPrHvROkuN/s640/P1110616.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bare branches of Plumeria trees in winter contrast dramatically with Yuccas, Agaves and Cacti in the garden</td></tr>
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Plants in the garden were arranged to recreate bioregions and to convey cultural uses. Local farmers and healers were enlisted to locate and collect specimens for the project. There is a vegetable garden featuring plants that have been cultivated for hundreds of years, including squash grown in a raised bed oriented in the direction of the site near Mitla where the ancient seeds were found.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Un_vv45eEpooKNtU6mhV1PYqAaimgYMUOqWtvxab1Z_qTyh4KsKK5_B8brBoSGMBewh1oH0PO-SUhyCDGiMy4n3SJo5yxdoWU-zHbDHDLd9V_MN_SokKo3OBfKa4YjciN2Q5o5SAzqdP/s1600/P1120081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Un_vv45eEpooKNtU6mhV1PYqAaimgYMUOqWtvxab1Z_qTyh4KsKK5_B8brBoSGMBewh1oH0PO-SUhyCDGiMy4n3SJo5yxdoWU-zHbDHDLd9V_MN_SokKo3OBfKa4YjciN2Q5o5SAzqdP/s640/P1120081.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cultivated squash seeds found near Mitla date back to 10,000 years ago</td></tr>
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It is possible that the Oaxaca Valley was the first place where corn was cultivated as a crop, over time becoming a primary staple food for indigenous people over much of the Western Hemisphere.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuERe1TCmeNcRqWhpJAP5gigYQ3ATppexz9QGcPgfRlgv22FDXFXgAMzD0zd_zFes8n1KiuOuU2PL1MOh_CEiSIm1HlqIDw8dJxW9I_7f2WD08W2QajMdtrAfpuUSNBdUh7owe-2q1Qca/s1600/P1120093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuERe1TCmeNcRqWhpJAP5gigYQ3ATppexz9QGcPgfRlgv22FDXFXgAMzD0zd_zFes8n1KiuOuU2PL1MOh_CEiSIm1HlqIDw8dJxW9I_7f2WD08W2QajMdtrAfpuUSNBdUh7owe-2q1Qca/s640/P1120093.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stepped walls and river stone pavement frames beds of corn</td></tr>
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Useful plants grown in this part of the garden include Hierba de Conejo (Rabbit Herb) <i>Cynoglossum officinale</i>, a medicinal and culinary herb. Marigolds have been cultivated for centuries to use as a dye, an insect repellent, and for ceremonial decorations. The odor of corpses is masked by the sweet fragrance of Tuberoses. Chia, from the Salvia family is used to make a gelatinous drink. The name of the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico is derived from the Chia plant. 56 varieties of Chili are grown in Mexico.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xJD7M6ENwYnDvQypPa7u3wQBghpp0Ldg5oI6MMDvuvf6rxlW_e5tCjjw5_2qOE7RV1NgwAoraPQiclPFeDfZls31wnMkmR8V1y_I7-hwcgUcJ2JlV1Wh-LF7afwO6Yy3jItyApn5_4TG/s1600/P1130019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xJD7M6ENwYnDvQypPa7u3wQBghpp0Ldg5oI6MMDvuvf6rxlW_e5tCjjw5_2qOE7RV1NgwAoraPQiclPFeDfZls31wnMkmR8V1y_I7-hwcgUcJ2JlV1Wh-LF7afwO6Yy3jItyApn5_4TG/s640/P1130019.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plants historically used in agriculture in the Oaxaca region, including chiles and marigolds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfSZJM9b5N4LTA9mDpbmIrJOOLC4RhJht-3VORQFERcow5Syfl1_nKaM6BFKjhJz0wcNcDxG9TOf_IUnfF2aZL8_Z_2yTVa9oxniGNIRKigvT2f7UlsUgFEm40z7qmVC5cdBLzkpzRxIh/s1600/P1110780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfSZJM9b5N4LTA9mDpbmIrJOOLC4RhJht-3VORQFERcow5Syfl1_nKaM6BFKjhJz0wcNcDxG9TOf_IUnfF2aZL8_Z_2yTVa9oxniGNIRKigvT2f7UlsUgFEm40z7qmVC5cdBLzkpzRxIh/s640/P1110780.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Introducing new plants to the garden</td></tr>
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Some of the most striking plantings in the garden are the rows of Organ Pipe Cacti. Traditionally used as a living fence, the cacti are planted close together in lines, which when grown in create an impenetrable wall. Over a period of 2,000 years, forms of the cacti were selected to domesticate the thornless plants seen today. In the garden they have been used to great affect to create alleys and a dramatic backdrop to a reflecting pool. A black hair dye is made by boiling pieces of these cacti.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_y2uemD2emDb2RMTpEBevlWj6Ypoz08zkzWAARsqA-QMb3mtU4-ljHLfztWGRoTIsbcTe5z7EBfL0kfogy2WCiqUNeieTQrZkQRGcc6DgpAsRjJviRUiQsP_FDBXSnH-4Kdq-Lz9Z6jYm/s1600/P1110809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_y2uemD2emDb2RMTpEBevlWj6Ypoz08zkzWAARsqA-QMb3mtU4-ljHLfztWGRoTIsbcTe5z7EBfL0kfogy2WCiqUNeieTQrZkQRGcc6DgpAsRjJviRUiQsP_FDBXSnH-4Kdq-Lz9Z6jYm/s640/P1110809.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organ Pipe Cacti <i>Stenocereus thurberi </i>reflecting in a pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JE_6c1BjTLA-nuBKJuMy8z4qqEVE09Vu4v7xZA35t6vF2hLam68F0tNueLJI1GUuMrv4paUnoQG1Z0Lfpx3LcnTFbpReNAka5xhzLtSMcH-vaWd-DBSfi4yREV291Qz7zC61lg_WPFRJ/s1600/P1110829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JE_6c1BjTLA-nuBKJuMy8z4qqEVE09Vu4v7xZA35t6vF2hLam68F0tNueLJI1GUuMrv4paUnoQG1Z0Lfpx3LcnTFbpReNAka5xhzLtSMcH-vaWd-DBSfi4yREV291Qz7zC61lg_WPFRJ/s640/P1110829.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rows of Organ Pipe Cacti frame the foundation of a ruined structure</td></tr>
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The cacti also make an interesting punctuational contrast to the shapes of less linear plants and relate in a vertical way to the linear paths. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxJeK5elaerA5pGJwPzIE_-sV3OSNaJfCRBW8Y64cviDS6gVMllrhRvhRU7JjNrxmtlEkTBaVv6Diqup9wFX1_QukYCFevHiZ_BV0PwxXFjDM9srQa9cnWUFWC8ukFd2JXD9iFarbXiB_/s1600/P1110624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxJeK5elaerA5pGJwPzIE_-sV3OSNaJfCRBW8Y64cviDS6gVMllrhRvhRU7JjNrxmtlEkTBaVv6Diqup9wFX1_QukYCFevHiZ_BV0PwxXFjDM9srQa9cnWUFWC8ukFd2JXD9iFarbXiB_/s640/P1110624.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plumerias, Prickly Pear Cactus, Yuccas and Agaves contrast with walls of Organ Pipe Cacti</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mVIa7-EKuczZapP5rdNp0pnxxG7FF4srNlXUBOyjbaPd7wEwrHFQ1mA_ggBTgY4-p00l_kqHDTjV2cllOOobQrWNanwqCGvuGJuMT6Mu0PMZ2o216QMZPTq5xcu6PfMWauY_x636mzss/s1600/P1110857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mVIa7-EKuczZapP5rdNp0pnxxG7FF4srNlXUBOyjbaPd7wEwrHFQ1mA_ggBTgY4-p00l_kqHDTjV2cllOOobQrWNanwqCGvuGJuMT6Mu0PMZ2o216QMZPTq5xcu6PfMWauY_x636mzss/s640/P1110857.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organ Pipe Cacti form a narrow alley framing a Bignonia tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtP_vkUKKrrL4kDUDW7KdE4UWkMJyw-Ed5RSgtcbjHTrZPdLNTF6dsY_RufLCF6qYETiZaN1ODUZziv2jCEpDn9MtvN5OpztwRqUtKN4qdh4fkJML0treSvudwkcKcc5fOhEC8PXPBP1c/s1600/P1110833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtP_vkUKKrrL4kDUDW7KdE4UWkMJyw-Ed5RSgtcbjHTrZPdLNTF6dsY_RufLCF6qYETiZaN1ODUZziv2jCEpDn9MtvN5OpztwRqUtKN4qdh4fkJML0treSvudwkcKcc5fOhEC8PXPBP1c/s640/P1110833.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organ Pipe Cacti and two species of Prickly Pear against the backdrop of the Monastery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9BOoGccBO2_FrqBshdkHTJNFEPbAki4wo98Zl2dW6BqS-C58inHl4R7bEZVDUhZ9Jce0UJ7aOlijAJxyrFLz8_fVYqwYBQTU4tJJvOcaxbYFps6mmePNTSmEVBkkODHlPJVnALVC7xvl/s1600/P1110861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9BOoGccBO2_FrqBshdkHTJNFEPbAki4wo98Zl2dW6BqS-C58inHl4R7bEZVDUhZ9Jce0UJ7aOlijAJxyrFLz8_fVYqwYBQTU4tJJvOcaxbYFps6mmePNTSmEVBkkODHlPJVnALVC7xvl/s640/P1110861.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of a Prickly Pear Cactus Pad</td></tr>
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Turning past the corner of the Monastery is a square bed planted with native Cycads. There are some 20 known species of Cycads native to the state. These prehistoric plants that date from the early Permian era 820 million years ago are gymnosperms, meaning that they have seeds that do not have shells or skins, and are open to the air for pollination. The primitive flowers are usually pollinated by beetles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRImGRo2s-0c0KBzqGG2QG7wO712uKAfCl9P1FWx7pnnBNmdve-7hPo7KFfpqs3hf18pf5Jntrm-cc6rjEMlH0djEeAqgGVfnup3l7D6u9BpAtO7yUMekMnvIU7g8lqG-aIEMHx-ehB1I/s1600/P1120689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRImGRo2s-0c0KBzqGG2QG7wO712uKAfCl9P1FWx7pnnBNmdve-7hPo7KFfpqs3hf18pf5Jntrm-cc6rjEMlH0djEeAqgGVfnup3l7D6u9BpAtO7yUMekMnvIU7g8lqG-aIEMHx-ehB1I/s640/P1120689.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bed of Cycads mulched in pink stones simulates the environment that they are proned to grow in</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-hzqoraPwn9eRmUvi6lV8RLdmZC0pf4w8lAz9AI47N_jsOYulJyt7hjbK6QEFYZArHxFDKss3gzzWf-rzL0E12MbwAGexW4AzuuZYF8kGcLJqI-N2Ap-aitiJm-tJCRyy8OPlZM4S4UI/s1600/P1110930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-hzqoraPwn9eRmUvi6lV8RLdmZC0pf4w8lAz9AI47N_jsOYulJyt7hjbK6QEFYZArHxFDKss3gzzWf-rzL0E12MbwAGexW4AzuuZYF8kGcLJqI-N2Ap-aitiJm-tJCRyy8OPlZM4S4UI/s640/P1110930.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unopened Cycad cones</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1FFyW4lbrhDXJp9Wqiu5zI9eVgwYiXRMb3TDuSzbvYneyis-yNf8VdWc6Lzv6G_ScmOm4QpVxO6nsCIGxWqmKnJfgLTZDA42xXU3cuq30hswZq8aflxoNa4WfoIClyFOTu5rYJniegy6/s1600/P1110889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1FFyW4lbrhDXJp9Wqiu5zI9eVgwYiXRMb3TDuSzbvYneyis-yNf8VdWc6Lzv6G_ScmOm4QpVxO6nsCIGxWqmKnJfgLTZDA42xXU3cuq30hswZq8aflxoNa4WfoIClyFOTu5rYJniegy6/s640/P1110889.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A silvery blue species of Cycad</td></tr>
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Looking back to the Monastery, is a beautiful cluster of native palms and <i>Beaucarnea</i> Pony tail Palms. The arrangement of plants takes advantage of their sculptural character, texture and color to make for handsome compositions in harmony with rough stones and ground covering plants.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM3UnuOEEqENpYf8510D4cIQj2d6wSMrvqYTZzQlYNu2jPEyRIEVChfQpWQ_SbUUUTrWBuf5ly2oDb18ZRCd91XzgAXHPJVqtYNu2qbw1FpEC3Oar3zEj3YcZbUlsbRlqEGXe6_J5htZD/s1600/P1110871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAM3UnuOEEqENpYf8510D4cIQj2d6wSMrvqYTZzQlYNu2jPEyRIEVChfQpWQ_SbUUUTrWBuf5ly2oDb18ZRCd91XzgAXHPJVqtYNu2qbw1FpEC3Oar3zEj3YcZbUlsbRlqEGXe6_J5htZD/s640/P1110871.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beucarnia Pony Tail Palms and Fan Palms in a corner of the garden</td></tr>
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Water is distributed throughout the garden using traditional rills. These add an architectural element to the garden similar to the way they are used in Spain and North Africa, but here they contrast with the sculptural forms of native Oaxacan plants.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyWzFADByenFRqcD0I2A2nSzSB8HmdhwYpx-jQeBd7vC6ikUj6X7F8mNcQcStxHM7OG-aOGD1IU2jTTKZ3lacdYxB1da714nwKN00IRw_jvBDESuWDffko2dDmO5ix1PUamKf8kcRApCn/s1600/P1110924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyWzFADByenFRqcD0I2A2nSzSB8HmdhwYpx-jQeBd7vC6ikUj6X7F8mNcQcStxHM7OG-aOGD1IU2jTTKZ3lacdYxB1da714nwKN00IRw_jvBDESuWDffko2dDmO5ix1PUamKf8kcRApCn/s640/P1110924.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A row of small Agave species line a rill. Oaxaca has more species of Agaves and Cycads than any other region of the planet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbF0Mmo3kbFjCk77hnzvz7uHfaN5WMOGSUXVWB3d5XN5tHQbOLgfJfXPuBBVhn3a0x09l_E0Zhvwe0ImN3Kwmv-G3EEvDT4S-vMfm61h3ebNcMNP7USBz_w2-yGBJql12-MNF1-BGe6iWd/s1600/P1110626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbF0Mmo3kbFjCk77hnzvz7uHfaN5WMOGSUXVWB3d5XN5tHQbOLgfJfXPuBBVhn3a0x09l_E0Zhvwe0ImN3Kwmv-G3EEvDT4S-vMfm61h3ebNcMNP7USBz_w2-yGBJql12-MNF1-BGe6iWd/s640/P1110626.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall Yuccas and masses of Agaves create dramatic compositions in the desert garden</td></tr>
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For me the desert areas of the garden are the most dramatic. The striking forms of the plants, spiky, linear, and sculptural are arranged to great affect. On the tour I was always lagging behind in order to take photos without a cluster of people in the shots. The guide told a number of stories relating to the various plants and their cultural uses. The desert plants receive no irrigation once they are established. The stone and gravel mulches help provide the drainage and warmth the plants are accustomed to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQB6Ew935ntYJV2bGyST8xY_cjofPLfDk4gnKSl72pIjuUafvE1PVnoMrzZcqK2TLSydX0TOVl6rDiadstmbJkf_1g0QPtJ3BXtmKK58yRuD8mTxuN7MBxgV4ZLHx4rddBge_lSOwTN9iJ/s1600/P1110621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQB6Ew935ntYJV2bGyST8xY_cjofPLfDk4gnKSl72pIjuUafvE1PVnoMrzZcqK2TLSydX0TOVl6rDiadstmbJkf_1g0QPtJ3BXtmKK58yRuD8mTxuN7MBxgV4ZLHx4rddBge_lSOwTN9iJ/s640/P1110621.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The architectural forms of a variety desert plants</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFyhnFAYGTwVdHD88fQTAjpQJFn5N7VNcOTsvgUmdoNUslD03CIE_eXjyVy1ExifYaK6UY38iIxrkcIJKOSi_t3F7Kthd_SREvkncNUIgjy25XCfv4eyMOVVvz93LzVOzSpf2a03GTTtj/s1600/P1110864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFyhnFAYGTwVdHD88fQTAjpQJFn5N7VNcOTsvgUmdoNUslD03CIE_eXjyVy1ExifYaK6UY38iIxrkcIJKOSi_t3F7Kthd_SREvkncNUIgjy25XCfv4eyMOVVvz93LzVOzSpf2a03GTTtj/s640/P1110864.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agaves, Hechtia Bromeliads, and Cacti</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPhtHFzjw44MN0fkqQYqMr0wNlO13N5yGLvjwJxPkrfOzSTwbrloDSv3lg8To-gA8HZuHTa0QAYEpEe3z0JLV33gDgjncFefOtye3briCo3rC1ppz-G86Jdp5ylk2ADY3OAniQIx-PYE6/s1600/P1110880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPhtHFzjw44MN0fkqQYqMr0wNlO13N5yGLvjwJxPkrfOzSTwbrloDSv3lg8To-gA8HZuHTa0QAYEpEe3z0JLV33gDgjncFefOtye3briCo3rC1ppz-G86Jdp5ylk2ADY3OAniQIx-PYE6/s640/P1110880.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautifully composed groupings of cacti and desert plants contrast with the straight lines of the fretwork paths</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQQG_CwXk1mY5tVbiWxiMpkH4u_TpJNbrMrbrhDIiqL1SjHVnB51IYx2h_niUuQzUUSNrWiJMx3zlywOWGJ7Nz0JComvHrGGqxzhPzOOA0qdDg1680wXz4YJaMd4L7V-feCxL7at_NQQ-/s1600/P1110918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQQG_CwXk1mY5tVbiWxiMpkH4u_TpJNbrMrbrhDIiqL1SjHVnB51IYx2h_niUuQzUUSNrWiJMx3zlywOWGJ7Nz0JComvHrGGqxzhPzOOA0qdDg1680wXz4YJaMd4L7V-feCxL7at_NQQ-/s640/P1110918.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Biznaga, or Barrel Cactus estimated to be over 600 years old was rescued from a road construction site and moved to the garden</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuw6UVPRIaG4VzR2LP-ElQ9NS0PWicyIzJ7xniquyNm9skrxk7fz1xNdD7IZ3SmVjF_Y1iLIX9_3sQuwdemaAjd0x6FY2i0-uXy_QkpuqhbfXtbVfd-m2fvOgBq8Cujo67HAwaV_GzyFNV/s1600/P1110896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuw6UVPRIaG4VzR2LP-ElQ9NS0PWicyIzJ7xniquyNm9skrxk7fz1xNdD7IZ3SmVjF_Y1iLIX9_3sQuwdemaAjd0x6FY2i0-uXy_QkpuqhbfXtbVfd-m2fvOgBq8Cujo67HAwaV_GzyFNV/s640/P1110896.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close up of the spined ridges of the Barrel Cactus, Biznaga</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8chR63jGtOSFfJQP3HACEc-yyCJbwr7rb3-s3KEbIJFEur7M7S1lLWxZaURC76YVSJxEEZ0IDnIhx1kyKloW_VwgEcY_PkBFKjtOGyHbfOxe_luVTCUfOQp3MvMb2Inu5_kgcFSpslMSJ/s1600/P1110841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8chR63jGtOSFfJQP3HACEc-yyCJbwr7rb3-s3KEbIJFEur7M7S1lLWxZaURC76YVSJxEEZ0IDnIhx1kyKloW_VwgEcY_PkBFKjtOGyHbfOxe_luVTCUfOQp3MvMb2Inu5_kgcFSpslMSJ/s640/P1110841.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More species of Agaves are found in Oaxaca State than any other region on Earth</td></tr>
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The sculptural form of desert plants is used to great effect in the garden, arranged in staggered rows or massed together, Agaves are very dramatic in form, as are yuccas, cacti and palms, and can be arranged to make for wonderful compositions. Added meaning is implied in compositions reminiscent of how these plants would appear in a cultivated setting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YbkBt8h3xvLI368l8pP-3e5ZCQ4dZWUiTBUtmXNtp60tPe_gO_W4yrQLhncg3J-qP7V12SnfNsDd1g3kwNkuBXeq6NwadLBfRS42YIBmH1fEqO_nQQdtfFeQ-OakcULehsLc6wwO5JYN/s1600/P1120687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YbkBt8h3xvLI368l8pP-3e5ZCQ4dZWUiTBUtmXNtp60tPe_gO_W4yrQLhncg3J-qP7V12SnfNsDd1g3kwNkuBXeq6NwadLBfRS42YIBmH1fEqO_nQQdtfFeQ-OakcULehsLc6wwO5JYN/s640/P1120687.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clumps of Agave stricta contrasting the stepped line of the green rock dust path</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRovDWKXyvOVUL4XnbiuOMOY159MCKjIRmTePzxJdfyEj6SF7luqTQBsoqhbxhGAHew7WWrHchvuSD0aEivcT7iySaag5NcnamWmurLr3PSkulSxM5kMcKbV0PnqRYJggGoWK_j5-vQTIF/s1600/P1110941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRovDWKXyvOVUL4XnbiuOMOY159MCKjIRmTePzxJdfyEj6SF7luqTQBsoqhbxhGAHew7WWrHchvuSD0aEivcT7iySaag5NcnamWmurLr3PSkulSxM5kMcKbV0PnqRYJggGoWK_j5-vQTIF/s640/P1110941.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful clump of Agave stricta</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnA0dTndzUrshwBjtv0HTLjNuvg1cKAaXVphfMsO_7Eg4xZg42Yk78z9_jR5Lw0unyr_w5oIFw6jHf_Nl4XfoTlbD6jDMNNaSuZwLQUYhTGcv0OatU8r_50tIgomf8smVuWz0teLJn5xdb/s1600/P1110865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnA0dTndzUrshwBjtv0HTLjNuvg1cKAaXVphfMsO_7Eg4xZg42Yk78z9_jR5Lw0unyr_w5oIFw6jHf_Nl4XfoTlbD6jDMNNaSuZwLQUYhTGcv0OatU8r_50tIgomf8smVuWz0teLJn5xdb/s640/P1110865.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fantastic array of plant forms arranged in a painterly manner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIEY2hrBDXUYRJmW-G9yIH8QzboGAFR7CTslRdBUJuBxCFUwNcFsVRagxyk1yLw258ZsZF0XFvOGOXl1DFyre8a-nMVnsdG88Mmvyn5zoyPTNOacxeHWpfekIAKHA60OqCbjcnj4swaCO/s1600/P1110625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIEY2hrBDXUYRJmW-G9yIH8QzboGAFR7CTslRdBUJuBxCFUwNcFsVRagxyk1yLw258ZsZF0XFvOGOXl1DFyre8a-nMVnsdG88Mmvyn5zoyPTNOacxeHWpfekIAKHA60OqCbjcnj4swaCO/s640/P1110625.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the desert garden from an opening on the upper floor of the Monastery</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsps9Oski6o6V4JZcs_76XrYP-pYdjcTVh8Nvc3tp2_KIw0VWDussToo9N0E9cZUHkBB6jkAaObAaiRP8rVuLsYZVGPnb9Lv17ZO6ZlwNm1tCI-F6vQIGAvEF_CIbA22hxJXTwOR8ihzU/s1600/P1110831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsps9Oski6o6V4JZcs_76XrYP-pYdjcTVh8Nvc3tp2_KIw0VWDussToo9N0E9cZUHkBB6jkAaObAaiRP8rVuLsYZVGPnb9Lv17ZO6ZlwNm1tCI-F6vQIGAvEF_CIbA22hxJXTwOR8ihzU/s640/P1110831.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue green paddles of Prickly Pear contrast with Organ Pipe Cacti</td></tr>
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Mezcal is an alcoholic drink made from the roasted hearts of Maguey. Many types of Agave are grown extensively in the Oaxaca Valley. The most common species used for Mezcal in the Oaxaca region is Agave angustifolia, the Small Sword Agave. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jx5PmbAk32srOqL9-UHmfkqxAzwaI4n_ZfZM6NrzzBBecw5xAnP1DvzP7g47xEwhWZoRr7PwcfUwD6ndCCvgXTYoDRov92eeXn5GVdQtZ2Cb90nzzySW4_jv_wRuBpvP9TUGmrX3rF0L/s1600/P1110817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jx5PmbAk32srOqL9-UHmfkqxAzwaI4n_ZfZM6NrzzBBecw5xAnP1DvzP7g47xEwhWZoRr7PwcfUwD6ndCCvgXTYoDRov92eeXn5GVdQtZ2Cb90nzzySW4_jv_wRuBpvP9TUGmrX3rF0L/s640/P1110817.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maguey Agaves </td></tr>
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The outer leaves are cut off and the heart of the plant, called a Piña, is cooked in a stone lined and covered cooking pit. They become juicy and can then be pressed. The liquid is distilled, producing a smoky spirit that comes in a broad range of variety and quality. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HyFFEB3zhOLyhdd_WDkFceMgmJzxLiTTMd1ZiPFrFSknAmnM0sQ_dRvcTbcwK6VVtIvLhcvko-ss2bav94aU0A_XQudNPB85x7TLh1KMUUvHYzewX5Zb4AzW0eajG5Wk2i_8OD5tjtTE/s1600/P1120536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HyFFEB3zhOLyhdd_WDkFceMgmJzxLiTTMd1ZiPFrFSknAmnM0sQ_dRvcTbcwK6VVtIvLhcvko-ss2bav94aU0A_XQudNPB85x7TLh1KMUUvHYzewX5Zb4AzW0eajG5Wk2i_8OD5tjtTE/s640/P1120536.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hearts, or Piña of the Agave before pit roasting at a distillery in Santiago Matatlán</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKRBOiXsIgrFi3mmApNlQvsJTNg_9AKcCdlOZUHqpUsXNrN3QOpWIvmwjbR972JrI75Dk6ImI1xyX6M15hJlexSbDYaQ7GJWtCKx1bXsgfLUjY3Ks0pFfRRPwQXQW6s1deZZQJxEsOvzq/s1600/P1110816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKRBOiXsIgrFi3mmApNlQvsJTNg_9AKcCdlOZUHqpUsXNrN3QOpWIvmwjbR972JrI75Dk6ImI1xyX6M15hJlexSbDYaQ7GJWtCKx1bXsgfLUjY3Ks0pFfRRPwQXQW6s1deZZQJxEsOvzq/s640/P1110816.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large flat stones in the garden may have been intended for seating as well as their sculptural form</td></tr>
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The center of the garden features a rectangular reflecting pool. I don't know if this is a water reservoir used to irrigate the garden or if its purpose is purely ornamental.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCb9GJpYnFvun4-EHNkIc3jBN4cgHGTygQiriY13K5jFB4Zv53kPJhlZymkSUmDGY0vwUpc3SDWskILE5IbNIr1ex1qd3K88JCHR40z93x0YcgbFZnr76nB8YrG018NanRDSy2FdYmSWyy/s1600/P1110812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCb9GJpYnFvun4-EHNkIc3jBN4cgHGTygQiriY13K5jFB4Zv53kPJhlZymkSUmDGY0vwUpc3SDWskILE5IbNIr1ex1qd3K88JCHR40z93x0YcgbFZnr76nB8YrG018NanRDSy2FdYmSWyy/s640/P1110812.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organ Pipe Cacti frame a reflecting pool</td></tr>
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The gardens are a popular place to host high profile weddings for families from the capitol, who like to incorporate colorful ceremonies popular in Oaxaca.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6bhJmj2Lp-t29EdqCp9RlMoqMFKtpeLyvwKCQ48n8uOqzzcgM2XMBGLtFm_qvIiTv8oodjdaxrcVhmkC-MEqEMvcvpruQj9mp4WlOy-PBfz5eG_7jAZnPob5iBEJjr74Pgeb2JxvvZuF/s1600/P1130060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6bhJmj2Lp-t29EdqCp9RlMoqMFKtpeLyvwKCQ48n8uOqzzcgM2XMBGLtFm_qvIiTv8oodjdaxrcVhmkC-MEqEMvcvpruQj9mp4WlOy-PBfz5eG_7jAZnPob5iBEJjr74Pgeb2JxvvZuF/s640/P1130060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful setting for the rehearsal for a lavish wedding</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0ZzNAewrXxV_pVdVniigVSHRPIUTv9FQOp8moCXlEbkWPNsTknb4wYtIPyMpwYhpfHSF1VKXORGZEV5JVVMV6rp-Jm6pyLiGfalMtuB9KGMYpxvrI-g4JHzedBo63fLLehzaZA5V1ozw/s1600/P1110875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0ZzNAewrXxV_pVdVniigVSHRPIUTv9FQOp8moCXlEbkWPNsTknb4wYtIPyMpwYhpfHSF1VKXORGZEV5JVVMV6rp-Jm6pyLiGfalMtuB9KGMYpxvrI-g4JHzedBo63fLLehzaZA5V1ozw/s640/P1110875.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon February light in the garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bCdneMsvR7bAdd5oXUA6SJlOQ-UtUWfeNFJyiy2d_w6xo7lTjh5BOrxG-DwbMldEGUFXeUePub_qzmN1g4cec81YNio6T_K6ZXTK0FvytR29b0GoyyPS-FPpQQAMDVigXa4_l49bkEtZ/s1600/P1110908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bCdneMsvR7bAdd5oXUA6SJlOQ-UtUWfeNFJyiy2d_w6xo7lTjh5BOrxG-DwbMldEGUFXeUePub_qzmN1g4cec81YNio6T_K6ZXTK0FvytR29b0GoyyPS-FPpQQAMDVigXa4_l49bkEtZ/s640/P1110908.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A forest of Organ Pipe Cacti</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVszHpr01mjovBYKZ6PS2GvOUbNNwPYBQS_gokKkCGm7irr5eFhoRXg1N3W25EV6-zUKQsylTeY0l45H1qecQ5fZclHgB3JnRdqOznKviQNCbwIwqYg7QoIO_W4zAm-kQoz1PJ-vqpWQX/s1600/P1110919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVszHpr01mjovBYKZ6PS2GvOUbNNwPYBQS_gokKkCGm7irr5eFhoRXg1N3W25EV6-zUKQsylTeY0l45H1qecQ5fZclHgB3JnRdqOznKviQNCbwIwqYg7QoIO_W4zAm-kQoz1PJ-vqpWQX/s640/P1110919.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A prostrate cactus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fzBaD74JMJJrxJK20k8-bX0Ea1RKZEXGuSFsrnAs6Rsc-VrP96yk9NHhwkJGo5R0YHeX1eeK7tdh1Gl0tvnzSfpvxKgW4l9N1QYRCtw67fGQh4tVa51RL1-ZU5xV_T03-okOerIHnr5F/s1600/P1110894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fzBaD74JMJJrxJK20k8-bX0Ea1RKZEXGuSFsrnAs6Rsc-VrP96yk9NHhwkJGo5R0YHeX1eeK7tdh1Gl0tvnzSfpvxKgW4l9N1QYRCtw67fGQh4tVa51RL1-ZU5xV_T03-okOerIHnr5F/s640/P1110894.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you know how to identify any unlabeled cacti in these photos please make a comment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_nGqcpWlcLQzDmB6VS7GALQV0zMjGo5B-mBlZzze9JCrRqIhOqLkKLksUPSMttoWk61GUohf87ymzJ3tBhezlNiTz5BbWNWJzQL994w_L2-lSOfeurrAS5lZhk7LhO6IIR463ybH30OK/s1600/P1110913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_nGqcpWlcLQzDmB6VS7GALQV0zMjGo5B-mBlZzze9JCrRqIhOqLkKLksUPSMttoWk61GUohf87ymzJ3tBhezlNiTz5BbWNWJzQL994w_L2-lSOfeurrAS5lZhk7LhO6IIR463ybH30OK/s640/P1110913.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The zig zag of the fret stepped paths, edged with steel strips, and a variety of stone mulches </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b-IatfVBjuqRsg-l-ubUZS2koXyJUhokpsjyFA-qyQBgKq1N11OSKQYbfzpThwZjhGn1LJmPH2UWOl-U6bLaFl6KzzSL7BsMQ_KxrpGqRP8e9TtAEZSpD2_QlQUg68q3zK8AiSO6HIFQ/s1600/P1110923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b-IatfVBjuqRsg-l-ubUZS2koXyJUhokpsjyFA-qyQBgKq1N11OSKQYbfzpThwZjhGn1LJmPH2UWOl-U6bLaFl6KzzSL7BsMQ_KxrpGqRP8e9TtAEZSpD2_QlQUg68q3zK8AiSO6HIFQ/s640/P1110923.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon light illuminating the garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGC79eB1IOzt8x7e5ILV-FNed1MA6U4NqCsq60qoPJGNCfDkny0ARIzrnhNaOBi2dqhDJ9RmWxvDz-PmOm06fZE94gpv4BCXaS-ZRXNtc8d-f_ys0U7zaJxwewDz8UF5cyqdjBeE1ODkP/s1600/P1110925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGC79eB1IOzt8x7e5ILV-FNed1MA6U4NqCsq60qoPJGNCfDkny0ARIzrnhNaOBi2dqhDJ9RmWxvDz-PmOm06fZE94gpv4BCXaS-ZRXNtc8d-f_ys0U7zaJxwewDz8UF5cyqdjBeE1ODkP/s640/P1110925.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone gutter spouts spill water from the building on to loose stone mosaic panels along the high walls of the monastery</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx2wEAnVlrH7qTH5IvKIigrHX1k6l9cVDYlufjAOiqeMCNzxcLViCG-1XiUzSlb1uo9RvFJZuTb8ANcrnb-apkTTUMhga5W9RIJccm26DHBHDcWMBSAhhQb67wvJQBJtJJ1pBv5udCyTt/s1600/P1110933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx2wEAnVlrH7qTH5IvKIigrHX1k6l9cVDYlufjAOiqeMCNzxcLViCG-1XiUzSlb1uo9RvFJZuTb8ANcrnb-apkTTUMhga5W9RIJccm26DHBHDcWMBSAhhQb67wvJQBJtJJ1pBv5udCyTt/s640/P1110933.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sjXpI58N3Hb-xRK-1U__VJE-49icG8cBlxcNVD96pyfL8awnb2Gp2n9YrFXFxB3HTaRVYowiO-MJ8DJ6znC7CyIwnxl6zyu-gUji9U44jrgL5GA6BXcjzGAiAb6rzIqoMWtF7PjrcEkx/s1600/P1110940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sjXpI58N3Hb-xRK-1U__VJE-49icG8cBlxcNVD96pyfL8awnb2Gp2n9YrFXFxB3HTaRVYowiO-MJ8DJ6znC7CyIwnxl6zyu-gUji9U44jrgL5GA6BXcjzGAiAb6rzIqoMWtF7PjrcEkx/s640/P1110940.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZBoGiW5RsjWHD3WIgnnC1Mp273LKttyFoPd1JFmgUfFDHK2u0MF87-G2HHOehlLlj9L7pGazYLWRc0kqRXIZO45dWmUjiqibi6JSXIX3azowaGyBECrQocEwGREQKCu4ibJNNDtZLLg5/s1600/P1110952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZBoGiW5RsjWHD3WIgnnC1Mp273LKttyFoPd1JFmgUfFDHK2u0MF87-G2HHOehlLlj9L7pGazYLWRc0kqRXIZO45dWmUjiqibi6JSXIX3azowaGyBECrQocEwGREQKCu4ibJNNDtZLLg5/s640/P1110952.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yuccas, Agave stricta, and Agave guingola</td></tr>
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A dramatic South American tree distinctive for its spiny bulbous trunk, <i>Cieba speciosa</i>, the Silk Floss Tree has showy pink flowers in March followed by large seed pods filled with a cotton like floss that was used for stuffing in life jackets and as insulation in aircraft during World War II. Another spiny trunked tree from Cental America is <i>Bomacopsis quinata</i>, the Pochote Tree. It produces a fine grained wood used in furniture and cabinet making and in stringed musical instruments like guitars.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrVoGAskNc-usTR0umMUu-mgM3HCV7GxIurkMLJ-3ImPo0qariyMbxXBiCQ9Hy9N62ZMwJGX_25k8qYJiuscKymhWFKMfwo5fNEmzhM6SDKabl22EDdFPump2c34OuZaSPuFNVMoadfit/s1600/P1110950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrVoGAskNc-usTR0umMUu-mgM3HCV7GxIurkMLJ-3ImPo0qariyMbxXBiCQ9Hy9N62ZMwJGX_25k8qYJiuscKymhWFKMfwo5fNEmzhM6SDKabl22EDdFPump2c34OuZaSPuFNVMoadfit/s640/P1110950.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spiny trunk of a Pochote Tree surrounded by masses of Agaves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbgvlhOE9GFfftoV2oX8bDRMNmL6o_vlgBgLQ04gRxezP-U4hqBc7jUYDGwUmeTaA7MCVodtBw_pnElRM8HNMi8JbhfeKQFXOxS_pyMzFuB6uS-RMc2olkSuLlHc89FLiiXS1ShpzwrNE/s1600/P1110970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbgvlhOE9GFfftoV2oX8bDRMNmL6o_vlgBgLQ04gRxezP-U4hqBc7jUYDGwUmeTaA7MCVodtBw_pnElRM8HNMi8JbhfeKQFXOxS_pyMzFuB6uS-RMc2olkSuLlHc89FLiiXS1ShpzwrNE/s640/P1110970.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall Yuccas and low Agaves with the beautiful tan stone backdrop of the monastery</td></tr>
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Leaving the desert area the garden becomes more wooded with trees and large shrubs from regions of Oaxaca with higher rainfall. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-SwfagVkaZgETVS6gtahNYK6UvS4y9PjpDxtrxIv_MIp8CCwzsXNgu0pRyn8LxBrNQaXBZcdvP53w_BUKQf6L6Cy4aS59IK0uUJKqKb101v56El9lqdoN1Vk7SS5PvbRI7r_QmTbqIF2/s1600/P1120673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-SwfagVkaZgETVS6gtahNYK6UvS4y9PjpDxtrxIv_MIp8CCwzsXNgu0pRyn8LxBrNQaXBZcdvP53w_BUKQf6L6Cy4aS59IK0uUJKqKb101v56El9lqdoN1Vk7SS5PvbRI7r_QmTbqIF2/s640/P1120673.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The garden transitions from desert on the west side to forested ecosystems to the east</td></tr>
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Transitioning between the two ecosystems are Palo Verde Cercidium spp. paint the ground with yellow flowers and tiny fallen leaves. Palo Verde is Spanish for Green Stick, referring to the green bark that dominates the trees. The trees have edible flowers and pods.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEar1dppSLaf06V_BRtdRzzoWvc31RcCYOd6HbWW6u6AAQn899BcJKIfzOGMp3ZsGgD27J_41BUfdeMyuAxyXkOKsYF9DlZ_mfAjGH-frlpH7lGLkVMnPwDzHIyiJW-GHPvh5qcQQQo_lZ/s1600/P1110981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEar1dppSLaf06V_BRtdRzzoWvc31RcCYOd6HbWW6u6AAQn899BcJKIfzOGMp3ZsGgD27J_41BUfdeMyuAxyXkOKsYF9DlZ_mfAjGH-frlpH7lGLkVMnPwDzHIyiJW-GHPvh5qcQQQo_lZ/s640/P1110981.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palo Verde trees dust the ground with a tinge of yellow at the back of the garden</td></tr>
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Palo Mullato, or Black Stick, Bursera tomentosa, produces a fragrant resin called Copal, which is burned in purification rituals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh723YYWiwDcyhppSHIzRxN3iEHmrmz9UP51HTB_HnSa_FPrt_GUhy7asFc15_QxsK91N9JnZ2WjLmeGGU9Z576XeMLrrv4ogQ7HvqotZ5_bdBYF6QR60gISWVTFUKcL6BwYm5_0Kf-NLty/s1600/P1110986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh723YYWiwDcyhppSHIzRxN3iEHmrmz9UP51HTB_HnSa_FPrt_GUhy7asFc15_QxsK91N9JnZ2WjLmeGGU9Z576XeMLrrv4ogQ7HvqotZ5_bdBYF6QR60gISWVTFUKcL6BwYm5_0Kf-NLty/s640/P1110986.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Palo Mullato tree to the left of the path</td></tr>
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A tree with showy red papery bark, Bursera simaruba, or Gumbo Limbo, is also called the Tourist Tree for its resemblence to the sunburnt peeling skin of tourists. The fast growing trees are often planted as windbreaks simply by rooting cuttings in the soil. The wood is used for firewood and in light construction, and the tree's resin is used to make glue, varnish, and incense.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIXGCNwo-OkL-0lPWDtIZHEXEaXLcMZLfORe65huRbbOIIE-tepK4nRBPmz-inDjVThKxkyTYkmPeNSkoMIQ3pui1FyFTFWi4IlbcrmOTIZ1GNznqSUPD84iUlg-DRwN9V3_k2q6Vaf42/s1600/P1110996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIXGCNwo-OkL-0lPWDtIZHEXEaXLcMZLfORe65huRbbOIIE-tepK4nRBPmz-inDjVThKxkyTYkmPeNSkoMIQ3pui1FyFTFWi4IlbcrmOTIZ1GNznqSUPD84iUlg-DRwN9V3_k2q6Vaf42/s640/P1110996.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The red papery bark of <i>Bursera simaruba</i>, The Tourist Tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgyN4RIv6ZLDWwrgBRqcV-7Wi7awr6uJu92vGquh-2U092C9k883f94RPF4LX9UhO15yRVYoaHbGlnClBHDAIw8bkwuVV4xVKToRgnqQ9-ucE4HlTRKTnPu9Z7rdlo4TcMSYQSi7ao0Iv/s1600/P1110997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgyN4RIv6ZLDWwrgBRqcV-7Wi7awr6uJu92vGquh-2U092C9k883f94RPF4LX9UhO15yRVYoaHbGlnClBHDAIw8bkwuVV4xVKToRgnqQ9-ucE4HlTRKTnPu9Z7rdlo4TcMSYQSi7ao0Iv/s640/P1110997.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agaves planted amongst a grove of trees, including <i>Ochroma pyramidale</i>, the source of lightweight Balsa Wood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGb1J1NHOycO4hFyDeRyMPA8wzODBZdrEWjy1F6XsS41Qm-0eHcnpjrdlNobt72jGBFEtbQntqqZ1dnjTwGfMDgEDDhGkVATcsRwAJcJLMT1azyUwgf-B2Xc01PS7Jxg9qasEADldippRq/s1600/P1120017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGb1J1NHOycO4hFyDeRyMPA8wzODBZdrEWjy1F6XsS41Qm-0eHcnpjrdlNobt72jGBFEtbQntqqZ1dnjTwGfMDgEDDhGkVATcsRwAJcJLMT1azyUwgf-B2Xc01PS7Jxg9qasEADldippRq/s640/P1120017.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrestrial Bromiliads along the edge of a path</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfbmfQXuCG0HBrDW3LJeOAoc3Xvn8fkSH64FGYtjxunJ8JTiy7ydZkvBE5J5A3feGTzxzwCypWz0c1Jq9H37Ex5LAJTeRSZ4IXEmlMNPr7jIFGo-5qiLAB7TTfnuPCjwQWYE-0nwjAWki/s1600/P1120018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfbmfQXuCG0HBrDW3LJeOAoc3Xvn8fkSH64FGYtjxunJ8JTiy7ydZkvBE5J5A3feGTzxzwCypWz0c1Jq9H37Ex5LAJTeRSZ4IXEmlMNPr7jIFGo-5qiLAB7TTfnuPCjwQWYE-0nwjAWki/s640/P1120018.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bromeliads and Agaves in the understory</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbF0q0zqUn57beoTCuQf1KBdvKiizFQrT3l7Aav2vdv9zG7CPv3P9EmlI9Vj_gKOtM5UP4p-qYaE0ltycZe2h5_YzPnumdY9vl6DYjt6dp5qSGuoPilD_fNMDNWhVcZDpmYAqMGsQMVcs-/s1600/P1110949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbF0q0zqUn57beoTCuQf1KBdvKiizFQrT3l7Aav2vdv9zG7CPv3P9EmlI9Vj_gKOtM5UP4p-qYaE0ltycZe2h5_YzPnumdY9vl6DYjt6dp5qSGuoPilD_fNMDNWhVcZDpmYAqMGsQMVcs-/s640/P1110949.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An epiphytic Bromeliad growing in the crotch of a tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCnh7eyY4KWpSRo9tSCoQ0KolxoaVizagHZywtU8dnSeL1qPdOv-Ha8aVdFZm_raA9g-djAbpRwPMDq0FBwaTx2jnq12eqFE5l4ny1iMCpa3C10P6say1_tgaoXGPoszCOPZjzFWLjtA4/s1600/P1120009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCnh7eyY4KWpSRo9tSCoQ0KolxoaVizagHZywtU8dnSeL1qPdOv-Ha8aVdFZm_raA9g-djAbpRwPMDq0FBwaTx2jnq12eqFE5l4ny1iMCpa3C10P6say1_tgaoXGPoszCOPZjzFWLjtA4/s640/P1120009.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masses of spiny foliaged plants with contrasting colors planted in masses along an irrigation rill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6JPqUcZ-r9pWMmjgB149zweqPP02dCSn-QhMSR5M1LyubPU8GzuExUSirZ1MKd87-OYnxCQYxajkNhzJ4SSyqZDyMKwiHgaaWG8APS0-xwJlD0VV4qUMbultgHFV_ip2pI0taq4ICFmf/s1600/P1120021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6JPqUcZ-r9pWMmjgB149zweqPP02dCSn-QhMSR5M1LyubPU8GzuExUSirZ1MKd87-OYnxCQYxajkNhzJ4SSyqZDyMKwiHgaaWG8APS0-xwJlD0VV4qUMbultgHFV_ip2pI0taq4ICFmf/s640/P1120021.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Mitla inspired sculpture by Luis Zarate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCeiF7n6P49q1KGDPInOv3g141cZo1kaWVt8kghvctOpCo9P41AaM9jTNAlwI-Z-Gr5xxF0RPj2UAQuWb9p0LTwVq4EsxVV2JbnpikkxNeASNnIPbbTzVClX56Mbjmj4Rvn2o_fCyc9MT/s1600/P1120096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCeiF7n6P49q1KGDPInOv3g141cZo1kaWVt8kghvctOpCo9P41AaM9jTNAlwI-Z-Gr5xxF0RPj2UAQuWb9p0LTwVq4EsxVV2JbnpikkxNeASNnIPbbTzVClX56Mbjmj4Rvn2o_fCyc9MT/s640/P1120096.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An irrigation rill creates a slender linear axis through the garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNpisSiCYItrj_x_QCQmDCAUAjRPJLb5a4vZfS7kHV0rha9zwGzywqcLM7MiEqlDdY9UB65F-4ejrHKb3c99H6Gt0f3tBry0q0jkcDOMYhCStersbXgaTiY5KHc4_kPK2r1PkFzlZzah0/s1600/P1120022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNpisSiCYItrj_x_QCQmDCAUAjRPJLb5a4vZfS7kHV0rha9zwGzywqcLM7MiEqlDdY9UB65F-4ejrHKb3c99H6Gt0f3tBry0q0jkcDOMYhCStersbXgaTiY5KHc4_kPK2r1PkFzlZzah0/s640/P1120022.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green rock dust and white gravel make a soft deliniation of a fret stepped path in to the woods</td></tr>
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In a back corner of the garden, in line with the walls is a modern geothermically heated glass house was recently built to house orchids and other tropical plants that grow in the warmer, wetter coastal mountain slopes of Oaxaca State. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9SWG0fPqrJdwEKigOmTAwK6CKAfPeBA4xo58YuYX7Hq-52cZ-HuyGkI57waQl3gIcNpVSzlQ7xTxWRFH8VWLbZ3sKWDPuoDWSa4_xV8GDtJvXtJaunJOdoh0sRiufwpBSq6pq16jcQ6N/s1600/P1130032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9SWG0fPqrJdwEKigOmTAwK6CKAfPeBA4xo58YuYX7Hq-52cZ-HuyGkI57waQl3gIcNpVSzlQ7xTxWRFH8VWLbZ3sKWDPuoDWSa4_xV8GDtJvXtJaunJOdoh0sRiufwpBSq6pq16jcQ6N/s640/P1130032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Glass House</td></tr>
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A metal staircase leads up to a walkway around the perimeter, from which on clear days you can see the mountaintop ruins of Monte Alban.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dqJ2R-jf66uODTx7DEM152gXyh45s4uFwUWB_4lw9C8H5kC9L3OLVbCLAIdZjJj4psa-GmD6ddmXHGrf8FLwCeVa9f3ZH16p6xrAn2owSowr-Ezyi9810U71bON4FG4ZHmgp8Z85uevz/s1600/P1120064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dqJ2R-jf66uODTx7DEM152gXyh45s4uFwUWB_4lw9C8H5kC9L3OLVbCLAIdZjJj4psa-GmD6ddmXHGrf8FLwCeVa9f3ZH16p6xrAn2owSowr-Ezyi9810U71bON4FG4ZHmgp8Z85uevz/s640/P1120064.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roof of the Glass House with a yellow flowered <i>Tababuia chrysantha</i> in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_rRjEV-9iy39u3P-7axKqvYsv077lJUVaELyUhJDsqKCqI_IeI9jgoHR6EEaAH1FVzD4VefHBJe48FZIt9Xxp2ETyleWKrTkyfC7BY_O3TxRhW-EzkeBwl-yo7OKFqZu7WMni6xyvQho/s1600/P1120052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_rRjEV-9iy39u3P-7axKqvYsv077lJUVaELyUhJDsqKCqI_IeI9jgoHR6EEaAH1FVzD4VefHBJe48FZIt9Xxp2ETyleWKrTkyfC7BY_O3TxRhW-EzkeBwl-yo7OKFqZu7WMni6xyvQho/s640/P1120052.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A winter evening sky with the silhouette of Santo Domingo from the roof of the Glass House</td></tr>
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In the shade of the trees, are nursery areas holding groupings of cultivated plants, many of them rare. The unfortunate theft of valuable plants from the garden prompted the need to only allow visits by guided tour. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMDDA9qNJCbbCRa6ADSPTbtEryjtgH8ed6t94AoRlOT-pLrax5PARnGxawG7Yi5kLywfSEpFEOns0X-QCx-y6I1a-AVdgJjAvymcY-0f0HpIo9Igzk3uxvYB-xdc4Cdmc6hAkktFd-9SM/s1600/P1120074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMDDA9qNJCbbCRa6ADSPTbtEryjtgH8ed6t94AoRlOT-pLrax5PARnGxawG7Yi5kLywfSEpFEOns0X-QCx-y6I1a-AVdgJjAvymcY-0f0HpIo9Igzk3uxvYB-xdc4Cdmc6hAkktFd-9SM/s640/P1120074.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bed of young cacti</td></tr>
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The propagation of rare and endangered species of plants in the garden will help preserve them for future generations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoDZNimeoMJ6lPTsi6FlbTJir0b1-mQJ0toEGZnXCNb-lBplYbfpJGMLhfup2WnwlhgLX0y_flyQIVvawVH0fjORGxUkuZQ_Drtj4MCf7EqnAIfDl_YssAI7uAzT3jz_ER1LcDgyhhStz/s1600/P1120600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoDZNimeoMJ6lPTsi6FlbTJir0b1-mQJ0toEGZnXCNb-lBplYbfpJGMLhfup2WnwlhgLX0y_flyQIVvawVH0fjORGxUkuZQ_Drtj4MCf7EqnAIfDl_YssAI7uAzT3jz_ER1LcDgyhhStz/s640/P1120600.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Monastery towers over the garden offering splendid views</td></tr>
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The Jardin Ethnobotánico de Oaxaca, in the span of only 20 years, has grown in to one of the finest gardens in Mexico, if not the World. While many botanical gardens end up looking like giant plant collections, this jewel in the city shows how an artist's eye blended with the skills developed over centuries by farmers working the land, can create something extraordinary and inspiring. Sitting on a stone windowsill high up in the Monastery, gazing out over the textural landscape of these gardens, with the mountains beyond is time well spent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWi5BKP_zMubfFnzO0UZGPMpjRAJ0fNHj1SVXNmEQHW56-QJFAUE-mvpIcI2JNah3mZ0vxShqHMzZU7vSY8NLUtvGQRjNmTHlzXcZwF5mU9_9D6ARXRqFWay-Jp1KBl_L0bsgcvS-8pzBs/s1600/P1120664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWi5BKP_zMubfFnzO0UZGPMpjRAJ0fNHj1SVXNmEQHW56-QJFAUE-mvpIcI2JNah3mZ0vxShqHMzZU7vSY8NLUtvGQRjNmTHlzXcZwF5mU9_9D6ARXRqFWay-Jp1KBl_L0bsgcvS-8pzBs/s640/P1120664.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An overview of the garden from the Monastery </td></tr>
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Thanks for reading, Jeffrey<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXxzaxwr5-MpkDtOLVKyMrxzlTaSKqzmvNBGloa5H9GveH8jTFylhbCeg11fiAE2z04PThCqsR7mi16GNYZx7G6Dm4sMRL3lxLb-b1MXhgvg9GpHZUfllhbrFaz3N8-63sImceC6WZSyN/s1600/P1110778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXxzaxwr5-MpkDtOLVKyMrxzlTaSKqzmvNBGloa5H9GveH8jTFylhbCeg11fiAE2z04PThCqsR7mi16GNYZx7G6Dm4sMRL3lxLb-b1MXhgvg9GpHZUfllhbrFaz3N8-63sImceC6WZSyN/s640/P1110778.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handsome old buildings from the Colonial era line a street across from the entrance to the Jardin Ethnobotanico<br />
All photos but one by Jeffrey Bale</td></tr>
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8389946703227720672.post-45890335942970391732016-03-11T07:21:00.000-08:002023-12-28T19:34:16.231-08:00Water, Origin of Life on Earth. Cárcamo de Dolores and the Fuente de Tláloc, Chapultepec Park, Mexico City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water, Origin of Life on Earth</td></tr>
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I recently spent 3 months traveling in Mexico, including 2 1/2 weeks in Mexico City, one of the world's largest. I've been told that there are at least 24 million people in the metropolitan area now. The place has changed enormously since I was last there 30 years ago. While the sprawl is immense, the city has also risen upwards. There are highrises everywhere, gleaming glass towers to corporate commerce. The city is also filled with gems, so many of them that many people who live there have never heard of some of them. I rented a room on airbnb in the Roma Norte neighborhood and my hosts were always curious to hear where I had been each day. By far one of the most amazing and obscure monuments in the city is the Sistema Lernas reservoir project in Chapultepec Park, the largest urban park in Latin America. There is a brief mention of it in my guide book, and it sounded interesting, so I made the long trek across the park from the better known area off Avenida Reforma, crossing freeways and circumnavigating a large amusement park with roller coasters. What I discovered blew me away.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzL2RXqbRRUNhyphenhyphenT9l-auWwUZfZyuC9TcUn8a6e1eqxPWH25Ar6AxqF4Ttet5oSLg3ADDDKByTefY2RHOYSqe1gIfXl0JAoNNnEikOEHC_gFYFl5T3FkgrkMIwhUPG-Qq7W6EYyabo8mYj/s1600/P1150610.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzL2RXqbRRUNhyphenhyphenT9l-auWwUZfZyuC9TcUn8a6e1eqxPWH25Ar6AxqF4Ttet5oSLg3ADDDKByTefY2RHOYSqe1gIfXl0JAoNNnEikOEHC_gFYFl5T3FkgrkMIwhUPG-Qq7W6EYyabo8mYj/s640/P1150610.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An elegant Beaux Arts Building contains a water tank as part of the Lermas Project</td></tr>
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In 1943 a monumental water supply project was completed for Mexico City, diverting the Lerma River through tunneled pipelines to a series of reservoirs built in a section of the city's largest park, Bosque de Chapultepec. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elegant towers mark the center of each round reservoir</td></tr>
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The first thing I came upon were a series of four round reservoirs planted with large masses of agaves, cacti, and aloes. The plantings are obviously a recent addition with a low water usage replacing what were once expanses of lawn.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-P-08c7GNDxvIKFawT5u5pdVnaQyqkPtRfs11uzThrMi5ja7O_7sr0yPpSytQn39aQYELZA0S7VLtKeFAHVqD32HO3LPbIDqTzN-jdOtZW-6Rro_eB-wzKqCq8CZolNPMjIXemu_uExx/s1600/P1150589.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-P-08c7GNDxvIKFawT5u5pdVnaQyqkPtRfs11uzThrMi5ja7O_7sr0yPpSytQn39aQYELZA0S7VLtKeFAHVqD32HO3LPbIDqTzN-jdOtZW-6Rro_eB-wzKqCq8CZolNPMjIXemu_uExx/s640/P1150589.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columner cacti and Agaves planted en mass on top of each reservoir</td></tr>
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When the system was first installed, the reservoirs were ringed in sculptural cascades and incredible mosaic serpent canals that formed Uroburos style rings around each tank.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSO_CQedj7aCbKe1Nm7pUke8shZZ2IsDVowIFWbcxNdyreM3sA5zw7ikFSiurkepstzC6XgTHwNi6GIpGHfQIKIpYMUzIMLZFluwOkg4JlyQKI3yctNyFvsfh9Qf2-asrBZWmKZEyk3Lcb/s1600/P1150591.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSO_CQedj7aCbKe1Nm7pUke8shZZ2IsDVowIFWbcxNdyreM3sA5zw7ikFSiurkepstzC6XgTHwNi6GIpGHfQIKIpYMUzIMLZFluwOkg4JlyQKI3yctNyFvsfh9Qf2-asrBZWmKZEyk3Lcb/s640/P1150591.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Mixtec style rattlesnake swallowing its tail in the style of an Uroburos winds around each reservoir tank</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA0Y85GywUb60Oio_SX3oE1404r_AZaeOVw7wQNXM1oWDP6giROhDY98yQOFNP17P2YEbPZ7Q_U6ApywmaZQDf2Z5a1gxdCWfT8qOpHppXJyWmyX0nv0Ktz20WqhVM0nKBgk2EIH_Yg8g/s1600/P1150586.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFA0Y85GywUb60Oio_SX3oE1404r_AZaeOVw7wQNXM1oWDP6giROhDY98yQOFNP17P2YEbPZ7Q_U6ApywmaZQDf2Z5a1gxdCWfT8qOpHppXJyWmyX0nv0Ktz20WqhVM0nKBgk2EIH_Yg8g/s640/P1150586.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water once flowed inside a canal in the body of each serpent</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A series of toothed openings appear to have been cascades for water filling pools inside of the peremeter serpent canals</td></tr>
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The Valley of Mexico is perhaps the most dramatically altered urban landscape in the world. At the time of the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in 1519, the Mixtec (Aztec) capitol of Tenoctitlan was an island inside a great lake laced with canals and connected to the surrounding shoreline by causeways.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVtgSay3kPiV65gtG6THCV1vM-8RZDwIl6_UQDOCwSGUPqPJrdDSzVsAgEigXwtQhv8OS6DKC47_uKq4LHbaagEu68hYZLcggt3yIMAlDsMEZziWJdCyGFniB3dciVZnj1O_FrHcmF9Fd/s1600/Tenoctitlan.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVtgSay3kPiV65gtG6THCV1vM-8RZDwIl6_UQDOCwSGUPqPJrdDSzVsAgEigXwtQhv8OS6DKC47_uKq4LHbaagEu68hYZLcggt3yIMAlDsMEZziWJdCyGFniB3dciVZnj1O_FrHcmF9Fd/s640/Tenoctitlan.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mural of the Mixtec (Aztec) capitol of Tenoctitlan in the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City, by Diego Rivera</td></tr>
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With the arrival of the Spanish the dams constructed to protect Tenoctitlan were destroyed along with the city and its great ceremonial pyramids. Drainage of the lake began but the new colonial capitol of Mexico City was plagued by frequent and lasting floods until a massive drainage project was undertaken in the early 20th Century. This made for dramatic environmental changes to the basin and much of it became semi arid, with the extinction of many native species. Only a few remnants of the the original aquatic environment exist today, most notibly the canals at Xochimilco, which remain an important agricultural production area within the metropolitan area and a prime example of what the region once looked like.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIc2_hKeLgvK54P0YMfKTKgY97O8YCk3NQbXrmw_OrZUGi3gVOr0B5KkUcYYq99uLfubHYbcaG0lTR5mpiSYfAKRnXOHxIh902NetQ8bjhWSINcifhsSEcu2SPh-U4lSf65L_r1LvIDU7/s1600/P1150803.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIc2_hKeLgvK54P0YMfKTKgY97O8YCk3NQbXrmw_OrZUGi3gVOr0B5KkUcYYq99uLfubHYbcaG0lTR5mpiSYfAKRnXOHxIh902NetQ8bjhWSINcifhsSEcu2SPh-U4lSf65L_r1LvIDU7/s640/P1150803.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A canal at Xochimilco</td></tr>
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The canals are a popular recreation area with hundreds of decorated boats that are poled around while mariachi bands serenade the passengers. The boats were once decorated with flowers grown along the canals, but are now painted with garish flourescent colors. The historic center of Mexico City and Xochimilco were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Examples of the traditional agricultural practice of floating island gardens called Chinampas can still be seen here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndElh_un-sSB3l9Ek6v_MQGPxqHDHjS800P-KjX2uXt_o3yW2TptgZoovcJ04dLlAovN2giiEwEQTev_aZqd75Yf5lD7UnMnzb_eGkjFYS3FpY9kEqZvm_3TwitAU2RejfopbHGjcyCl6/s1600/P1150801.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndElh_un-sSB3l9Ek6v_MQGPxqHDHjS800P-KjX2uXt_o3yW2TptgZoovcJ04dLlAovN2giiEwEQTev_aZqd75Yf5lD7UnMnzb_eGkjFYS3FpY9kEqZvm_3TwitAU2RejfopbHGjcyCl6/s640/P1150801.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trajinera boats are modeled after Prehispanic vessels called Acallis. They ply the canals at Xochimilco carrying tourists.</td></tr>
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Today Xochimilco is an important center for the cultivation of ornamental plants and flowers and several streets are dedicated to small plant nurseries. The canals and the ecosystems they support are under significant threat by urban expansion, the ever dropping water table, and pollution.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tNvLn_peVtOv2l-kRsgjxofS71z4FTQ6wbmC_9mP7ems-KrOuSa3egmA6MqB0gzbVSCfzkQfb0ainpc6i7S5W3tw4H4Lquu9IbEaarXU_CSt9P9orzHY7wTMW7JW6kPBmzUsdAO5Av_w/s1600/P1150748.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tNvLn_peVtOv2l-kRsgjxofS71z4FTQ6wbmC_9mP7ems-KrOuSa3egmA6MqB0gzbVSCfzkQfb0ainpc6i7S5W3tw4H4Lquu9IbEaarXU_CSt9P9orzHY7wTMW7JW6kPBmzUsdAO5Av_w/s640/P1150748.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A street lined with small plant nurseries</td></tr>
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Drainage of the lake basin is the cause for another significant problem for the city. It is sinking. In the past 100 years some areas of the city have sunken as much at 42 feet. Many old buildings tilt noticably, especially heavy historic stone churches in the center. Approximately 70% of the urban water supply is pumped from the aquifer beneath the city and it is estimated that the land on which it is built is now sinking at a rate of as much as 8 inches a year! This puts lower parts of the city at great risk of flooding during the rainy season and requires a substancial pump system to remove waste water from the valley.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilvt6X_GYJHwBaTY4VbFehHF-oJtX5hXfd5vbIAM7ig45INGk1-YyMYSSoq72znGP9CT6_n9pmIi0INWu6DslggiW5c2PwYF3PrVRdmezeWX0IMGM9EQoOOKO7YtBWkbmJoutG9uqrJER/s1600/P1160027.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilvt6X_GYJHwBaTY4VbFehHF-oJtX5hXfd5vbIAM7ig45INGk1-YyMYSSoq72znGP9CT6_n9pmIi0INWu6DslggiW5c2PwYF3PrVRdmezeWX0IMGM9EQoOOKO7YtBWkbmJoutG9uqrJER/s640/P1160027.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dramatic slant of Iglesia de Santa Veracruz in the Centro Historico of Mexico City is caused by the sinking former lake bed.</td></tr>
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In 1943 construction began on a system to divert the waters of the Lerma River to a series of 4 reservoirs in Chapultepec Park that orignally were built to receive water from the Xochimilco and Chapultepec Springs in 1909. It took 8 years to build a 14 kilometer long underground aqueduct from the Lerma river through the Sierra de las Cruces Mountains. A second system from the Cutzamala Basin in Michoacan State was built as demand for water in the city increased requiring a huge pumping system to carry the water to the higher altitude of Mexico City. The system today provides 30% of the city's water needs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbrWGOq11JWhTwrdYcy2dqvmc9mw0r-jLsW34vRjtoyR1PRMPeTMN0KiwALm_DKKAfm__7Onk2axjlyuvM6f0wTDEf767tImGY3CrTnFCVFbFeR6s-8OFGqpYDjguGBctAmMdCuzzIg2Y/s1600/P1150603.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbrWGOq11JWhTwrdYcy2dqvmc9mw0r-jLsW34vRjtoyR1PRMPeTMN0KiwALm_DKKAfm__7Onk2axjlyuvM6f0wTDEf767tImGY3CrTnFCVFbFeR6s-8OFGqpYDjguGBctAmMdCuzzIg2Y/s640/P1150603.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Information signs describing the function of the water storage system</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjchxgqtVsSuZVMtS31fE6xZPkXHKjlVygGsBPyWAFiD3agFsIqLYrll2zGoI0TFP3-CLxJuA20xo4U4LllhORmiFJw3sTeJGzrSMklaavSs8wd5S443MnjS-LHgCJeNN8DqioDLYcMhqA/s1600/P1150583.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjchxgqtVsSuZVMtS31fE6xZPkXHKjlVygGsBPyWAFiD3agFsIqLYrll2zGoI0TFP3-CLxJuA20xo4U4LllhORmiFJw3sTeJGzrSMklaavSs8wd5S443MnjS-LHgCJeNN8DqioDLYcMhqA/s640/P1150583.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Edificio Carcamo, with four valves and a meteorological sensor at the entrance</td></tr>
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To commemorate the project, the Edificio Cárcamo, designed by the architect Ricardo Rivas was built in the form of a domed Roman temple. Rivas asked the reknowned Mexican artist Diego Rivera, at the age of 64, to paint a mural inside a square tank connected directly to the water works inside the building, that would be partially filled with water. Thus the water from the system would be received with great honor by the many depictions represented in the murals. The mural is a blending of natural, scientific, and cultural themes combined with engineering and the social politics of water use and distribution in a truly holistic and profoundly telling work of art. The space is astounding.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZECxdKrec05l9Zh9t_723M1n9Q_U6vX2g2pWW64HZhFdmnrNR_PT91n5zdTDjTtvaqVhJipmabGGJ3qMWgbojCj1a2lTZDmvqJ9mnxIZyZDdfDQTYq2P1H3dxgGi1SjGgbP8urrKUwvQ/s1600/P1150504.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZECxdKrec05l9Zh9t_723M1n9Q_U6vX2g2pWW64HZhFdmnrNR_PT91n5zdTDjTtvaqVhJipmabGGJ3qMWgbojCj1a2lTZDmvqJ9mnxIZyZDdfDQTYq2P1H3dxgGi1SjGgbP8urrKUwvQ/s640/P1150504.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Executed in 1951, Rivera used paints with a polystyrene base to create the extraordinary waterproof mural, El Agua, Origen de la Vida en la Tierra, Water, The Origin of Life on Earth, which covers 272 square meters (nearly 3,000 square feet).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct16H3ZEd4RrTneDQmAb7e2G_sjpXanVZ7o1stuyC7x2HHSef830hG6VWbrpebc0BTqOAUUqqNst9sbv7ArHa8d21JtwZh2kWBUQ9FdHP4ylOHB3auz7RXtio2gwG9HUPdX73nIyGuR4u/s1600/P1150502.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct16H3ZEd4RrTneDQmAb7e2G_sjpXanVZ7o1stuyC7x2HHSef830hG6VWbrpebc0BTqOAUUqqNst9sbv7ArHa8d21JtwZh2kWBUQ9FdHP4ylOHB3auz7RXtio2gwG9HUPdX73nIyGuR4u/s640/P1150502.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One face of the mural honors the engineers who designed the project, lined up over the four gates that channeled the water in to the four reservoirs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvxsGSFSlsl3XkeQmVFQTGN8Plo-Oc1X1y-xO0uV8mHKqTE55xZAi1bvHiz0Np9dTxZT-oDlJyY6vsoWGtQFeBZzJyB7keG1JeppkgJIZzd0xk5A6nlQoYHWvdEmERuzTzLdK6zMky3_h/s1600/Origen+of+Life+engineers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvxsGSFSlsl3XkeQmVFQTGN8Plo-Oc1X1y-xO0uV8mHKqTE55xZAi1bvHiz0Np9dTxZT-oDlJyY6vsoWGtQFeBZzJyB7keG1JeppkgJIZzd0xk5A6nlQoYHWvdEmERuzTzLdK6zMky3_h/s640/Origen+of+Life+engineers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diego Rivera painting portraits of the engineers who worked on the project, taken from an interpretive plaque</td></tr>
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The inspiration for the floor of the mural originally came from a visit by Rivera to Russia where he was introduced to the theories developed by the Russian scientist Alexander Oparin, who suggested that life on Earth originally formed in a gradual chemical evolution of carbon based molecules in the primordeal soup of the seas. The theory surmises that the formation of the most basic of organic compounds eventually led to the evolution of more complex molecular organisms that over time developed in to biologic orderliness, cell growth, thus conforming to the laws of survival of the fittest and natural selection as suggested by Charles Darwin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwCv0NHCRCsRyWkGSFeQPZZJLS_6G9gzzoF4s4ymXmrKFzaYtKOzROyG6v3MlmsJwT7q3cPTbvWhyIwUiU31_KJYKBBMj4Rpg25TtBLAab-b68lknZJIb_RKQWQX0SiFTqJjVazy8lBV8/s1600/Origin+of+life+floor.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwCv0NHCRCsRyWkGSFeQPZZJLS_6G9gzzoF4s4ymXmrKFzaYtKOzROyG6v3MlmsJwT7q3cPTbvWhyIwUiU31_KJYKBBMj4Rpg25TtBLAab-b68lknZJIb_RKQWQX0SiFTqJjVazy8lBV8/s640/Origin+of+life+floor.JPG" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Origin of Life</td></tr>
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The central circle on the floor of the mural is a microscopic view of the moment when matter interacts with electrical energy to form organic compounds that harbor the first inklings of life, that over time develop in to living organisms.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVX6ozTOWJteJwKaEax74LSEUKxS_D1D-QBngd1YVFRUGvFSqXWjilMZKnz4senFzYys3xLVPzKJ6f2xE4_SyuQrBllllIA33ri0tnZelWjkkpRx7PKEmc_cnK_P6zjFdJLHdcntZuFWQ/s1600/P1150535.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVX6ozTOWJteJwKaEax74LSEUKxS_D1D-QBngd1YVFRUGvFSqXWjilMZKnz4senFzYys3xLVPzKJ6f2xE4_SyuQrBllllIA33ri0tnZelWjkkpRx7PKEmc_cnK_P6zjFdJLHdcntZuFWQ/s640/P1150535.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A biological list of the various organisms within the mural, The Origin of Life</td></tr>
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The surrounding floor is decorated with a variety of living organisms inspired by a natural history book written by the German biologist Ernest Haeckel, who suggested that all life was derived from a common ancestor. Diego Rivera kept a copy of this book for reference throughout his life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-yoUQFWM-JLamGC7PJnZpdS-4yP2STHXFk0B1CzIwAXWCc53tvqREc9o7hKnXzh1rEHIgLKgCK5g7eQ8hTmQ6dcE3GWanEWF33ngj3wKc0200lIzBoDnlw0L7RD2TL-gRtnFMua3v6dU/s1600/P1150536.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-yoUQFWM-JLamGC7PJnZpdS-4yP2STHXFk0B1CzIwAXWCc53tvqREc9o7hKnXzh1rEHIgLKgCK5g7eQ8hTmQ6dcE3GWanEWF33ngj3wKc0200lIzBoDnlw0L7RD2TL-gRtnFMua3v6dU/s640/P1150536.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floor of the mural, The Origin of Life on Earth</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXmntl3w85Q43IYF2nz2icA1sS-4cpXP18QLA-iUculM4djX-Npn_9wvJIcH_ZrFAO2Qit_xbzF6GAOYP9UmRdrjUua6NjsxzBZ3RFp5g8grtQGL6gNyxklLObcEVaac1WnSelS0bREjp/s1600/P1150513.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXmntl3w85Q43IYF2nz2icA1sS-4cpXP18QLA-iUculM4djX-Npn_9wvJIcH_ZrFAO2Qit_xbzF6GAOYP9UmRdrjUua6NjsxzBZ3RFp5g8grtQGL6gNyxklLObcEVaac1WnSelS0bREjp/s640/P1150513.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aquatic life forms in the process of evolution</td></tr>
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As life continued to evolve from the most simple of organisms, to those that produced their own food through photosynthesis, they released oxygen in to the atmosphere, creating a more favorable environment capable of supporting ecosystems. Life forms became mobile, eventually moving to land in the form of algaes, which over time manifested in to the earliest plants. The walls of the mural depict the progress of life as it diversified on land. It is a remarkable pictorial representation of the concepts derived from these theories that inspired Diego Rivera to depict them so beautifully.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIyVMkzlAIu91G1-HjA-_l_nNWy3WJPhdR4ujvfGzb7YbpwtZvzys3dZV2oh_5_O2k5uIa2wGE423CUIgzbYZvFI9erYXTz_21BNR_s54wUGHaSOh_1afaXzE9KRIqUWXdsJx8j9ZL9m9/s1600/P1150505.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIyVMkzlAIu91G1-HjA-_l_nNWy3WJPhdR4ujvfGzb7YbpwtZvzys3dZV2oh_5_O2k5uIa2wGE423CUIgzbYZvFI9erYXTz_21BNR_s54wUGHaSOh_1afaXzE9KRIqUWXdsJx8j9ZL9m9/s640/P1150505.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowing current of water and an array of organisms, entering the tunnel that once connected the tank to the water system</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WJsZ1HKq-DRzg0NJXXcth0md6IRxuCPGJXbrVGKxYWw0B8s2e1XUgUZlzbXlOR6SY-TU_zb9Ap98UxvUI8JAmKroLkYKIx7Z2TjHN9Ss2g1axQsE_Qj3x_0CwN9SRg6O32sKuObYiyvJ/s1600/P1150537.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WJsZ1HKq-DRzg0NJXXcth0md6IRxuCPGJXbrVGKxYWw0B8s2e1XUgUZlzbXlOR6SY-TU_zb9Ap98UxvUI8JAmKroLkYKIx7Z2TjHN9Ss2g1axQsE_Qj3x_0CwN9SRg6O32sKuObYiyvJ/s640/P1150537.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life at the threshold between water and land</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFAWeyKYWkvZ4y3PkIjvgDZ9MjtoKNPIU6314zHRFvv7U7R7GedSEwxlXL-WmLi_Ja0XFRPJqHySuOCbyTSuUvhQypvqL6h7dWP5EjhKsXb50DVOqRtJ1m6zFn68RL8mrVzJy86BH3TR2/s1600/P1150511.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFAWeyKYWkvZ4y3PkIjvgDZ9MjtoKNPIU6314zHRFvv7U7R7GedSEwxlXL-WmLi_Ja0XFRPJqHySuOCbyTSuUvhQypvqL6h7dWP5EjhKsXb50DVOqRtJ1m6zFn68RL8mrVzJy86BH3TR2/s640/P1150511.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The evolotion of higher forms of life and the transition to land</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyELZebopv8Sqwv_i4Nz7cxJ88gq6TfNAo0RHJ7rU-OdOCvfptLi-ch8X1hrlK4lJN2Ynfi3w6Oh9BtjrsP7rR4SMKMXR82ns1qViR5V86yIojiqnjj3UInHqsEHgKpTerDc_etOitZSDS/s1600/P1150538.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyELZebopv8Sqwv_i4Nz7cxJ88gq6TfNAo0RHJ7rU-OdOCvfptLi-ch8X1hrlK4lJN2Ynfi3w6Oh9BtjrsP7rR4SMKMXR82ns1qViR5V86yIojiqnjj3UInHqsEHgKpTerDc_etOitZSDS/s640/P1150538.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of a Crab,a Jellyfish, and a Turtle and a Snail</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeBR83lAhIPP2QJvI0go4qM8Ztg5nhBidYh2pF2L-iJqrtVhy3i1oVxlYzae71yjXN1zNLDk80eEuwdkMizxs6z4bNKA2G3oPDMCZPBOte-Pjf2XLD715-vNZef88cm83aSilNG_KQEBH/s1600/P1150507.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeBR83lAhIPP2QJvI0go4qM8Ztg5nhBidYh2pF2L-iJqrtVhy3i1oVxlYzae71yjXN1zNLDk80eEuwdkMizxs6z4bNKA2G3oPDMCZPBOte-Pjf2XLD715-vNZef88cm83aSilNG_KQEBH/s640/P1150507.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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On opposite sides perpendicular from the the tunnel that connects to the water system are an African Man and an Asian Woman as representations of early humans. They are partially submerged in the water, connecting the aquatic world to the cultural aspects of how humans use water. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI4An-vBuEjxQSHkCkBUoyFqQRKEa3DkedbgWIY3VFY3pKdh6YzAQ05J_eVGPWklC4Bl1EoKT2zBxSy3fPMQIEOTAbRRLejQwIz_endnPdjtNt2RmrqQEV2t-Oa-wmtxeBlPdww1-QOMQ/s1600/P1150510.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI4An-vBuEjxQSHkCkBUoyFqQRKEa3DkedbgWIY3VFY3pKdh6YzAQ05J_eVGPWklC4Bl1EoKT2zBxSy3fPMQIEOTAbRRLejQwIz_endnPdjtNt2RmrqQEV2t-Oa-wmtxeBlPdww1-QOMQ/s640/P1150510.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An African Man stands partially submerged, representing early humanity</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dK0KPDt-GE3AewrptV9poyykUN3-Btkjpagp6aywb3kyla5wWvHs5uA_Ybxzz5MTxY-fLm67QGAONdKm6-0FzdW4UXzgTRnvmZKaBWuR9FjnxrQkN-lDXNcKIpLhkwNuRGSTkToHB84T/s1600/P1150503.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dK0KPDt-GE3AewrptV9poyykUN3-Btkjpagp6aywb3kyla5wWvHs5uA_Ybxzz5MTxY-fLm67QGAONdKm6-0FzdW4UXzgTRnvmZKaBWuR9FjnxrQkN-lDXNcKIpLhkwNuRGSTkToHB84T/s640/P1150503.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the opposite wall stands an Asian Woman representing a later evolution of humanity</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSx7-Lb_MP9NpmVgMbzJQVBjg7x-jLFowCjFeJi7jfTf9e6f6Nq3hW95x3MUZ2qiWh75vCFUhGrM_xgqAJRiHY0phDnYn9qwlYcgK9BlCDqzo2hGrKlM-lkVjvrne-tTNSNMjUJri6Lsc/s1600/P1150540.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSx7-Lb_MP9NpmVgMbzJQVBjg7x-jLFowCjFeJi7jfTf9e6f6Nq3hW95x3MUZ2qiWh75vCFUhGrM_xgqAJRiHY0phDnYn9qwlYcgK9BlCDqzo2hGrKlM-lkVjvrne-tTNSNMjUJri6Lsc/s640/P1150540.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Across the the panel of engineers and the four water gates are paintings of workers constructing the tunnel that transports the water to the system and provide it to the people of Mexico City. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYeAU35m_B_UFGgxazGzKkrEunudJYEvTFBwfxxv5K0PD_UUcdwdh0aNQOwzzLSWuUuv5FPc905jj93WVZHQF974fxiaidhyphenhyphenl45EXWmkIPvohLo1FkX5in9DP0nipoj1Zb7iNAP1kbZex/s1600/P1150543.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYeAU35m_B_UFGgxazGzKkrEunudJYEvTFBwfxxv5K0PD_UUcdwdh0aNQOwzzLSWuUuv5FPc905jj93WVZHQF974fxiaidhyphenhyphenl45EXWmkIPvohLo1FkX5in9DP0nipoj1Zb7iNAP1kbZex/s640/P1150543.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On either side of the connecting tunnel are depictions of the engineering of the water system</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias6TYsR-4c39r6sJzhKDeMp-_Z2cHniNFt5rF05sooJDgYFghXRjwmlRPF3tx7WeOCdA9M6uPmiihnMH6LtzZzW8v22S7y5QazcEYhVGQN0sUgKq9n1uIcbH0ZOWextjuHpVLHAc5Olc8/s1600/P1150544.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEias6TYsR-4c39r6sJzhKDeMp-_Z2cHniNFt5rF05sooJDgYFghXRjwmlRPF3tx7WeOCdA9M6uPmiihnMH6LtzZzW8v22S7y5QazcEYhVGQN0sUgKq9n1uIcbH0ZOWextjuHpVLHAc5Olc8/s640/P1150544.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The uses of water are expressed in scenes of agriculture, hygiene, and pleasure. The system provides water for the cultivation of plants, quenching thirst, washing, and filling swimming pools.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YRT4tbo1Cx5cF0UGgyw7urzAtGHujYGgHm8cNG0DmQD2SOsWCHpgf8j0uXvj5ifIiMV7LPrOI8tV3s9Ze4zLGcwUzMIxB9zuCGw_rG4j8PnFdZhh6cDWyiZQFj-o_bIf96yRIhdYQA1L/s1600/P1150546.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YRT4tbo1Cx5cF0UGgyw7urzAtGHujYGgHm8cNG0DmQD2SOsWCHpgf8j0uXvj5ifIiMV7LPrOI8tV3s9Ze4zLGcwUzMIxB9zuCGw_rG4j8PnFdZhh6cDWyiZQFj-o_bIf96yRIhdYQA1L/s640/P1150546.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A spigot and hose brings water to a garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8lvAG0K49yylTiODUJNIFi_UxGSKz6xWKb60FgK3Q9v7bbnC1epSwd4NZRyzcI7755Q6ImjP6k3KIJnhYxJTrFvhyphenhyphenyIbntfOmxxrNnW9manTx6bjlYny7CUOhCls786WqT9tiZ4J0_sa/s1600/P1150541.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8lvAG0K49yylTiODUJNIFi_UxGSKz6xWKb60FgK3Q9v7bbnC1epSwd4NZRyzcI7755Q6ImjP6k3KIJnhYxJTrFvhyphenhyphenyIbntfOmxxrNnW9manTx6bjlYny7CUOhCls786WqT9tiZ4J0_sa/s640/P1150541.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diego Rivera's daughter is depicted swimming, representing water providing recreational pleasure in a swimming pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYhAKQs5oAiMPzbRvzn_t2qy2RH-Q-QDMDtHklu4sb05AR46CWRyq4bC62TAB02a-9Oglk6AIs9AXvnPvWRiM4WIb-FvSKedrmjqD9gHTOG4nZLE-0hgkwitWbzDhfwhcerfKB-om5zWR/s1600/P1150517.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYhAKQs5oAiMPzbRvzn_t2qy2RH-Q-QDMDtHklu4sb05AR46CWRyq4bC62TAB02a-9Oglk6AIs9AXvnPvWRiM4WIb-FvSKedrmjqD9gHTOG4nZLE-0hgkwitWbzDhfwhcerfKB-om5zWR/s640/P1150517.jpg" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo of Diego Rivera and assistants working on the mural</td></tr>
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A common aspect of Rivera's murals are his representations of social strata, its economic and cultural divisions and resulting injustices. There are Marxist elements subtley integrated in to the paintings addressing inequality and the need for social change. The design of the mural is ingeniously circular, which softens the square shape of the basin's corners and blends the many concepts depicted in the mural harmoniously.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPefqNuOBmLCcklf1Zj2DNBaTn8uXs2tm-wFFUJqWyDJ5zyL6nEEJQRhNx8C4g8lFe_VZPQB9LmTZuqVAQnfH4ZbgMg5U5O9vzXhTZj9TB2XkTCHxvx-ewl6zeZI0icuOdyQbYOokineNY/s1600/P1150545.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPefqNuOBmLCcklf1Zj2DNBaTn8uXs2tm-wFFUJqWyDJ5zyL6nEEJQRhNx8C4g8lFe_VZPQB9LmTZuqVAQnfH4ZbgMg5U5O9vzXhTZj9TB2XkTCHxvx-ewl6zeZI0icuOdyQbYOokineNY/s640/P1150545.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A worker providing water to an Indigenous family to quench their thirst</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87JhaAT_TNC0FjgJcHuLPbhH-1_GnuO9POXlo_qxj0R1iCroKwRuWUl_4Ks9Fna_hFnMj2xCXpde3H7GGIfbPNQq5-NIuBe15oIlfZomy7_LlBmUOIgxTGh3Pt8KctKVwubnxar7rD_6C/s1600/P1150512.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87JhaAT_TNC0FjgJcHuLPbhH-1_GnuO9POXlo_qxj0R1iCroKwRuWUl_4Ks9Fna_hFnMj2xCXpde3H7GGIfbPNQq5-NIuBe15oIlfZomy7_LlBmUOIgxTGh3Pt8KctKVwubnxar7rD_6C/s640/P1150512.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the opposite wall a worker offers water to the bourgeoisie, represented by a pious woman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuJ1-zLFqMSP5LvpNqT6eTnQNUP8qv7pg2UvCZebUkMtFEQ_hq0aQAzUSk2WWJ6kV-3KbWQo9zPiiudSZr_m-2wztxRIRfLn8_tNpo9x4Wc5zPvBTNc6Bea-LpODxITZa6pWnCFVgAIGS/s1600/P1150542.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuJ1-zLFqMSP5LvpNqT6eTnQNUP8qv7pg2UvCZebUkMtFEQ_hq0aQAzUSk2WWJ6kV-3KbWQo9zPiiudSZr_m-2wztxRIRfLn8_tNpo9x4Wc5zPvBTNc6Bea-LpODxITZa6pWnCFVgAIGS/s640/P1150542.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unusual detail of a boy street performer in the mural painted by Diego Rivera</td></tr>
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Because the mural was partially submerged, and its polystyrene paints a new and untested technology, the mural suffered significant deterioration within a decade of its dedication in 1951. It wasn't until 1992 that the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes decided to undertake a restoration of the mural. The amazing evolutionary paintings on the floor and lower walls had all but been erased by the water, and needed to be reconstructed using remaining lines, sketches and photographs after the tank was drained. But even after the restoration the mural was all but forgotten and the building remained closed for most of the next two decades. In 2010 the murals and building were again restored and are now maintained as part of the Mexico City Museum of Natural History.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo of the Origin of Life with water in the tank</td></tr>
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If the murals were not astounding enough on their own, the senses of hearing are given an extraordinary gift through what is called the Lambdoma Chamber. This installation was created by the Mexican artist Ariel Guzik to symbolically replace the essence that was lost when the physical presence of water was removed from the tank to restore the murals. <br />
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The artist used the Lambdoma matrix, which is originally attributed to the Greek philosopher Pythagorus around 500 BC to create a mysterious and intoxicating aural experience inside the domed building of the Cárcamo. It is hard for me to explain but what essentially it is is a mathematical table of multiplication and division that has a direct relationship with musical intervals in a harmonic series. These intervals can be translated in to frequencies of audible sound.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Lambdoma Table</td></tr>
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The concepts intended to be audibly expressed are abstract but honor the intentions of the mural, and the integral whole of the water system as a metaphor of veins flowing through the urban organism in the form of distribution pipes. The work combines a sonority sensor which reacts to the flow and volume of water in the system and the thermal noise wavelengths it produces, with two sets of pipes that produce harmonic and subharmonic sounds. There is also a system that collects meteorological signals to control the texture of the sound, as well as a beautiful art deco control panel with rock crystals and tuning forks imbedded in a diamond shaped panel.<br />
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This may all sound very confusing unless you are an acoustical scientist but the fact that Ariel Guzik constructed this magical device in this beautiful domed space with its marvelous acoustics speaks for itself. It is an audible homage to the miraculous substance that is water.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artists renderings explaining the systems that regulate the Lambdoma Chamber</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"> The amazing sounds created by the Lambdoma Chamber</span><br />
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And this is just what you find inside the Cárcamo de Dolores. Step outside the glass doors and you find yourself in the midst of a monumental sculptural mosaic fountain of the Precolumbian God of Rain and Water, Tlaloc.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMg_4GzUQA5smc7BrDUfSM7dMMixh7sfTtqXJ0xoP7GVicbSJASlnGk4NKVwtinN7ftLzK6SFebSpr8OvyJnGeBiTvvLs-v2OF8mI_QBG9e3hC7pbAT8JCs52BMm2nC47T9u8fDyYVnEC/s1600/P1150551.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMg_4GzUQA5smc7BrDUfSM7dMMixh7sfTtqXJ0xoP7GVicbSJASlnGk4NKVwtinN7ftLzK6SFebSpr8OvyJnGeBiTvvLs-v2OF8mI_QBG9e3hC7pbAT8JCs52BMm2nC47T9u8fDyYVnEC/s640/P1150551.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fuente de Tláloc from inside the Cárcamo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fuente de Tláloc and the Cárcamo</td></tr>
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A giant head with two faces, one gazing at the Cárcamo and one directed toward the sky sprays water across the pool like rain. The sculpture is embedded with a variety of colored stones in a painterly way. Water flows from the gaping mouth much like the tunnel connecting the mural to the water system inside the building. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2a5fexhyRGSZKlzZIHHaYmcgcP5kRe7EZhUkK5l3bXclDIUslE77Y5ywo30q9CNBuIR2QQlholPJV_WlYtyp9QfPfN1BKTxDB-oFz5VtcWrMEF-uZhO2h8cbJPTFzFIit1iTtJWokCVg/s1600/P1150498.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2a5fexhyRGSZKlzZIHHaYmcgcP5kRe7EZhUkK5l3bXclDIUslE77Y5ywo30q9CNBuIR2QQlholPJV_WlYtyp9QfPfN1BKTxDB-oFz5VtcWrMEF-uZhO2h8cbJPTFzFIit1iTtJWokCVg/s640/P1150498.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The head of the Mixtec (Aztec) God of Rain and Water, Tláloc</td></tr>
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The face turned towards the sky is depicted in the style of the Aztecs, with round eyes, two intertwined snakes forming his nose, and jaguar like fangs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_V0q-mKFebx_5HljO95HF4gqHv3iMFOMwj5xWIchqR0Qim4EZBc3nuTeOS5sC9uJ5VNI5-KenEoP-Pg2kZ6dJc8wZoSr9Zh2F4TOrscf6GFFLhzGhAKCj3KHMbpgoMXvT2ogRMLGnoRf/s1600/P1150574.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_V0q-mKFebx_5HljO95HF4gqHv3iMFOMwj5xWIchqR0Qim4EZBc3nuTeOS5sC9uJ5VNI5-KenEoP-Pg2kZ6dJc8wZoSr9Zh2F4TOrscf6GFFLhzGhAKCj3KHMbpgoMXvT2ogRMLGnoRf/s640/P1150574.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second face of the God Tláloc is directed to the sky</td></tr>
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A terraced ampitheater like slope remeniscent of a stepped pyramid faces the fountain opposite of the Cárcamo providing a vantage point for viewing the entire form of the diety. It is a ceremonial space that was no doubt designed for the dedication of the water works.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stepped pyramid like slope facing the Fuente de Tláloc</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCGNUDEFqY5orDwokPQ42nes7u0dZHZzCndJH1vanTk366pOFxY98jll0TYMA_X_Aw1GhukEwSBm9i8PBi6y6EM7EYTmrz6z6qOZwSjDSw_1dXsOAjvi84Bw_vaiBktlw5nqgLOY3G1U2/s1600/P1150554.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCGNUDEFqY5orDwokPQ42nes7u0dZHZzCndJH1vanTk366pOFxY98jll0TYMA_X_Aw1GhukEwSBm9i8PBi6y6EM7EYTmrz6z6qOZwSjDSw_1dXsOAjvi84Bw_vaiBktlw5nqgLOY3G1U2/s640/P1150554.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo of a photo on a placard of the Fuente de Tláloc taken from above showing the entire mosaic</td></tr>
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Diego Rivera intended the pool to be visible from airplanes arriving in Mexico City. The water reflects and connects to the sky and clouds, and the water spraying from the head mimics rain and connects water with the air. His body is meant to resemble the outline of mountains from where Tláloc was worshipped. Underneath his left leg is a mosaic of a Quetzalcoatl, or plumed serpent, one of the most important and frequently depicted Mesoamerican dieties, who bestowed maize as a source of sustenance to mankind according to regional mythology.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pool as a mirror of the sky</td></tr>
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Tlaloc is one of the oldest and most revered of the pantheon of Gods worshipped in Mexico. Ceremonial shrines have been found buried in the pyramids at Teotihuacan, the oldest of the great civilizations to be built in the Valley of Mexico where the city today resides. He was probably derived from the ancient Mayan God Chaac, or an earlier Olmec one. The patron diety of farmers, Tláloc is the bringer of rains that sustain agriculture and he also represents fertility. But with rain comes thunder and lightning, hail, and floods, so the God was fearsome as well. In Aztec mythology, the four corners of the universe were marked by "the four Tlálocs". The most important shrines were built on mountaintops, where powerful priests conducted ceremonies to appease the God. These were also destinations for pilgrims bearing offerings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgML6r7aQ8UzR1cWmiOpN9qvD67fkfosyGym7z6vGb96yasRMKOkuMcnB6nHrJmxQh8qH0fwxAoKbIamhLP8TVC9FxTSVGk_k0p8j-LzFG2PvTRpA1j0TiFscVQ5l-jPFj6ge6YGzhwgszu/s1600/Tlaloc+1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgML6r7aQ8UzR1cWmiOpN9qvD67fkfosyGym7z6vGb96yasRMKOkuMcnB6nHrJmxQh8qH0fwxAoKbIamhLP8TVC9FxTSVGk_k0p8j-LzFG2PvTRpA1j0TiFscVQ5l-jPFj6ge6YGzhwgszu/s640/Tlaloc+1.JPG" width="630" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This abstract ceramic depiction of the rain God Tláloc with a symbol of the four corners of the universe, Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Mexico City</td></tr>
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Tláloc is usually depicted with bulging eyes and jaguar like teeth. Jaguars skulls and bones have been found at the shrines at Teotihuacan and are believed to be the ultimate sacrifice in that culture due to their stature of power. The heron, being a water bird, is also associated with Tláloc and priests often wore heron feather headresses during ceremonies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfXxLL9EaWtp-gm9avlTSxqMAadnQI5ZDbyF-IkuxujcukONNDKmdavywHmb5heKEEWc5ir63R_ebUx9OF0gbcYEkEsTsia8lbtQHTWFepNyeI5ClRW_txOAflbqV9wGok8MPuC0uK1Nm/s1600/Tlaloc+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfXxLL9EaWtp-gm9avlTSxqMAadnQI5ZDbyF-IkuxujcukONNDKmdavywHmb5heKEEWc5ir63R_ebUx9OF0gbcYEkEsTsia8lbtQHTWFepNyeI5ClRW_txOAflbqV9wGok8MPuC0uK1Nm/s640/Tlaloc+2.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another ceramic plaque representing the Aztec God of Rain, Tláloc, Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Mexico City</td></tr>
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Maize, or corn, was the primary crop in Precolumbian agriculture and corn stalks were also used in rituals along with water vessels bearing the God's image. In the sculpture's left hand Tláloc holds four kernels of corn surrounded by a mosaic of clouds and lightning. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MXUV2Y3WBkZUrhVLl9oy5enqCyGh1PDklnDjCr7bYiDBCXRgvBCJC0E1oC5HlhKd3_3kbR5osq9gC2YwGtG96yxmMG3wvZNvdRekIQDlKl7FwUkcSFxJdnnFylZZrxRrKlqx0SlZngvt/s1600/Tlaloc+bottles.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MXUV2Y3WBkZUrhVLl9oy5enqCyGh1PDklnDjCr7bYiDBCXRgvBCJC0E1oC5HlhKd3_3kbR5osq9gC2YwGtG96yxmMG3wvZNvdRekIQDlKl7FwUkcSFxJdnnFylZZrxRrKlqx0SlZngvt/s640/Tlaloc+bottles.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ceremonial water vessels bearing the image of the Rain God Tláloc, Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Mexico City</td></tr>
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Flowing forms in the mosaic represent springs and rivers, and fish and snakes swim through the design on the bottom of the pool in which Tláloc sprawls. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr-KcGvxMX26ptiwrDS94IXdGkmJzoAcUbEnoAq9P0f6tl1saof-GkqKJivVMbGGX9ek2kb-H0I1TK_xeOQDmIHqbxURr6GMBzm4ZqKdMnwhcdJys2kEbTFj2A8NYJ7wPPx8ko-uTlIsd/s1600/P1150579.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr-KcGvxMX26ptiwrDS94IXdGkmJzoAcUbEnoAq9P0f6tl1saof-GkqKJivVMbGGX9ek2kb-H0I1TK_xeOQDmIHqbxURr6GMBzm4ZqKdMnwhcdJys2kEbTFj2A8NYJ7wPPx8ko-uTlIsd/s640/P1150579.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mosaic fish at the bottom of the pool of the Tlalock Fountain</td></tr>
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I was entranced by the murals and sounds inside the building and had a hard time leaving. I was the only one there under the watchful eye of a guard. When I finally did step out the door, the fountain spraying from Tláloc's head suddenly stopped. It was then that I realized that the guard was waiting patiently to lock up the building for the day. As soon as the fountain stopped a flock of black birds landed on the hand bearing the corn kernals. It was a magical moment of quiet with the end of the splashing water from the fountain.<br />
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In the God's right hand he bears two beautifully rendered cobs of ripe corn which were picked from the mosaic maize field depicted at the bottom of the pool. Maize continues to be the most important staple of Mexican cuisine and the cultivation of corn over the ages represents sustenance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsy-oYJ-ILY0lcxwiA3d-CmTEYDwHEBbFHOYWwmQIPnGbUgtqcVyULWhXJ9Q1Vuav7Pxaq-OXyhiWlvR3uFgLslg33sHj39IajaXLpo863PKyozBxRSCLovR09r9Ze6J1ChOi7NlwljYH/s1600/P1150497.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsy-oYJ-ILY0lcxwiA3d-CmTEYDwHEBbFHOYWwmQIPnGbUgtqcVyULWhXJ9Q1Vuav7Pxaq-OXyhiWlvR3uFgLslg33sHj39IajaXLpo863PKyozBxRSCLovR09r9Ze6J1ChOi7NlwljYH/s640/P1150497.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two ears of corn in Tlálocs right hand</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the mosaic representing a field of maize on the bottom of the pool surrounding Tláloc's right hand</td></tr>
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The sandals the God is wearing bear symbolic imagery on their soles, combining mythology and the purpose of the water project in to an abstract expression. On the right foot an eagle transports water over the mountains.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzv2FRhE7Y0FyNhyZhij4XLlkTyscb52BDbXdOOD2pV9TSC4DmnAlHyd9XteVpDD2qrMcnfASLmx04agVf1ZJV2mJRxHwZJ-oGz1MRmLIzqE0rky1XmVjxgmIyr-atfDyqHCSlNvmWGbt/s1600/P1150559.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzv2FRhE7Y0FyNhyZhij4XLlkTyscb52BDbXdOOD2pV9TSC4DmnAlHyd9XteVpDD2qrMcnfASLmx04agVf1ZJV2mJRxHwZJ-oGz1MRmLIzqE0rky1XmVjxgmIyr-atfDyqHCSlNvmWGbt/s640/P1150559.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the left sandal the eagle finds a route under the mountains for the water to flow. The eagle stands on a cactus and the water takes on the form of a serpent, which alludes to the design found on the Mexican Flag. This image is derived from the myth that led the Aztec people to found their capital in the Valley of Mexico.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuDHTNM9IU2JHbvoORJ8eTxhXyycJC0aKk9DqzgCZnRNVQrxHWDBMIerCx9BaCzm9JkiAaKhjkg7rxqeg3w68YczAuQf7QJOHDtHjnNcUCsC_rvUsn6WehUK5wCqH0qdmwJlaoTK6uJ5K/s1600/P1150569.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuDHTNM9IU2JHbvoORJ8eTxhXyycJC0aKk9DqzgCZnRNVQrxHWDBMIerCx9BaCzm9JkiAaKhjkg7rxqeg3w68YczAuQf7QJOHDtHjnNcUCsC_rvUsn6WehUK5wCqH0qdmwJlaoTK6uJ5K/s640/P1150569.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic on the left sandal depicting an eagle on a cactus bringing water under the mountains</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnw0DnjWuvDx36MS9r5vtqgdjqLF9gjUnkzNFRkzfrff3oUsiL8FEOxjcXtUrDvm64UzHH2x8XwDU82D1aGyAsjmFIIuGb0FtQM0HZnjyp-S9Schu0vFTcnjYIOc4VGVLLmY5DyHWabMhG/s1600/P1150571.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnw0DnjWuvDx36MS9r5vtqgdjqLF9gjUnkzNFRkzfrff3oUsiL8FEOxjcXtUrDvm64UzHH2x8XwDU82D1aGyAsjmFIIuGb0FtQM0HZnjyp-S9Schu0vFTcnjYIOc4VGVLLmY5DyHWabMhG/s640/P1150571.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And with this ends a laborious essay on an incredible and little known gem in the vast, epic expanse that is Mexico City. It inspired me to do a great deal of research in order to understand it better, and it inspires me to bring the richness of meaning that I strive to incorporate in to my own work to a higher level. Thanks for reading this. It was a lot of work but a pleasure to do. And I took all the photos, Jeffrey<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2T8HClboMs0VTd08IsCxpNps3OrPAne_gHmq4i8b0GtVzoLOE0s_0LXtvPBnjDOnsab8uUhGCGgSLN29yfVEdQKUBU40DuPWpH3ea5K-qyoZxGmx0XJWrkTAkVWrZJ2rnRCW0Uv8ue7b/s1600/P1030600.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2T8HClboMs0VTd08IsCxpNps3OrPAne_gHmq4i8b0GtVzoLOE0s_0LXtvPBnjDOnsab8uUhGCGgSLN29yfVEdQKUBU40DuPWpH3ea5K-qyoZxGmx0XJWrkTAkVWrZJ2rnRCW0Uv8ue7b/s640/P1030600.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A painting of the symbol of the nation of Mexico, an eagle on a cactus with a snake in its beak in the Palacio Nacional, Mexico City</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A man hole cover displayed outside the water tower, Chapultepec Park</td></tr>
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Jeffreygardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309073799544681741noreply@blogger.com8