Elandan Garden

In between painting, gardening and home improvement projects for Elissa, we try to get out and explore the surrounding area.  Eric and Elissa have been interested in bonsai so we decided to check out the Elandan Garden nearby.  

I couldn't believe how old some of the bonsai trees were.  This Alpine Hemlock was the oldest tree at over 1000 years old from 900 A.D..  It was found on the slopes of Mt. Baker not far from Seattle.  I wasn't sure how they could tell how old these found trees were, but it appears that in the bonsai grooming process they cut away parts of the upper trunk and from that they can date the tree.  This tree was probably about 4 feet tall.

 

 

 

Alpine Hemlock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a great variety of sizes, ages and tree types.

 

Sydney  loved exploring the gardens with all the fountains and rocks.

 

The garden was in a beautiful setting with Puget Sound in the background. 

 

While in the garden, you could see the "ghost fleet" of decommissioned aircraft carriers and navy vessels in the distance.

 

the "ghost fleet"

Two days after visiting the gardens, we were in the area again and saw them towing the USS Constellation aircraft carrier away from the "ghost fleet" on her final journey to be scrapped.  

USS Constellation