Remember in that old "Seinfeld" episode, when George Costanza and his father kept yelling for "Serenity Now!!!"? It's amazing how many times I think of that episode while I'm trying to come up with new activities for the kids--especially while they're busy practicing their favorite go-to activities: whining and teasing.
We've been experiencing a lot of record-heat days this summer in Northern New Jersey, so what's a cabin-feverish family to do on a Saturday afternoon when the temperature is hovering around the 95-degree mark? Go outside, of course! "Ugh," you say? We had our doubts, too, but found a surprisingly peaceful and cool respite in the form of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Located in Morris Plains, NJ, the Arboretum comprises 127 acres of woodlands, meadows, and gardens, with a Colonial Revival mansion at its center.
Thanks to all of the blissfully shaded areas, the kids got a chance to run around the garden paths and burn off some pent-up energy...
They also had time to stop and smell the flowers. There are thousands of them...
Almost all of the trees and plants are labeled, so you know what you're looking at. (See those little black signs in the middleground below? Most of the signs are bigger--don't worry.)
The kids' favorite part of the Arboretum was the Rock Labyrinth. When we read the map before heading off to it, I have to admit that I'd been picturing a maze with Stonehenge-size boulders, but the kids were happy with the labyrinth just the way it is...
While they spent a good half hour chasing each other around the labyrinth, I wandered around the grounds and found this bucolic scene:
The Jane Austen fan in me was picturing Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley coming around the bend on horseback, on their way to visit the Bennet sisters.
I've also become strangely obsessed with studying the bark of trees. I can't believe it took me 'til my forties to really look at all of the colors and textures, the nooks and crannies, in tree bark...
I know, I know...I'm such a nerdy tree-hugger!
Anyway, it was a lovely afternoon.
You can enjoy the Frelinghuysen Arboretum for free, but it's nice if you donate a few dollars at the Visitors' Center. Be generous and consider it a thank-you to the Arboretum for a refreshing interlude on an otherwise sweltering day. "Serenity Now," indeed.
********************************************************************************************************
© 2012 by Joy Sussman/JoyfullyGreen.com. All rights reserved. Photos and text digitally fingerprinted and protected by MyFreeCopyright.com. Site licensed by Creative Commons.
I think I told you we went and walked around there recently based on your experience and we also really enjoyed it. It was so quiet and our kids had fun the rock labyrinth. It made me a little dizzy! We will definitely go back!
Posted by: Amanda | 07/29/2012 at 10:32 AM
Will definately give it a try. I don't think I have been there.. I like your Jane Austin imagery! Brenda
Posted by: Brenda | 07/30/2012 at 04:09 PM
Beautiful photos - you've sold me! And it is only about 20 minutes from my house. Thanks for the recommendations.
Posted by: Daniella | 08/08/2012 at 12:21 PM