afternoon in the garden

I spent a couple of hours today wandering the gardens of Dumbarton Oaks, in Washington, DC. An immense, rolling landscape of breathtaking diversity and beauty. There are 10 acres of formal gardens which took 20 years to complete, between 1921 and 1941. Not only are the trees and plants stunning, but all the pathways, fountains, and outdoor areas such as the Orangery, Ellipse, and the "Star Garden" (with its astrological inlaid themes) were painstakingly constructed and a marvel to behold. I walked among sunflowers and hibiscus with butterflies and bees everywhere around me. It brought me back to my senses, and into sync with present time.