““I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.””

— John Muir

The Dallas Arboretum is a treasure of nature nestled in the heart of a busy, bustling city. Roger and I find refuge and retreat there, a place we go to take a day away.

The reality is, even if we can only be there for a few hours, it can still feel like a day away. What a delight and bonus to pack a book or journal and actually spend most of a day there!

Not just a Dallas treat, anytime we’re traveling we search out the local arboretum as a definite top of our “tourism” list. We find such beauty there, but most of all a slower pace, a solace, a direct line to the pulse of our souls.

For me, the agenda in taking a day away is to find some beauty through the lens of my camera. I stumbled into contemplative photography by being in nature and continually being awed by so many moments along a walk or hike. I found that as I was looking for beauty I felt a “reset” in my heart, my mind, my soul.

Being an enthusiastic, high-energy, loving-life, “let’s get it done” type of girl, the moments of slowing down with my camera have proved to be life-giving. Many times, it is simply my cell phone that is the camera of choice. Being able to intentionally look upon an image with a soft gaze of gratitude is a gift to my heart.

We can’t always take a day away, but a cup of coffee on the back porch listening to the birds or a leisurely walk through a city park can bestow us with a fresh perspective.

Our senses provide another way to recalibrate from the pace of our norm. To smell the scent of a magnolia bloom, to taste a fresh strawberry, to listen to the song of a bird, to touch the softness of a rose are ways to tune in to a slower, softer approach than our typical fast frequency.

A panoramic view at the arboretum might offer images of flower beds, unfurling like ribbons.

A close-up of the squirrel offers a lesson in adorableness as he quickly maneuvers the foliage and enjoys his feast.

To lean into the unexpected can be a fun adventure. As we noticed a gazebo with some painters working away, I was struck with curiosity. We walked up and inquired if this was an art lesson. They chuckled and explained it was a Mother’s Day gift the daughter had provided for the family to come to the arboretum and experience the joy of painting together. What a precious and unique gift! With their permission, I share their pic – the joy radiating from the Mom was palpable. Their choice of creativity and leaning into the beautiful space was with their paintbrush as opposed to a camera.

The vegetable gardens at the arboretum are gorgeous! An added benefit of the arboretum is visiting at various times of the year and being able to observe the change of seasons. I am enamored with the beauty, the color combination, the design of an artichoke.

Sharing times in our special places with others only strengthens the bond in our hearts. I recall the joy of inviting others to go on a hike with us at Walnut Woods in West Des Moines, Iowa. After our kids left for college, I spent most Fridays there.

The Dallas Arboretum is also a place we cherish family memories – from the location of Justin and Callie’s wedding to a place we love to take our granddaughters. Our desire is to nurture the beauty and lessons of nature for the girls – a place of retreat, play, learning, fun and sweet memories.

We have a few traditions in addition to many trips of exploration to the Children’s Adventure Garden.

One tradition is to go in the fall when the arboretum has pumpkins galore – as in 100,000 pumpkins!

The other “tradition” is we take a selfie at each of the 12 Days of Christmas displays. The girls love it!

So, whether alone or with the grandkids or a friend, to find a time to play in or stroll through the gardens, to have lunch amidst the flowers, or to settle in on a bench and embrace the beauty – a day away is a luxurious and nourishing gift to yourself

Arboretum–A Day Away

By Roger C. Jones

Spring daisies, oakleaf hydrangeas,
pink and green caladiums carpet the grounds,
spreading their beauty, basking us
with ambrosial air. This day away,
an opening for respite and renewal,
beckons us to come and slow down.

Consider the green anole perched
on a supple branch, frozen like a still photo,
unconcerned about our presence
or a next meal, content to
wait patiently, and stay put.

A natural tunnel of crape myrtle trees
gives a sense of majesty, like a hallway
to the gates of a palace. Long ago
these young trees begged forbearance
while the tunnel slowly took form,
disregarding the urge to hurry.

Magnificent magnolia trees flower with
elegance, their extravagant blossoms dispersed
through their foliage. The magnolia’s scent exudes
sweet floral, citrusy lemon, and slight earthy
tones, like a fine wine that merits aging and
calmy resists rushing.

The rose, a love symbol for the ages,
has earned flower nobility, reaching back
to the times of Homer. Nature exquisitely
combines a unique shape, aroma, and colors
to compose the iconic rose.

So pleasing, this day away.
May we strive for more, I pray.

For the month of June, we invite you to walk through the arboretum with us and we will share images of our day away. You may follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook or if you are not on social media, you can download the PDF here.