Saucer Magnolia

All posts tagged Saucer Magnolia

Urban Hike reveals Cherry Blossoms and Pansies

Posted by Lee Hiller on February 27, 2013
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

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It always feels as if Spring has arrived when the Cherry Blossoms Bloom.  I spotted them from Hot Springs Mountain a couple of days ago and I noticed the Japanese Cherry Trees were covered in red buds.  Rain, hail and wind had me worried all the delicate flowers would be knocked down… I set out today to see if any blossoms has survived.

A fun way to experience spring awakening if you don’t live near any trails is to take an urban hike.  You probably spot many flowering Trees and gardens when you are running errands or driving to work.  Plan a hike in your neighborhood, town etc. and follow the spring color.   It is amazing what you will discover in planters, gardens and poking out of sidewalks.  Nature finds a way to show her beauty even if at first glance all you see are buildings and concrete.

Love To ALL!
Lee

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Nature’s path is clear, let it lead your Heart toward your Dreams.

Posted by Lee Hiller on November 26, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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Nature’s path is clear, let it lead your Heart toward your Dreams. ~ Lee Hiller

Please enjoy the glow from the last of the rust and gold leaves along the trails… they created a glorious light for our travels across North and Hot Springs Mountains.  Journey into the Forest and don’t forget to stop and enjoy the lovely squirrels who are beginning to get their lovely silver winter coats.

Love to ALL!
Lee

PS: The other afternoon my husband Rick and I headed out for a hike in Hot Springs National Park. On our way to a favorite trail head I stopped to take a photograph of the remodeled entrance to the park.  For several moments I kept staring through my cameras eyepiece trying to figure out what was wrong with the shots I was trying to line up.  Then it hit me…  The park service has cut down two of my favorite large flowering Trees as part of the remodeling.  So it is with a heavy heart I dedicate this blog to the now deceased spectacular pink Saucer Magnolia and purple Foxglove Trees.

HSNP Arlington Lawn Foxglove Tree

HSNP Arlington Lawn Saucer Magnolia

A Hike Fraught with Twists, Turns and Beauty

Posted by Lee Hiller on February 22, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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I am hiking up West Mountain and the unthinkable occurs, one of my cameras dies 😦  I thought at first it was the battery but it soon became clear it was the camera.  I turned around and headed home at peace with the problem, thankful I took out the 4 yr extended warranty.    The little monster was eating batteries, so broad landscapes will be on hold for at least 10 days.  It is time to refocus my view of landscapes as I did once before during a couple of weeks in 2010. “Beautiful Birds of West and Music Mountains” “Woodpeckers, Chickadees and Who is the Rock Stacker?”

This left me with one camera so after I arranged for repair service with Sony I headed back outside to console myself with photographing Wildflowers.  As readers of my blog may already know I love Wildflowers, so my mission was a wonderful way to spend the rest of my morning.  While I searched the grass for tiny blooms I heard a noise above me, I was not alone.  Slowly stepping back I turned to look up and find the source of the scraping sound.  Peering down at me was a sweet Squirrel whose lovely color was transitioning from winter silver to spring rust.

As I was moving through the park searching for spring flowers when a Cedar Waxwing landed on a Tree in front of me. Soon it was moving off with other birds and I decided to try and follow them.  The truth, I lost ground pretty fast so I ended up on Bath House Row in the park going to see if a favorite Tree had blossomed.

When I reached the Yellow Spanish Style Hot Springs National Park Administration Building  I could see a the large Saucer Magnolia Tree blossoms were beginning to open.  The freeze and snow last weak changed the outer petals from a pink to a pale beige gold.  At first I felt sad to have lost the chance to capture perfect pink blossoms.  When my mind adjusted to the different colors I realized Nature had presented me with a new version of beautiful.  Gold accented the pink making the shape and definition of each blossom a unique floral sculpture.  Spring has arrived in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Less than a block from my goal I glanced to my side and saw two lovely rows of blossoming Cherry Trees.  To see the spectacular Cherry Blossoms visit my last blog entry “Beautiful Cherry Blossoms Herald An Early Spring“.  You will also see the beautiful wings waiting for me in the blossoms.

Much Love to ALL!
Lee

A Winter Hike in the Urban Jungle

Posted by Lee Hiller on February 12, 2012
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

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Snow is set to fall on Monday morning and I need to collect data about an urban hike I will be writing about for a local magazine soon.  More on this later… much later like in a few weeks.

It is easy to take for granted the symbiotic relationship between Nature and Urban Architecture in Hot Springs National Park. There is a graceful flow to the Grand Promenade Loop that travels across the base of Hot Springs Mountain and down along Historic Bath House Row.  Please enjoy my hike through the urban jungle on a day when spring was blooming in the icy chill of winter. The Universe painted a joyous path for me to follow today.

Love to ALL!
Lee

Five Hour Hike Pt 2 – Historic District of Hot Springs Arkansas

Posted by Lee Hiller on March 6, 2011
Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

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Often the only part of Hot Springs National Park visitors see is the Historic District on Central Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was one of the main reasons I began sharing photographs of my hiking adventures within the park.  The Historic District along bathhouse row on Central Avenue is actually in Hot Springs National Park. Cross the road and you are in the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas.  I have combined my first snapshots of the city using a very old camera back in 2009 with current photographs to create a tour of the my new home in Arkansas.  From the first day I strolled through the city I felt at home even though I had never imagined myself living in the South.  I understand Hill Wheatley’s Love for Hot Springs and am grateful for the land he preserved and donated to the city.

My Husband Rick and I live in a renovated Hotel that was built to accommodate the tourists who came to gamble or rub shoulders with celebrities and gangsters. Hot Springs Historic District was once home to Al Capone, Owney Madden, Lucky Luciano and Bugsy Segal, you can still stay in the Al Capone Suite in the Arlington Hotel which overlooks his favorite gambling spot the Southern Club (now the Wax Museum).  For a total immersion in Hot Springs Criminal past you can visit the Gangster Museum of America and hang out at the infamous Ohio Club (built in 1905) like Celebrities Mae West, Tony Bennett, Babe Ruth, and Sammy Davis Jr.  In 1967 gambling in the Historic District was brought to a halt by Republicans Governor Winthrop Rockefeller and Circuit Judge Henry M. Britt. The Governor sent in state troopers to close the casinos and burn their gaming equipment. The only remaining gambling establishment in Hot Springs is Oaklawn Park (opened in 1905), a thoroughbred horse racing track.

Hot Springs, Arkansas is the perfect location for you next vacation.  Hike all day and then have the total spa treatment at the Quapaw, Buckstaff or the Arlington Hotel.  Spend an evening at the Ohio Club, Poetry Loft or on on an Art Walk through the Historic Dstrict.  A stroll down Central Avenue is a tour of the city’s history including the 1929 Medical Arts Building which was the first Skyscraper in the South.  From the 1891 Hay Hotel and the 1893 Southern Club (now the Wax Museum) to the 1910 Mountain Valley Water and 1930 Hotel De Paris (now the R. Groden Studio) you will find an outstanding array of architectural artistry. If you Love tiles the Historic District including Bathhouse row has a wonderful variety in all colors and styles.  From the dome on the Quapaw to the decorative fronts on many of the local business and bathroom floors or hotel fountains there are old tiles throughout the city.

Thank You for joining me in the Hot Springs Historic District.

Much Love,
Lee