The Arboretum

An overcast sky, even a bit of drizzle (!!!) loomed over Los Angeles last Tuesday. I'm not gonna lie, I was a happy gal when I woke up with the cooler weather outside. Many people would go outside and spend the day out and about when the sun's out, but that ain't me. So whilst many people were, I assume, cooped up inside their houses to avoid the dreaded temperature fall, I headed out to The Arboretum down in Arcadia, and boy am I amazed by how bloody spacious and beautiful it is. The garden is located right across my local shopping mall which is mind blowing because, I've been to the mall hundreds of times since I was small, but never knew that a Botanical Garden is located right across from it!

Discovering new places, especially ones that are close to where I live is always leaves me with a smile on my face! There are a few Peacocks strolling around the garden doing their own thing, and I can't help but admire how beautiful they are. If only my hair was as beautiful as their fur!

The Arboretum is sectioned off into five sections, so it's not quite large. At least not as large as the Hunting Library. We spent about two and a half hours there and explored every single section off the map! This bamboo trees is located inside the Prehistoric Forest. There were scarcely any people around the forest, so as we slowly made ourselves inside the forest, we were mighty scared that there were wild animals inside of it as the Garden clearly warned us that there might be bobcats and coyotes milling around. Thankfully we only spotted a few squirrels munching on their nut very loudly I might say.

Next up and of my favorites part of the garden is called Queen Anne's Cottage. This cottage was constructed between the year of 1885-86, a honeymoon gift from Elias Jackson Baldwin to his fourth wife, Lillie Bennett who was just 16 years old at the time. Long story short, the marriage didn't last long (just a year long), so the cottage was then turned by Baldwin into a memorial place for his third wife, Jennie Dexter who passed away in 1881.

Sadly, we couldn't go inside and explore the small dainty cottage. Alas, we got to see her bedroom and sitting room from the window and the vibe is creepy as hell. There were two dolls standing around her bedroom that creeped me out and not a cute doll either!

The Coach Barn

One other favorite section of the garden was The Rose Garden. Would've been better if I visited during Springtime, cause ya know, that's when the flowers are all in bloom. Alas, we got to come across some beauts along the way! Smelled divine too. I'm loving that gazebo too, there's something so romantic about it. A little Jane Austen-esque don't ya think?! 

There's something so peaceful about waterfalls and scenic views. Especially when ones surrounded by nature. It was one of the those moments where I felt so content with life, because as I sat on a bench with a view of the San Gabriel mountains by my right, and a waterfall on my left, I simply forget everything that bothered me and every hardships that I've been through. 

You can tell that Botanical Gardens are my thing now, huh? Pretty odd for a 18-year old girl to love gardens, but eh, what can I say? I have the soul of a 70-year old it seems. (Totally okay with that, by the way). 

Much love, Ashley xx

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