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Tendrils of Gold at the Top of the World

October 29. Boyce, VA. The State Arboretum of Virginia – University of Virginia Blandy Experimental Farm. Social media struck this morning! My calendar, overloaded with appointments and tasks, offered no respite for for the day. I was taking my sweet dogs, Giselle, our poodle; and Sophie, our newly added bernedoodle, on my appointments.

As I was leaving, a Facebook friend shared photos of brilliant yellow ginkgo trees in Boyce. They were at peak. I wanted to wonder through that grove too! With enough will, I found a way. WAZE listed our ETA at 3:15 PM! The facility is open until dusk. If not now, when? Rain is expected for the next few days and the beautiful leaves will wither and fall.

Turning on to Blandy Farm Lane, I felt that something magical was about to happen. There was peace. . The western sun illuminated the landscape brilliantly. Arrows pointed to “Ginkgo Grove.” As I approached, the grove of golden ginkgos greeted us a “with open arms.” Ginkgo leaves quaked on every branch. Never have I seen such a profusion of color or that many ginkgo trees. From the website, I learned that there are 300 trees in the grove.

A photo shoot was in progress atop a knoll in the grove. Red parasols punctuated the golden backdrop. Beautiful Asian women in lovely long skirts posed, some with guitars. It was hard to not gawk. However, my curiosity drove me to move on and explore more.

Sophie and Giselle trotted beside me on loose leashes. Had I stepped through a magic door? Golden leaves fluttered on their branches; some quietly floated in the air, landing silently on the green grass. below. The leaves were so precious and delicate that I tried not to step on them.

Looking up, I saw the bright blue sky through the golden branches in the shape of puzzle pieces. The trees cast shadows on the fallen leaves. I bent down and collected some golden leaves. No two leaves were the same – like snowflakes. Some are wider, some are longer, some angle to the right and others to the left, some have smooth edges, others were scalloped – the scalloping patterns were unique as well.

We were surrounded by nature’s beauty. When I finally took my eyes off the trees and leaves, I noticed some red roofs nearby. Beyond those roofs were hills covered in vibrant trees; followed by a line of lilac misty clouds. The colors transitioned from the yellows to blues and to violets the further I looked. How blessed are we to live in the most beautiful place on earth?

Following our Ginkgo Grove sensory overload, we piled back in the car and followed signs for the “Loop” drive, I discovered a beautiful white ante-bellum mansion, Tuleyries, a private residence. Sun-lit stone walls lead to its white stucco entrance arch. We crested hills with magnificent views, passed the greenhouses and experiment center, with every turn revealing more wonderful surprises.

At the last bend in the road, the landscape opened to vast fields dotted with hay rounds. The sun glared in my eyes, but I caught a glimpse of a horse, and then a second horse. I had noticed bridle path markers earlier. Now, my day was complete. Slowing down not to startle the horses, I watched the two riders carefully ride along the designated trail. As I reached them, I asked them about their trail experience, “It is beautiful here we love riding these trails, yes, we o come often, ” replied  the woman on the dark horse. I smiled as I drove away. Our drive finished at Route 50. Our magnificent adventure had come to an end – for today.

The State Arboretum of Virginia is open dawn to dusk. Visit their website http://blandy.virginia.edu/home . Walking and riding trails beckon a return. Walking trails can be as short as 3/4 of a mile to 2 miles and longer depending on one’s curiosity and enthusiasm. With so much to explore and learn, our return is imminent. If you have not visited, do so. You will be glad you did.