Arbor-EAT-um

 

We had been wanting to go to the UC Davis Aboreatum for quite some time now.  (Nope, I don’t know how to spell Arboreatum correctly, so I just spell it phonetically).  Most people don’t even know this arboreatum exists at all. You don’t really see it as you drive by.

We even tried going last year, but we went on a cool day and when we got there it was foggy and cold, so we decided to come back when it was warmer.

Well, today was that day.  It’s a leisurely 3.5 mile stroll around 100 acres of 17 different “gardens & collections” such as Australian  Conifer, Desert, East Asian, Mediterranean, South American, & Redwood Collections, each with native plants from those areas.

There is a stream and or pond running down the middle, and I think it was the “Dirty Swamp” Collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The turtles sunning themselves didn’t seem to mind the green water.

 

We found several geocaches along the route, and this one was interesting.  The clue was “something our dog left”. 

 

Picking the plastic and realistic looking poo revealed a small hole underneath, where the geocache was hiding in a small micro container.  Very clever, this one.

 

 

 

Jacob found this strange looking offshoot plant that was huge and hung over the trail.  It was amazing how big it was and how it didn’t break.  He tried to ride it like a pony, but I made him get off, as it wasn’t that strong.

 

 

 

 

Look at the thorns on this weird tree!  No climbing on this tree!

 

We liked this weird looking HUGE bush next to a HUGE cactus bush. This was in the desert collection.

 

 

Afterwards, we walked around the UC Davis campus as they have some “eggheads” scattered around campus that are fun to go and find.

 

These two are talking to each other………..

 

 

This one is outside the Administration Building, with the all seeing eye pointing to the Admin Building..

 

 

then you go to the other side and it turns all silly:

 

 

We had a good little hike..actually, this was more like a stroll or walk.. It really didn’t count as a hike.  We went at a good time because all the trees and flowers were blooming.