Also when the parents were here, we went to the
US National Arboretum. We went there when
KC's parents were here, when Melody and
Jonny were here, and it's always delightful. It is a huge (446 acres to be exact) area in DC that is for researching plants, and creating a lot of the plants that you see all over the country. A lot of plants were first bred there. There are also themed gardens, and a pond with colorful fish that you can feed. We really love the herb garden. There are many
di
fferent areas to drive to throughout. You don't have to walk through the whole 446 acres. You can drive to the parts you want to see, and it's totally free. Parking and everything. Although, if you want to take the tram tour in the warm months, it does cost a little. We found it helpful but it isn't necessary
if you can just read the info yourself instead of being informed by a guide. Anyhow, it is quite a nice place to go. It's the most open of an area that you'll see in this congested area of DC and it very relaxing. When we went to the area where they had planted all of the state trees, we even saw what looked like a family gathering of some sort. It is just a neat place to go, and less than 5 miles from our house. My favorite part is the
Bonsai museum. It is full of a bunch of miniature trees that are trained to stay small from decades, even centuries or training. It's an art form. They look like normal trees, just smaller. They even change leaf color in the fall, and have blossoms in the spring. I just love looking at them. There's something almost magic about them. I'm want to go to the Bonsai show in the spring where they give demonstrations on how to train them. You can even buy one that someone has started. We saw someone selling them in a kiosk in the mall once and they were "young", about 10 years
old. They are pretty expensive because so much work goes into them. I think I would be too afraid I would kill it after so many hours of care. They are so fascinating. The
columns that KC and I both took pictures in front of with our parents are the original columns used on the Capitol but were not able to support the larger than anticipated iron dome. They have recently (a little over a decade) been placed here. Pretty cool. I am happy to accompany anyone who would like to tour the Arboretum. We are excited to go when the Azaleas are in bloom. We hear it's spectacular.
Also when the parents were here, we went to the US National Arboretum. We went there when KC's parents were here, when Melody and Jonny were here, and it's always delightful. It is a huge (446 acres to be exact) area in DC that is for researching plants, and creating a lot of the plants that you see all over the country. A lot of plants were first bred there. There are also themed gardens, and a pond with colorful fish that you can feed. We really love the herb garden. There are many di
fferent areas to drive to throughout. You don't have to walk through the whole 446 acres. You can drive to the parts you want to see, and it's totally free. Parking and everything. Although, if you want to take the tram tour in the warm months, it does cost a little. We found it helpful but it isn't necessary
if you can just read the info yourself instead of being informed by a guide. Anyhow, it is quite a nice place to go. It's the most open of an area that you'll see in this congested area of DC and it very relaxing. When we went to the area where they had planted all of the state trees, we even saw what looked like a family gathering of some sort. It is just a neat place to go, and less than 5 miles from our house. My favorite part is the Bonsai museum. It is full of a bunch of miniature trees that are trained to stay small from decades, even centuries or training. It's an art form. They look like normal trees, just smaller. They even change leaf color in the fall, and have blossoms in the spring. I just love looking at them. There's something almost magic about them. I'm want to go to the Bonsai show in the spring where they give demonstrations on how to train them. You can even buy one that someone has started. We saw someone selling them in a kiosk in the mall once and they were "young", about 10 years
old. They are pretty expensive because so much work goes into them. I think I would be too afraid I would kill it after so many hours of care. They are so fascinating. The columns that KC and I both took pictures in front of with our parents are the original columns used on the Capitol but were not able to support the larger than anticipated iron dome. They have recently (a little over a decade) been placed here. Pretty cool. I am happy to accompany anyone who would like to tour the Arboretum. We are excited to go when the Azaleas are in bloom. We hear it's spectacular.
6 comments:
the azaleas are AMAZING. SEE THEM. My biggest memory of visitng there is that sheely fell into the little stream that runs through the columns. who's surprised?
I didn't know so much about Bonzai trees - they ARE cool! Next time I am in DC you can accompany me to the arboretum... thanks!
One of these days I'll actually go there . . . sounds great!
Wow, it's big. I pictured some kind of enclosed place, like the place on Soilent Green where they go to visit the trees. Not so much huh?
That was so interesting. Next time I hope we can go when it's green (compare parent pictures)! Bonsai trees are fascinating. Love the photo. A very memorable outing. Thanks for taking us.
Bonsai trees--wax on wax off!
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