Monday, May 11, 2009

Rochester Lilac Festival

For my birthday, we made the short drive to Rochester to tour the annual Lilac Festival in the city's Highland Park. Never in my life have I seen or smelled such beauty, been touched by such gentle silence, or experienced such peace. It was as if, for only a few hours, it was just me and the lilacs. And all was good. I made sure to leave these photos large, so take the time during the tour to click on the photo's for larger images. You won't be disappointed.

Hundreds of varieties, a myriad of colors, a buffet of scents. It was, by far, the most interesting and enjoyable day trip I've had inside Western New York, since I moved here 3 years ago.

Winding pathways of grass took you through elegant alleys of pink, purple, lemon and snow white.

And though for the better part of the morning the sky was gray, they parted in the afternoon, casting a gentle glow on the grounds below. Dappled shade provided cool shelter, and the warm light among the boughs of lilac bushes provided a potpourri of perfumes - each quietly existing in its private space.

All of this beauty, in the center of a city. The hustle, the bustle, the motion - all ceased in that moment, while the lilacs danced their ballet, orchestrated their symphony and sang their encored aria.


But it wasn't all lilacs in these gardens. Colorful blooms on Japanese magnolia trees, ornamental cherry trees, red buds, and cypress; beach wood, tulips, daffodils, wisteria and daisies: it was a complete decoration of color and theme: Welcome Home Spring.





So many photos, so little time. We're gathering up the last bits on our way to Brimfield, and setting up our house guests while we're away. I hope you enjoy the tour, and if you happen to find yourself in the Rochester area, I believe the festival is extended through this weekend. I ensure a good time to be had by all.
I'll catch up when back from the antique mecca. Til then, peace may you find in the simplicity of a garden.

33 comments:

  1. I loved,loved, loved this tour. My lilacs are just about ready to bloom. I love this time of the year. Your pictures are fantastic.

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  2. Oh Artie, what a truly beautiful, poetic and soulful post. There is nothing on this Earth that can compare to Nature's beauty, and you captured it perfectly. I can smell each blossom, and feel the grass beneath my feet.
    Have a wonderful time in Brimfield!
    xo Isa
    "A single rose can be my garden, a single friend, my world." Leo F. Buscaglia

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  3. Artic, I live in Rochester and toured Highland Park's Lilac Festival. My camera was also capturing the beautiful lilacs! I love walking the winding pathways and breathing the beautiful scents of these blossoms.

    Glad you made it to the Rochester area.

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  4. artie.........

    unreal.
    i'd like to be a little critter so that i could climb up a lilac bush,and set up house.
    i would not come down until the lilacs went to sleep for the season!

    xx

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  5. Spring is always beautiful -- ours comes piecemeal -- first the daffodils, then the hyacinths (which smell almost as good as lilacs), then tulips followed by lilacs -- HUGE bouquets of lilacs are brought inside from Linderhof's four bushes. Old fashioned lilacs -- they smell the best!

    There is a house not far from us that the whole property line is lilacs -- I imagine that smells heavenly when in bloom!

    I wish I was closer -- the lilac festival would be fun.

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  6. These are absolutely gorgeous, Artie. Thank you!!

    I took some photos of lilacs in our town, a couple of weeks ago, with my new lens. Posted them at the Back Porch.

    We were so very fortunate to visit Mackinac Island, Michigan, during the annual Lilac Festival, three years ago. Amazing! I recommend a visit.

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  7. I can just imagine the fragrance! I have three lilacs in our yard, a white, pink and lavendar but the cool rainy weather has kept them from being their best this year. We need some SUNSHINE! Mackinac Island is on my "Bucket List!"
    joy c. at grannymountain

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  8. Oh Lilacs, sweet beautiful lilacs. I miss them. I need them.

    Feel free to go cut them and send armfuls....

    Thanks in advance.

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  9. Oh so beautiful!

    I can't wait to see what y'all buy.

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  10. WOW...you made me feel as if I were right smack in the middle of this lovely garden...as you know, we just don't have this kind of beauty in West Texas...

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  11. Ahhhh, some of Mother Nature's beauty. (Our lilac trees have not begun to blossom yet, but it is Tulip Festival time and they are out in all their glory.)

    Thanks for sharing such pretty pics Artie and wishing you a marvelous time in Brimfield. 'Shop til you drop'!
    Hugs -Brenda-

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  12. ARtie, Your pictures are a feast for the eyes! Wow, they're all so amazing! ♥ diane

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  13. Happy Birthday~~~~

    WOW!!! How beautiful. Last year I went to a lilac farm and you are so right, I have never smelled any other flower that I liked better. It was the whole experience of being around so many beautiful lilacs. It is by far my favorite thing to do. I'm so glad you got to do something so wonderful on your birthday.
    Have a wonderful day,
    Ginger

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  14. Oh how I love lilacs! And while we're talking about what I love...I love your blog!
    Robin
    All Things Heart and Home

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  15. Hypnotic I'm sure. Just beautiful.

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  16. you did the festival proud, Artie!
    beautiful photographs and exquisite writing!

    may your travels bear fruit~
    Chuck

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  17. Oh Artie, I could just smell this post! So sweet. What a great way to spend your special day! ~ Robyn

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  18. Artie,
    These are just gorgeous....thanks for sharing!
    Blessings...

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  19. OMG, I LOVE lilacs and they don't really grown down here. At least, I've never seen a real lilac bush anyway. The scent of them is incredible! Oh man, you got such beautiful pics. The white lilacs just POPPED right off the screen.

    Justine :o )

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  20. Oh my...I can only imagine how heavenly it must have looked and smelled. I wish we had something like that around here.

    Tricia - Avolli

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  21. I can hardly even imagine the fragrance!! Heavenly!

    And I missed your birthday!!! We celebrate birthdays in our house for a whole week, so I give you permission to do the same!! And all my best wishes for a wonderful year!!
    Edward sends his, too!

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  22. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing those pictures. laurie

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  23. Gorgeous! I can almost smell them from here.

    And happy birthday too! Here's to another 27 years of creativity!
    ~Michelle

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  24. What beautiful images. I just love lilacs!

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  25. Fantastic pictures Artie.....Our Lilac Bush Flowers didn't last very long this year, because of all the rain we got. Thank you for sharing these photos with us.

    'D'

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  26. First of all, happy belated birthday, Artie..
    Next, have I missed your new screen door? I have been away from the computer a little and I guess I've missed seeing it. i'll go back thru some past posts.
    Happy day, bj

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  27. thanks for the pictures... I remember going there as a child (I grew up in Eden)... I can't wait to have ours bloom here in ohio... they smell so yummy...

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  28. You write beautifully. Sometime post the poems you MUST have written.

    It reminded me of heaven. When someone dies...I always envision them walking into a place like that... I never could explain it..

    But, you just did!

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  29. Artie, you were right. Looking at the photos full size was delightful. Amazing photos and writing. I plan to get to the Lilac Festival this weekend.

    Safe travels to you.

    ~ Peace and tranquility.

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  30. Oh, Artie! These trees are remarkable! They remind me of the song from "My Fair Lady":

    Are there lilac trees in the heart of town?

    Can you hear a lark in any other part of town?

    Thanks for sharing...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  31. Oh my these are gorgeous!!
    Linda

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  32. Oh, this post makes me literally ache with envy! I grew up in the NE, lilacs were always such a part of my childhood, and they simply do not grow in Atlanta. I miss them so much! It was great to see the lovely pictures in this post, though.

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  33. artie,
    would you pweez add me to your blogroll ?
    pweez ?

    xx

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