Adventure to the Arboretum

Our class today was lucky enough to venture outside the realm of the classroom and really explore the other shining features of the Penn State Campus. By simply walking about a block away from East Halls and about another block up the road, I saw a the giant "H.O. Botanical Gardens" sign and thought, "whew, I actually made it here alive." Besides being happy that I was actually in the correct place, it was nice to be out of the classroom and steering away from the books for a change. I entered the arboretum through a small passageway by the parking lot. You are first struck with a giant circular field being lined by all kinds of flowers and fixtures. We later learned that this is the Event Garden. After further walking into the gardens, the amount of color seems to explode off the usual green scenery. Greenery makes a type of archway that encases the circular pathway lining the Event Garden. Rays of sun shone through the woven vines and leaves above. Eventually, you found yourself at a large metal structure with an overhang draped with curtains overlooking both sides of the arboretum. The view from all points of the overlook deck made it seem like we were no longer on a college campus. It seemed secluded and a quaint place to get away. There are flowers of blue, pink and yellow, roses of red and tall vineyard structures scattered throughout the gardens. There is always a brightly painted bench to sit and relax. Rock fixtures on one side of the overlook deck also provide great places to sit and read a book. And you cannot forget about the secret fountain at the very tip of the event garden. The expansion plans, like the Children’s Garden and added bike paths, provide for noisy construction now, but eventually will only add to the beauty of the H.O. Smith Botanical Gardens.

This was my very first trip to the Arboretum. To be honest, I did not even know it existed. I had always noticed the law building when walking or driving through, but never the extensive gardens next to it. I am not necessarily a nature lover, but the Arboretum seems like a quiet peaceful place to get away from the hustle and bustle of an upbeat college campus. There were a few people just strolling through like I was, but not so many people that it felt overcrowded. I love looking at flowers, but do not like when they make me sneeze.

My father loves visiting botanical gardens. My family and I have visited the New York Botanical Gardens more times than I can count. When everyone is home at the same time, that is the first place we end up all together. I can see myself heading back to the Penn State Arboretum because I know my dad would definitely love to check it out. He grew up in big cities his whole life, worked in them and now we live in a big suburb with tons of people. He loves being able to just escape to a quiet place with beautiful plants just to experience something out of the norm.