THE BOTANICAL JOURNAL

Irish Hunger Memorial

Irish Hunger Memorial

Standing facing west on the corner of North End Ave. & Vesey Street in Lower Manhattan's Financial District, the viewer observes a rather ordinary park of green grass and vegetation. A seemingly unkempt tangled mass of vines creeps over boulders and stones as New Yorkers strike past. Not far from this very spot is the new One World Trade Center and the 911 Memorial, yet few venture the additional 3 blocks to the radically designed Irish Hunger Memorial.
Read more
The Azalea Trail

The Azalea Trail

Every spring for 81 years, Houstonians gather in awe of the Rhododendron's famous flush of flowers blooming brightly on their bushes throughout River Oaks. For three days, March 11, 12...
Read more
Whooping Crane Tour in Rockport, TX

Whooping Crane Tour in Rockport, TX

Once upon a time, the tallest bird in North America, Grus americana, filled the Texas autumn skies. Tens of thousands of whooping cranes flew south every winter from Canada to...
Read more
Challenger 7 Park

Challenger 7 Park

Recently, a longtime friend and her family exchanged life in the city for a quieter existence south near the coast, Friendswood to be exact. As a native Houstonian, I am...
Read more
Palo Duro, Palo Duro Canyon, Texas, Panhandle, Second Largest Canyon, Texas Travel, Camping

West Texas Snowstorm, Palo Duro Part 2

A day after the clouds arrived, an Artic wind entered. Quickly, the temperature dropped. Gusts reached 20 knots in Palo Duro Canyon, intermittent with periods of calm. Around midmorning, Cody...
Read more
Palo Duro Canyon, Texas Travel, Second Largest Canyon, United States, Panhandle

Palo Duro Canyon Part 1

The Park Rangers called the day before to warn of an approaching snowstorm. Cody and I were excited to see snow for Christmas. The Park wanted to offer lodgings for...
Read more
Citrus Celebration

Citrus Celebration

Every year our gardens succeed. Not always in the way we imagine. This year along the Gulf Coast, citrus trees are producing a bumper crop of delectably succulent fruit. Lemons,...
Read more
Houston, Houston Bike Trail, Urban Biking, Bike Trails, Houston Bayou, Bayou trails, bikers, biking

Houston Bike Trail

Recently, a longtime friend phoned from California inquiring about the biking system in Houston. She had read an article recommending the trails to cyclists. As a bike rider, I knew...
Read more