Barrel cactus grows in clumps at the Arboretum.

We then stopped for a view of Ayer Lake and then on to the cactus garden area. No matter how many times I’ve been to the park, I always seem to see a unique cactus that I’ve never noticed before. This time was no exception.

Passing the legume garden and the Australian Exhibit, we strolled through the giant eucalyptus forest and admired Mr. Big: a red gum eucalyptus tree, eight feet in diameter and over 100 feet tall. Heading over to the fragrant Herb Garden, we stopped for our “group photo” by asking another visitor to take our picture as we posed in the windows of the historic Clevenger House. The house is presently closed for renovation, but you can still peer inside and try to imagine how a family of five could live in such tiny space.

We couldn’t leave without checking out the Demonstration Garden which was alive – not only with dazzling flowers, but busy bees as well.

There is a favorite spot of mine overlooking a scenic ridgeline, but alas! It was already occupied by some other visitors so we found an alternative: a delightful, thatched roof pagoda which was a nice place to sit and talk.

We finished the morning with lunch at one of the picnic spots. On our way out, we stopped and looked at all of the plants available for purchase. We didn’t buy any, but Quy admitted to having a green thumb, and was busy making gardening plans as we left.