Stepping out of the Norm and into the garden

Though there was never any genuine dislike of any of the stops on our weeklong trip my favorite has to be the University California Santa Cruz garden. Not only was the garden immensely beautiful but it also held an air of sustainability about it. Maximizing the potential of space, time, and education. At every turn we were greeted with something new. May it be the exposed bee hive, compost row, or green houses packed full of juvenile plants. As soon as I stepped foot in to the lush garden I fell in love.

While we meandered through vast plain of foliage our docent spoke to us of the many uses each plant holds. Like the patch of blueberries where students are conducting experiments to see which plants grow best in what conditions. Rows of cover crops help the eye flow smoothly across the rolling hills. While the oceans peeks out from the swaying grasses. Everything works together harmoniously.

We learn about the lucky number of interns that get to stay here, while we parade their luxurious tent cabins. Tent cabins as we learned are a great improvement from the previous camping tents, that offered little protection from outside forces. The Tent cabins are quaint wood structures with canvas lining and simple inside quarters. We soon move on to the herb and flower garden providing immediate cover for there tower of bee hives. I admire the cleansing scent of cotton lavender while honey bees buzz around me. I walk away with pleasant smile on my face. Caught up in the wonder of their garden.