Last Friday Mini-me had the day off of work…yes, my little baby girl has a job. How does this happen?!? The forecast had nothing good to say. Hot and humid with extreme heat warnings. So we figured the best course of action would be to go walking at the MN Landscape Arboretum. Yeah…good choices did not prevail. But that’s ok…all’s well that ends well as the old saying goes.
We headed out early for a little fuel in the form of Chick-Fil-A biscuits and iced coffee.
The Arboretum recently opened a new Chinese garden that we had completely forgotten about until we happened upon it on our 3 mile walk…technically its a drive but biking and walking are welcome.
As you enter you pass under a lovely arch…this is it from the back of the garden.
This plaque greeted us as we passed through the archway.
In the distance we could see large interesting art pieces drawing us further into the garden.
As well as the geometric red fencing that was the perfect perch for several birds as they sang their beautiful songs over the pond.
The area is quite sparse at this point. That may be purposeful. All I know is that by this point in our trek we were very overheated.
Mini-me caught a bit of breeze in the shade of a pagoda.
Ahead of us on the crushed gravel pathway was this gorgeous dragon.
He looks very fierce. The detail of the work that the artist was able to create on the large scale using metal intrigues me. Evidently he is just on loan to the Arboretum. I wonder when and if they will have more permanent installations in that garden.
We will definitely be making more visits to the Arboretum as summer continues. We like to walk, take photos and chat together. Its nice having grown up conversations with my kids. Ones that don’t involve nagging about chores, homework or how much time they spend staring at screens. (as I sit here staring at my screen)
Today has a list as usual for me. It keeps me on track. In fact a friend and I are texting a photo of our list each morning to each other and then again in the evening to hold us accountable for checking stuff off that list. So far, so good. Of course this week with the Independence Day holiday things are a little wonky but stuff still needs to get done.
We have that heat too and ugh-I am longing for it to cool off a bit. But better than snow, that is for certain. Wow-what a cool garden and that dragon is amazing. Thanks for taking us with you on your adventure. It’s great your daughter spent your day with you on her day off. I love those days when mine comes and spends hers with me too. happy T Day . Erika
Good morning, seems like allot of the country is getting this very hot weather-we have been in it almost every day now since early May so we are getting pretty sick of it already ha ha the new gardens look like a work i progress so will be fun to take another walk through.
Happy T Day wishes hugs Kathy
yes, that heat is here too and man, I love summer but it’s thick as a heavy soup outside! Nice to have the cooler indoors to retreat to. the garden you visited looks so peaceful. That dragon really is amazing! and now i want a nice iced coffee too:) Happy T day and enjoy the holiday!
i would love to visit there! this Dragon is such a wonderful sculpture! yes, the heat… but it really Looks like you had a good time with your Girl:)
happy t-day:)
It’s totally too hot here, too.. The Chinese garden you visited is wonderful, love the dragons. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie
Hi Halle!!!
I live very near Kathy and i can attest to the heat.. Summer came early and Summer came HOT! I’ve had enough of it already.. So nice to see you and Mini Me getting out together.. I miss hanging out with my daughter who lives half a country away.. I love Mini Me’s back pack.. So nice that it hangs so low on the back.. Looks comfortable.. That dragon is incredible! Wow! I guess even professional gardens need to grow into themselves.. :) Happy T day! Hugs! deb
Mini me has certainly grown up. I can’t believe how long her hair is. Will she donate it again this year?
We were under a heat advisory from Wednesday through Saturday evening last week and it was still JUNE. Our heat doesn’t usually hit 100 F until July. We’ve had seven days of 100 F heat and higher already in June. I hate to think what July will bring.
I had to laugh at the Chinese garden you saw. I remember when Chinese was all the rage in altered books and how you said it wasn’t your thing. That pond and red fence are so reminiscent of Asian landscapes. It’s a beautiful area and that dragon is incredible. Thanks for taking us to the Arboretum and the new garden there. Thanks, too, for sharing your yummy iced coffee with us for T this Tuesday, too.
I really enjoyed walking with you today, the Chinese gardens looks beautiful! I love that dragon too, I think he would fit, well pretty much take up, in my garden …lol ?. So nice to spend time with your daughter too! That’s a great idea to swap lists with your friend, wishing you a Happy T Day! J ? x
I like the heat, which is a good thing considering how hot it’s been. Whew!
I’d enjoy your Chinese garden, and I _love_ that dragon :) Happy T Tuesday
What a lovely garden. Yes, that dragon is amazing!
It is nice to have some time with your daughter. It’s so good that she wants to spend her day-off with her mum. Very special.
Enjoy your 4th July holiday,
Happy T-Day,
Lisca
A great post and that dragon looks awesome, your photos looked super.
Happy T day wishes.
Yvonne xx
“The Garden of Harmonious Beauty” – I love that, Halle. It looks rather new and that things will fill in somewhat – though in a controlled way I’m sure.
The dragon is awesome! Especially close-up.
It’s so nice you have such quality time with your daughter. I miss spending time with our son who lives almost 2000 miles away.
Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen
The Chinese gardens look great, we made the mistake of being out in the heat too! It will be interesting to see it grow! Great that you and your daughter shared some time together for just chatting! Belated Happy T day! Chrisx
Happy 4th! I am late in my T Day visiting. Yes, it looked hot. Hope you stayed hydrated.
Love that gorgeous dragon! Thanks for sharing.