Yesterday's lunch break consisted of a walk in the gardens, which are closed on Monday so that certain kinds of work can be done without guests being inconvenienced. The gardeners break their backs shoveling mulch at this time of year, preparing for Azalea Trail and the spring rush of visitors. Nine acres of gardens full of azaleas, camellias, trees and bedding plants of all sorts equals 8 loads of 18 cubic feet each of mulch to be spread by five dedicated gardeners with push carts and shovels. So much has to be done entirely by hand because there is no way to access the beds with equipment.

The gardens staff work so hard, and seem to take a great deal of pride in what they do, as well they should. When the finished product allows for vistas such as this, then God smiles, I think.