wed082456's Photobucket North Carolina album media

Gene Pickler at the "Pickle Barrel"

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:39:54 MDT

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Gene Pickler at the "Pickle Barrel" - DSC00291a.jpg

Pat and Gene enjoying our first day in Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:39:27 MDT

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Sunset Beach - DSC00293a.jpg

View from the beach

Sunset Beach

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:38:52 MDT

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It was like this for miles

Sunset Beach

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:38:32 MDT

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Pat enjoys 70 degree Atlantic waters

Sunset Beach

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:38:16 MDT

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Sunset Beach - DSC00302a.jpg

View of beach bunglows

Pelicans on the Hunt

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:37:47 MDT

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Pelicans on the Hunt - DSC00303a.jpg

At Sunset Beach, pretty ugly birds until they go after fish, then they are beautifully lethal

Southport, NC

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:37:38 MDT

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Gene and Pat discuss Fort Johnston history

Fort Johnston

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:37:18 MDT

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Fort Johnston - DSC00312a.jpg

Participant in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars

Fort Johnston

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:36:48 MDT

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Building on Fort Johnston grounds

Fort Johnston Placard

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:36:18 MDT

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Fort Johnston Placard - DSC00314a.jpg

Old Brunswick County Jail

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:35:57 MDT

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Old Brunswick County Jail - DSC00320a.jpg

No, its not a bed and breakfast now

Headed for the Ferry

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:35:17 MDT

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Headed for the Ferry - DSC00326a.jpg

Lining up for the ferry to North Caroline Aquarium and Fort Fisher

Southport

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:34:51 MDT

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Waiting for the ferry

Pelican Watch Bird

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:34:26 MDT

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On the ferry out of Southport

Aquarium

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:34:17 MDT

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Aquarium - DSC00330a.jpg

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher

Carolina Bay Explanation

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:33:57 MDT

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Carolina Bay Explanation - DSC00333a.jpg

Some storm suges could engulf this building, but hurricanes of that size have missed Cape Fear

Waiting for Dinner

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:33:27 MDT

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Waiting for Dinner - DSC00335a.jpg

At the aquarium, aren't they malevolently beautiful?

Bay Explanation

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:33:01 MDT

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Bay Explanation - DSC00336a.jpg

The aquarium hosts many environmental education activities

Entering Fort Fisher

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:32:39 MDT

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Entering Fort Fisher - DSC00343a.jpg

We mingled with a busload of young tough marines back from the middle east

Blockade Runners

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:32:21 MDT

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Blockade Runners - DSC00348a.jpg

At the Fort Fisher museum

Fort Fisher Model

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:32:03 MDT

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Fort Fisher Model - DSC00351a.jpg

A slice of the massive earthen fort designed to protect Cape Fear and Wilmington, the last of the southern open ports

A Gun Emplacement

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:31:39 MDT

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A Gun Emplacement - DSC00353a.jpg

While the southern forces were well protected from bombardment they were outgunned and outmanned

Gun Emplacement

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:31:04 MDT

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Gun Emplacement - DSC00354a.jpg

The fort fell in 1864 and the Union blockade was complete

Sixteen Inch Guns

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:30:43 MDT

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Sixteen Inch Guns - DSC00355a.jpg

The forward deck of the USS North Carolina

No, We're Not Ronny and Nancy

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:30:21 MDT

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No, We're Not Ronny and Nancy - DSC00358a.jpg

Under the 16 inchers

the Battery Description

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:30:01 MDT

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the Battery Description - DSC00359a.jpg

Pictures do not do justice to the size of these beasts

Five Inch Gun Batteries

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:29:43 MDT

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Five Inch Gun Batteries - DSC00382a.jpg

Aboard the USS North Carolina

A View from Forward

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:29:21 MDT

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A View from Forward - DSC00383a.jpg

Two batteries forward and one aft

The Ship's Watchman

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:28:59 MDT

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The Ship's Watchman - DSC00388a.jpg

A subordinate of "Charlie" the USS North Carolina mascot

The Ship's Captain

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:28:41 MDT

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The Ship's Captain - DSC00391a.jpg

She's ready to do battle folks

Another View of the North Carolina

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:28:18 MDT

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Another View of the North Carolina - DSC00392a.jpg

As we left the ship

Orton Plantation Chapel

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:27:58 MDT

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Orton Plantation Chapel - DSC00394a.jpg

Beautiful chapel on the Orton Plantation

Chapel Interior

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:27:16 MDT

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Chapel Interior - DSC00396a.jpg

My kind of church

Orton Plantation Main House

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:26:51 MDT

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Orton Plantation Main House - DSC00397a.jpg

The Orton plantation encompassed 9,000 acres of rice on the Cape Fear during the Southern rice empire days

Orton Plantation Garden Segment

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:26:17 MDT

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Orton Plantation Garden Segment - DSC00398a.jpg

Now a park, the plantation ceased being profitable when slavery ended

Orton Plantation House

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:25:31 MDT

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Three families now share the premises

Orton Plantation Garden Segment

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:24:53 MDT

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Orton Plantation Garden Segment - DSC00401a.jpg

One of many small landscaped areas at the park

Another View at Orton

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:23:14 MDT

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Another View at Orton - DSC00403a.jpg

Very hot that day and flowers not prime, but still very nice

Garden Segment at Orton

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:22:23 MDT

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Garden Segment at Orton - DSC00404a.jpg

Walking back to the main plantation home

Another View of the Main Home

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:21:40 MDT

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Another View of the Main Home - DSC00405a.jpg

Do you believe in ghosts?

The Kindred Spirits "Mail Box" at Sunset Beach

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:21:02 MDT

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The Kindred Spirits "Mail Box" at Sunset Beach - DSC00417a.jpg

Folks from all over share their thoughts, seek spiritual release and write funny notes

Gene and Pat Read Their "Mail"

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:20:38 MDT

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Gene and Pat Read Their "Mail" - DSC00419a.jpg

Some entries were extremely poignant, others flat out funny

Pat Contemplates the Sea

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:20:19 MDT

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Pat Contemplates the Sea - DSC00422a.jpg

The mailbox is about 1-1/2 miles from the main beach entrance

Sunset Island's Floating Bridge

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:19:45 MDT

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Sunset Island's Floating Bridge - DSC00428a.jpg

One of the last if not the last of the floating bridges across the Atlantic coastal inland waterway to the barrier islands

The Bridge House Swings Out

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:19:22 MDT

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The Bridge House Swings Out - DSC00429a.jpg

This allows small craft to pass through

Small Craft Passing Through

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:18:57 MDT

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Small Craft Passing Through - DSC00431a.jpg

Bridge swings back on the hour to allow craft through, cars must wait

On the Way North

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:18:36 MDT

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On the Way North - DSC00435a.jpg

From Miami to Boston on the Inland Waterway

Sailboat Passing Through

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:18:08 MDT

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Sailboat Passing Through - DSC00436a.jpg

Sailboat in the bridge

Our Hosts Gene and Janet Pickler

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:26:02 MDT

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Our Hosts Gene and Janet Pickler - DSC00449a.jpg

At their Sunset Beach bungalow

Confederate Museum Charleston

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:25:47 MDT

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Confederate Museum Charleston - DSC00455a.jpg

and open air markets

Presbyterian Church Charleston

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:25:22 MDT

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Near our hotel in the old French Quarter

Manigault Mansion Charleston

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:25:01 MDT

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Manigault Mansion Charleston - DSC00457a.jpg

Another rice empire land owner

Manigault Mansion Main Entry

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:24:30 MDT

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Manigault Mansion Main Entry - DSC00463a.jpg

Mansion is part of Charleston Museum complex

Manigault Mansion Living Room

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:24:04 MDT

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Manigault Mansion Living Room - DSC00465a.jpg

A typically large Southern family, they were French Huguenots who made their way to the new world

Charleston Presbyterian Church

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:23:39 MDT

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Charleston Presbyterian Church - DSC00467a.jpg

Historic structure

Methodist Church Interior

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:23:11 MDT

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Nice tour by a church member, we were informed slaves were seated in the balconies

Methodist Church Interior

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:22:46 MDT

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Methodist Church Interior - DSC00472a.jpg

View of church rear, notice the organ pipes

Methodist Church Chapel

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:22:22 MDT

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Methodist Church Chapel - DSC00473a.jpg

Church had been Presbyterian, members are concerned over potential earthquake damage

Our Hotel in Charleston

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:22:01 MDT

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Our Hotel in Charleston - DSC00475a.jpg

Very old, but completely modernized and quite expensive

Charleston Mansion

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:21:33 MDT

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Charleston Mansion - DSC00479a.jpg

The Aiken-Rhett house dates to 1820

Description of Aiken Rhett House

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:20:57 MDT

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Description of Aiken Rhett House - DSC00480a.jpg

East Bay and Battery Streets have many fine old homes

CSS Hunley Replica

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:20:29 MDT

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CSS Hunley Replica - DSC00481a.jpg

The famous confederate submarine

CSS Hunley Description

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:19:58 MDT

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CSS Hunley Description - DSC00482a.jpg

The Hunley was finally found and raised in 2000

Wentworth Mansion

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:19:28 MDT

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Wentworth Mansion - DSC00483a.jpg

Built in 1886 for cotton merchant F.S. Rodgers, now a luxury, antique furnished hotel, rooms rent for $239 to $735 a day

A Meeting Street Mansion

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:18:53 MDT

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A Meeting Street Mansion - DSC00484a.jpg

Charleston is barely above sea level so these homes sustain damage from time to time

Battery Street Mansion

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:18:18 MDT

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Battery Street Mansion - DSC00489a.jpg

Some of these homes were damaged during the siege of Charleston, but all have been rebuilt

Fort Sumter

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:17:23 MDT

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Fort Sumter - DSC00498b.jpg

A closer view, some very cool interior views are available at Google Earth

Brook Green Gardens Main Entrance

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:16:53 MDT

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Brook Green Gardens Main Entrance - DSC00508a.jpg

Entry to a wonderful outdoor-indoor art gallery just south of Myrtle Beach

A Non Paying Visitor

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:16:26 MDT

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At Brook Green Gardens

The Founders

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:15:54 MDT

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Ann Hyatt Huntington was an ardent sculptress and art collector

The Founders

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:15:21 MDT

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A dedication at the fountain

The Main Fountain

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:14:43 MDT

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The Main Fountain - DSC00518a.jpg

At Brook Green Gardens

Southern Oaks and Spanish Moss

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:13:55 MDT

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Southern Oaks and Spanish Moss - DSC00520a.jpg

Does it feel like a Southern Gothic novel scene

The Old Main Plantation Entrance

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:13:10 MDT

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The Old Main Plantation Entrance - DSC00522a.jpg

The Huntingtons actually purchased two adjoining plantations to create the gardens. It cannot be absorbed in one day

Small Boy and Ram

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:12:25 MDT

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Small Boy and Ram - DSC00529a.jpg

At Brook Green. It seemed like there were dozens of this sort of statuary

Pan at Play

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:11:55 MDT

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Pan at Play - DSC00530a.jpg

Only American artists are represented

A Little Mermaid

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:11:14 MDT

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A Little Mermaid - DSC00532a.jpg

The seas are well represented here

Diana Hunting

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:10:42 MDT

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There are several Diana statues and fountains

A Striking Smaller Statuette

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:10:05 MDT

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A Striking Smaller Statuette - DSC00537a.jpg

Zoom in for a closer look

A More Modern Statuette

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:09:22 MDT

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A More Modern Statuette - DSC00539a.jpg

Smaller exhibits were mostly housed in an indoor facility. I saw one Frederic Remington but none by Charles Russel

The Garden's Main Water Supply

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:08:57 MDT

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The Garden's Main Water Supply - DSC00554a.jpg

Site of the old main plantation home

Fountain Placard

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:08:13 MDT

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Fountain Placard - DSC00556a.jpg

Everything was a bit dry when we were there, but the temp was 93 degrees and very humid

Amaryllis

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:07:44 MDT

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Amaryllis - DSC00558a.jpg

Pat was surprised at the similarities between plant varieties in NC and California, but why not?

The Founder and Pat Contemplate

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:07:17 MDT

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The Founder and Pat Contemplate - DSC00559a.jpg

Did the founders complet the gardens out of guilt or love? Like a lot of things, probably a combination

More Statuary

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:06:28 MDT

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More Statuary - DSC00561a.jpg

I took more than 200 shots here and then only scratched the surface

Pegasus

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:05:46 MDT

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Pegasus - DSC00562a.jpg

One of the largest displays at Brook Green

Woman With Gazelle

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:05:04 MDT

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Woman With Gazelle - DSC00563a.jpg

We were told the gardens are spectacular during the holiday season

Description for Previous Pic

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:04:35 MDT

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Description for Previous Pic - DSC00564a.jpg

Very little modernest sculpture is housed here, as opposed to the outdoor gallery in Hakone, Japan we visited last fall

An Outdoor Alcove

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:04:19 MDT

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An Outdoor Alcove - DSC00567a.jpg

Statuettes lined each side of the alcove

Boy and Fawn

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:03:50 MDT

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Boy and Fawn - DSC00571a.jpg

One of the many statues in the alcove

Spanish Moss and an Old Society

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:03:17 MDT

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Spanish Moss and an Old Society - DSC00574a.jpg

Near the entrance and exit to Brook Green

The Sentinal

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:02:31 MDT

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At the outdoor restaurant

Aren't You Guys Leaving

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:02:10 MDT

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Aren't You Guys Leaving - DSC00578a.jpg

This may have been our first Cardinal sighting

A Day Well Spent

wed082456 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:34:41 MDT

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A Day Well Spent - DSC00579a.jpg

Wish we had more time