Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “peak/peek/pique.” Use one, use all three (for bonus points), use them any way you’d like. Enjoy!

SoCS by Linda G. Hill

Dave and I got in the car to go…i knew not where, so my curiosity was piqued. I had just done my Tai Chi workout and also had my slide in tennis shoes on, so I was a little scared when he pulled into Shangri-La. It’s a beautiful nature park in the center of Orange. It’s hot and humid too, could I do it?

I started walking with my head held high and a positive attitude. I can do this! Soon, we rounded a corner and I got a peek at some blue hanging bottles. It’s a sculpture called the Dancing Sisters Bottle Tree Sculpture.

The park was designed by W H Stark who built it for his wife. It’s so beautiful, I took tons of pics, which I will put in the gallery.

I was doing fine but sweating pretty good and enjoyed the more shady spots. There are benches everywhere, all over the park. I think the peak feature of the park is the Pond of the Blue Moon.

I think it looks very Japanese and gives a zen-like feeling. There’s a Meditation Pavillion, the Brown Daylily Collection, the Edible Garden, Discovery Theater, Children’s Garden, Epiphyte House, and Exhibition Greenhouses. The Hanging Garden is especially gorgeous. The whole place is too pretty for words. Let me show you in photos.

We were so hot and sweaty by the end. This is a spring/fall type activity, yet if we’d know we wanted to do this, early morning would have been ideal. The park is free but they gladly accept donations for their environmental educational programs. There must be a trust that keeps the park operational then!

I didn’t post ALL the pictures but you can probably go to the website and see more. Or better yet, come see me and I’ll be happy to be your ride and guide!