On a recent trip to Florida to visit family, my cousin insisted that we couldn’t just sit at her home and visit. We had to go somewhere and see something new. That was great because leading up to the trip, I had read about the Morikami Japanese Gardens. It was a place I wanted to see. It turned out to be an excellent adventure.
We walked the loop around the lake that had once been owned by a Japanese farmer. George Sukeji Morikami, who had come to Florida in the early 1900s with a group of other Japanese immigrants to start a farming community. When he passed away, he donated 200 acres of his land to the community. On this lovely piece of land, a Japanese Garden was built. The Roji-en Garden of the Drops of Dew.
We walked the loop around the lake visiting all of the 25 marked attractions. We were lucky to have wonderful weather to walk in and out of the shade trees, the quaking bamboo that wavered and clicked together in the wind. We saw the statures, visited the bonsai collection on Yamato Island, sat quietly at the two rock gardens, the Contemplation Pavilions and the Nelson Family Memorial Garden. The peaceful areas also included waterfalls. Watching the water make its way down a small hillside through the rocks was relaxing after walking for a while.
We were not the only ones enjoying the lovely weather and the beauty of the park. There was a teen girl gettin her quinceanera photos. I could see the park as a wonderful site for weddings!
After our walk we had a delicious lunch at the café sitting outside and enjoying the view of the gardens. Unfortunately, on the day we went, the museum was closed as they were getting new displays ready. But we did visit the tea room and of course donated to the garden and museum by our purchases at the gift shop. I honestly cannot believe that I have been to Florida dozens of times, and never went to these gardens.
The next day my cousin had another place to visit not far from her home. The Wakodahatchee Wetlands and Bird Sanctuary. This was another looped walk but instead of in a garden around a lake, we were walking on a high wooden path through marshland and trees see the roosting Storks, Cranes, Purple Marlins, Egrets, Herons in the trees, as well as a few iguanas; and the alligators down in the water.
The wetlands were opened o the public in 1996 and is a 50-acre site of previous wastewater utility property. Now free and open to the public, the wetlands is the nesting place of many different birds. What a great way to use this land for the community and for the wildlife. It is just wonderful place to spend an hour or so.
It was amazing how close we could get to the birds. I do not think I have the words to describe the scene, so you will have to see my photos. But I will say this was not a quiet and peaceful walk, as the squealing of the young birds calling out to their parents for food was quite loud.
I was walking around taking photos with my phone. But there were many people with professional size cameras and massive telescope lenses to get much better photos. In fact, throughout our walk, I kept thinking about a former student of mine who takes the most amazing bird and wildlife photos. I wished he was there to enjoy the sights. Below is the website for the Wetlands which includes a live web stream!! Enjoy!
My recommendation to everyone who goes to Palm Beach County is to see both of these wonderful outdoor adventures. I am so glad my cousin insisted that we visit them.
zicharonot 