One of the things I love about visiting places over and over again is that I learn something each time. As I hinted in the previous post, I went to Montalvo Arts Center and Filoli this weekend. Visiting beautiful places makes my head swim with enchantment, and I have to force myself to slow down enough to enjoy them. Montalvo has been busy renovating their Great Lawn and installing a low retaining wall and steps at the base of it. Check out the difference in the photos from my previous post to see the differences. A wedding was in rehearsal while I was there, so I tried not to be in the way, and just barely managed to avoid taking photos of the wedding party. I stayed just long enough to take snapshots of the changes, check out the progress in the gardens, and to make the decision to visit again in softer light. I was out in bright sunlight - a perfect summer day for most people, but way too much for my 12 year old digital camera (bless its heart, it tried).They've got a new art installation in place, and I discovered that the pond and waterfall have also been repaired since the last time I was there.One of my favorite things about the Italianate Garden is how dramatic the Italian Cypresses are - seriously, look at how big they are! those teensy tiny people in the middle are full grown adult humans - the cypresses dwarf everything.Seen from another angle, they don't seem so big, in this photo, but remember that the roses at their base are shoulder height on an adult. I love how their linear planting as seen in the first photo changes when viewed from other angles. Too many people disregard this dynamic part of planting design, or just don't notice it.and remember last post when I pointed out the pool behind the Villa? Oh, how I wish I could remove those stairs, brick path and lawn and re-fill that pool. I'd love to know what it looked like - the tops of what I assume were fountains are still there just begging to be unearthed.So what did I learn yesterday? Dramatic plant forms can make even bad photos look good (I'm talking to you, Italian Cypresses!) Here's to looking forward to a new camera soon!