pit stop at the garden~

Well...  let's try this again.  I tried earlier today to make this post and somehow I lost it.

I'm still making pit stop post of our vacation. 
One day while Slim and my bro-inlaw Mike were busy cutting up some mesquite for smoking some meat ~

and got side tracked by some beetles that were boring holes and making sawdust of the woodpile~

and side tracked by a dead gecko I laid on a stump ~

Colleen and I decided to jump in the car and head a mile down the road from her place to take a little walk through the Weston Garden.  We knew the flowers weren't blooming yet; but she suggested I might get some ideas for my place over there.  So off we went.

The garden was originally built in the 1930 and 40's by Leon Bandy.  It is in the process of restoration now.  What a cool place ~ I really enjoyed it.  It's advertised as "English Gardens ~ Texas Style".  As you meander around the pathways it's so relaxing.  Listening to the rippling water of the creek and the waterfalls, seeing tons and tons of motar and stone walls and pathways and even an  Italian grotto. 

 There is an altar area where weddings can be performed ~

and many other little nooks and crannies to investigate.  Also, are some very interesting statues and garden ornaments.

One of the pathways leads you to a swaying bridge ~

that crosses over to the most interesting thing ever. 
Something you would not expect to see ~ a stone ship!

Leon Bandy had it constructed to hold dances.  It was completed in 1942 and originally had a two story cabin on it that had burnt in 1972.  It is in the process of rehabilitation and should be done in two to three years. 
Now... when Colleen mentioned that I should go to the garden with her for ideas ~ does she think I need a ship in my back yard??? I say yes!! How cool is that!

Weston Garden also sports some pretty fine old trees ... like this big old bur oak ... the picture doesn't do it justice.

Also, there are a lot of cats meandering around.  I even spotted one up on the roof.

 Look at these cool chairs ... I'm gonna make me some of these:

I hope you enjoyed my little photo tour of the garden.
Tomorrow... I'm heading up Mt. Nebo in Dardanelle, Arkansas and the Dick Clark theater in Branson, Missouri.  Talk about some twisty turning hairpin roads and some talented people.

Until next time...
So it goes in my neck of the woods.
~mel