If it looks like spring, and feels like spring, certainly it must be spring, right?
Wrong!
After all, it is December 5th. In the Chicago area, the temperature was 27 degrees early this morning; officially, we’re about two weeks away from winter, although I’m not sure this past Sunday my feathered friend just outside the kitchen window knew whether winter was coming or going any more than Mother Nature did.
Wrong!
After all, it is December 5th. In the Chicago area, the temperature was 27 degrees early this morning; officially, we’re about two weeks away from winter, although I’m not sure this past Sunday my feathered friend just outside the kitchen window knew whether winter was coming or going any more than Mother Nature did.
Twitter all you like, but you have to keep it to 140 characters!
On the other hand, Jimmy and I knew exactly where we were going with our grandkids (and Flat Stanley, of course) while the getting was good and the temperature was pushing 70 degrees.
Fortunately Flat Stanley didn't take up much space in our otherwise cramped quarters.
We were off to The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, 25 miles west of Chicago.
I know you know Joy Morton, founder of the Arboretum, at least in a manner of speaking. His claim to fame, sometimes called ‘white gold’, certainly made him a rich Chicago businessman in his time and a frequent dinner guest in homes across America to this day.
I know you know Joy Morton, founder of the Arboretum, at least in a manner of speaking. His claim to fame, sometimes called ‘white gold’, certainly made him a rich Chicago businessman in his time and a frequent dinner guest in homes across America to this day.
One could say Joy Morton is a 'salt of the earth' kind of guy.
His father, Julius Sterling Morton, was Secretary of Agriculture from 1893-1897 under Grover Cleveland's Administration. Julius was also a key figure in the founding of Arbor Day (141 days until Arbor Day!). So it’s no surprise in 1922, with money to throw around (and even more salt to throw over his shoulder), Joy Morton established the Morton Arboretum on 178 acres of land adjacent to his property in Lisle.
Almost 100 years later, the Arboretum has grown to 1700 acres (wow, those trees really got big), its mission “to collect and study trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world, to display them across naturally beautiful landscapes for people to study and enjoy, and to learn how to grow them in ways that enhance our environment.”
Our mission was the Children’s Garden
Almost 100 years later, the Arboretum has grown to 1700 acres (wow, those trees really got big), its mission “to collect and study trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world, to display them across naturally beautiful landscapes for people to study and enjoy, and to learn how to grow them in ways that enhance our environment.”
Our mission was the Children’s Garden
Just the place for our little saplings.
and the Maze Garden.
Grant seemed more into hugging daddy (Thomas) than trees on this particular day.
We made a quick stop at the Visitor’s Center, where these trees had pulled out all the stops when it came to holiday attire. Show offs!
The grandkids (and Flat Stanley) were pining for action. It was time to make like a tree and leave for the gardens. I know, that was pretty bad.
It's a race to cure the winter doldrums, and winter isn't even here yet! Can't wait.
It could take days to cover all The Morton Arboretum has to offer – hiking trails, a Fragrance Garden, the Maze Garden, Hedge Garden, meadows, ponds,
Bare, but still beautiful!
prairie,
Berry nice, don't you think?!
marshes, and tree houses, not to mention the Sterling Morton Library and the Thornhill Education Center.
And if that’s not enough, there’s Breakfast with Santa and the Easter Bunny, but of course, not at the same time; and concerts for those who like to listen to the call of nature. I could go on, but you could also go to this link to discover for yourself the acres and acres of beauty and activities hidden in this wooded wonderland. Feeding our love of nature and nurturing the same in our grandchildren is a priceless gift. As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.
We had about four hours before we’d be barking up the wrong tree with one exhausted wood nymph and a very cranky elf.
And speaking of woodland creatures, the Children’s Garden was covered in gnomes! Sixteen, to be exact, but I lost count after five or six.
And if that’s not enough, there’s Breakfast with Santa and the Easter Bunny, but of course, not at the same time; and concerts for those who like to listen to the call of nature. I could go on, but you could also go to this link to discover for yourself the acres and acres of beauty and activities hidden in this wooded wonderland. Feeding our love of nature and nurturing the same in our grandchildren is a priceless gift. As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.
We had about four hours before we’d be barking up the wrong tree with one exhausted wood nymph and a very cranky elf.
And speaking of woodland creatures, the Children’s Garden was covered in gnomes! Sixteen, to be exact, but I lost count after five or six.
The gnomes were encouraging a swinging good time for one and all.
If trees are known by their fruit, these trees in the Children’s Garden all looked fairy nice. Grant and Grace weren’t buying the fruity fairy tale, but I was fully aware gnome expense had been spared to make our woodland experience enjoyable.
Jim was so envious he didn't get his afternoon nap.
Even though the gnomes had gone to great heights to keep Grant and Grace entertained, most of the action was happening at ground zero.
These two were in the dog house for having too much fun.
We kept getting roped into all kinds of fun; it was why we were here, of course.
Flat Stanley obviously likes hanging out with us.
Grant was more than willing to go it alone;
Oh, the webs we weave.
so much so, he managed to ditch Grandpa in the Maze Garden for five frantic minutes. Don't tell his parents, Jen and Thomas, or Jimmy and I will be in an amazing amount of trouble.
Mom and dad can keep up with him when he starts driving. We'll be in the slow lane by then.
And if it wasn’t Grant looking for trouble, it was Flat Stanley on thin ice.
The afternoon was rapidly melting away, along with our fun.
Grace was Grace, too young to get into too much trouble although rapidly making up for lost time and birth order.
Nothing like a warm, spring-like day to put a spring in your step.
We made time for the Enchanted Railroad, another seasonal exhibit, before hitting the ole dusty trail ourselves.
The only snow in the area thus far was restricted to the Enchanted Railroad exhibit.
Time is always the enemy when it comes to outings at The Morton Arboretum. There’s never really enough of it, even when we get extra time via a spring-like day in early December. Maybe with some snow, we can branch out (did you catch that one?) into some new woodland activities next time around. They're always prepared at The Morton Arboretum.
I'm really in need of some exercise! Skiing would be great.
We might not ever have the time to see the forest entirely for all the thousands of trees at The Arboretum, but that's hardly a deterrent to enjoying ourselves when we're there. Fortunately, our year-round membership simply means the return on our investment is more than doubled by the third or fourth visit, which fits in very nicely with the four seasons.
After all, money doesn’t grow on trees, even Joy Morton’s trees.
_________________________________________
The bottom line on The Morton Arboretum:
Verdict: I just want to hug a tree every time I visit this place! Maybe it's all the fresh air, but there's certainly more here than meets the eye. We usually make a day of it, when we go, depending on the kids’ stamina and interests, although occasionally just Jim and I will go for a walk, bike ride or special event.
How to Get There: The Arboretum is located 25 miles west of Chicago at 4100 Illinois Route 53 (sometimes known as Lincoln Avenue or Lincoln Highway) in Lisle, IL 6053, just west of Interstate 355 and north of I-88. The Arboretum is two miles from the Metra train station in Lisle (Burlington Northern stop). Cab service is available through advance arrangements.
Westbound I-88: Exit north onto Route 53. Proceed north ½ mile to entrance
Eastbound I-88: Follow signs onto southbound I-355 and exit immediately to westbound
Ogden Avenue (Route 34). Continue west on Ogden Avenue to Route 53 north. Proceed
north one mile to entrance.
I-355: Follow signs and exit onto westbound I-88. Exit north onto Route 53; proceed
north ½ mile to entrance.
Insider Information: Membership is the only way to go unless your money grows on the trees in your own back yard. The day we visited, we (Jim and I; my daughter and her husband) discovered our memberships had expired. Total cost for 4 adults and 2 kids was $68. We stopped in the Visitor’s Center and applied the cost of admission towards rectifying our oversight and renewing our membership with no extra charges incurred. They're such nice people at the arboretum. I think it's all those trees causing a sense of calm. I know I sound like I'm getting paid for this endorsement, but I'm not!
Nearby Food: The Ginkgo Restaurant inside the Visitor’s Center offers excellent gourmet food from seasonal menus daily from 11-2 with breakfasts on weekends starting at 9:00 a.m. Cafeteria style dining is also available offering a variety of sandwiches, quiches, pizza, salads and sweets the kids always love (and grandpa). The floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the beautiful view of the arboretum. The Ginkgo Café is open year round and sells snacks, Starbucks coffee, beverages, pre-made sandwiches and an assortment of snacks. There is ample seating for dining both inside and outside the Visitor’s Center.
After all, money doesn’t grow on trees, even Joy Morton’s trees.
_________________________________________
The bottom line on The Morton Arboretum:
Verdict: I just want to hug a tree every time I visit this place! Maybe it's all the fresh air, but there's certainly more here than meets the eye. We usually make a day of it, when we go, depending on the kids’ stamina and interests, although occasionally just Jim and I will go for a walk, bike ride or special event.
How to Get There: The Arboretum is located 25 miles west of Chicago at 4100 Illinois Route 53 (sometimes known as Lincoln Avenue or Lincoln Highway) in Lisle, IL 6053, just west of Interstate 355 and north of I-88. The Arboretum is two miles from the Metra train station in Lisle (Burlington Northern stop). Cab service is available through advance arrangements.
Westbound I-88: Exit north onto Route 53. Proceed north ½ mile to entrance
Eastbound I-88: Follow signs onto southbound I-355 and exit immediately to westbound
Ogden Avenue (Route 34). Continue west on Ogden Avenue to Route 53 north. Proceed
north one mile to entrance.
I-355: Follow signs and exit onto westbound I-88. Exit north onto Route 53; proceed
north ½ mile to entrance.
Insider Information: Membership is the only way to go unless your money grows on the trees in your own back yard. The day we visited, we (Jim and I; my daughter and her husband) discovered our memberships had expired. Total cost for 4 adults and 2 kids was $68. We stopped in the Visitor’s Center and applied the cost of admission towards rectifying our oversight and renewing our membership with no extra charges incurred. They're such nice people at the arboretum. I think it's all those trees causing a sense of calm. I know I sound like I'm getting paid for this endorsement, but I'm not!
Nearby Food: The Ginkgo Restaurant inside the Visitor’s Center offers excellent gourmet food from seasonal menus daily from 11-2 with breakfasts on weekends starting at 9:00 a.m. Cafeteria style dining is also available offering a variety of sandwiches, quiches, pizza, salads and sweets the kids always love (and grandpa). The floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the beautiful view of the arboretum. The Ginkgo Café is open year round and sells snacks, Starbucks coffee, beverages, pre-made sandwiches and an assortment of snacks. There is ample seating for dining both inside and outside the Visitor’s Center.
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