For another of our non-beach vacation days, we decided to check out a new-to-us spot: the Santa Cruz Arboretum.
The Arboretum is on the campus of University of California at Santa Cruz, but it is open to the public. It's popular with birding groups, nature enthusiasts, and apparently moms with toddlers in jogging strollers, because we saw a few of those there that morning! But it's not a particularly busy place.
It is divided by country, so we took a "tour" through New Zealand first, then walked through the succulent garden, then the native plant section, then South Africa and Australia.
I was more impressed with the variety of flora that the kids were. They were hoping for more birds, which we could hear but not see. That could have something to do with the noise and size of our party. Ahem.
At one point along our walk, Cate stooped down, enthralled, and called the rest of the children over.
Their amazing discovery? A roly poly!
So yes, I got more out of the exotic plants than they did. But the tree photos above are the ones they requested I take, of the particular ones that caught their eye. There were some real stunners there.
So yes, I got more out of the exotic plants than they did. But the tree photos above are the ones they requested I take, of the particular ones that caught their eye. There were some real stunners there.
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| our native habitat -- the redwood grove -- was probably their favorite |
We didn't even come close to exhausting all the walking paths that meander through these gardens, but a couple hours was about all my littles could handle--Clara and Drew were both falling asleep by the end.
When we left, Gianna proclaimed confidently, "And now it's like I've been to New Zealand. So that's done."
Indeed. Checking New Zealand off the bucket list! While we're at it, I suppose we might as well throw in Australia and South Africa too. ;)
Indeed. Checking New Zealand off the bucket list! While we're at it, I suppose we might as well throw in Australia and South Africa too. ;)
I pretty much cracked up through this entire post! Sounds like they had just as much fun as you, but in an entirely different way. =)
ReplyDeleteThe sixth picture on the right. What are those? Very interesting looking.
They are, aren't they? It's a melaleuca variety (Melaleuca molloy), which is also called "tea tree" (as in tea tree oil, I believe). The seed pods and the blossoms are pictured. They are so interesting looking!
DeleteSo cute! Kids are kids :-)
ReplyDeleteVery cool flora. God's creation always amazes me!
I think that's one of the benefits of an Arboretum--all that variety, including things you have never seen, can be really inspiring! Well, for some of us. ;)
DeleteNew Zealand is my home country and I miss the tremendous and unique beauty there although grateful for the incredible variety here in my adopted home! Let your daughter know that there is a great more to discover in New Zealand that will take her breath away! Same goes for Africa where I spent part of my childhood too. There is not enough lifetime to take it all in!
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that she is actually the one of my kids that is going to be most interested in traveling as an adult--she just has that adventurous, poetic spirit. I'm guessing she will make it to New Zealand one day! I know I'd love to--when the kids are grown and it's just my husband and me at home, I have big plans! :)
DeleteOh how wonderful! Can you believe I lived in that area for several years and didn't even know that this arboretum existed until I read your post?? Darn, that would have been so fun to explore. But at least I know about it now!
ReplyDeleteIt's a neat place. I was telling my husband that if we were local, it would be one of those places where I would take the kids for a relaxing walk. Very low-key.
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