The first garden at Burntside in front of the main Lodge is a result of a gift from a man who planned a vacation for he and his young son. Mike was in the business of importing large numbers of flowers from South America. When booking his early June reservation he indicated this trip was a special one as he was suffering from leukemia and he wished for a trip his son would remember. I remember visiting with him and learning of his flower connection.

When he arrived at the resort he brought along many plants (all hardy to zone 3) that he gifted to The Lodge. Being young and enthusiastic, Lou and I planted the plants right where the garden is today on top of bedrock with topsoil framed by railroad ties. Miraculously, the plants grew and even bloomed that first summer. Amazingly, many even returned after the winter thaw despite the fact that there was little room for 'roots'.

Our knowledge has grown and 20 years later we still enjoy the June blooms of Mike's peonies which have grown and bloomed abundantly despite their shallow conditions. We've never seen Mike again; but his memory and gift live on.

Flowers for us do represent many memories of guests and friends. We've been indulged with hostas, astilbes, daffodils, Jacob's ladder and countless others over the years. It has truly been rewarding for us to 'play in the dirt' and see what new and unusual things we can grow and our guests seem to be as enthusiastic as we are.

We have many gardening friends who have supported and helped us over the years.

Tom's First Bouquet of the season

We especially appreciate Tom, our local gardening friend who grows the most amazing flowers and vegetables (shown here with an early season bouquet), and Karen, who began her love of Ely with a stay with her husband Wayne at the Lodge and now lives here year round. Margaret, a writer of log homes and garden stories abundant, and Betsy, another guest who is also a landscape designer, have both helped tremendously. We've learned a lot and look forward to sharing our gardening season with you.

- Lonnie