Sunday, October 08, 2006

U.S. National Arboretum

One of the highlights of Cassie and my trip back east was the U.S. National Arboretum. I had read about it over at John's A DCBirding Blog and knew I had to check it out when we were in the neighborhood.

April or May is probably the best time to visit, but we were there in September, so that would have to do. Wow, what a big place. Nine miles of roadways wind through and connect the numerous gardens and collections on this 446-acre campus. You can check it out by tram, car or bike. If we were closer to home I would have chosen bike, but ours didn't make the trip.

We spent 4 hours there and still didn't see it all. Being an amateur gardener, I was jealous of the staff working there. That's where I would volunteer to work at if I lived nearby. There's Aquatic Garden and Koi Pond surrounding the Administration Building, the Friendship Garden, the National Herb Garden, and the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. Hikers and bikers will also find many intriguing trails throughout the Arboretum.

We had lunch under a huge Magnolia tree in the National Grove of State Trees. It was so quiet except for the wind blowing leaves, squirrels and jays.

You can't bet I'll be back.

7 comments:

John B. said...

I'm glad you enjoyed the trip to DC. It is great having a resource like the Arboretum so close to home.

robin andrea said...

Sounds like a great arboretum to explore. Quite inspirational.

Susan Gets Native said...

DC is awesome. Glad you got to go.
You know you went as far as you could possibly get from Alaska and still be in the US!

Dave Dorsey said...

John - your right. One could get addicted to that place.

Britt - Cassie is a lot of fun and we did have a blast.

Robin - it is a cool place

Diane - Sorry, I'll have to buy my own unless you will store it at your place for me.

Susan - it did seem to be a different world sometimes.

LauraHinNJ said...

I can't imagine a garden thaspread out - wonder how large the staff is!

Do you have any pics of the Water Gsrden?

Dave Dorsey said...

Laura - I forgot how large the staff was, but it also had a large volunteer crew. Spme of the water gardens have been drained for winter like at the columns. Others were pretty cool. I'll add the pic's to my photobucket album when I get a chance.

LauraHinNJ said...

Cool thanks!