Down by the Riverside

Ominous skies didn't scare us away.

Continuous blooming lure many to visit Riverside International Friendship Gardens in La Crosse and yesterday was one such day for us after the potatoes were planted on an almost perfect 75 degree picnic type day.                                                 
So picnic we did. We had the pavilion to ourselves where so far this season only 2 recently shellacked picnic tables were out as the others must either still be in storage/ getting refinished. Dark clouds loomed in the late afternoon sky but they didn't scare us away.                                            

All around new plant growth abounded.  The hostas were about 5 inches high compared to our 2" in the End of the Rainbow Valley and their Japanese tree peonies already had buds. The Japanese Plum trees are blooming and exquisite.

Other plants aren't waiting until Mother's Day either as many of the tulips have/ready to pop in the French garden and there's a sea of yellow daffodils along the riverbanks where fisherman throw their lines in awaiting  tugs on their lines...

There are some new giant Koi in the Japanese garden pond too that I am sure are going to attract a lot of attention. No fishing's allowed there. :)

The gardens are definitely a wonderful community locale utilized by all ages and parts of our community.

A lovely sunset bid farewell to a beautiful spring day in the Coulee. We'll be back for sure.