Tag: Aalsmeer

First and Last

September 21, 2020

The hardest part of the year was not kayaking. This blog is about how on Wednesday I had my first kayak paddle of the season and most likely the last kayak paddle of the season.

I don’t have a Dutch drivers license. I am at the liberty of the Hubby’s time availability for getting to a kayak location. After our weekend canoe paddle in the Weerribben I knew needed to find my way into the water in my kayak for a day. Kayaking was my first love and it was part of my PTSD therapy recovery plan. The healing properties of water and nature are well documented and amazing. I needed some “me” time.

My off loaded kayak sitting in the parking area waiting for enough light to paddle.

I arranged to be dropped off at my favorite local lake, the Westeinder in Aalsmeer. We have featured this lake several times before on this blog. It was the training lake where the Hubby and I spent several days paddling in preparation for our BWCA trip, three years ago.

The fall days are getting shorter. The Hubby dropped me and my equipment off at the beach before the sunrise.

Lights along the shore as the sun starts to peek above the horizon

As I waited I had a very friendly goose approach me.

A friendly goose who walked right up to me.

I had enough equipment for a five day trip but the plan was only to paddle to the Historic Garden in Aalsmeer where I volunteer. My first visit to the garden since April.

I always get a bit of a thrill when my kayak hits the water for the first time in a season. I am always a little nervous. The weather, wind, and muscles all have to once again tune into each other. It is like meeting an old friend after not seeing them for awhile. Excitement and also caution as you know it has been awhile since your last solo paddle. Plus, kayaking is not canoeing.

The Aalsmeer water tower at dawn
The reflection of sky and water were just breathtaking.
For the second time in a week. I found myself “In the weeds” as I was trying to capture the early morning reflections.

As I paddled from lake into harbor the sun was changing the reflections and sky as the seconds ticked passed. I pulled around the corner to find the sun putting on a spectacular display of color as it crested above the horizon.

The Aalsmeer harbor with a beautiful sunrise.

In my own special place, alone on the water, I thanked the heavens for health and ability to paddle. To be able to experience this special place in this time, even though it has contained such heartbreak and misery for so many all over the world.

Sky and reeds on the Aalsmeer lake.

As I entered the canal that takes me directly to the Historic Garden I was reminded of my mantra… Carpe Diem.

Pretty much captured my feeling of the morning.
Straight ahead a changed landscape as I looked at the new Lidl building in Aalsmeer.

I silently slowly paddled my way closer to the garden so my arrival time at the garden would be timed perfectly. I knew the garden bridge over the canal opened at 8 am. My timing was perfect as I was greeted by one of my co-volunteers lowering the bridge.

Looking into the Historic Garden
Looking back at Aalsmeer from my kayak as I entered the Historic Garden water entrance.

Pulling my kayak onto dry land my co-worker greeted me and jokingly asked if I paddled all the way from the USA.

My kayak resting at the Historic Garden in Aalsmeer.

I laughed, “nope just from the lake beach“.

I sat and had my coffee then toured around the gardens. I trimmed and deadheaded the roses for the first time this year. Then the day outing was over as the Hubby returned to pick me and the equipment up.

The Hubby driving off with my kayak after dropping at the Schiphol bus stop.

Sadly, this might have been the last day this year I would have an opportunity to kayak. Who knows what the coming days or weeks will bring?

My last thought on First and Last…today 28 years ago my first son was born in the shadow of Mount Rainer in Washington State. Happy Birthday son!

© The Cedar Journal, 2020, all rights reserved

Historische Tuin for a Historische Thyme

May 11, 2020

I did mix Dutch and English a bit in this title.  I played with the two languages and a play on the words time and thyme (a garden plant). Hopefully it didn’t confuse my readers too much.

We headed out on Friday (the Hubby took a day off, he is working from home so this time outside of the house was needed.  It felt like a day off for both of us) to Aalsmeer to the Historische Tuin (Historic Garden) where I normally volunteer each summer.

As you might have guessed normal is not normal and volunteer work is also affected.  The issue with gardens that depend almost solely on volunteer workers to maintain the areas is that the garden (nature) doesn’t know there is a lurking virus.  The workers (volunteers) are mostly over the age of 65 and thus puts them into the high risk group.  Since I have underlying conditions that could also place me in a higher risk group, I contacted the manager in early March and told him that I would not be coming to volunteer until the rules were relaxed a bit.

This is how I social distance from the Hubby

This is how I social distance from the Hubby

That started to happen today.  All grade school children to age 12 went back to school! Could you hear the sigh of relief from parents? The Dutch ministry is going step by step on reopening the country.  The biggest near future issues that need to be solved will be with public transport, the aviation industry, and large events like soccer games or music concerts.

I made an appointment to tour the garden and take some pictures for this blog.  Being the only one (with the Hubby) inside the gardens was a real treat since we haven’t been out much since this all started in March.  The gardens have been working with a small skeleton crew of regular volunteers since the Prime Minister shut the country down.  Some activities like the yearly plant sale were cancelled.  But, like I stated, the garden continues to need attention and I was ready to see how bad things were with the limited work force.

Oh NO! He found me!!!

Oh NO! He found me!!!

I was surprised! It wasn’t the normal for this time of the year but it was in great shape considering the limits that were placed on this institution with the start of the virus.

Inside one of the green houses that was newly remodeled.

Inside one of the green houses that was newly remodeled.

Here are a few of the pictures of the gardens as it looks right now.  There is not a date as of right now if or when it will be opened to the public, but when it does I would like to ask each of you (if possible) to visit.

Inside another newly remodeled green house these clematis were mostly lost two winters ago do to the poor conditions in the dated greenhouses. Now they are flourishing in this new environment.

Inside another newly remodeled green house these clematis were mostly lost two winters ago do to the poor conditions in the dated greenhouses. Now they are flourishing in this new environment.

The greenhouse rose gardens are in full bloom.

The greenhouse rose gardens are in full bloom.

A sample of the greenhouse roses.

A sample of the greenhouse roses.

One of the hundreds of Lilacs in full bloom

One of the hundreds of Lilacs in full bloom

One of my favorites as it reminds me of Minnesota, Iris in full bloom.

One of my favorites as it reminds me of Minnesota, Iris in full bloom.

Flowers and Thyme

Flowers and Thyme

 

As we finished with our photo tour the Hubby and I ordered “take away” coffee and scones from the Historische Tuin Restaurant which has had to find a new way to keep in business while still maintaining social distancing. We enjoyed the backdrop of the Aalsmeer windmill and watched the boats on the canal as we sat on the bench outside the Historische Tuin.  It was a perfect outing for a day off of work in these strange new times.

 

A special thanks to Historische Tuin Garden Manager, Dick Maarsen who approved my afternoon of photojournalism at the Historische Tuin. He and his team of limited volunteers will continue to maintain the gardens until they reopen sometime in the future.  

© The Cedar Journal, 2020, all rights reserved.