Thing 42

42. Visit the State Arboretum of Virginia

I've been wanting to check this place out for almost 10 years now. I finally explored some of it! I just wish I'd done it on a day when it wasn't so hot; I was dripping with sweat and miserable after walking around. But the adventure was a good one, overall.

I took the audio walking tour, which highlighted key parts of the collection and explained their importance. After that, I did the Wilkins Lane Driving Tour (with the air conditioning on full blast). I look forward to going back on a cooler day with my mom.

I saw lots of different plants and flowers that caught my eye (lots of photos below). I also saw lots of wildlife--two bunnies (including one baby!), horses on a trail that intersected with the road, and birds (some of which I'd never seen before!): Blue Jay, Cardinal, Robin, Baltimore Oriole, Cedar Waxwing, Tree Swallow, Red-winged Blackbird.







( More photos! )

Even more photos:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkbCQQ9F70g/?taken-by=katekintail
and
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkbCvDdlFWH/?taken-by=katekintail