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.