New York Botanical Garden

by Tom

Last Saturday, I visited the New York Botanical Garden with my wife.  It was a trip long overdue.  Pat is passionate about flowers and gardening, and enough of her enthusiasm rubbed off on me that we both thoroughly enjoyed the visit.  It is, I think, a trip best taken without children.  Of course there were kids at the garden with their parents, too well behaved, toddling alongside or being pushed in a stroller.  The only explanations I can think of is that they were foreigners, or they just got there.  My experience raising three boys is that any trip to New York with children that did not involve Dinosaurs, Jets, Animals or Rocks was destined to failure if it lasted more than 30-45 minutes.  But back to the garden:  There are an incredible variety of trees and plants, from old growth forest and exquisite flowers to common garden vegetables, all meticulously tended by invisible gardeners.  The carefully composed landscapes are truly works of art.  The eye flows effortlessly through each scene, and one can’t help feeling a deep appreciation for the skill and passion of those who created it.  You will want to bring a camera or sketch book. And one visit is not enough, because you can’t help but wonder how the garden will appear in other seasons!