A Fragrant Retreat to Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Sorry for the delay in posting, but thawing my ice encased bones takes about a week of Florida sunshine.  Once I am dried out (from being water logged – not from excessive drink), Sherry and I decide to go and smell the camellias.  A special Camellia Show is taking place at nearby Kanapahah Botanical Gardens in Gainesville. Admiring prize-winning, artistic blooms while inhaling floral infused air seems like a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon to us. 

We arrive at the park and approach the underly enthusiastic millennial selling tickets at the door.  Good news for us, ticket prices are reduced for the show.  However our greeter is focused on her mission. It seems that she must insure that anyone entering the garden is unquestionably aware that the botanical gardens CLOSE AT 5PM.  We arrive before 11am and she still sternly cautions us that we must be off the premises by 5pm.  “We CLOSE at 5,” she proclaims forcefully to each guest while reluctantly revealing any other park info requested.  I wonder what temptations in the park so captivate guests that they linger after closing.  Perhaps they wander down the flooded, swamp covered trails and alligators attack them?  I sure hope not!

Inside the visitor center the camellia show is in full bloom and we are amazed at the variety of the blossom types produced by this one plant type.  Outside the gardens are less profuse with blossoms.  I am so happy to be dry, warm and absorbing sunshine, even the weeds look appealing to me.

Exploring the Gardens

I could not resist using the Varnist app to make a “Picasso” like copy of one of my garden photos.

About Sunny Weathers

Pilot, motorcyclist and full time RVer. Follow me as I travel all over the US in my Country Coach RV volunteering, making new friends and pursuing a constant outdoor temperature between 70F and 80F. I'll share the fun and the tribulations and any great survival tricks I learn!

4 Replies to “A Fragrant Retreat to Kanapaha Botanical Gardens”

  1. Your pictures turned out great! Thanks for inviting me to spend the day with you!

    1. Sunny Weathers says: Reply

      Thank you! I appreciate you spending the day with me there – such a lovely place. But next time I am going to take you up on your offer to hold my camera while taking videos – I shake too much when trying to do it myself!!

  2. Jim & Sandy Dukeman says: Reply

    Good to here from you all. You have taken some really beautiful pictures of scenery all over the country, even got Stormy looking good in a couple. But girl, your picture forte is flowers. You could sell cards with the pictures you take of flowers throughout the country, thanks for the tour and the time it took to make this video for us all to enjoy. GOD BLESS
    JD
    Jim
    miss you guys.

    1. Sunny Weathers says: Reply

      Thank you! It was sure nice to see some flowers again. So glad that you liked the pics. Tell Sandy that my ground cover is now 18″ long. She was right; that is a great thing to work on while we are riding.

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