Gardenerd joined me at our local post office for his last excursion in San Jose. We’ve had such a good time. As plush carrots go, he really has quite the personality.
He briefly considered auditioning for the part of a California Poppy, but alas it was time to hit the road.
To be [a poppy], or not to be, that is the question.
While here in San Jose, Gardenerd posed for the obligatory “I’ve just arrived and I’m happy to be out of my box” pics. Then I put him to work. He supervised the VegTrug planting bed assembly, then helped us celebrate the arrival of some much-needed rain.
In between storms, Gardenerd came along on a walk through Martial Cottle Park. I plan to write more about this wonderful new place in a future post but in summary: Martial Cottle arrived in the valley in 1864 and farmed the land for over 150 years. The Cottle-Lester family resisted eager developers swooping in for years. At his death, following his mother’s wishes, the family transferred the remaining 287 acres to the state and county for development of a public park and urban farmland. They opened to the public in December of 2014.
I’ve walked there two or three times with my friend Mary Ann, and I’m eager to share this gem of a place with others.
At the end of his first week, Gardenerd traveled with us to beautiful Carmel-by-the-sea. Doesn’t he look rested? I think it’s that wonderful sea air.
He lounged in the room, considered a game of chess and enjoyed the beautiful gardens.
Alas, it was time for Gardenerd to move on to his next garden adventure. Safe travels, little buddy. I’m looking forward to seeing you on Twitter and Instagram.
Where Did He Go?
You can follow Gardenerd’s travels via Instagram or Twitter by using the hashtag #wheresgardenerd (just one ‘n’)
Additional photos on my Facebook Page Gardening Nirvana
My heartfelt thanks to Christy at Gardenerd.com for allowing us to host Gardenerd in San Jose, California.
Gardening Nirvana 
Garden Nerd has been in the last place I lived before moving south! It’s a small world 🙂
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Oh my goodness, what a small world! Thanks for sharing that detail, Pauline. I’m tickled by the serendipity of these things.
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Oh my goodness, what a small world! Thanks for sharing that detail, Pauline. I’m tickled by the serendipity of these things.
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Gardenerd has done a fair bit of traveling that some of us can only hope for. And the journey is just beginning. It looks like you’ve had a wonderful time showing him the sights. Does he carry a journal with him to record all his travels? I’m sure you will miss him.
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I like the idea of an actual journal. Good thinking. His travels are loosely documented for now via blogs, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Christy is blogging about his travels as well.
Oh…and I just thought of something: we should make him a passport, too.
The wheels are spinning now, Marlene.
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You make me laugh!!! A journal and a passport are called for. T.S thinks he should be named something like Charles Carrot for his memoir the life and times of Charles Carrot. I do like Gardenerd though he should have a last name or something. :)) We made him laugh too. 🙂
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Now we’re all laughing! Who knew a carrot could bring so many smiles. I like Charles Carrot. It’s dignified. Christy’s business is called Gardenerd. Her assistant gave her the carrot as a gift, then they added the glasses and off he went traveling the world. Fun, eh?
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How wonderful! I hope he finds his way to our Memorial Garden some day!
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That would be terrific!
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You showed him a good time–he’ll want to come back! My favorite part is imagining innocent bystanders watching as those photos were taken. They must’ve wondered . . .
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Funny you should say that. The first night we took pics, my neighbor walked over and said “I have to ask…is that a carrot?!” We all had a good laugh. The real photo journalism would have been to snap shots of people’s reactions…or simply avoidance of the carrot top with a plus carrot. Ha! Now you’ve got me thinking. I suggested to Marlene that we create a passport for the plush carrot. Perhaps business cards are in order as well.
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I do like Gardenerd. I may have to follow his travels. He’s wearing some pretty snazzy shorts.
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Those are snazzy shorts and he has cute little legs to pull them off, too. 😉
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Lovely post.
Sabrina – http://www.OrganicIsBeautiful.com
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Thank you, Sabrina.
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Looks like you had some great adventures together, Alys 🙂
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He would make an excellent poppy, but I am sure there are further adventures awaiting him. Looks like he had a great time in San Jose! 🙂
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Cathy, I thought so too! But as you say, he’s got plenty of adventures ahead of him, so he has to pace himself. I wish I had his travel schedule. Further, visiting you would be high on my list. xo
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😉
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Gah! I really fell behind. You’ve been writing up a storm, way to go super blogger (( Alys ))
There’s something about Gardenerds face that makes me laugh. Is it that tiny smile or the big glasses and little eyes (kind of like when you see nerds wearing really thick glasses and their eyes look really small through them)? Or maybe the tape on his nerdy glasses? He couldn’t have had a better holiday visit me thinks. Carmel, public gardens, almost a game of chess (lol that one made me laugh too), it’s been lots of fun to see him in so many locations. I really like the one of him sitting in the tree knot with his widdle head bend over…teehee. Goodbye Gardenerd, safe and happy travels ! Were you a little sad to mail GN away? I might be.
Wait…..LOL laughing again at his rain gear. HA. I wish we could figure out how to animate him and turn him into a cartoon….we could show him skipping thru the rain in his plastic rain gear and maybe Mouse would be watching from somewhere, half hidden by plants and drippy whiskers from the rain. Alys, get Disney on the horn! HA!
Maybe you, Mary Ann and I can visit there on a trip? I’d love that. It’s so fresh and green! Were you able to buy any produce? I’m getting excited for the opening of the markets here. Normally the beginning of June.
What a fun morning with you sweetness. But my Latte is cold and I my looooongggg list is calling me away. The sun is shining but the wind is really howling outside. The weather girl said we might get 100 km/hour winds today (60 mph)…yipes! xoxo hugs k
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I love that they added those nerdy glasses to the carrot to make him a unique traveling gardenerd. He makes me smile, too.
I enjoyed having him visit, but I wasn’t sad to send him to the next gardener, knowing the joy he brings to others.
So now I’m behind, and I’m wondering if those crazy winds came to pass. That is scary weather.
I would love to take you to Martial Cottle on your next visit and happy to introduce you and Mary Ann. It’s a little early even here for good local produce, but soon.
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