Last Day in Calistoga

But it was a great day! I met up with an old friend of mine who moved to the Sonoma Valley from Portland about 5 years ago. Every time we come down here we meet. She's a real plant nerd like me, so I proposed an outing. 

The president of the fledgling botanical garden that I'm involved with in Portland has a close friend who's taken on the director's position at a botanical garden down here in Sonoma Valley. Quarry Hill Botanical Garden has been around about 33 years and has a lovely story to its founding. I was fortunate enough to spend the afternoon with the director, talking and touring the garden. He's doing a terrific job of revitalizing the organization and tending to the garden itself. He arrived in January after heading the Brooklyn Botanical Garden for years. A native of Washington State, he and his partner will settle in Southern Oregon when they retire. However, I suspect this project will keep him busy for a few years :-)

A final plant photo from Napa Valley - this is a Matilija Poppy which is native to California and Northern Mexico. It's very tall - maybe 6' - and looks so amazing contrasted with the blue, blue sky.

Back home to Portland tomorrow!
Happy weekend to everyone!