Tales of Trips & Tours by Patty Gaffney … A visit to Hortense Miller Garden
We opened the garden club year with a local Trip & Tour destination where eight day trippers channeled mountain goats as we toured the terraced grounds and home of Hortense Miller. The tour was lead by a docent, long standing club member, and newsletter editor Dalynn Malek. We learned how Hortense was a woman ahead of her time, a modern thinker who loved plants and animals, a feminist and a multi-talented artist.
Such a delight that two brand new members, Dianne and Merrill joined us for the day while new-ish member Bonnie skipped the billygoat terrain but met us for potluck. Although our group was small, Merrill declared it the best potluck ever, and Bonnie agreed with the beautiful scene of Heisler Park, the delicious food and the great people! Not to mention, there was persistent stalking by a sassy squirrel, sleek rabbits confidently showing themselves and a bold pigeon attack.
Many thanks to Dalynn, her HMG docent partner, and third docent Bob, another Laguna Beach Garden Club member. The synergy between the two organizations was apparent as we were also met by Sherry, yet another tireless volunteer at the HMG and long time LBGC member.