Kos - Our Second Island Stop

 Kos is the second largest island in the Dodecanese, a string of islands close to Turkey.  It has been settled since 3000 BC. What brought us here was one of Greece's most important Hellenistic sites: Asklepion.

Dedicated to the god of healing: Asklepios.

This is the most famous sanctuary, school and medical center.

The priests/doctors were practitioners of Hippocrates' famous methods. 

There are three levels: each with a different purpose.

Lots of steps today.

The oldest portions date from the 4th century BC

But there are newer parts dating from Roman occupation.

It was such a peaceful spot with wonderful views, I could imagine coming there to recuperate from an illness, enjoy the baths and listen to the birds sing.

From this site we went into town to the Archaeological Museum where I took the photo of Askelpios above.  It was a small museum but one thing that I learned was the amphora originated in this town.  I never understood why they are pointed on the bottom but this display explains how they would be stored for shipping.  Anything with a flat bottom could still tip in heavy seas but not the amphora in their resting spots.

Scenes from Kos Town.

This tree has a claim to fame.  It's supposed to be Hippocrates' plane tree planted 2,400 years ago.

This tree is more like 700 years old and a descendant of the one planted eariler.

This mosque is undergoing renovations.

Ancient city ruins uncovered in a 1933 earthquake that destroyed much of this city.

The next stop will be Turkey.

The Promise of Blooms to Come

 My garden beds are in that stage of offering lots of promises of blooms and growth to come.

I got out early today, Wednesday, 6:30 am, to beat the heat. I had lots of new plants to get into the ground as a result of the $13 I spent at the Garden Club Potluck and Silent Auction.  I took lettuce starts, dahlia tubers, and amaryllis for the auction.  I came home with pansies, forget me nots, three containers of lily of the valley, a hosta, and a stella d'oro day lily. What was nice was that the lily of the valley could be divided so I had 6 plants, and so could the hosta so I had two.  All of these except the day lily and pansies went into the new bed along our driveway.  Pictures will have to wait until after mulching happens and the plans show some growth.

Rock Garden

Once I got all that planting done I tackled the Rock Garden and then Maple Garden (its named because its between two maple trees).  Weeding had to be done.  In the Rock Garden I was surprised how the grass grew right through a weed barrier fabric that the landscaper who mulched for me in 2025 put down.  I decided to let one weed grow.  Must be the little blue flowers that persuaded me.  Some people call it creeping charley.

Maple Garden

The Maple Garden is the original garden that was here.  I've tamed it and reduced its size.  Once upon a time there was a huge fence dividing it lengthwise.  Fence long gone.  It has these lovely Star of Bethlehem blooming. Nice to have them spread even more this year.

I still have lots of weeding to do.  I did what I could today.  Stamina is not what it was when we lived in Maryland at The Lodge.  Look back at spring and summer posts before 2016 to see those gardens.

But here's what is promising:

Hosta unfurling.

False Indigo too.

This was in the yard when we moved here.  When it first starting showing in the spring I thought it was asparagus. 

Columbine has buds that will open soon.

Iris too have swelling buds.

Bleeding heart in two locations, Rock Garden and Deck Garden have opened first flowers.

Chives too promise lots of flowers.

And look how large this lupine bud is!

The last daffodil variety is just now flowering.

And look what I found next to the trash can!  It seeded itself.

Grass is really green and needs another cutting before the weekend.

Now I need a nap!