a walk in the park




about 20 feet from my front door is a 40 acre orange grove and within that orange grove is an 11 acre botanical park known as prospect park.  i've been taking pictures of the park over the last couple of months and boy was it hard to narrow them down, the park is gorgeous.  with its wide walkways that are lined with curvy cut granite walls and plantings from the late 1800's, you can just imagine what it must have been like to be here at the turn of the century.  the park also has an outdoor theatre that hosts the redlands theatre festival, which runs during the summer.  the park is strung with charming white lights for picnickers to enjoy before the plays begin and because our night temps during august run in the 80's it makes for very charming and romantic evenings.  our grandaughter loves playing on the stage and running through the bamboo mazes.   there are also lots of weddings here, so often music is wafting through the air.  the park was built at the turn of the century and brought 3 presidents (mckinley, roosevelt and taft) here for visits.  it's fun to imagine that at one time horse and buggies drove through the park.  i include the park every morning on my walk and most evenings we take a stroll through it.   right now the orange trees are full of blooms and the scent is intoxicating.
so enough of me rambling, if you are ever in the area, stop by for a visit and in case you can't... 

let's take a walk.



































































































wishing you a peaceful weekend

xo
janet

37 comments

  1. I can't believe you held out on us for so long! I would love to have something like that near me. TOTALLY ADORABLE shot of Larry and your granddaughter!

    A great weekend to you too! xo Steve

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  2. What a gorgeous park! Thanks for taking us on a walk through what must be one of your favorite places.
    Why I live in the Frozen Tundra of the North is something I wonder when I see this kind of beauty.
    Have a great weekend.

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  3. For real! Honestly, you live in the most fantastic place. I'd say you were very lucky to find the gardener's cottage........

    what we talked about...keep going down this path. it's perfect. :)

    Have the most wonderful weekend! xo

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  4. What a beautiful place! I am waiting for the tulips to bloom here. The Chicago Botanic Garden is amazing when the tulips bloom.

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  5. What a gorgeous place, I love your local wanderings, your words and photos are so evocative.

    Did I know you had grandchildren, I must have, but I definitely gasped when I read it today! you and Larry are the youngest looking, cool grandparents ever - maybe it is a Cailfornia thing!!

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  6. Just beautiful! I can smell the orange blossoms!

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  7. How lucky you are! That looks like the perfect place to take a walk. I would be there all the time! Love the shot of your husband and your granddaughter - what little girl doesn't like to twirl?

    xo
    Claudia

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  8. Thanks for the tour of your gorgeous park you lucky lady you!
    Enjoy the weekend.
    Hugs~
    T

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  9. 20ft from your front door??? And of course the 20ft one "must" cross is chalked full of roses galore. How do you even manage to go to work? I would have a hard time leaving such a paradise every day. Between your posts and Adrienne's (The Rich Life), California is fast becoming a place I need to visit--if not move to. Gorgeous!! xxBliss

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  10. Janet,

    These images are magnificant...
    I love the shot looking up that tree with the loose bark...

    I have been eating sweet oranges from California lately and they are goodness in every bite...I can imagine going overboard if I lived as close to the orchard as you do!

    You are surrounded by beauty...

    Hugs from the Hostess

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  11. There is an arbor with Wisteria over it, just like the one in your photo, in Central Park (NYC)! Just like it! It's not too far from the John Lennon Imagine Circle - have you seen it? This is a beautiful park - you are lucky to have such a beautiful place to walk! Have a great weekend! Karin

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  12. Thank You for the walk!

    And wishing you the same.

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  13. I hate to admit it but I've never been to Redlands, and from your blog I am totally intrigued to go there now. But...don't show too many pictures of how awesome it is...because we don't want a charming old town to turn into another crazy California suburb.

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  14. What a wonderful walk to start my day with!
    xoTrina

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  15. Beautiful Janet Hugs, Joyce

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  16. Oh this would make my exercise walks so much more pleasant. Lucky girl!!!! Love the little twirler!!

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  17. Janet,

    What a beautiful park and you are so lucky to live so close to it. Redlands seems like such a great place to live.

    Linda

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  18. What an amazing place to be able to walk through every day! I love the photo of your granddaughter. Is that your hubby with her?

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  19. If I lived there, I would never travel.

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  20. Janet,

    So beautiful, how lucky to have that in your neighborhood. I was going to say even with all that beauty, my favorite photos is the one with the little girl twirling with her dad...then I just read Steve's comment..really?

    Have a lovely weekend.

    xo annie

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  21. Seriously, this one just gave me little goose bumps. So Sweet! I love the one of your grand daughter dancing. And I love the one after the wedding with the petal runner still there.

    Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend.

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  22. I think you just might live 20 ft. away from, "Come On Get Happy." -Suzanne in Illinois

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  23. Well,I knew nothing of a grandchild or this toothsome park.

    Both are delightful to know about. If I lived there my walks would go on and on and on...

    Are dogs allowed? if so we're moving.

    I would like the first photo to hand in my dining room please.

    xo Jane

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  24. Thanks for the stroll, it was delightful! I can even smell the orange blossoms. I remember the lovely poppies from when we lived in N. California. They were my favorite. Happy Weekend!

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  25. Janet,

    I just can't believe you have this right outside your door! Beautiful. Thank you so much for letting us walk with you today!

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  26. Delurking briefly to let you know how much I enjoy your blog, and look forward to your posts. These photos are wonderful and triggered a happy memory of orange blossoms and their sweet fragrance.

    Also enjoying learning about Project 333, and might do it later this year. Thanks and Cheers!

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  27. WOW, That is so impressive and you and your family are So Lucky to have such a gorgeous place SO "Up Close and Personal"!!! AND you can enjoy it and not have to worry about the maintenance! "LUCKY, LUCKY You"!!!
    Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful place with us...
    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Donna

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  28. You are a great photographer! You have a magical place to inspire and fill your soul. Enjoy the weekend.

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  29. I have recently discovered your blog - and OH what a find! I loved this most recent post and really enjoyed tracing your path through the park. Thank you!

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  30. Janet - I'm convinced, more than ever, that you live in paradise!
    Deborah

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  31. Dear Janet, Thank you for taking me on such a lovely walk. What a wonderful place to live. I especially like the view of the citrus trees with the hills beyond, and the poppies and mimosa. But most of all I am envious of your delightful dancing grand-daughter.

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  32. How utterly enchanting.

    Surround yourself with Beauty Janet.

    Sometimes it's all we have when the going gets tough isn't it? that and staying busy. Will email you soon. I wish you lived locally xxx

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  33. How lucky you are my dear having this beautiful park just around your home!!!
    Love it
    hugs

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  34. I'm so jealous. Althought I love where we live, it's missing to important things - a large body of water and palm trees. I long for both. Once I even packed an empty suitcase full of small palms from a nursey on a visit to Palm Springs. Of course they all dead at the first frost that winter!

    www.ajbarnesonline.blogspot.com

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  35. see you soon... I'm going to come live under a tree in your park!
    adored the photo of larry and stella dancing! priceless!

    xoj.

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  36. Just trying to remember why exactly I live where I do...your home is in such a lovely place..

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  37. Some gorgeous flora there, thanks for sharing your walk with us!

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kindness is never out of style.

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