Dawn Redwood tree in Peter and Nancy's backyard

Jan, Bryn and I were walking up towards Mt. Tabor last weekend and we happened by this house where a man was just putting some yard debris out at the curb. He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and asked us if "we would like to see the garden". Naturally we said yes and proceeded up around the house to this long narrow garden filled with tall firs, cedars, and a dawn redwood.
He told us that when they bought the house several years ago it as almost impenetrable. The rhododendrons, camelias and other bushes made it almost impossible to reach the back of the property. He led us up through the garden to the back fence and then through the fence into the property behind, which is owned by an eastern religious/philosophical society (the Vendanta Society), who he said were great neighbors. Peter (that was his name) then took us to the north side of their property so that he could show us the garden next door to the Vedanta Society's. It was a sunken garden that formerly had a large pool and waterfall, now covered in moss. A large stand of timber bamboo gathered at the bottom of the pool. Back in Peter's garden we were introduced to his wife Nancy and slowly made our way back to the street. Peter even gave us the last of the raspberries to taste as we departed. All In all, a very special serendipitous experience!