Bloggers' road trip

The Austin Garden Bloggers' outing Saturday to San Antonio and other points south has been well documented by now, and a good thing, too, because... after taking just 9 shots, my battery died!  Oh well, here is a partial look at what was a glorious day in beautiful surroundings with a dozen or so affable companions.

The first stop was Madrone Nursery outside of San Marcos where we met the slightly eccentric but very knowledgeable owner, Dan Hosage, who regaled us while we were waiting for the rest of the group with tales of keeping predators from his chickens with something akin to a .44 Magnum.  He has a lot of good natives, especially trees, and maintains that his plants are survivors because he raises them 'tough.'

Next stop, the San Antonio Botanical Garden, 33 delightful acres with a decidely south-of-the-border feel.

Besides the many outdoor themed gardens here, there are four glass-enclosed indoor exhibit spaces:

Alas, the camera died just before we went through the Palm & Cycad Pavilion.  But I did manage to catch the Children's Garden, which was chock full of tomatoes and other veggies and protected by not-so-frightful scarecrows.

We had lunch at the restaurant here on the outdoor patio--I give it 4 stars.  The SABot is now on my list for a spring visit--there is so much to see here.  And we got in free with our LBJ Wildflower Center membership cards!

Last stop was just north of San Antonio at the Antique Rose Emporium.  This location is not as large as the main one at Brenham, but still has huge variety.  The atmosphere here is tranquil and very laid-back, with a most helpful staff.  Three of us came away with a rose I've been drooling over for some time, "Livin' Easy," a floribunda of a color that is hard to describe (Creamsicle?). 

This is what it looks like:

Now to find a place to put it!