Brian and I took a road trip out to Bainbridge Island on Saturday. We stopped by the Bainbridge Island Farmer's Market (separate post to follow) and made our way to the Bloedel Reserve for a tour.I am not sure how I found this place (Brian was impressed and didn't know it even existed), but I was doing some research on things to see/do on Bainbridge and came upon their website a few years ago. The idea of a 150-acre nature preserve and garden (designed by the vice-chairman of a lumber company) with influence of the conservation movement and oriental philosophy sounded just to interesting to pass up.
The Bloedel Reserve has both natural and highly-landscaped lakes, immaculate lawns, woods, a rock and sand Zen Garden (formerly the swimming pool where poet Theodore Roethke drowned in 1963), a moss garden (unique for these parts, ha ha), a rhododendron glade, and a Reflection Garden.
The Bloedel's French Chateau-style home including many original furnishings, is preserved as a Visitor Center. The number of visitors to the Reserve is limited, to preserve its tranquility and the experience of its visitors. Brian and I had 1:30 PM reservations.
I took two cameras, giving Brian the digital to shoot while I used the "big" camera with one roll of black and white and one roll of color film. Here is our detailed tour.
The GatehouseWe were met at the gate, by our hostess who gave us a list of rules to read while we parked the car. Inside, we were checked in and given a detailed self tour guidebook and map and sent on our way. The first part of our journey took us through a field in which you are to set aside the distractions of "city" life and assimilate yourself back to nature.
The most recent addition to the Bloedel Reserve, designed to echo the French heritage of the residence itself. From the Gatehouse you cross the fields to the south and enter the quiet of the woods. As the path descends, you catch your first glimpse of the Bird Refuge.
BIRD REFUGE
Together, the water and plantings both attract and display birds. Ducks, geese and swans make their homes among the native ferns. The sounds were mesmerizing. Not knowing bird calls/sounds....I felt at a disadvantage being surrounded by such an auditory symphony.
THE WOODS
You next step abruptly into a dense Northwest forest, undisturbed except for access trails. Evergreens dominate: Douglas fir, western red cedar and hemlock.
"Nature can do without man, but man cannot do without nature."
Prentice Bloedel
Prentice Bloedel
VISITOR CENTER
Stepping from the deep woods into the residential landscape, this formal, European style landscape is characterized by man-made lakes, weeping willow, English elms and a parrot tree, flanking the main facade of the house.
The Visitor Center, designed as a French country house, on a bluff overlooking Port Madison Bay near Agate Pass, was constructed in 1931, when its neighboring houses were small log and frame summer cabins.
Stepping from the deep woods into the residential landscape, this formal, European style landscape is characterized by man-made lakes, weeping willow, English elms and a parrot tree, flanking the main facade of the house.
The Visitor Center, designed as a French country house, on a bluff overlooking Port Madison Bay near Agate Pass, was constructed in 1931, when its neighboring houses were small log and frame summer cabins.
"The opportunity to enjoy nature as it is arranged by man and as it arranges itself."
Prentice Bloedel
Prentice Bloedel
WATER FALL OVERLOOK
Around the north side of the house is the Waterfall Overlook. A large copper beech stands to the right at the top of the stairway at the Visitor Center lawn. From the Overlook, a path leads you into the Glen. The waterfall was built about 1954.
THE GLEN
Rhododendrons thrive and are blooming! Thousands of perennials, bulbs and wildflowers bloom among the rhododendrons, including more than 15,000 cyclamen plants, one of the largest plantings in the world.
JAPANESE GARDEN
Around the north side of the house is the Waterfall Overlook. A large copper beech stands to the right at the top of the stairway at the Visitor Center lawn. From the Overlook, a path leads you into the Glen. The waterfall was built about 1954.THE GLEN
Rhododendrons thrive and are blooming! Thousands of perennials, bulbs and wildflowers bloom among the rhododendrons, including more than 15,000 cyclamen plants, one of the largest plantings in the world.JAPANESE GARDEN
The experience of walking around the edge of this pond is one in which the view continually changes, being articulated by subtle shifts in the alignment of the path and the mounds alongside it. The landscape is traditionally planted with pruned pine trees and shrubs and carefully placed rocks. Against the dark backdrop of conifer trees, the Japanese maple provides bold color contrast (would love to see it in the autumn). 
The rock and sand Zen garden was designed by Dr. Koichi Kawana, a professor of landscape architecture at the University of California.
MOSS GARDEN
From Oriental respect for nature, we now move closer to reverence. In this hushed room, with its living carpet so dense, it seems to breathe. The light that seeped into this area was both eerie and calming.
REFLECTION GARDEN
Out of the elemental materials of gardening - a natural spring, sky, earth, grass and trees - the Reflection Pool creates a setting of magical simplicity. The pool tames the forest with its geometric precision and the stillness of its ground waters.
"A physical balance between man and nature, appealing to the senses, rather than the intellect."
Prentice Bloedel
Prentice Bloedel
Prentice and Virginia Bloedel were cremated and buried at the end of the reflection pond. I found this spot to be peaceful and spiritual. It was the last stop on our journey and I was sad to see the tour end. This was one of the Bloedel's favorite poems.
Sympathy
By Emile Bronte
There should be no despair for you
There should be no despair for you
While nightly stars are burning;While evening pours its silent dew,
And sunshine gilds the morning.
There should be no despair--though tears may flow down like a river:
Are not the best beloved of years
Around your heart for ever?
They weep, you weep, it must be so;
They weep, you weep, it must be so;
Winds sigh as you are sighing,
And winter sheds its grief in snow
Where Autumn's leaves are lying:
Yet, these revive, and from their fate
Your fate cannot be parted:
Then, journey on, if not elate,
Still, NEVER broken-hearted!
Enjoy!
Stacy
Enjoy!
Stacy
The gardens were established in 1996 by volunteers determined to save 
