April 25, 2013 – The Keukenhof Gardens Outside of Amsterdam

This is obviously out of order, but there are some days when there is just no time to blog.  Bill and I booked a trip to the Keukenhof Gardens about an hour and a half outside of Amsterdam for April 25.  This Park is only open in April and May when the flowers are blooming.  We thought it was going to rain, but it turned out to be cloudy but dry!  It was really beautiful!  We walked and walked and didn’t even realize how tired we were until about an hour before we had to be back at the bus.  By that time, all we could do was shuffle our way back to the meeting place and sit.  The only things we have lost so far on this trip have been our second umbrella and my camera case, and we lost them both on the bus ride back. 

An observation on Amsterdam and probably The Netherlands in general - they seem to know how to take care of the weakest among them.  This is the only country where we didn't see beggars on the street.  In the Keukenhof, there were processions of people in wheelchairs with their caretakers.  We saw a group of Downs Syndrome kids being gently herded by folks who obviously loved them.  They are a liberal country - legalized prostitution and legalized weed, but a genuine caring for people.

  I think I will stop typing now and let the pictures speak for themselves. 

Tulips in the flower fields outside of Keukenhof

The Flower Fields Outside of Keukenhof

More Flower Fields Outside of Keukenhof

Bill and his new shoes

Entrance to Keukenhof

One of the sculptures in the Keukenhof Gardens

Kathie at the Entrance to Keukenhof

Another Sculpture 

Flower Beds in the Keukenhof

Windmill in the Keukenhof