Tag: Dallas Arboretum

Posted in Christmas, Travel

Holiday at the Arboretum

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Last Friday night, we went to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens with our Texas family. It was chilly, but we really enjoyed the seasonal “Holiday at the Arboretum.”

From what I could see, every tree in the arboretum was wrapped in lights. A Christmas village featured little shops for kids to visit and get treats. The twelve days of Christmas were displayed in gazebos along the garden walkway. Lights on the giant Christmas tree flashed colors and shapes in time with music.

I can’t even imagine what it takes to prepare the gardens for this event. I do remember people hanging lights and setting up gazebos when we were there for the pumpkin displays in October.

The youngest Texas grandchild belts out, “Five golden rings…” about once an hour. All the kids were excited to see the larger-than-life gifts from the song.

My wise son and his wife brought along thermoses of hot chocolate and tea. The Arboretum had vendors charging $8 for a small cup of tea or cider. Yikes! But the weather was cold so the line was long.

It was a great family outing and a great way to continue our Christmas celebration.

Posted in Travel

More pumpkins, with a splash (of color)

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Today’s adventure took the grandkids and us to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. We’ve been there before. But this is pumpkin season, and that means thousands of pumpkins and gourds will join the gorgeous flower gardens throughout the park.

The day lived up to every expectation. After a long summer growing season, every flower bed was overflowing with color. Gorgeous purple chrysanthemums sat among beds of star pentas, canna lilies, golden shrimp plants, multi-hued crotons. Long lines of pumpkins and gourds ran along every walking path, leading us to the Pumpkin Village.

Pumpkin village was a community of houses made out of pumpkins amid piles and plies of pumpkins where kids could run, climb, and pose for endless pictures. At the center of it all was the Great Pumpkin. Most of the kids there had no clue what the Great Pumpkin is, but they certainly loved the giant-est of all the pumpkins.

The arboretum was full of field trip groups, senior center outings, strollers full of babies, and so many folks slowly wandering through the amazing paths, ponds, and gardens. Just like them, I would so spend a day here each week, watching seasons pass, the visitors to the gardens, and the vibrant palette of color.

Of course, with each step part of me wonders, “How come my flower beds don’t look like this?” I know, I don’t invest the same resources into my gardens. And I don’t have much of a staff to help me out. But a day here inspires me to plant, fertilize, and enjoy my own gardens a little it more.