African Garden + woodland dreams

Forests are always magical places to me, but the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island in the rain was like stepping into a fairy tale. If Dragonfly Farms was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, then the Bloedel was The Brothers Grimm come to life.

I was lured off the main path, into the woods, where I encountered strange creatures

and giants that had been turned to stone.

The mossy ground dampered the sound of my footsteps, and I was enveloped in a cocoon of silence broken only by the pattering of the raindrops on the leaves.

The path enticed me to venture deeper,

leading me to a clearing, where I found a charming little house.

Remembering the stories, I didn't go inside, but instead continued along the path. A bit further on, I encountered a parade of sorts

and wanted to follow. Beyond, I learned the fate of a fallen hero

and discovered a witch's tower.

Luckily, there was a magic portal to take me back to the real world,

and I found myself safely in an open meadow.

Or was I?