June, 2022
Today was a quiet day. In fact, I think maybe the destination below was the only place I went all day. Mostly I stayed around the campground and my trailer, read a book, had a nap, etc. But I did venture out in order to see the Tennant Lake farm and its Fragrance Garden, just south of the town of Ferndale, about 10 miles south of the campground. I’m glad I did.
At the entrance, Hovander Homestead Park is to the right. I drove in there at the end of my visit, but only for a few minutes. You’ll see what I saw in there at the end of this blog post. 🙂
Tennant Lake is to the left.
It was a wonderful old home with lovely gardens!
And a four-story viewing tower (photo below) so the public can see the surrounding area. I’ll go up there for sure, if they let me.
The most noteworth photo from the sign above is the photo below. One spring in recent years, with abundant rainfall and with massive glacier river water runoff, the entire area flooded. You can see the home and the viewing tower, not much else.
But when I was here, there was no flooding. I appreciated that.
Then there was this note on a small printed sign on that board above … “Tennant Lake is an important wetland ecosystem. Its traditional name is Sil-ats-its. The Tennant Lake section of Hovander Homestead Park was owned by Clara of the Lummi Nation, who then married John Tennant. The Nielsen family bought the property in 1893 and built their home in 1906 which is now the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center. Mr. Nielsen’s brother homesteaded the neighboring property which was sold to the Hovander family in 1898.”
This place was truly gorgeous. Whoever is taking care of it is doing a magnificent job. I walked all around the flowers and shrubs and trees and took photos to my heart’s content. Here are just a few of my photos.
The Applemint above smelled divine. We were allowed to pick one leaf to smell it and feel it and taste it. Mmm-mm!
But the Chocolate Mint was even better. I might be planting a bazillion plants of Chocolate Mint all around my house soon. Oh my was it delicious. It smelled delicious and it tasted delicious.
On the other hand, there was this Variegated Pineapple Mint that was almost as delicious as the two plants above. I love pineapple. In the Philippines where I grew up, in our backyard we had tall banana plants and pineapple plants and mangos. A pineapple purchased in the USA tastes nothing like fresh pineapple. But this Pineapple Mint plant was exquisite.
And then I came around a corner and found the wide open doors of the four-story viewing tower.
What do you think I did? 🙂 One guess.
Inside the doors were some signs. If you can click on and enlarge the photos, you may be able to read the text more easily.
And then I looked up. Whoa. And up I went!
Eventually I made it up to the top and took a momemt to sit on the bench to rest my lungs and my legs. But not for long!
Look at the view! The photo below is of Tennant Lake, how it is today. I read that it used to be a “real” lake, but that it has been filling in with plants more recently. That’s natural, I think. Things change. The view below is to the left.
The view below is to the right. Birds were talking everywhere. The air smelled so fresh.
Think about all the wildlife there must be in and on the water.
The photo below shows a path that leads WAY out through those trees, past those trees, to the end of the lake and to a viewing platform that’s built out over the lake, just a foot or two above the level of the water.
I was tempted, but I could see dark clouds approaching, so I headed back to the gardens for just a few more photos.
Ajuga … above.
And then I walked away from the house and gardens, back across the gravel parking lot, past my big white truck, and down a little side road for a few feet. There is obviously a lot of water here.
And then (above) a gentle rain started to fall. So I clambered back into my big white truck and drove out. But on my way out, I turned onto that side road that led to the Hovander Homestead. I drove through only a portion of it, didn’t stop at all. But I got photos of the important parts. 🙂 Two barns.
That was a great outing. What did you like best? I wish I could share the smell of those plants and the fresh country air. I liked everything best. 🙂
I wonder what chocolate mint smells like? I guess…chocolate and mint? Too obvious. 🙂 I LOVE the barns of course, but the whole place looks like a fun time!
Ha! Yes, 🙂 it smelled like chocolate and mint. It was delicious!
If you plant even one mint of any variety, you will have a gazillion plants – as will your neighbors.
By the way, I have 3 varieties, and it is a constant battle to keep it in check.
Thank you! I’m sure glad you told me before I ran out and bought a flat of each type. I’ll try one variety of mint in one container and see what happens … will report. Thanks Arlene. 🙂
This was fabulous. I could see so many other plants around the buildings that you didn’t show, and how could you show them all? I’ve planted mint in containers and it STILL spills out and grows on the ground around the containers unless I keep after it. But it does indeed smell divine. If you’re willing to plant it in a container and still keep the ground absolutely clear of it around the container then it shouldn’t be too hard to do. I used to know a farmer who grew mint as a crop (I’ve forgotten which variety), the neighboring farmers hated it since the mint took over their farms which were NOT mint!
Oh Ruby, I know, I wanted to show you ALL the photos of ALL the plants. They were gorgeous … June is an excellent month to visit these gardens.
Ok, so mint still escapes a container. Hmmm, but it should slow down the spread maybe? I’ll try a small bit.
My gosh, since mint spreads so easily, I’m not surprised that an entire 100-acre (or more) field would not be appreciated by the neighbors. But there are commercial mint growers in Washington. I wonder how they deal with that.
Holy cow, the photos of that stairwell from underneath the stairs is amazing! Four stories of those open stairs. That was really cool. The barns were really cool too. And the little drops of rain on the water. 🙂 Thanks.
I was hypnotized looking up at those stairs, and so glad they didn’t wall them in but left them open. You’re welcome. 🙂
Love the plant photos. That tower is spectacular, and the view from it. Love the barns. I really appreciate everyone’s comments about growing mint because I was about to run out and buy LOTS of it. I’ll be a bit conservative now. 🙂
You and me both, Kinny. I’m starting with just a little mint in a little container. It’s sure nice to learn from one another isn’t it?
That viewing tower is great, would have loved to help build it. Wish you could share the smells of the flowers. Rain, we need rain! Just thinking about those little drops of rain felt really good.
We sure have some hot and dry spells in the Pacific Northwest lately. We need rain and cooler weather, not sure we’ll get much of that anymore. A friend of mine who often plays soft music in the evening, now sometimes plays the sound of rain.
Fun and so pretty. Thank you. 🙂
You are both welcome. 🙂
Barns! The flowers and plants are great. The quiet rain on the water. I really liked the interior shots of that tower. Really appreciate this blog. I keep looking for a way to repay you online, but you don’t use those sources. I really like this blog!
Aren’t those barns great? Everything at Tennant Lake farm was super.
And no, I don’t use “Buy Me A Coffee” or accept PayPal donations or anything else like that, tho I know a lot of bloggers and vloggers who do. Sure I could use help with the cost of the blog, but so far I can afford it. I’m sure not rich, and don’t have much extra money in life, but I have money put aside for later in life. And I don’t want people to feel obligated, you know? Besides, part of the reason I write this blog is that it then will become a diary of sorts for later in my life when I want to look back and see where I went, what I saw. But thank you for mentioning that, I do very much appreciate that, Joe. 🙂
The flowers, the tower, the lake/water, the rain. All of this is so wonderful. And yet, that one sign that you shared that talked about this land being owned by Clara of the Lummi Nation (a First Nation people) … where her last name was not listed even tho she owned this land … and then all subsequent names were of men and of white men. Bah!! Who is Clara and why aren’t women recognized and named? I love this blog, don’t get me wrong, and I love this blog post. Why are women ignored and why are people in the USA other than white people ignored? White people are immigrants! White men are immigrants. If immigrants aren’t welcome, send them home! As usual, delete if you wish Ann, tho you never seem to delete these sorts of comments. 🙂 I love what you share with us, including the things that need fixing. Maybe you do that to help the rest of us have the energy and desire to fix things. That sign at the Tennant Lake farm needs fixing! Who was/is Clara?
Amen!
Just read this and thought about saying something but didn’t want to stir up trouble. Let’s stir up trouble. Fix that sign!
White men (and women) are indigenous to northern Europe. My ancestors lived where I do today, have lived here for thousands of years. But caucasians are not indigenous to the USA. Why are so many white-supremacist men claiming control in the USA? Why are others in the USA letting them? It isn’t their land. This lake and farm land was Clara’s land.
All you folks … I agree wholeheartedly. What was and where is Clara’s last name? Ok, I have sent an email to the Tennant Lake farm organization asking that question along with a direct but courteous request that Clara’s name be added to that posted notice. I even suggested that since she was an original owner, that the farm be named after HER. We shall see. Thank you for talking about this, it matters.
Good questions everyone. Not sure they will be answered in our lifetimes but I wish they could be. Clara’s last name should be on that sign. Maybe Ann can write to the farm and ask them.
What a beautiful garden this is, what a treat that it’s public. That viewing tower is super. And the photos of the underside of the stairs looking up are spectacular. Barn photos are always my favorite. 🙂
At your suggestion, I did send them an email, Bill. Please read my response to the other Readers just above this one, too. Fixing this is important. Thank you.
Barn photos! Yes! 🙂