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University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Great displays of trees, shrubs, and flowers! So, The Driveby Tourist visited the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum last week. Actually, there are over 13,000 “exhibits” (mostly living trees, shrubs, and flowers). At the present time, the arboretum contains more than 1200 acres of plants. Another key point, the Arboretum came to life in 1958 and has continued to expand and change. Conversely, the arboretum hosts events such as weddings and other life events. Also, it hosts memorial services or “celebrations of life”. Here is a link to the MN Arboretum. And, the arboretum hosts \temporary or seasonal exhibits. The Driveby Tourist defines this trip and others like it as a “micro trip”. Here is a link to an example of a Microtrip. And another example link.
Therefore, each year, the MN Arboretum builds an exhibit on this space by an artist with a unique focus on landscape and plant life. Here is a link to more information. In this case, the artist is Patrick Dougherty. Mr. Dougherty believes that sculptures have their seasons. For this reason, (maybe) he calls it the “You Betcha” Stick Sculpture. And it’s made mostly of willow saplings. Very interesting display as it is a mini-maze in the interior.
Exhibits at MN Arboretum
Typical walking paths lead directly into the exhibits. And there are unobtrusive signs for each exhibit. The MN Arboretum does a great job of maintaining and labeling each exhibit. Of course, the viewer needs to want to walk through the gardens!
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Sensory Garden
Statue of Winter/Summer Nymphs dancing at the entrance to the Sensory Gardens at the MN Arboretum.
More Sensory Garden
The Sensory Garden contains many scenes for a soothing walk through the garden in the MN Arboretum.
So the viewer doesn’t miss it, got a picture of upstream and downstream!
And the exhibits are all labeled like this one. Also, the small unobtrusive sign is an illustration of the signage and how the arboretum tries to avoid getting in the way of the displays. Great work by the MN Arboretum!
Summary of MN Arboretum visit
The Driveby Tourist tried to be The Walkby Tourist but the lack of good signage for the walking path and the warm weather killed that! So, instead, he and his wife drove the three-mile drive. Great drive! And we will be back for another round with a few more stops on the drive at the MN Arboretum. And, (link) I’m off on another adventure! And here is a link to another Twin Cities post. Again, a post to a more traditional “park” in the Twin Cities.
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Classic Rock Recollection
Went to a garden party to reminisce with my old friends
A chance to share old memories and play our songs again
When I got to the garden party, they all knew my name
No one recognized me, I didn’t look the same
But it’s all right now, I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can’t please everyone, so ya got to please yourself
People came from miles around, everyone was there
Yoko brought her walrus, there was magic in the air
And over in the corner, much to my surprise
Mr. Hughes hid in Dylan’s shoes wearing his disguise
“Garden Party” by Ricky Nelson
Probably not the best example for the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum but it’s what came to mind!
The Driveby Tourist #the-driveby-tourist
