Rock Gardens are one of the most effective landscaping features.

They also provide that all elusive curb-appeal that adds signicant value to a home at minimal cost.

There are few features in the garden that provide such a variety of interests in so little space as a well-planned and carefully planted rock garden.

The smallest plot may contain a rock garden which will house a representative and charming collection of alpine plants; but, on the other hand, there are few features in the ordinary garden that are so neglected and so ill-understood.

It must be remembered that the chief function of the rock garden is to provide the plants grown in it with conditions, so far as possible, similar to those existing in their natural haunts.

The alpines and high alpines are the most typical of all rock plants and are mostly natives of the high mountain crags and screes of the Alps and Himalayas.

The ideal rock garden, therefore, should, so far as possible, provide the soil and natural conditions pertaining in these regions.

During the short alpine summer the plants are subjected to fierce and baking sun; many of them, therefore, have thick leaves covered with down or hair to protect them from its shrivelling rays.

The roots, too, at this time need ample moisture, and this is provided by the melting of the snows on the mountain tops, whence it permeates through the scree of the moraine.

Also, to live in their natural haunts they require to be very deep and strong rooted, very often with a much greater root run than the foliage and flowers which their roots support.

Enjoy. DT.

Fun Added at Cozumel Hotel - Family Fun in Mexico
Bobbi Buchanan
32e6 Fun Added at Cozumel Hotel – Great for Families
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You've worked your fingers to the nubby bone and have finally arrived at the long awaited moment—the Annual Family Vacation! Oh, but don't forget with that comes the Annual Family Vacation Showdown. Visions of tropical drinks melting in Mom's hand and great reads dance in her head. Dad wants to shave strokes and to dive with the locals. Of course, the kids crave enough endless noise-making, head-throbbing fun to make their parents down a Sam's Wholesale Club sized container of headache medicine in just two weeks. Where to go? What to do?

With pen in hand, Dad hastily scribbles each idea as it is screamed out—scuba! snorkel! dining! museums! surfing! nightly shows! kayaking! lazing! shopping… The cash register rings in his head as the prices rise with each wish.

Even the so-called experts don't agree. “Make it a kids' trip. Keep in mind that kids aren't adults.”

“If Momma ain't happy, ain't no one happy.”

“The man is king of his castle.”

But I think there is one thing that all agree on and that is everyone has a personal desire on how they want to savor their holiday.

And so the glossy dog-eared travel guides pile up on the packed coffee table. Enchanted children's theme parks, couples exotic hideaways, and sleep amongst the King of Beasts extreme adventure trips. Choices and packages but which one is best for your clan of many interests?

Well, after many years of vacationing with my own motley crew, I have found THE resort at THE location. In fact, I've frequented this spot so many times that I'm registered somewhere between an elated local and a clued-in visitor. So you and yours grab an aquas frescas and come with me to the place that will satisfy both the desires of those wanting an endless schedule of activities, and those dreaming of a private retreat on the edge of paradise.

Wearing a sombrero of endless blue sky and a poncho of shimmering crystal clear water, the island of Cozumel, which nestles along the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula , offers the contrast of old world Mexico with a Caribbean flamboyance. The isle teems with amazing contrasts from gentle lapping waters as clear as glass for superb diving and snorkeling on one side, to extreme waves on the other side for some wild surfing and gazing out at rock formations that are sprayed with the sea.

This isle has all the fixin's: three distinctive types of beaches—white confectionary sugar sand with gentle lapping waves; iron shore rocky beaches for oh-wow! snorkeling; and assisted-by-man strand where sand was dumped over natural limestone rock shoreline for breathtaking glances of underwater life and a great beach to play and lie on.

Jacques Cousteau introduced us to the mind-blowing diving along the 32 km long reef system and combined with this main ingredient, add the à la carte dishes of fishing the shallow lagoons for barracuda, gray snapper, tarpon, and bonies; sailing into one incredible sunset, soaking up the sun, and many other activities; and you'll have a island buffet that will please anyone's flavor.

Once a fishing village on perpetual siesta, now a mecca for many of the finest cruise lines, San Miguel, the isle's only town, presents off-the-beaten-path charms with vendors still pushing wares on wheeled carts alongside a bustling on-the-beaten-path metropolis with shopping malls. Hard-working locals and hard-playing tourists hang together all over this little town.

You may go as touristy as you'd like with the Hard Rock Cafe, Fat Tuesdays, and new American-style malls along the most concentrated visitor's path. Or you can live like the Cozumeleños and trudge a few blocks in from the cruise ship strip to the shops with no names and get the locals' prices and full Mexican culture, such as folkloric dances and parties on Sunday nights in the town square where entire Mayan and Mexican families come out to play. During this time, there is always some free happening going on and the local food is not only so inexpensive, it is so delicious! No matter how you slice it or perhaps want to mix it, you'll find the perfect blending which will thrill everyone's tastes.

In the heart of it all, one mile from downtown and three miles from the airport, nestles the Hotel Cozumel and Resort at Carretera Costera Sur Km 1.7, Cozumel , Mexico 77600. This means that you are near everything and will save mucho dinero on transportation costs. It's Cozumel 's favorite hotel for divers and a great have-it-all resort for families.

Resembling the Beverly Hillbillies clan with our hodgepodge luggage,Wal-Mart bags (those blue plastic bags can be used for anything!), and at least three guitars, boogie boards, and whatever else kids seem to think that they need, we pour out of the shuttle and immediately the children scatter everywhere. You can never be discreet with three kids!

It is a flawless check-in as the bilingual reception staff patiently puts up with our elated kids and welcomes us to the resort. The open-air lobby with its three-story ceiling, glass doors wide open, and enormous tropical plants all around blends outdoor with indoor, a trademark of the Caribbean.

We utilize the all-inclusive (all meals, domestic drinks, non-water sports, childcare, activities program, hotel amenities, private beach club access, billiard games, tennis, gratuities, & taxes included—phew!) option for with the way this group eats let's just say that the hotel may lose money! I have lodged at many all-inclusive resorts in the past and the Hotel Cozumel Resort's price is by far the best value.

A couple standing next to me chooses the European plan as they will get their own food or dine out. I can see how Mr. and Mrs. DINK (Double Income, No Kids) can afford to do this. Hmmm . . . and I must wonder if they are Dinks then what are we? Dorks? No income, double kids?

My son takes one step outside, looks at the largest pool on the island beckoning his graceful belly flop, colorful mounds of American and international fare at the poolside La Terraza bar and grill, nonstop activities and says, Well, I guess this is goodbye as he salutes us and makes plans to disappear for the next five weeks. (Yes, you hear me correctly. It's a five week stay!)

We scan the courtyard and it is huge! I notice ramps for the disabled and elevators to get to all three floors. The resort encircles the beautiful tiled courtyard and in the center is a pool so enormous that it comprises several smaller pools with different depth levels to meet various needs for lazing, activities, Jacuzzi, children, and well, for swimming. Pools within a pool!

My children are already hooking up with new amigos from Merida as they sit under the shade of a palapa to enjoy their own version of grown-up drinks. My youngest downs about four Shirley Temples and dons the tropical flower garnish (toothpick and all!) in her hair. The two teenagers run around the pool with heaping plates of chicken nuggets and French fries hoarded from the poolside snack bar, as if the food supply would end! I see the cocinero is also cooking up some fresh burgers upon the children's request. I can also see my rules are flying right out the window! But hey, it's vacation!

It's vacation! Those words ring in my ears and I head to the open gym to check out the equipment. A sea breeze wisps by as I climb on to the treadmill and look out at the glistening pool and the secluded courtyard. The activities staff in their red polo shirts is rehearsing for the nightly show. The shows range from comedy, family, to all-out aesthetic dances of the culture.

Walking . . . no skipping…to our room with silly smiles upon our faces, a “swish, swish, swish” sound starts and never ends. It is the sound that we hear all over the island. The swishing is from all the sweeping that goes on. Sweeping must be a favorite national pastime for it goes on night and day and the people even smile while performing this task! I, for one, have never smiled incessantly while sweeping, nor have I ever swept incessantly, as a matter of fact.

“Fresh paint” announces the sign as we round the bend to our rooms. The hotel is huge and very large hallways lead us. Ahh . . . tranquility whispers the cerulean walls which mimic the sea. Hues from the brown family-beige, chestnut, mahogany, cocoa—of the furnishings bring raw elements of the island inside. Like all rooms, ours consists of direct touchtone telephones, satellite TVs, safety deposit box, hair dryer, hooks about diving, large closets, plenty of storage space, and an A/C that worked way too well! Immaculate housekeeping each day means our rooms are swish-swish swept, freshly picked flowers from the lush, well-groomed gardens, and footpaths leaving a tropical scent, and tissues and towels meticulously folded into swans, hearts, and even little smiling people.

“Oh wow! Lookie at the pool from here!” my youngest yells as she scurries in from the arched-covered balcony and immediately starts pouncing on one of the cushy beds. I discover that every room has a private balcony that offers an ariel view of the island's largest pool or a terrace with a fresh look of the hand-scaped garden (all work is done by hand around here), and views of the staff sweeping and sweeping and sweeping . . .

Throwing sunscreen at my husband's back, I quickly follow the rest of the clan toward palm-shielded lounge chairs. Cindy and Mike with the Activities Staff greet us energetically and ask if the girls want to join them in the Kids' Club and Kids' Playground. Children from around the world are in the pool preparing for a water balloon war and reciting their daily Spanish lesson in song at the same time.

After a few hours of melting into the chaise lounger, I am not able to read any of the books I brought, nor listen to my CD player, nor jot notes in my journal, but just lie in utter stillness and peace. “Palm Tree Syndrome” they call it here. It's as if layers of stressare starting to peel away. No shallow ambitions, no material bondage, complete freedom of mind, body, and spirit.

Pictures of undersea life and soothing water sounds illuminate our way through the underground walkway leading to the hotel's private beach club. My husband is drooling over the complete dive center with snorkeling, scuba diving, and certifications galore.

The children are dropping in one by one from the private pier with its gleaming white gazebo and its glass bottom. What an incredible backdrop against a turquoise sea and powder blue sky with wispy clouds. No wonder many wedding promises are sealed here!

Our clan, like most people, tends to opt for wide beaches and shallow waters but at the Hotel Cozumel Resort, dropping into the sea means we have instant access to the incredible live tropical aquarium without having to pay the prices of a snorkeling or diving tour. There is also a wonderful beach for the landlubbers in the family and a pool which peeks at the Caribbean.

Now the topic that everyone has been wondering about all along-what about the FOOD?!

Read this entire feature FREE at:
http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/hotels/mexico/cozumel/hotelcozumel/hotelcozumel.html

By Bobbi Buchanan, Arkansas Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com

About the Author

Bobbi Buchanan, Jetsetters Magazine Arkansas Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com

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