Road Trip to Tasha's - Part Three

    It was 5:00 p.m. when I finally pulled into the entrance of the Tudor property where all the tours begin. A young lady in the shop told me that although she was expecting everyone to come back soon, I should drive over to Tasha’s house immediately because I still might be able to catch her – the highlight of the tour. I sped over to the next driveway and drove up the hill. We saw Tasha’s house and pulled over to the side of her driveway. Elizabeth and I jumped out of the car and made our way to the front of the house. A tall young man (Tasha’s grandson Winslow) greeted us from behind the gate and said, “Oh, you poor people!” I briefly explained what had happened as he led us through the barn to the lawn where everyone was waiting for Tasha to make her appearance. Winslow introduced us as the “missing two” and I found myself explaining to a crowd of Tasha Tudor fans why I was late for the tour. Talk about “unreal.”
    Feeling our awkwardness, Winslow graciously offered to show us Tasha’s garden while the group was waiting for Tasha. So Elizabeth and I followed closely behind him as he showed us secret alcoves for sitting and sipping Tasha’s special iced tea, her greenhouse, and the lovely flower beds surrounding the magnificent stone terraces behind her house. Suddenly we heard clapping and Winslow ushered us back to the group. There standing in the doorway of her barn, framed like a picture from the past, was Tasha Tudor in a long purple prairie dress and flowered bandana – her trademarks. We had arrived just in time to hear her charm the eager audience with a few short stories and anecdotes from her childhood. It was the high point of the tour – a once in a lifetime experience! Then Elizabeth heard Tasha say, “No more questions.” and our special moment in time was over!
    I had prepared a notebook of illustrations, some work of mine and Elizabeth’s for Tasha to enjoy at her leisure so I handed them to Winslow’s wife Amy. The last thing I heard Tasha say was “I want to see that!” It was very satisfying to hear those words come from her lips. I will always treasure the thought of this ninety-year-old illustrator sitting at her drawing table and pouring over our gift.
   We walked out of the hand hewn barn, built by Tasha’s son Seth, and waited with the group as they enjoyed a cool sip of water. As the crowd dispersed, Winslow asked us if we still wanted to see the gardens. I told him that I was content, but Elizabeth said that she wanted to see more. I said, “That’s youth for you. Well, I guess we will, but you show us only as much as you want to.” So Winslow spent the next hour walking us through Tasha’s garden, his garden, and his parent’s garden. We were so blessed by his generous spirit. Who would have thought that a mixed up, out of control day could have ended with a private showing of the Tudor’s Secret Gardens and an undistracted, most enjoyable conversation with Winslow Tudor? 
 

2:57 PM - Oct. 3, 2005 - post comment

A Private Tour - Wow!

Oh, Jill, what a wonderful story!

I discovered the Tudor family website earlier this year (from something you posted, I think), and now attending one of their tours is on my list of big dreams.

So glad God worked it all out better than you had even hoped!

Mary Jo Tate

WritingTips - 3:49 PM - Oct. 3, 2005

Tasha's Tour

Wow! What an incredible delight!

I too visited Tasha's website this summer and am so happy you were able to meet her. You had me a bit worried there for a bit. So glad you held onto the promise of your dream!

Did you leave your name on your gift? Has she responded?

Do Tell More!
ParkwayMom

parkwaymom - 6:18 PM - Oct. 6, 2005

Wow!

What a wonderful experience : )

LoneStarMama - 10:16 AM - Oct. 7, 2005

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Wow!!!

What a wonderful experience!

Donna

Donnabooshay - 7:38 PM - Oct. 11, 2005

What great timing ...

Claire,

I loved reading this three part post and can identify with the agony of seeming to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Tasha Tudor's family site states that Tasha will no longer appear as part of the secret garden tour due to her age.

Isn't God gracious to get you there in time ...

Michelle Geffken
http://www.yesyoucanpublications.com/

Anonymous - 9:39 AM - Mar. 24, 2008

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what a wonderful post! how lucky you were! I am a big Tasha fan, and would have loved to have met her before she passed. What a sweet story!~
heather
http://www.reverieart.blogspot.com

Anonymous - 9:53 AM - Dec. 12, 2008

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