I first arrived in
the Chicago area back in the early sixties when the Army stationed my father at
Fort Sheridan. One of the things I
remember from that early adolescent time was a sign along the new Edens
Expressway proclaiming the future home of the Chicago Botanic Garden.
It was in 1965 when
ground was broken on what would become one of the great natural settings in the
country, 300 acres of impressively groomed gardens lying along the north branch
of the Chicago River. Trees began arriving
about the time Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely
Hearts Club Band was released in 1967.
Two big events, both designed to make one's spirits soar.
According to the
website of the Chicago Botanical Garden three principles have been a part of
the site’s development since the very beginning. They include:
First, that beautiful gardens and natural environments are important to
the physical well-being of all people.
Secondly, that people live better, healthier, and more satisfying lives
when they can create, care for, and enjoy gardens. Finally, that the future of life on Earth
depends on how we understand, value, and protect plants and the habitats on
which they depend.
Today, when the
weather is cool, foggy and generally set up to put one in a gray mood, I want
to share a few photos I took at the site on Father’s Day. The weather was perfect, and the peonies were
in full bloom. Particularly noteworthy for a photographer were the huge billowing clouds on a blue, blue sky.
To make a great day
even better Jill and I drove from the garden to Hackney’s on Harms where we had
the best burger in Chicagoland in the outdoor beer garden.
Ask me
to identify what a perfect day would be like . . . this one would be pretty
close to it.
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| Sweet William "Sweet Purple" (JWB Photo) |
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| Blue Heron by the Lakeside Gardens (JWB Photo) |
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| Dan Kiely's Esplanade with clouds (JWB Photo) |
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| The fountain looking toward the Vegetable Gardens (JWB Photo) |
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| Peonies and Blue Sky (JWB Photo) |
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| Red, White and Blue--Published Previously (JWB Photo) |
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| The Rose Garden (JWB Photo) |
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| Little Girl and Roses (JWB Photo) |
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| Yellow Peony (JWB Photo) |
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1 comment:
As a friend who worked there used to continually remind me, it's the Chicago Botanic Garden, not botanical.
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