Last week, on a cool but sunny day, I took the kids to the Tyler Arboretum to see the "Totally Terrific Treehouse" exhibit that is up this summer. There are 17 exhibits, all designed by local artists and architects.
I felt so organized when my kids put on long pants and rain boots... I mean forests are always cooler than open spaces by several degrees and the recent rain had left the ground muddy and sodden. My daughter didn't want to wear socks... but I let it slide. Her boots were a little big anyway and felt pretty soft inside. We are almost through with strollers, but when we go to the zoo or a boardwalk I still bring one. This day, I decided we'd venture out on foot, explorers in the forest, a merry band of travelers.
After the first couple of treehouses, my son decided he wanted to leave the beaten path and explore the perimeter of the arboretum. We were in no hurry, I thought, so I let him lead us into the wilderness. By the time we were back to the first loop (that I later read is meant to take about 40 minutes on its own) we had already added about twenty minutes of walking. We ate a picnic lunch by the pond. My favorite part of the arboretum was in this area - a replica of Thoreau's cabin. You can read the list of materials he used to build it and the prices he paid at the time... quite fascinating. Anyway - after lunch we continued on, and a little past "hanging out" an exhibit made of multitudes of multi tiered hammocks draped between several very grand old trees, my son said he was tired. Just as he said this, my daughter told me her feet hurt. Uh oh.
I took off a rain boot to find blisters on the insides of her ankles. So much for exploring on foot! I picked her up, and told my son he had to walk with us back to the parking lot. I knew it was unfair, it had been my mistake not bringing our wagon, but I couldn't carry both of them. He cried, yelled and dragged my pant leg all the way back to our van as I carried his sister. It was a wonderful place - a perfect day - and a crucial tactical error I shall never forget.
However - on August 9th, they are having "Storybook Trees", with costumed characters, storytellers, Makin' Music, and a fairy tea party, so we may be back (with a wagon this time).
www.tylerarboretum.org
Labels: treehouses, tyler arboretum
RSS
