Bustin Loose in South Carolina

About five weeks ago I ventured down to the bottom land, that hallowed ground coveted by Alvin York and dirt farmers everywhere, to snap a few photos of impending Spring. That day I went in search of the deciduous Magnolia, a rare find in this neck of the woods. Most of the Magnolias here are evergreen with big thick, shiny leaves that in Spring produces a big, fragrant flower. A right of being a Carolinian is the aroma of the Magnolia flower drifting through a raised window in late April, catching you unawares and taking you back to mama's biscuits and gravy. Honeysuckle will do that too. When I catch a scent of Honeysuckle it's like time travel. Instantly, I'm shagging fly balls near the outfield fence, shielding my eyes from the western sun and trying to avoid the "sticker bushes". Honeysuckle has enormous transitive capabilities. No matter where I am, if I catch a whiff of Honeysuckle, I can roam the streets of the villages...and never leave my chair.

Now back to the deciduous Magnolia. They bloomed in early Spring and they were pretty. But now, the Bauer Garden is alive and I promised I'd be there to witness the event. We're a month in and the Rhododendrons are opening up big time.

As you wander the paths of the garden, occasionally the fragrances blend together in one powerful bouquet blast.

Here is a view of the garden from the eastern end. Those trees in the foreground are 150 foot poplars.

Here is a shot coming out of the Western edge into the future home of the croquet court. Notice the logs. That's what is left of 4 big trees that I had dropped to make way for the greensward. When completed, I think it will be a nice compliment to the Botanical garden; and a great place to punish my adversaries (may Allah keep them three ball dead).


More to come...