Wordless Wednesday (A day in the garden)

  We have had an annual pass to our local botanical gardens for years.  It's somewhere we all like to go as a family.  Every time we go and see something different.  There are more then just flowers, plants and trees here.  There is also a cafe, a children's play area and more.  It's a popular wedding venue so we have also caught a couple bride sightings.

Off we go with the kids leading the way why because they enjoy it just as much as me.  

It's nice to go multiple times because different flowers grow at different times of the year.

I love in the summer when they open the butterfly house.   This is a must stop on our visit to witness eggs, caterpillars and butterflies.

We spend a good couple of hours here every time we go. We ride the tram around then walk on foot through the whole thing again. 

Do you have an annual pass to somewhere?  Where do you find yourself visiting often?

The Gardens (day trip)

  Do you have a membership anywhere?  Have you contemplated getting one but decided against it after doing the math.  Thinking it wasn't worth it.  You wouldn't go enough times for it to pay itself off.  Didn't like the place enough to come back.  Or just thought maybe later.

  I currently have only one membership.  In the past it has been several but at the moment just one.  My current still active membership is for the local botanical gardens.

  This year for the first time I took advantage of bike night.  Of course the gardens opened their hours and days up to more opportunities so that helped.

  The gardens allows you to ride through most of the grounds as long as you stay on the path which is great for little ones.  My kids thoroughly enjoyed riding through and sometimes we took advantage of the splash park.

  Riding around the park may change up your miles and time but for the most part.  You can at least get a few miles of trails accomplished.  There are plenty of benches to take a break and a few water fountains if you need one.

  These are just a few of the activities you can do at the gardens in addition to seeing all the beautiful flowers in bloom.  When you have a membership you get the privilege of seeing multiple flowers in bloom at any given time.  Throughout the year different flowers, bushes or trees go in bloom randomly.  Even in the colder winter months you are presented with something to look at.  The Rose garden blooms twice a year once in the spring and once in fall.

  They have a beautiful butterfly exhibit open a few months in the summer.  In here you can take advantage of seeing the complete life cycle.  You can ask the staff about what flowers to plant in your own garden to invite and feed the caterpillars and butterflies.

  Over all membership does have its benefits.  I also receive discounts in the store as well as on various classes and tours they offer. Norfolk Botanical Gardens never gets old as the scenery is always changing.  Grab you family and get outside.  Get moving, get fresh air and discover something new at the gardens.

What's in your wallet? Membership cards part 1

  I have lived in this area for a few years now and each year I think I appreciate it more, learn a little more about it and see more then the previous year.  A good way to watch the ever changing environment is in a controlled  environment.  I have acquired several memberships and utilize all of them even well above the "pays for itself" concept.  I currently have 3 memberships right now and am about to get another!

 The first membership I got was the Botanical Gardens.

 I have renewed this one and have even gotten it for two years versus one year on some occasions.  I enjoy this membership the most as you get to see the flowers, bushes and trees in every season.  The rose gardens bloom twice a year.

Hibiscus,  Azaleas, Cherry Blossoms, Dogwoods, Crepe Myrtles. The garden is in abundance of all things that grow.
This garden also has a small area for bonsai and a hot house featuring some exotic varieties and orchids.

They have a great children's section. 

 World Of Wonders is an area they encourage and inspire children to explore their surroundings.  An A-Z of plants, different  regions represented,  little houses to play in, water to splash in and different activities to include scavenger hunts.  They also offer summer camps and a variety of learning programs. P.S. they have a yurt and offer great birthday parties.

One event I am glad that was brought back is their butterfly house.  You walk into this large screened house and are greeted by several different fluttering beauties. 

 If you look closely you are able to see all stages of the life cycle.  The are a couple very well informed staff members on hand to answer any questions and to give you tips on growing your own. 

Winter time things do not slow down. There are actually still things that are not brown and in hibernation. Camellias are in bloom to name one!  The garden offers a great light show as you drive through the Garden of Lights a million twinkling lights featuring scenes and beautiful colored patterns.

  There is even a Polar Express.

The gardens offers a variety of programs throughout the year.  Members receive a newsletter announcing upcoming events and activities.  A discount is given to members and you get first options for some events.   

Walking is only one option to tour the gardens. A tram with frequent stops or a boat ride to enjoy another view of the garden. They also have bike nights three days a week for the family to ride their bikes throughout the park.

So as you can see the gardens offers something for everyone all year.  Check out your local gardens and see what they have to offer.  My garden offers reciprocity which means I can go to other gardens free or at a discount as well as receive a discount for shopping in the gift shop.

http://norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/

Finding your inner artist or photographer

The botanical gardens in my local area are having this art challenge!

They have placed these frames through the park in to entice you into taking/making a work of art.  As with any good work of art it will shown at the Chrysler Museum of Art.  This public participation will coincide with the garden movement of 1887-1920.  These works of art will be shown on monitors.

This was a great day to take pictures and enjoy the garden.  As usual I had a willing participant to model for me.

I did manage to capture a moment or two without my assistant.

She did however help me find most of them (she missed the two in the children's area as we didn't go in there but I could see them as we passed).

As if you needed another reason to go the roses are in bloom.  They bloom twice a year and it's still time to take time to smell the ..........

Appreciate all the colors!

 My personal favorite also making an appearance are the hydrangeas.

Making another appreance this year are the butterflies.  This exhibit just opened today so be sure to check that out while your there.

http://norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/

http://www.chrysler.org