Flowers, Flamingoes, and Falls

At 4:05 yesterday afternoon, we finally received a phone call that we had been waiting for all day from the concrete contractor.  She told us that she had "calls in to the Permit Office," but that no one had yet returned her call.  Since the contractor did not have the permit, she told us that our patio job would have to be delayed until April 15.  We rather expected to hear this news.

Rick had been checking our permit online numerous times during the day, so he knew that the permit had not passed through the final office for approval.  He had told me early that morning that the City had until April 14 to make a final decision on the work, so we are both sure that is why our contractor said that they could not start the work before April 15. She also mentioned that the recent rain had delayed their work schedule even though her husband assured Rick last week that the rain had delayed nothing and that they were right on schedule.  My thought: Believe whomever you want.  She did, however, promise to call us if the permit came through earlier.  Neither Rick nor I are depriving ourselves of oxygen waiting for that call.  We have finally learned that where contractors and the Permit Office in this city are concerned, what will be, will be.

Since we sat around the house all day yesterday, Rick was antsy to get away today.  We decided to drive south to St. Petersburg to see the Sunken Gardens.  Historically, the Sunken Gardens started out as an ancient sinkhole that eventually filled with water to create a small lake.  According to the Garden's brochure, "In 1903, the four acre property was purchased by George Turner, Sr., a plumber, who was an avid gardener.  He drained the shallow lake, which had...dropped 15 feet below street level [but which provided] a rich soil to grow fruits and exotic plants from all over the world."  His little garden became quite an attraction, and although the initial 25 cent admittance fee has risen to a AAA discount of $6.00 for seniors, that is still quite a bargain as Florida attractions go.  The Garden is owned and run by the City of St. Petersburg today, and they have done an excellent job of keeping things green and lush.  The only aspect that disappointed us was that they did not do a very good job identifying with labels the names and species of most of the plants.

Bougainvillea towered above our heads to prove
a lush, beautiful backdrop.

This is a bromeliad, but I don't know which variety this one
represents.

With temperatures in the high 70s today, the stroll through the Garden was beautiful. In addition to lush plants, they also had parrots, flamingoes, a large tortoise, koi ponds, an orchid garden, a butterfly garden, and even a couple of waterfalls.

Although this is early spring, many of the plants were in full bloom.

I have no idea what this plant is named; however,
it is exotic and beautiful.

Since orchids like cool, shaded areas, several varieties were absolutely gorgeous.

Orchids were both light...

and beautifully colored.

Even the flamingoes were out to enjoy the sun.

We only saw two flamingoes.  Apparently at one time, the
flock of flamingoes was huge.

Waterfalls provided both sound and tranquility to the garden.

A small waterfall provided soothing background sounds.

This is a weekday, so not very many people were visiting the garden.  We did see two different hula-hoop exercise classes in a special paved, shaded area within the Garden.  Two different groups of children, one a line of toddlers and one "older children" in the 3-4 year-old range, also were walking through the foliage.  The toddlers looked bored to death, and the teachers of the older group already looked like they were ready to call it a day although it was not even noon yet! This Garden was much more interesting to adults than to children.

After we spent a couple of hours in the Garden, we drove down the shoreline until we came to a very nice park in a very, very upscale section of the city.  Rick looked up some of the house prices which ranged in the $1.5 - $4 million range with taxes that were anywhere from $35,000 - $80,000 per year. Yeah, right.  I guess they were a tad above our price range.  Thankfully, the park was free, so we sat at a shaded picnic table and had a very relaxing, enjoyable lunch.

The only problem with today is that Rick blames the palms and the dampness of the Garden for the raging headache he developed by the time we reached home.  He's napping on the couch right now, so I think he will survive.  I enjoyed getting out into the sunshine and the fresh air to see beautiful plants that I would never be able to grow in Gladys' back yard.