Getting Back to Normal Photo Walk - Springtime in the Arboretum after 12 Months of Lockdown

Finally – signs this wretched pandemic is winding down!

Vax’d and masked, I recently wandered the newly re-opened J. C. Raulston Arboretum on a fine spring afternoon with my BFF. I hadn’t seen her *IN PERSON* for nearly 14 months! 
 
Join me on a photo walk to reset your lockdown life with sights and signs of hope from spring 2021.

Japanese Garden: JC Raulston Arboretum

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​I once led Sunday tours around this free-to-the-public 10-acre arboretum and botanical garden.  It's an oasis tucked behind a busy street in Raleigh, NC, that's administered by North Carolina State University. But the arb has been closed per our state’s pandemic guidelines for more than a year, and I’ve missed it!

Entrance gate - JC Raulston Arboretum

​This is a magical place,
​where you can walk on water …

Water Garden

​Get married in the White Garden gazebo  …

White Garden

​
​Check out a bee hotel …

​Or just enjoy being outside in nature
and out of lockdown
​on a perfect spring afternoon.

​​More than 200 dedicated volunteers
maintain the garden’s nearly
5,000 different kinds of plants
collected from around the world.

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Today is even more special because
I’m meeting my BFF at the arb,
and it’s the first time we’ve met face-to-face in more than 14 months!

We’re still masked,
as everyone must be on state property,
but we don’t care.
​It’s sheer joy catching up IRT and strolling together.

Cat (left) with her bestie

​​We chatter away,
passing happy daffodils
watched over by a towering green giant,
who waves at us with massive, outstretched limbs.

I think the gardens are just as happy to see us
as we are to see them -:D

​​Nearby,
the green giant’s pal, Cousin Itt,
​nods with approval ...

​​
​as merry waterfalls dance for visitors.

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​Looking up …

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​Bending close …

​​or looking down …

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​​
​you never know
what you’ll discover
around any corner
​at the arboretum.

Bee buzzing magnolia bud

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Your Turn

I hope you’re finding signs of your #BackToNormal life, too. If so, please share in the comments. We're all eager for good news and hope -:D

photos: by Cat Michaels

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