Category: cedar strip canoe

Keukenhof & Dutch Flower Fields Spring 2022

The Cedar Journal March 27, 2022

The Keukenhof Bulb Garden opened for the first time in two years on Thursday 24 March, and for the first time since I stopped working at the gardens in 2015 I visited with my friend Kathy from Minnesota.

The William Alexander Pavilion inside the Keukenhof Bulb Gardens. Opening Day 2022.

Winter still has a grip on Northern Minnesota, it was more like summer here in The Netherlands. Tulips here are popping out of the ground fast! The Daffodils and Hyacinths are in full bloom! It was perfect weather to tour the gardens.

Taking a selfie from inside the Keukenhof. This view of the bulb fields located outside the garden has been expanded and enhanced since 2015.

We arrived early (my advice to anyone coming to visit the Keukenhof is to get there before 10 am). The park was instantly an eye full of color as we walked in the gate. Since I worked at the garden for five years I was happy to see the new changes made since 2015. A new entrance gate, new wide pathways in some areas of the park that previously were under used by the masses of tourists. It was also good to see some things hadn’t changed within the park and I enjoyed showing my long time friend (we concluded that we have been friends for near 40 years!) all the cool places within the park. Some of my old co-workers at the William Alexander Pavilion are still working at the coffee cafe booth, hugs and smiles were exchanged. Something that just a few months ago would have been unheard of due to COVID rules.

One of the many walkways with the garden that is lined with blooming bulbs. Here the daffodils follow the contours of the walking path.

The best way to see the park is to take a nice leisurely walk, peek into the different pavilions and see the surprises the garden designers have created. No trip is complete without trying one of the many “Dutch” treats. On our visit we ate poffertjes, small pancakes with a dab of butter and topped with a generous helping of powered sugar.

These poffertjes are like our Minnesota tiny weenie donuts that we enjoy at our county fair each summer.

On Thursday we spent about three hours at the park. Noting that it was getting busier and busier by the minute.

A floral fashion display inside the Beatrix Pavilion.

Today, Sunday, I hopped on my bike and rode to Hillegom and then on through the fields towards Lisse. Once again, I passed the Keukenhof and noted that the warm weather brought out the tourists. Although not the numbers that have blessed the park in the pre-COVID years but still better than in the last two years when the park was closed.

The Hyacinths in full bloom this morning in Hillegom.

If any of my readers will be visiting in the coming weeks, my advice again is to arrive early at the Keukenhof, take a bike ride in the local community, eat at our restaurants, and enjoy an European pace.

Keukenhof Bulb Gardens today 27 March 2022. Just outside the front gates.

I am enjoying the freedom of Democracy! Please continue remember and support those in the Ukraine who are still fighting to protect their countrymen and the democracy. Our thoughts for peace are with the Ukraine people! 💙💛☮️🌷

Floral cut tulips displayed inside the Keukenhof. In the national colors of the Ukraine.

cedar strip canoe

First Canoe Paddle for 2022

The Cedar Journal March 23, 2022

Aalsmeer. This morning the water was like glass when we pushed off from the beach at Aalsmeer and paddled to the Historic Garden to volunteer.

We were the only watercraft on the water as we headed into the harbor area of Aalsmeer.

This type of weather is rarely seen in March.

Once at the garden we were put to work fertilizing the garden. Each plant got some boost of fertilizer that will help it get a good start of nutrition for the season.

Once done with our task we headed back out onto the water. Now pushing against a headwind my muscles told me that this short paddle was longer than I wanted it be. The first paddle of the season always shows me that I was a bit lazy during the winter.

Cedar waiting on the beach in Aalsmeer after her first outing of the season.

Europe Through Innocent Eyes.

The Cedar Journal March 22, 2022

Years ago when I first traveled to Europe while on leave from my military duty in the Middle East I saw it through the eyes of an innocent young adult. Europe was nothing like imaged from all my prior reading in books on the continent.

I flew into Germany, quickly purchased a dress, Birkenstocks, backpack and finally a train ticket. I stuffed my military uniform into a locker on the American Air Base and headed out on an adventure.

I had an experienced travel partner with me and we rode the overnight on a train to Italy to stay with his brother. I then jumped on a train alone, travelled on to see an Air Force friend in eastern Italy. Everything was new and exiting. The old buildings, the landscapes, the crazy mopeds driving on the busy streets.

At the local John Deere dealer here in The Netherlands.

I have retold tons of stories of that trip over the years to friends and relatives. The newness of Europe to me was full of adventure and I thought it would be my only opportunity ever to visit the continent. From where I sit today that newness and sharp edges are worn smooth with experience there are things I just don’t see of my adopted country of The Netherlands anymore.

The Hubby acting as tour guide at Kinderdijk but also he has been the chef, chauffeur and Dutch historian for my friends visit.

This week the Hubby and I are hosting one of my best friends from my home town in Minnesota. Yes, there is a threat of war on our continent and most of us have gotten little sleep as prices rise, refugees are now entering the country and the news is constantly repeating the play by play of the war in Ukraine like some sports show.

It is hard for me to see things as exciting and new. But, my friend is seeing and experiencing Europe with and through the eyes of an innocent child. Everything is new for her, the old Amsterdam buildings, the windmills, the Dutch countryside and the wonderful robust transport system we have in this country and it has lifted the shadows of the overhanging news of the war.

We have nearly forgotten that a terrorist is holding us all hostage with his threat of nuclear button pushing or super sonic weapons. Life is going on even if it is more expensive each day.

For Americans to explore the past locations that our ancestors came from since the birth of the USA. It will be harder, as this war lingers, to do such things without anxiety. My hope and wish is that there will be a quick and peaceful resolution, but from my professional background, old fears whisper “it will be a long and difficult road” before peace.

My advise to all my readers, come to Europe, live the experience, don’t let a terrorist win! Experience the continent and Carpe Diem!

Tulips in my back garden. Keukenhof Bulb Gardens opens here this Thursday 24 March 2022 for the first time in two years.

We all want tourist from other places to enjoy the European continent in freedom and to see it for the diversity it holds.

Prayers for the citizens of Ukraine.💙💛☮️🙏

cedar strip canoe

Early Morning Reflections

The Cedar Journal March 17, 2022

Four o’clock in the morning I am wide awake recently. In the Middle Ages I have read, this time was when the nuns and monks would be conducting prayers prior to their morning routines. The quiet hours before all the earth wakes and the noise of the day begins. A time to let God know our deepest prayers.

I’m my prior military profession early morning was also prep time for the coming day filled with meetings, plans, training, routines. While most people were still restfully sleeping, I would bundle up my small sleeping child and head off to the day care at the military base dropping him off with caregivers who understood that the military didn’t run on “normal” time clocks. Then I would race off to the physical fitness field to start my day along with my troops. These long grueling early morning routines were preparing all of us for possible war if it ever came to a reality. I know I said a lot of prayers during those hours of painful exercise and asked God “Why am I doing this?”. I never received an answer so I guessed there was no one listening.

This morning as I pulled myself out of bed as the Hubby was in a peaceful sleep I wondered again “Why?”

No answer…except from my years of experience. A military officer must always be the first awake, prepared, set for the coming tasks of the day. Although I am retired (now 12 years!) I feel the old pull to routines. To start my day, know the situational ground truth, start my day in a peaceful reflection and ask the universe for help in dealing with what the day brings. My belief in a God is not the same as it once was but as in any relationship it has matured over time.

This situation in Ukraine challenges us all. We all want Putin to stop this assault on the people and sovereign nation of Ukraine. We want to live as humans on this planet free from war and the threat of war. Will that be a reality today?

As a retired military officer who has lived through three combat zones, served as a U.S. military officer assigned to NATO twice, these old routines are not a burden. I have already provided comfort to people who fear the unknown of what is to maybe or maybe not to come.

The universe has placed me right where I need to be. I fear not the evil that has attacked the Ukraine. I cry tears for those who have had to experience war. No war produces winners, it is only death and misery. The scars ripple through time in hope of finding a peaceful solution for humanity and our planet. We all must listen and help where we can in ways small and large.

Please provide what support you can to those who suffer from the war in Ukraine and other wars that have tormented our planet. Let’s find ways to live in peace. 💙💛🙏☮️

Spring in Europe

The Cedar Journal March 8, 2022

Spring here is usually a time of joy. Flowers start to peek out of the warming soil. Tourists fill the restaurants and our roadways. People make money and enjoy life.

For the last two years, the flowers still peeked out of the soil even when we were in COVID lockdown. we could enjoy the spots of color in the natural World. Life continued although altered in masks, vaccines, bogged down with protests and conspiracy theories. But, life as we experience it still remained.

Now in the last eleven days the reality of life as we know it has come into sharp focus. There is a thin line between life and death. What we do each day will determine how we view the next day or the day after next or next year or the years of our children and grandchildren. Carpe Diem!

War is not anything new.

Horrific and brutal.

Destructive and violent.

The human race has never lived without war…but we could!

WE as collective of humans can each enjoy the Spring flowers, the fresh air, the smell of laundry coming off the clothesline without the fear of attack, without worry that our neighbor might shoot us. Without the need to have a weapon in order to “protect” our property. But, we must stand and say enough violence is enough!

I was so moved over the weekend when so many thousands of people marched to ask for NO MORE WAR! In support of the Ukranine people who have suffered from this brutal attack from the Russian President.

No matter what you feel about how the American or European leadership or NATO is responding to this situation we all should step back. Look at the human toll.

As a collective of humans should we allow this to continue?

My answer is NO! I feel (after three combat zones of experience) that as a human I want to let other humans experience peace! No more blanket bombs, weapons of any sort! What a nice friendly World that would be…

No, we won’t be able to change human nature of being pissed off when the chickens you have in the your yard make a bit more noise than necessary, or being pissed off at the guy on Sunday who runs a chainsaw thus destroying the peaceful day everyone was having but… we could move forward in a more peaceful way without weapons. Hard to accomplish, yup it sure is.

Are we there yet as a human race? My guess is that we are not, but I can sure try my best to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

Spring will come no matter what to us here in Europe.

Flowers will bloom.

Tourists may or may not come.

I will survive and so will my will to be a better human through kindness. Carpe Diem.