"Beauty surrounds us, but usually we need to be walking in a garden to know it." ~ Rumi

Mom is safely back in Central New York, and as promised, I'm bringing you some photos of one of the last excursions we did while she was visiting us here in Florida. 

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens are located about 45 minutes south of us.  We had a perfect day to visit.

The History:

"Visitors are surprised to discover a century-old connection between Japan and South Florida. It is here that a group of young Japanese farmers created a community intended to revolutionize agriculture in Florida.

In 1904, Jo Sakai, a recent graduate of New York University, returned to his homeland of Miyazu, Japan, to organize a group of pioneering farmers and lead them to what is now northern Boca Raton. With the help of the Model Land Company, a subsidiary of Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railroad, they formed a farming colony they named Yamato, an ancient name for Japan.

Ultimately, the results of their crop experimentation were disappointing and the Yamato Colony fell far short of its goals. By the 1920s the community, which had never grown beyond 30 to 35 individuals, finally surrendered its dream. One by one, the families left for other parts of the United States or returned to Japan." http://morikami.org/our-history/

The Gardens:

"The 16 acres that surround Morikami’s two museum buildings include expansive Japanese gardens with strolling paths, resting areas, our world-class bonsai collection and lakes teeming with koi and other wildlife. The wider 200-acre park features nature trails, pine forests and picnic areas.

In 2001, Morikami completed a major garden expansion and renovation. The new gardens reflect major periods of Japanese garden design, from the eighth to the 20th century, and serve as an outdoor extension of the museum. According to the garden designer, Hoichi Kurisu, each garden is intended to express the character and ideas of a unique counterpart in Japan without attempting to duplicate those gardens, and seamlessly flow together as one garden.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, with its unique gardens and collections, is one of Palm Beach County’s most treasured cultural attractions. Located in a tranquil natural setting, Morikami invites visitors to explore its many facets and discover Florida’s heritage and its connection with Japan." http://morikami.org/our-history/

Bamboo Forest

Bonsai Trees

Blue Heron at the Koi Pond

 

Japanese Classroom

This Cattle Egret (I'm pretty sure that it is a Cattle Egret, despite his brown feathered head) followed Mom like he thought she was his mother.

He would stop whenever she did, and start following again as soon as she began to move! 

Finally distracted by a gecko, he stayed behind. 

We concluded out visit with a lovely lunch, and were able to view a swimming alligator from our table.

It was great to have Mom here. I imagine that we could do another trip to the Morikami Gardens again next year!