I get to spend next week at an old plantation in Virginia, the home of Oak Spring Garden Foundation. I have some anxieties about the trip, namely the fact that Virginia is three hours in the future and our days will be starting at 8am their time. I’ve been so tired this year that the week of early mornings might be an issue; we’ll see.
To help combat my anxiety, I’ve decided to create a scavenger hunt for my visit. Looking at pictures of the site gives me a lovely sense of positive anticipation, and having a “mission” while I’m there might help combat my fatigue.
At my last nature journal club function, a potluck at one of our member’s homes, our host showed us a mini-accordion-style journal she’d created about her favorite foodie places around Portland, OR. Then she gifted each of us with our own blank accordion journal. The journal has seven spreads plus a front and back page, so I’m going to create nine “missions” for myself in hopes of filling up every page on my trip.
Mission 1
Sketch the room where I’ll be staying. My first order of business upon arrival will likely be to take a nap. I’ll catch a quick sketch of the room before it gets all rustled up from occupation.
Mission 2
Find and observe the river at the east end of the property. Our pre-assignment for this workshop was to explore a map of the southeast part of the estate and find a place to visit when we first arrive. I’ve chosen a spot in a forested riparian area. I don’t know yet if it is accessible, but I hope to spend some time grounding next to water before the activities of the week begin.
Mission 3
Draw and label a plant. Our next assignment on arrival, once we find the spot we chose, is to find a plant that “speaks” to us. We will be spending time with and learning about our species of choice over the course of the week.
Mission 4
Find and draw this scene that I found on the Pegplant blog post, Bunny Mellon’s Gardens at Oak Spring Garden Foundation. I love brick walls and walkways, and just looking at this image is very settling for me. I hope to spend some time here.
Mission 5
Locate this well and find out if it’s real or just decorative. I’m hoping it’s real. I have a fascination with stone wells and it has been a very long time since I’ve gotten to look inside one. I found this photo in “The Life and Horticultural Art of Rachel ‘Bunny’ Mellon.”
Mission 6
Visit the library and try to capture its expansiveness on the page. As part of our plant study, we get to tell the librarian which plant we’ve chosen, and he’ll select relevant books from the library for us to learn from. I am intrigued! I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve had books selected for me to read.
Mission 7
Find and describe the bees. I am excited to observe new species of bees. I hope they’ve still got a lot of varieties this late in the year!
Mission 8
Search for the Eastern Rat Snake. I got the idea for this because of the “conversation” I had with Voz a few weeks ago, which involved black snakes. We don’t have black snakes where I live but soon after that vision, I saw a picture of a snake that looked just like the one I saw. It was on a site for Virginia Wildlife, and turned out to be the rat snake.
It’s good that I added this to my list. I forget that I live in a part of the world where one can traipse about the wilderness with little concern, and was planning to only pack sandals for my trip. In Virginia, there are at least two species of snakes that are venomous – the water moccasin and the timber rattler, both of whom have similar environmental preferences as myself. Since I’ll be spending time in the forest and near the water, I’ll need to bring sturdier shoes. And should probably wear long pants as well.
Mission 9
Find something magical or unexpected. Already, possibilities are coming to me: fireflies, box turtles, this faucet. What surprising something will I encounter? What will fill this space? I love the idea of leaving room for the unexpected – I’m sure there will be plenty of experiences to look forward to that might fulfill this mission!
* * * * *
I’m forcing myself to stop here because I will also have all the coursework to do while I’m on site, and don’t know how much free time I’ll actually have. But the more I explore the world of Oak Spring Garden online, the more excited I am to be there in person. I have a feeling this is the kind of place I’ll be wishing to return to in the future!
It is likely I will not be posting a newsletter next week. It’s one of those things that feels completely feasible now, but I know I’m going to be engrossed with the coursework and the site. In fact, I think I should just tell myself now – no newsletter next week! That way I won’t have it bobbing around in the back of my head, asking for attention.
See you in September! <3
Sounds like a grand adventure!