Vacations Blog

My husband and I spent a wonderful, leisurely afternoon yesterday at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona. Despite the 90 degree heat, we managed to stay comfortable among the shady lanes, blessed with a lovely breeze and a cool glass of lemonade.

We were happy to discover that our visit coincided with two extremely popular exhibitions currently on display in the Gardens. One was the Butterfly Pavilion, which runs annually from March through May, and which keeps us coming back every year. It adds an extra $3 to our general admission (we’re not Garden members, otherwise it would be free), but it’s always worth it.

The pavilion is accessed through an “airlock” so none of the inhabitants can escape. With a gentle warning from the administrators we were instructed not to touch any of the butterflies, but to allow them to come and go as they pleased (and sometimes they were “pleased” to land on us).

The other exhibition currently on display throughout the park is the collection of Chihuly Glass Sculptures. This exhibit has been present in the Gardens since November 22, 2008, and runs through May 31st, 2009. They truly add a unique and beautiful element to the lovely features of the Gardens.

The use of such vibrant colors against the desert landscape was truly dramatic.

There was another fine example of exquisite glass artwork around every corner.

The Gardens are lovely at any time of year, though they truly shine in the spring months when all the desert plants are blooming.

The Desert Botanical Gardens are part of a park complex that includes the Phoenix Zoo and Papago Park. Admission for non-members is $15.00 for adults, $5.00 for children under twelve, and $7.50 for students aged 13-18. Self-guided audio tours are available for an additional $3, and special exhibits and events (such as the extremely popular Spring Jazz in the Garden concert series) may also be an additional charge.

Whether you’re looking to create a unique family memory, or you want to spend a day in solitude and quiet contemplation, or you wish for a romantic outing to share with a loved one, the Desert Botanical Gardens are an excellent choice to wile away a sunny afternoon.

If you’re planning a trip, check out flights to Phoenix.

“I have seen Oaks of many species in many kinds of expose & soil, but those of Kentucky excel in grandeur all I have ever before beheld.” -John Muir, September 1867

“Me too, John. Me too.” -C.A. Downs III, January 2009

Winter sets in on Kentucky and as a young boy I can recall with fondness a blanket of fresh snow throughout the season. Not too much, not too little, just enough to get a few days free of the confines of school and set a fire in the imagination of small boys with rickety sleds and reckless abandon.

As an adult; I use the term “adult” in the very loosest definition, it seems as winter is now just wet. And grey. Sometimes there is ice. Mostly just wet. And cold.

But the “very cold,” the kind of cold that keeps you inside and under a blanket reading gardening literature, is fleeting. An oddball occurrence that is talked about over coffee or beer, then forgotten. Which is a pro in a sea of cons. If there is to be no snow; no snowmen or snowball fights, then let there be brisk walks, void of slush and cold toes, in the out of doors. May I suggest the The Arboretum – State Botanical Garden of Kentucky .

Cherrybark Oak - Quercus pagoda

Established in 1991, a fine bit of work between the City government and the University of Kentucky, The Arboretum can boast over 100 acres of botanical majesty. Located just on the fringe of downtown Lexington, Kentucky and a stones throw from the University of Kentucky’s’ Commonwealth Stadium, the Arboretum is an island in a sea of asphalt and concrete. Quite a relief in any season, really.

The Arboretum’s visitor center, an architectural   complement and yet almost invisible, is located just a few yards from the parking area and paved trail that, at two miles in length, is ideal for strollers and bicycles. Pets are also welcome.

While the majority of the trail that winds through the gentle, rolling hillside, is paved, there is a footpath that winds through a wood as old as time, it seems. Just past the “Invasive Species” exhibit, trail left, is the footpath trailhead.  It’s peaceful back there. The fallen giant; a massive Bur Oak that has lost its battle with gravity, is a very interesting, and humbling stop on this quiet trail. Bur Oak Gap, they call it. Don’t forget to look up at the canopy and the hole that resides there after the fall of this mighty piece of Nature.

Many different activities and demonstrations, including children’s programs, are hosted by the Arboretum. If you plan to visit, I would recommend checking the calendar of events

There is always something happening. For ever season there is a time.

The Arboretum is open 365 days a year from dawn until dusk. Admission is free.

Now, go take a walk. Across Kentucky.

All photos by Charles A. Downs III