So much is said when the words “BUTCHART GARDEN” is uttered.  So much that I will not be able to say it all in this blog no matter how long it becomes.  For those of you have been to Butchart Garden you will have a better understand of what I mean.

I arrived at Butchart Garden at 9:09 a.m.  The garden opens at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m.  I knew before I even went that I wanted to be there every moment I could be.  I planned to be the last one to leave the park that day!  That was my goal.  I found out after I arrived on the island that starting Monday June 15^th the hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and later in the summer they are opened even longer.  I would have waited to come next week if I had known that.  I had hoped they would be open until dark.

Now, where to start?  It is amazing just to see how it is set up for traffic flow.  You pay from your car as you go through a ticket line.  There are excellent signs to point the way to the parking.  Parking attendants are all over parking the early arrivals the closest and so on.  I was in the second row, very close to the entrance.  The parking lot is huge and very easy to get in and out of.  Think of the opposite of any parking lot in Wisconsin.  The moment I walked through the open passage way into the park I felt freedom.  It was so clean, so orderly, so beautiful and so spacious.  At the end of the day I likened it to a Disneyland for adults!  A PEACEFUL Disneyland for adults.  Serenity would be an apt description.

As I sit here in a BC Ferry, being transported from Vancouver Island to mainland BC, the ocean is surrounding me with a myriad of small islands dotting the distance horizons.  It too is peaceful and calm as the clouds languidly drift in an unhurried way and the panoramic view of them is breathtaking.  But, I must keep my mind on writing this blog and can’t enjoy the view like I’d like.  Well, yesterday that was all I did, ENJOY THE VIEW!  Every time I turned around there was something different to look at.  Colors that I have never seen before, both made by God and made by man.  I have never seen such a variety of ethnic backgrounds, or heard so many different languages, nor imagined such magnificent attire on both men and women as I viewed in the park.  I’m sure I fit right in.  When I get WiFi I’ll be sure and download at least one pic that shows my (rather eccentric) Butchart Garden dress attire.  I had on my beige pants with the colorful little polka dots, a muted pink top, a multicolored striped pastel blouse, red shoes, my favorite socks that are horizontally striped lime green, bright orange, true yellow, hot pink, turquoise, and dark green.  I love them!  Oh, also I had on a jeans shirt/jacket and my hat that I acquired from Bill and Lisa’s neighbor who thought my polyester patchwork quilt dress was the ugliest dress she had ever seen!  Well, my hat that she gave me may very well BE the ugliest hat in the world now that it has gone a few thousand miles with me on this trip.  BUT I LOVE IT!  It is light and comfortable and cool and stays tight on my head in the wind.  The hat topped my ensemble.  Well, actually I need to say that I had my little purse with the long strap crossing my front and then MY RED CAMERA hanging from my neck to top it off.  What a sight I was. But…my feet were comfortable, I was warm enough and my eyes were shaded from the sun without sunglasses and I didn’t have to keep up with a loose purse.  Oh the comforts of being older, not really caring about the opinion of others.  Sometimes it was comical to see their looks I received.  On other faces I just saw sweet smiles smiling back at me.  It is so good to live in my world.

Well, I must go back to my car as we will be debarking in about fifteen moments.  More later.

It is now 9:00 p.m. and I’m back and my day is about over.  But…I wasn’t really talking about today but yesterday.  Yesterday seems like a long way off.  And not only does it seem like a long way off, the day itself seemed like two or three days tied into one by the time it was over.

By arriving early I was able to get some up front views of a lot of flowers that would later be blocked by crowds of bodies all wanting to see he same thing.  The first hour or so was awesome because the crowd was low.  My one thought in my heart was how I wish I could be the only person in the park and no one else would be in the way.  I sort of daydreamed about how nice that would be, how beautiful, how peaceful.  I had that experience once many years ago at the Huntington Library gardens, 207 acres worth.  When we lived in So. California I loved going there and became friends with an old man who was the grounds keeper.  I mentioned to him one day how awesome it would be to be the only person in that big beautiful garden with no one else around.  He told me that it could be arranged.  I was shocked and surprised.  Never in a million years had I even entertained the thought that it was possible.  He said he had the key and could allow anyone in he wanted to on Sundays as the garden was closed to the public that day.  I asked if I could bring one other person.  I brought my friend Linda.  We met him on a Sunday and he opened the gate for us, ushered us in and he said to let him know when we wanted to come out.  It was so amazing.  Can you even imagine such a thing happening in today’s world?  Linda and I spent a little time with the old man and he had us stand aside and he sat on a bench.  He held out his hand and wild birds from the tree above started coming down and sitting on his finger and shoulder, hoping on the bench beside him and perching around him.  It was so amazing.  He said he trained them with food.  He put a see between his lips and a bird would gently take it and fly away.  Somewhere I have a picture of this and it looks like the little birds are kissing him.  The birds trusted him.  I am sure he is long gone by now but I will never forget him for his great kindness to me to fulfill a desire of my heart.

I spent long and interesting hours exploring every corner, every pathway, going up and down flights of stairs many times (purposely for exercise), walking, walking, and more walking.  I stopped and offer my services to couples to take their pictures with their cameras.  So many were so delighted.  One couple had a great Canon camera and I ended up doing quite a long shoot for them and got some great pictures of them.  They were delighted.  He jokingly said “How much do I owe you”.  I said well if you had been a client it would have been (this much $$) but since I did it for fun it was on the house, besides, it was with his camera.  Then I told him I had just retired as a photographer and only did it for fun now.  About midway into my exploration I decided I was hungry and went to a restaurant which I had earlier read the posted menu and knew exactly what I wanted for lunch.  I ordered a “Yam and feta salad with fresh baby greens, craisins and macadamia nuts with a delicious dressing.  It was so good!  I then bought a curry chicken wrap and took it to my car to have for dinner when I got back to my room.  I always carry my cold insulated bag with me with fresh food to eat.

After lunch I did more searching and found several areas not yet covered.  There are many different kinds of gardens.  I can’t say which one was my favorite because wherever I was seemed to be my most favorite and intense place to be.  Time was running short and I literally almost cried to think I had to leave at 6:00 p.m.  I retraced most of my steps and went to all the gardens again.  Believe me, that is a lot of walking.  I went to the Italian Garden, the Rose Garden, The Japanese Garden, the sunken garden, the fireworks display area, to all the foundains, the star pond, the totem poles, the bog garden and the Ross garden.  I went to the grift store and to the visitor center.  I told the lady working at the information desk that I wanted to be the last one out of the park when it closed at six.  I asked her how I could make that happen.  She said, just be last one to leave.  She also told me to hide out somewhere.  Hmmm…so that’s what I did.  Throngs of people started walking to the parking lot and I just got lost farther and farther away.  The crowds died down and slowly they began to leave.  It became very quiet.  I went to the sunken garden and climbed 51 stairs to the highest point in the garden on top a towering stone.  I stood there listening as the voices and noises of children became distant and soon altogether gone.  No one was around.  I was there all alone.  So I sang my song again…”Somebody Bigger Than You and I”.  There I was on top of the rock, the second, albeit much smaller, rock I had climbed in a week.  I had already been to the top a couple times before but just wanted to see the sunken garden in its isolation before I had to turn myself in to the guards.

Well, to my horror, about that time a family with three noisy children came bounding into the garden.  I was making my way back to the gate and spoke to them when I passes to let them know that I thought the park was closing now and we had to go back to the gate.  After all, they needed to be out before me so I could be the last one to leave.  They looked puzzled and said they had just arrived and the people at the ticket booth said they were opened until 9:00 p.m.  Well, I had to check that out.  That was something I didn’t know about.  Imagine that!  So I went to the information desk again (another long walk) and inquired.  And yes, that family was right.  Almost everyone one was gone from the day and a few other stragglers were now coming in.  According to my book this was not right.  Either I was really confused by what I had read online, or by what ticket takes told me at the booth that morning, or by what the information lady had told me.  What was actually happening was that the park had received word that there were two cruise lines docking who had already paid for access to the park so the park would remain open.  I asked if I could stay too.  They said absolutely since I hadn’t left yet.  WOW…there was God working his miracles again of giving me the desires of my heart.  All of the restaurants were now closed but I had my food in my ice bag so I retrieved my food, took it to an isolated place at the park, sat it on the bench and took a picture of it.  Isn’t it wonderful how God provides ahead for us when we don’t even know we are going to need it?  One chicken curry wrap, one cold sparkling water and one fresh made granola bar.  I was one of the farthest tips in the garden.  I was at the water’s edge in the midst of towering trees that formed an eerily secluded shadowy darkness.  It was awesome!

The cruise ship people came in a frenzy, some only had two hours.  I had been there all day and doubt if I really saw all there was to see. I took lots of pics or them to take home on their camera.  Throughout the day I met several interesting people and you guessed it, I have some of their wisdom to share.  Oh, sad news to share.  I took notes on my cell yesterday for all the wisdom and it is not there now.  I must have done something wrong.  It was good notes too.  Can’t even remember all the names now.  Bummer!  So much for trusting my phone.  Well, I’ll tell a little about the ones I remember.

I met three young ladies, all 14, who were there on a school field trip for many hours north.  I have never been so impressed with three 14 year olds in my life.  They looked healthy and fit, had good eye contact with an adult, did not mumble, were courteous, spoke with confident and respectful voice and were just delightful to talk to.  One was named Prestin.  I remember her name because one of the triples granddaughters of Larry and Charlene is name Preston.  I don’t know her spelling.  One young lady’s wisdom was: “you must first love yourself before others can love you”.  Sorry girls, I can’t remember the other two wisdoms.  If I gave  you my blog address please send your wisdom to me and I’ll post it.  I really want to do that.  I really enjoyed talking with them.

I later met a family taking photos of their beautiful daughters, ages 12 and 14.  Of course I honed in and asked if I could do a family photo of them.  The agreed.  Then I made some suggestions as to taking some different poses of their daughters.  We had a nice conversation and I asked the girls for their wisdom.  Jessica, age 12 was quick to come up with:  “Don’t let anyone ever dull our sparkle”.  Very perceptive from one so young.  Jessica the 14 year old said: “Take advantage of every moment you have because it doesn’t last forever.”  So little does she yet know how very true that statement is!  Even this very moment I am typing will not last forever (for which I am grateful).  In my heart I do know that someday even one more word will never be typed from these 10 fingers that can still do so much.  Everything I can do, I am so thankful.

I also met Ovid who just graduated from University of Victoria.  He was tall and handsome, wore sunglasses and had a three day scruff.  He was dressed impeccably, suit and the whole bit.  On his arm was a beautify lady with a great big yellow purse.  They were each taking pictures of each other and so I called out from behind as they were walking away, “Lady with the yellow bag”, and she turned to look at me.  The man translated for her.  I asked if I could take a picture of them together.  I thought they were a lovely couple.  Well, later found out that that this beautiful “young lady” was his mother and he had a 31 year old sister.  (I hope I got her age correct).  His mother was there because Ovid had just graduated from college.  Ovid’s mother’s name is Annie.  I think Ovid’s wisdom is sound for all of us to take into consideration:  “TACKLE ISSUES BEFORE THEY BECOME PROBEMS”.  I say amen to that.  Perhaps the first one I should tackle is learn to use my cell phone so I do not lose things I write on it.

Well, as much as I was saddened about having to leave the park at nine, I was once again thrilled to know that the time had been extended because another a third cruise ship was coming and the park would now be open until 10:00.  And to make a long story short, the supervisor told me he would not start doing the final walk through sweep until 10:30 and that would take one half hour.  I was given permission to stay in the park until he closed it down.  It was totally dark now.  The food lights were on, the shadows in the trees were now total darkness except where the up-lights highlighted a place of interest.  Photo taking had come to an end, I was alone, and I could walk to wherever I wanted to go.  I went to the sunken garden again.  I was high above on the entrance landing and I could see the entire garden from my vantage point.  The footlights below showed graceful curvatures along the winding paths.  I thought back to my day when I arrived at 9:09 and how quickly I knew the day would end.  Never in a million years did I dream that I would have another such desire fulfilled as I had all those years ago at Huntington’s Library in San Moreno California with just my friend and I all alone in acres of such exquisite beauty.  It was happening again.  Except this time I was really alone.  The supervisor and assistant walked away into the distance and soon were out of sight and sound.  I sang again.  It is with such joy and praise to God that sing.  All this beauty had been mine for this one day in  my life.  No one can ever take those moments away from me.  My memory may fade but the truth of my being there, feeling the stirrings deep in my soul of the wonder of God’s creation and the vision of one Mrs. Butchart to design and oversee creating something so beautiful and lasting as her legacy to the world.  From a former quarry to harvest the earth to make cement, the remnants of the severe jagged hole in the ground was formed to creating lasting beauty.  It is easy to forget all the sorrows of the world when one is in a place of such magnificent beauty.  It is too bad that kind of beauty is not available for all to see.  I thank God that I had the experience I had yesterday.

I walked away.  I left the park.  There was my little Silver Fox, all alone in the parking lot.  There was no fear.  My heart was full of joy.  I was the last guest to walk away from the place called BUTCHART GARDENS.  So much said in just those two words.

And there is so much else I would like to write because I am still so “full of it”.  My story is not finished.  There are more exciting details left out.  If you made it through to the end, bless you.  If not, that is okay too, because remember, even if no one ever reads this I am writing it for myself.

Here is the poem I wrote after I arrived back to my room after 11:00 p.m. My 14 hour day.  I will remember these 14 hours.

 

BUTCHARD GARDENS

Kathleen Martens

June 12, 2015

 

Hush and quiet

Of day’s end

Was like a visit

From a long lost friend.

 

Crowds and noise,

Sights and sounds

In organized chaos

Does about.

 

But the peace

That settles still,

Into my quiet

Places fill.

 

A stroll in a garden

A private retreat

But the masses

Do defeat.

 

The beauty there,

But hard to see

When the eyes

Can’t roam free.

 

So at dusk

Day is done

And all that’s left

Is only one.

 

And such joy

Floods deep within.

There are no crowds,

Nor noisy din.

 

A desire of my heart

To be left alone

In quiet peace

Free to roam

 

Is like a gift

Given to me,

For everything

Now I see.

 

And as I left

No other was present

And oh the feeling

Was so pleasant.

 

Like a jewel,

A priceless treasure

And my gratitude

Cannot be measured.

 

Thank you God

For again you amaze

All that you do

To brighten my days.