I was putty in his hands, as was the lined notebook paper he used to craft an origami crane at the speed of infatuation. He passed his delicate bird and humble devotion across the aisle to me without speaking a word, without the customary pinching, teasing or name calling so culturally pervasive.
I followed his lead with a silent but meaningful batting of the eyelashes, head down, a whisper of a second glance in his direction after I accepted his gift. The deal was sealed, at least for the lifespan of liaisons typical of caterpillars on the brink of flight. Two weeks later it was Bobby’s Snickers candy bar (Chocolate! Need I say more?) that was suddenly more enticing than all those cranes littering my desktop.
The medium was ordinary bamboo, the gallery Denver’s Botanic Gardens in the Cheesman Park neighborhood of Denver.
What do I know about gardens, Denver’s or otherwise? Obviously, very little, but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate someone who does and these cowboys do. Well, actually they’re horticulturists and as one of the top-ranked botanical gardens in the United States, these cowboy horticulturists know a thing or two about connecting people with all variety of plants.
Chris, Dad and I spent at least an hour alone making our way through the jungle of Boettcher’s Memorial Tropical Conservatory.
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Bottom line on Denver Botanic Gardens:
- Verdict: If I lived in the Denver area, I’d undoubtedly be a member to take full advantage
of these diverse gardens (4 locations in all), particularly the programs and functions that
complement the plant life, from summer concerts to instructional opportunities to private
weddings. The Kizuna: West Meets Eat summer art show runs from May to November.
- How to Get There: Denver's new Light Rail System goes right into the downtown area
from nearby suburbs and allows for free bus transfers where necessary. We drove in from
the south suburbs mid-morning in under 30 minutes.
- Insider Info: Arrive early to beat the heat and large groups of visitors. Plan your visit to
be sure to see those gardens of particular interest to you. Check out their website before
you go, including the programs and concerts that might be of interest. Also check the web
for discounts on admission. I found a 2-for-1 coupon online while doing research.
- Nearby Food: There are two restaurants on site that cover everything from salads and
sandwiches to grilled burgers, chicken and tuna steak. With the Botanic Gardens just 10
minutes east of downtown Denver, the dining options are as plentiful as the sunshine.