Clermont, Kentucky

 Bernheim Forest; April 19, 2023

Across the road and just down a piece from the James B. Beam Distillery is the Bernheim Forest Arboretum where the Forest Giants live. We stopped by after visiting Beam and before lunch. The Giants were delightful and it would’ve been nice to have Fleur along as dogs are welcome, spring had sprung, it was a beautiful day, and she would’ve loved exploring some of the many miles of trails.

Meet Mama Loumari. She is a patient mama, awaiting another offspring in the forest. Her legs make fun places for kids to climb and I only wish I had taken photos when they were literally running all over her!

The Forest Giants are the creation of Danish artist Thomas Dambo and are constructed of recycled wood from the area.

American Elm tree. While once plentiful in Ohio, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one. So I made sure to take a picture of the fresh green leaves emerging on this one!

Outdoor sculpture. Note the flowering dogwood in the background.

Little (I use that term advisedly) Elina, one of Mama’s babies.

Stickwork by Patrick Dougherty

Backlit dogwood

Cedar (?) swamp

Posing just for me while sunbathing

More Dougherty Stickwork

Little Nis, another of Mama Loumari’s children

Dan posing for scale