Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown, NJ

Welcome to the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, on East Hanover Avenue in Morristown, NJ. For a copy of the map pictured above please see the park website here. Across the top I have scrawled "Enjoy today, embrace tomorrow," a quote from a memorial bench in one of the park's gardens.

I have visited this park several times, as I have relatives living in East Hanover. The arboretum quickly captured my heart with its profusion of reflecting pools and fountains. If you'd like me to marry you, a yard with a reflecting pool is not a bad place to start.

The arboretum is unique in that it combines beautifully tended gardens with "native woodland" (areas left wild).

In contrast to last weekend, I was in high spirits on Saturday the 24th. The weather was clear and sunny and the temperature the perfect mix of warmth with a cool breeze, around 80 degrees. Life seemed settled and filled with potential throughout the coming summer season.



One of the most important characteristics we can possess is the ability to recover from life's obstacles. I find that I almost always recover in time, or simply forget what was bothering me. My long, medative walks outdoors are always a big help.

My path last Saturday circled the main arboretum grounds. I wanted to cross all the wooded areas, as well as exploring each formal garden. Above is the Whippany River, which runs through the north east corner of the park. Note the truck in the background - directly across the river is Route 287.





Despite the traffic passing close by, the trees along the riverbank create a peaceful, secluded feel. Above is a special place - East Hanover Avenue crosses the river. The bridge seems to merge seamlessly with the surrounding natural area. The feel of this spot is similar to many areas of New Jersey parks - very close to human habitation, but it is clear nature rules and animals like to hang out there.

Heading back towards the Haggerty Education Center, I pass through the Fern Garden, with its interesting paved walk, above.



Be sure to stop by the interpretive sign above describing the history of ferns, featuring a real fossilized fern.

A bench in the Shade Garden. A moment earlier, and I would have caught a robin posing just beneath the bench in front.

The Gazebo the photo at top is taken from is pictured above. This is "English-style" architecture, per the park brochure.

I was fascinated by the Pikaart Garden in the Sylvan Terrace part of the arboretum. Signs in braille and regular type ring the garden, describing plants geared to be enjoyed even by the blind. Each stop on the trail contains a scented or touch orient scene.

On this trip, I learned that the pretty, purple, vine-growing flowers shown above have the common name Wisteria.

This guy is a chipmunk (Tamias minimus).

A pool in the Home Demonstration Gardens.

As of this writing, it is sunny and clear on Saturday May 1st. My allergies are kickin' up something fierce, but Aengus has graciously agreed to drive up to Delaware Water Gap to explore a few trails. Hope you enjoy the sunny weekend.

Cloudy Day at Leonard J. Buck Garden

Welcome to the Leonard J. Buck Garden on Layton Road in Far Hills, NJ.

Alas, last weekend found me mentally wrapped up in matters unrelated to hiking, nature or any of the other outdoor areas my mind dwells so comfortably in. I was feeling quite melancholy, and only partially due to the cloudy morning of April 17th.

Seeking recovery, I sought comfort at the Buck Garden. As far as the gardens of Somerset County go, I generally prefer the Rose Garden at Colonial Park in Franklin Township. However, this year the garden is closed for renovations. Situated in the posh neighborhood of Far Hills, the Leonard J. Buck Garden has an air of sophistication.

Gravel paths trace the carefully tended borders. The sprinklers which keep everything green through dry spells raise their heads here and there among the ground cover.

The circular paths which pass around and through the grounds cross graceful bridges.

On this trip I learned from a poster at the visitor's center that the purple flowers above are called periwinkles.

The tree above is Witch Hazel, showing this species of tree's classic form.

For a complete description of the garden, please see the part website here.

Another distinctive park feature is the garden designer's love of plants and flowers that can seemingly grow out of bare rock.

It is a beautiful place, and I hope you will visit. Had I been more clearly disposed, I would have collected more information on the common and Latin name of many of the plants I viewed and photographed.

My favorite part of the garden is the two Dawn Redwood trees, which grow just down the hill from the visitor's center. I know of no other trees of this species growing on public land.

I believe the sun came out for approximately 5 minutes that Saturday, just long enough for me to catch the picture above. I recall promising myself and on my previous visit to the area, that I would return to photograph the garden in sunshine - maybe next time.

After the sun went in again, I returned to my vehicle and headed homeward. I was convinced that next weekend would be better.

Flowers of Colonial and Duke Island Park

Welcome to the first week of April at Colonial Park in Franklin Township, New Jersey.


While early for the season, the cherry, apples and other flowering trees burst into bloom the first week of April of 2010. This is approximately one month ahead of schedule for this part of New Jersey.

I can never get enough of the transient beauty of these flowers. Just five days after I caught these and several other shots all their glory is over until next year.

I couldn't resist taking advantage of the fair sunny weather during the work week. Everyday after a full day of work, I changed into a tank top and capri's and strolled through park along with crowds of families with young children, dog walkers and lots of other folks out enjoying the sun.

If you visit the gazebo by the willow trees (Powder Mill Pond), keep an eye out for white feathers - 3 domestic ducks have made the pond their home for the past few years. Each duck has a different colored bill - red (Cairina moschata), orange and yellow (Anas platyrhynchos domestica). Orange bill here always seems to be smiling as he grooms his feathers.

If you'd like to escape the folks on the fitness path, Colonial park has several wooded trails. It always amazes me the proliferation of wildlife that can exist so close to so many humans tromping around in fair weather.

I can't resist sharing this lucky shot I caught of a Downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens). This little bird did not perch for more than five seconds at a time. I love the way woodpeckers can perch and move vertically up and down the trunks of trees, looking for bugs to eat.

Above is the gazebo at sunset. I often pause here, gaze across the water, and feel at peace.

Later in the week, on Sunday April 11th, I drove over to Duke Island Park, in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey.

Duke Island is easily recognized for 3 main reasons. The first is the park ranger station, with its distinctive architecture, pictured above.

The second is the picnic grove sized gazebos, pictured above. From a distance, they remind me of alien spaceships that have landed among the trees.

The third unique feature of Duke Island is its picturesque views of the Raritan River.

On this visit, wildflowers were out in abundance. In a perfect world, I would have enough time on my hands to key out every bloom, as well as every tree and shrub I see on my hikes. Unfortunately the real world is not quite to perfect, so I will invite you to key out those that interest you on your own.

Like Colonial Park, Duke Island has paved paths suitable for light walks, strollers and biking. Additional dirt paths wind through the woods, along the fish filled Raritan Power Canal. See the park map here for the full range of resources available. Next week I hope to visit some more distance parks to view further spring flowers.