At the Arboretum

During one afternoon this week, I was able to spend a brief interval

at the Chesapeake Arboretum.

Usually my husband and I hike the nature trails there.

I like them because they wind through more than 40 acres

of a thick hardwood forest that has been preserved

in the midst of suburbia. 

But there is another part of the Arboretum to explore--

the varied landscape around the original farm.

There is an old house there which,

according to the web site http://www.chesarbor.org/,

was built in the 1700s. The addition visible in this photo

probably dates to the mid 19th or early 20th century:

A  garden full of pink roses and other plantings

soften the hard edges of the house:

Cheerful flowers are planted around trees:

And a mature lilac shrub is just beginning to flower:

Here's a close-up of one fragrant blossom:

Further out from the house, there's a relic from another time:

But there's more to see.

I'll show you my favorite part of the grounds tomorrow.

<>