Bloedel Reserve | Maggie Rose

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By far my favorite thing on Bainbridge Island was visiting the Bloedel Reserve and the beautiful gardens there (I also had an AMAZING croissant, but we’ll get to that in a later post).

Since Mr. and Mrs. Bloedel died in the ’80s, their estate has been cared for and opened to the public, walking paths designed carefully to wind you around the property for a peaceful and wonderful experience. There are only about 20 parking spots – once those are full you have to wait until someone leaves. They try very hard to make your experience there quiet and reflective. The docents are incredibly nice and enthusiastic about the property – two greet you at the gate and another waits at the visitor center but for the rest of the two mile walk you are on your own. Because you’ll want to take it slow and look around, the two mile walk takes about two hours.

I can’t share ALL my photos with you here (I took over 100 and my battery died before we’d quite finished – the spare was in the car) but here are some of the highlights.

Approaching the summer house, now the visitor center, from under a grove of rhododendrons.

The pond is one of many on the property, and is the largest. Love the weeping willow.

Near the entrance of the house, there are about five HUGE rhododendrons. For reference, I am five feet tall.

My favorite part of a truly beautiful house - built in bookshelves!

At the Christmas Pond (a gift one year from Mr. Bloedel to Mrs. Bloedel, I felt like we were in a Monet painting.

Part of the path is completely canopied by giant rhododendrens. So romantic.

We even had a wildlife sighting - see the deer near the center of the photo?

The groovy guest house overlooks two Japanese style gardens.

There is so much more to see – beautiful views of the water, the perfect pastoral meadow, a moss garden, a long stately reflecting pond, preserved wetlands and PNW rainforest… it’s truly a treasure.

Visit, if you’re in the area – you’ll have to take a car to Bainbridge though because it’s not right in downtown. But it’s only about 15 minutes from the ferry by car. April to August, make a reservation . And if your mind works anything like mine you may disappointed to hear that they don’t allow weddings at the Reserve. Darn. However, there are apparently concerts sometimes that I think would be amazing to attend.

P.S. In general, I had a wonderful birthday weekend. Ryan spoiled me, we shopped, we went to the Cheese Festival at Pike Place Market on Saturday, I got peonies, Ryan made me a red velvet cake (from scratch! What a man.) and yesterday I spent a lovely day by myself, reading in the sunny yard, tidying the house (am I the only one who likes a good cleaning day?) and had some wine and cheese with Ryan when he got home. Thanks to all for the birthday comments, facebook messages, and emails! Xoxo.

Kate Gormley says: May 19, 2010 • 16:43:28 Dear Maggie Rose, Thank you for a beautiful post about the Reserve. Your photos are lovely and your captions eloquent. I would love to use your comment about feeling like you are in a Monet painting on our website — which is currently undergoing a major revision. By the way, we no longer require reservations to visit! Check our website soon for news of our great summer concerts. I highly recommend the Jake Bergevin Swing Quintet (July 17), if you like romantic old music (think Sinatra or Harry Conick). Reply Maggie says: May 20, 2010 • 10:38:43 Kate, Thanks so much for you nice comments! You can definitely use my statement about the Monet feeling. Great to know about the reservations – I’ll change that in the post. And I look forward to hearing more about the concerts. We’ve already decided to visit again in the fall but since we’re only a ferry ride away there is no reason to not visit sooner! Maggie Reply

Dear Maggie Rose, Thank you for a beautiful post about the Reserve. Your photos are lovely and your captions eloquent. I would love to use your comment about feeling like you are in a Monet painting on our website — which is currently undergoing a major revision. By the way, we no longer require reservations to visit! Check our website soon for news of our great summer concerts. I highly recommend the Jake Bergevin Swing Quintet (July 17), if you like romantic old music (think Sinatra or Harry Conick).

Maggie says: May 20, 2010 • 10:38:43 Kate, Thanks so much for you nice comments! You can definitely use my statement about the Monet feeling. Great to know about the reservations – I’ll change that in the post. And I look forward to hearing more about the concerts. We’ve already decided to visit again in the fall but since we’re only a ferry ride away there is no reason to not visit sooner! Maggie Reply

Kate,

Thanks so much for you nice comments! You can definitely use my statement about the Monet feeling.

Great to know about the reservations – I’ll change that in the post. And I look forward to hearing more about the concerts. We’ve already decided to visit again in the fall but since we’re only a ferry ride away there is no reason to not visit sooner!

Maggie

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