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(a) : to move aimlessly from place to place (b) : to explore idly
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: to talk or write in a desultory or long-winded wandering fashion
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: to grow or extend irregularly
The summer of awesome is officially off to a smashing start thanks to visitors. One of the many reasons I love having family and friends stay with us is because it gives us a needed push to get out and explore Ottawa.
Depending on the interests of our company, we see a variety of attractions, sights and parks throughout the region. From exploring trails and nature of Gatineau Park, running around in a bathing suit at an outdoor spa in -20 degree weather or underground tour of a Bunker, we certainly get around.
Take this week for instance. My Mom came up from Toronto and her love of gardening inspired a trip to the Rideau Woodland Ramble near Merrickville, Ontario. It is a garden centre and display garden situated on 7 acres of lush woodland.
Dave Dunn and Rob Caron combine 25 years of collecting rare plant materials, gardening expertise and hard labour (I imagine!) to create this spectacular Garden Centre. They turned the 1998 ice storm devastation of a mature stand of Red Pine into a magical and inspiring woodland attraction.
This is not just a place for passionate gardeners or landscapers. I am a newbie gardener and came away with ideas, optimism and a few unique plants that will add some drama to our little plot of land. It is worth the drive to…ramble.
Welcome!
Isn't it lovely?
Many opportunities to sit, rest and admire the plantings.
Look up.
Look down.
Wonderful plant selection.
Lake Ramble
more rambling...
If you are a gardener, an artist, photographer, admirer of nature or just looking for something different to do, I recommend visiting the Rideau Woodland Ramble. It most certainly deserves the word “awesome”.
*Merriam Webster Free Dictionary
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks. If I ever get back to Ottawa, I would definitely add that to my list of things to do. I was also very interested in that outdoor spa! May your summer continue to be awesome.
You should blog about the implementation of any of your new gardening ideas! I also am a newbie…I want ideas too!
Thank you LGS…I hope your summer is just awesome x2! The outdoor spa is fantastic. We’ve been lucky enough to go in the summer and the winter. Both have been relaxing experiences (in a beautiful forest setting). Definitely a must do next time you are back in Ottawa.
Hope – Hmmm…not sure anyone would be interested in my “stick it in the ground, try to remember to water and hope it lives” kind of gardening philosophy? However, I’m always looking for gardening tips – have you got any?
Nope, cause that is exactly my philosophy. Usually works too. I think a lot of plants like to be free to do their thing. At least that’s what I tell myself.
I love pictures of flowers though, you could post those!
I tried to take care of some indoor plants. Let’s just say I don’t have a knack for it. What I have is a small grove of dried up dead bonsai trees as a constant reminder never to inflict myself on plant life ever again!
I wish you nothing but success and joy in your newbie gardening adventures. The Rideau WoodlandRamble looks like a wonderful place. Thank you for sharing the photos! 
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing these photos and introducing me to a new garden! Hopefully on my next visit to Ottawa, I’ll have enough time to make a side trip to the Ramble. Friends of mine who live near Gananoque would love to hear about this place.
Kosher Samurai – Thank you! Isn’t the art of bonsai extreemly challenging to master? Might I suggest a cactus? I haven’t managed to kill any…yet.
Andrea – Thank you. Yes, perhaps on your next visit out this way. I’m not sure how far it is from Gananoque…but I know it is not too far from Brockville.
How lovely. There are so many gems so close by that I have never even heard of, let alone visited. And I have lived here a looooong time.
Looks like a lovely place! I love the geese photo!
Finola – I hear you. We wouldn’t go out to these places if it weren’t for visitors.
Pauline – Thanks. The geese are made from cast iron purchased from a shop in Merrickville. (I asked)
Who new — what a beautiful place. I’ll bring my Mom sometime.
Thanks for the scoop.
? for you: when you went to the outdoor spa .. did your hubby get “shushed” ? We got “shushed” & I was insulted; I was actually using my “in door voice” outside & I wasn’t even ranting about my usual.
Happy summer !
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