exercise in futility....

...is pretty much what our trip to north Ga to see the bulbs was today. I got up about 4:30, and left home to drive to Decatur. Where I immediately fell on the bed and had a little nap. Meaning I obviously left home much too soon. Due to trying to get into Atlanta and off the interstate highway before all those other four million people got in the road, on their way to work/school/shopping, etc.

We had been planning for weeks to go up to see the massed plantings of glorious daffodils that were supposed to be in full bloom at Gibbs Gardens. You might remember: we went last year, hoping to see beautifully blooming bulbs, but waited a bit too late in the season. The date on my 'annual membership' card is for mid-April, so that was our first try at seeing the hills abloom. According to the printed matter, it seems like I remember the man who owns the property has planted thousands of bulbs, along with lots of other perennials, both native and otherwise. Landscaped acres and put in all the amenities tourists expect: bathrooms, winding paths, vending machines, snack shop.

The trip last March got postponed due to really bad weather, and when we finally got there, the bountiful bulb blooming season was pretty much over, and not much else had started to flower. So we marked our calendars and planned to get there for the peak of the viewing season this spring. But the gates would not open: Closed on Monday. Rats. So pretty much 350 miles of driving in circles...

We plan a rematch the end of the month. Just as well, I suppose, as I had asked PI if she might use up some of that comp .time she has been accruing, and meet us there. So perhaps the 'exercise' was for the best, and when we try again, we'll be able to meet in beautiful downtown Ball Ground. A little town with one street of commerce, and mostly rock stores at that. Pretty interesting, but it does not take long to be able to say you've seen it all.

I did see lots of naturalized daffodils in pastures, along the right of way, out in the woods in places where you could imagine an old homestead used to be. With some farm family from 150 years ago living out in the north Georgia hills. And a wife taking the time to plant bulbs in the hopes of a bright spot in her day when the season changed from drab cold winter to bright clear sunny spring.  I am always tempted to stop the car, get out and go dig, but was able to resist the impulse all day long, so I did not come home with things that need foster care.

I am sitting at my dining table, looking out the window to the north. Seeing the last of the afternoon's sunny rays highlighting colorful hyacinths, sparkling white snowdrops and bright yellow daffodils blooming right here in my yard. Making me think: you should have stayed at home to enjoy the beauty of your own backyard, as those forysthia blooms open up so fast in this warm weather, you can almost watch the buds pop open.