It occurred to Kathy that we had not in our lives simply spent carefree days together. I’m a long range planner, and there was always something ahead to achieve. It is not that we did not take time to do fun and interesting things; we did. We traveled, and we had great adventures with our kids. Our daily existence was filled with good things. We had a wonderful and blessed life! But sitting on a park bench with no future plan, soaking in the surroundings just because it felt good–not so much.

Today was one of those days. We walked the gardens of the Saxon Summer Palace–Pillnitz–on the Elbe River just outside Dresden. It was a carefree day–just walk and sit and absorb. Such beauty in the trees and such refreshment in the air. No plan, just be. It was strange, but good. Maybe I can do this once or twice a year in the future–oh, that sounds like a plan, not too spontaneous. Maybe this was my once in a lifetime experience.
WEG

Front portal of the Pillnitz Castle on the Elbe River

One wing of Pillnitz Castle on the central courtyard

Another section of the Pillnitz Castle from the central courtyard

The Orangery in the Pillnitz Gardens

Chinese Pavilion in the gardens of the Pillnitz Castle

The chestnut tree-lined promenade in the gardens of the Pillnitz Castle

The hedge garden at the Pillnitz

The Chinese room in the Pillnitz Castle