Hartstene Island

Stayed at my friends Scott and Raleigh's cabin on Hartstene Island yesterday. We took the Bremerton ferry route, and my passengers needed to stop for coffee in Pioneer Square. I waited in the car.

Looks like Rubaiyat isn't the first place around here to make shoes.



On the way to the island, near Shelton, there's a nursery called Heaths and Heathers. They're not open until next month, though.





OK, here we are at the cabin.





Looking out toward Olympia.



And right across the way at Squaxin Island, an uninhabited Indian reservation.



I love all the madronas.



Did I mention they also have a yurt?











I want to plant madrona and spruce in the yard.



We take a walk on the beach before the tide comes in.





Then we have a crab and salmon feast.



With some 2004 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Domaine Font de Michelle.

Rosedale Gardens

Sunday afternoon we searched for Rosedale Gardens in Gig Harbor. I called them up and made them stay on the phone with me as I navigated my way there from the less interesting Peninsula Gardens.









I decided that I want a gong.

Bainbridge Garden Tour

We went to Bainbridge on Saturday afternoon to attend the garden tour on Sunday morning.

While waiting for the ferry, we went to Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe.







OK, on the island now. This is where we got married, in my in-laws' backyard.



This is a nice place to drink wine. Last night we had some 2005 vintage red Bordeaux. Yum.



OK, back to the real topic -- the Bainbridge in Bloom tour.























They're all waiting to hear Ciscoe Morris speak. Since this blog is sort of about not meeting Ciscoe Morris, I get back on the bus.



I chose almond plum and chocolate.















Back at the garden tour headquarters, they're selling this plant that Chuck calls the Harry Potter plant. And they're sporting those purple blossoms he told me about too.



On the way home, we stopped at Rosedale Nursery. I'll have to show you photos sometime.