Qute Quokkas

Cargo Pods awaiting shipping

One of the ways to get to Rottnest Island is by ferry, and there are places to catch the ferry in Perth and in Freemantle. We chose to go to Freemantle, leave our car in the new, secure car park and catch the ferry at Rous Head. Finding the dock presented more of a challenge than we had expected because it’s hidden in an industrial area among a giant stacks of cargo pods that are either awaiting shipment or pick-up. The roads in the area are so new that the GPS didn’t have any idea where we were. Luckily there were signs that helped us get the last few miles. Once we got to the dock, we were greeted by a huge group of Year 3 children on an educational outing. They were bouncing off the walls because this was their first overnight trip; they all had a bicycle as well as their overnight bags. Parents were everywhere taking pictures, and teachers were trying to keep the children from pitching off the jetty into the sea. Once we were on the ferry it was almost standing room only; evidently picking a weekday over a weekend to go to Rotto didn’t make one bit of difference.

Rottnest Ferry

Dallas in bloomers

The day is overcast and threatening rain on this muggy school day. So just why are there a bazillion kids and their beleaguered teachers/chaperons at the Dallas Arboretum? Back in the 1990s a committee of Arboretum members, teachers, and researchers came together to discuss how to get children involved in the gardens on more than a superficial level. We’d planned places for kids to dig in the dirt, harvest vegetables and fruits, and

Misting Dragons

perhaps play in a maze. We thought about open spaces for running and screaming, and winding trails among the flowers with simple signs about what they were seeing. Not in our wildest dream did we imagine the Children’s Adventure Garden. This is a high tech learning area with solar, water and wind energy features (kids and adults can step into the tornado booth), several trails in which docents can lead plant exploration walks, and some covered areas for hands-on activities. There is also a state-of-the-art building with computer driven information to explore.

Sword in the Stone

There are areas for the kids to play, as well. They can run between dragons and pull Excalibur out of a stone in a very simple maze area that leads back into a part of the learning gardens. This is all in addition to the traditional area of the arboretum.

Jackrabbit Sculpture

Wandering through the gardens is still a peaceful experience. The tulips are in bloom, as are the pansies and the

Azaleas

azaleas. There are great views of White Rock Lake and lovely areas to simply sit and enjoy. Waterways weave around of the grounds, some pouring over rocks making a charming accompaniment to the red, lacy Japanese maples. Semi-permanent exhibits are on the grounds; this time

Owl House

of year it is bird houses, some in the shape of birds. And there is a giant peacock holding court over the blooming redbuds and dogwoods. We thought about taking a picnic lunch and sitting among the flowers, but opted for eating at one of the outdoor cafés since the costs are reasonable. Hitting the café at noon meant a wait in line, but when it’s a pleasant day and the view is pretty, who really minds?

Peacock Topiary

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