Author Topic: Visiting a beautiful lily pond in Santa Barbara (Read 2564 times)

miguynmkoi · « **on:** September 07, 2010, 01:25:05 PM »

We went on a road trip during Labor Day weekend, leaving Thursday morning and returning home Saturday night. We missed all the traffic!

Anyhow on our way back from our destination of Paso Robles, newest wine country for us, we stopped by Santa Barbara to enjoy their hospitality and decided to rest and walk away the heavy lunch we feasted on earlier downtown. We drove over to the Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens and for the first time we saw the lilies in bloom. Normally we are here in Spring and only see the pond with a few lily pads.

This time the pads were unbelievably huge and mounding with many blooms. The turtles were out in full force and the koi fatter than ever! First time I've seen large turtles sunning on lily pads!

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2010, 01:31:49 PM »

We only saw a few fat koi and a lot of mosquito fish but the one that eluded my camera were what looked like sun fish. They were small about 3-4" long/round and narrow, brown/tan color with bluish/black dots over the back near the dorsal fin. Looked cooler than my description.

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2010, 01:33:35 PM »

It was a very sunny afternoon or maybe lousy photographer but to see this park and pond in person was beautiful!

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2010, 01:36:18 PM »

I can't believe seeing these mounds of lily pads in person! The pickerel brush was so thick lining a good portion of the pond. All the blue from these flowers make me want to grow some too.

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2010, 01:38:42 PM »

Hope you enjoy seeing the same thing again and again from different views. Ok I got obsessed here...

You only get to see a few of the hundreds of photos that made it pass the chopping block. Gotta love digital!

And then there are the dirt flower/tree varieties found along the paths.

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2010, 01:40:02 PM »

The end of a lovely afternoon!

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2010, 01:40:59 PM »

A beautiful soft feathery tree. That's it for reals!

Julles · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2010, 03:03:06 PM »

what a wonderful mini vacation you had. The grounds are beautiful.

Those lilies are so thick, I thought they were water hyacinth gone wild.

Thanks for the photos.

matherfish · « **Reply #8 on:** September 07, 2010, 04:15:48 PM »

Great trip! Thanks for sharing!

2vetts · « **Reply #9 on:** September 07, 2010, 04:26:31 PM »

cool!!!! thank you

CoolShades · « **Reply #10 on:** September 07, 2010, 05:34:35 PM »

I agree the lilies are thick, reminds me of Cal Tech Lily Ponds.

Kittyzee · « **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2010, 06:26:26 PM »

Oh Annette, what a wonderful getaway! Lovely pics loaded with beautiful lilies, chubby fish, and piles of turtles! My daughter had a flowering maple a couple of years ago in a flower bed...that thing literally was a blooming beauty. She had no way to bring it in and I had no where to put it either--they aren't hardy here. It made me sick to know that we couldn't bring it in. I've seen some in greenhouses that are HUGE.

Thanks for sharing your photos!

rdrboone · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2010, 06:56:06 PM »

Gorgeous garden. Thanks for posting all of those fantastic waterlily photos.
Ruth

Mikey · « **Reply #13 on:** September 07, 2010, 07:46:38 PM »

Nice looking gardens. I'll have to put that down on my places to visit list. Thanks for sharing.

trish · « **Reply #14 on:** September 08, 2010, 07:03:42 AM »

Quote from: Julles on September 07, 2010, 03:03:06 PM

Those lilies are so thick, I thought they were water hyacinth gone wild.

So did I!

Great pictures.

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2010, 03:45:09 PM »

Glad to share! I also had to make sure those were lily pads a few times. The lily pads growing in my pond are not even close to being as hardy as the ones in SB. Those ones can hold a large turtle without tearing. Something right is happening at the bottom to be able to produce such magnificent lilies.

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2010, 04:01:43 PM »

Mikey, have you seen the Nojoqui Falls near Santa Barbara and Solvang on the 101? If not add it to your list, it's another great place to visit and picnic. Wonderful easy trail through the forest and over streams to a tall waterfall. Spring time is the best time to see the more water on the falls. Look it up for directions. My DD found it when she researched things to do in SB.

Jerry · « **Reply #17 on:** September 08, 2010, 04:49:48 PM »

It is a favorite spot. I am there often on business and usually swing by the park and walk and look. nice shots!!
There is another back road with falls as well as Spanish Moss hanging from Live Oaks!

CoolShades · « **Reply #18 on:** September 08, 2010, 07:28:08 PM »

Pretty falls, is that off of 154 or should I have stayed on the 101?

Gary

miguynmkoi · « **Reply #19 on:** September 08, 2010, 07:40:41 PM »

Gary, Nojoqui Falls is on the 101. Somewhere between Santa Barbara and the exit to Solvang. I'm thinking it's closer to Gaviota and Solvang, inland. There is a sign on the 101 that just says waterfall right on the road exit.

There are trails beyond a park with picnic tables and bbq boxes. It's an easy trek to piece and quiet unless it gets crowd with noisy people.

Next time Gary!

Ky Kim · « **Reply #20 on:** September 09, 2010, 11:45:23 AM »

Looks like an amazing place.