There is so much ugliness in the world today. Every newscast is filled with mean, cruel acts. The air is filled with crude, ugly words. Contempt for God's laws is considered the politically correct point of view. Grungy is fashionable. Vandalism, corruption, rudeness are the norm. Yet I think there is something in the human soul that longs for beauty. That is why I savor days like today.My husband and I, two of our daughters, and a grandson decided to play hooky from our usual tasks to visit one of our favorite places. Anyone who knows me, knows I love visiting botanical gardens and one of the best is just a few miles away from our home. Though I have a soft spot for the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, Canada, for sheer beauty the Thanksgiving Point Gardens in Utah are hard to beat. The tulip fesitval is almost over and we didn't want to miss it.
The festival boasts 95 varieties of tulips. Did you know that tulip bulbs were so valuable during the Middle Ages that a single bulb sold for the equivalent of $5.5 million dollars? Last Fall the Thanksgiving Point staff assisted by elementary school children planted 250,000 bulbs. What a great way for children to learn about the beauty of nature. They'll be back at the end of May to dig up the bulbs which will then be sold to the public and the gardens will be filled with summer flowers.
Instead of talking further about the beauties of the garden, I'll post some of the pictures I took.
My grandson poses in front of some orange tulips he particularly liked.
Horses wearing saddles of flowers. How is a guy supposed to get a ride? 
The "bathtubs with pennies in them."
The koi are colorful too and appreciate a snack.
No trolls under this bridge.
This is me with my oldest daughter, Sharon.
Mary Jo and Brandon hiding in a tulip patch.
Just one of many angles of the falls.
That's a lot of walking. Brandon needs to rest. As I usually do, I have a few questions to ask. Where do you find beauty in today's world? Is it important to take time to enjoy something just because it is beautiful? Do you see God's hand in nature, gardens, and forests? Comments count toward May's first contest.
4 comments:
Absolutely breathtaking! Loved the color and your framing of the shots! Thanks so much for sharing- Lynn
I love tuplips! What a great place to go! I really miss my flowers.
First I have to say absolutely beautiful. Next, is answering your questions. I live in washington, have all my life, and I have to say it is a beautiful state. People may think that it rains to much in the seattle area, but it only makes those sunny days more precious. I love the green, the flowers, the smell of rain. Everytime I step out my door, or look out a window I see the Beautiful green trees and colorful flowers the Lord has blessed this earth with.
Stephanie, I love western Washington too. When our son-in-law was stationed at Fort Lewis we made a lot of trips to the Tacoma to Seattle area and I agree it is breathtaking.
Mindi and Lynn, the only other place that matches Thanksgiving Point for beautiful tulips are the temple grounds. I've loved walking past the tulip beds this year.
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