Daffodil Garden in Running Springs

Busy weekend. Drove close to 2 hours to visit Daffodil Garden in Running Springs (off 330) b4 it shuts down to public for good by Apr 12, 09. Accidentally ran into Gene Bauer who single-handedly planted 1 million bulbs since 1958.
Her perseverance survived 2 fires, the latest in 2007, razed her house to the ground. Found out how expensive this hobby can be; some of the bulbs can cost up to $300 each. She had $3,000 worth of bulbs in her basement when the house burnt on Sep 13, 2007. The catalogue company, a family business, heard about the fire and sent her a $3,000 gift voucher. Gene couldn't bear to cash it as she knew the family was putting their kids thru college. The Garden story gets more amazing each minute. Despite the fires, the flowers continued to bloom year after year. Some of the original bulbs planted in 1958 were still around! Definitely a magical Garden blessed by the above.
Dale, her husband and an architect, rebuilt their new house which has huge glass windows so they can view the garden without stepping out of their home.
Gene, in her 80s (same age as Queen Elizabeth), is in tip-top shape; kneeling, squatting and tending the bulbs almost daily. Her expansive kind gesture; 5-acres of daffodils and free to the public, drew international visitors. She spoke of an Indian family who visited last year and was amazed how much the guy knew about her, her husband and the garden. She doesn't even own a computer!! So she was amazed how the internet carried news of her efforts all over the world. Too bad, Gene was camera-shy otherwise I would love to have a picture with her.
One bulb at a time, and you have this wonderful Garden of Joy.