Houston Secret Garden
Today I’ll be sharing some photos from a visit I did to a local Houston Botanic Garden and Arboretum a few weeks ago before heading on a trip to Cancun for Halloween with some friends.
I’ll be highlighting a local “hidden” gem of Houston- a spot I only just discovered recently, after moving out of the inner loop of Houston a year or so ago. It’s beautiful, tropical, and so peaceful. I was sharing about it to a friend and she told me I should write about it!
Some call it an oasis of serenity and natural beauty. I call it a Must See! Hidden away in Humble, Texas is a gorgeous Arboretum and botanical garden that should definitely be on your bucketlist when visiting Houston!
Non-Houstonians, the next time you’re in Houston and want to do something that I like to call “off the beaten path”, grab a coffee and definitely come check this place out :) Houston Natives…. have you been yet?
Where is this hidden spot?
It’s called Mercer Botanic Gardens, and it sits on 400 acres of land in Humble, Texas.
It consists of the east side botanic gardens and the west side arboretum.
The arboretum on the west side has several miles of walking trails that wind through beautifully preserved woodlands.
We visited the botanic gardens on this visit, but I’ll definitely go back for a bike ride or a walk through the woodlands on the west side next time.
One of my favorite plants in the arboretum was this vibrant and unique, purple leaved plant. After some research, I found out that it’s called a Persian shield plant (Strobilanthes dyerianus). (You’re welcome, mom).
My favorite spot is shown above further into the gardens by an Aztec inspired fountain. Absolutely gorgeous design! It’s obvious this garden is meticulously maintained and oh so whimsical in its presentation.
Houston or Mexico? Mexico or Houston? Couldn’t tell honestly! This visit definitely got me in the mood to visit Cancun.
Speaking of travel, how cute is this GoPenguin Travel Carry On Luggage? They were kind enough to reach out and send me a color of my choice, and after seeing the bright white color, I just had to pick that one!
I’ve always been somewhat leery of getting white luggage because…well… wouldn’t it get dirty? But it’s so stunning, that I took the risk. I was so excited to get it and after traveling with it, I can say that if you’re going to get carryon white luggage, you’ll be just fine! I’d recommend to just make sure you have a magic eraser handy when you get back from trips in case of small dirt or stains. Remarkably, it’s still scuff free!
I love the TSA lock, the durable hard shell, and the fact that it glides. so. SMOOTHLY. I was whipping through the airport on our way to our flight to Cancun, and this carryon was taking the security line curves like a champ.
Where to next? On a real note.. how is 2020 in a little over 1 month?
One last note, something that’s been on my mind recently and if I’m honest is probably more of a “Note to Self” kind of thing…..is the importance of chasing after the things that bring your soul to life. That give your life wonderful meaning. That make you lose track of time.
Here’s something I wrote “to myself from myself” a couple weeks ago:
“Don’t lose your vision, kid. Your ability to see something wonderful and make something of it. To coax something that’s only visceral into graceful being.
And ya just gotta have fun with it. I think we all tend to forget that life is meant to be lived, meant to be enjoyed. Not put up with, not spent waiting around til weekends, but lived with an everyday kind of magic mindset. Don’t lose it. It’s not always just age that ages us.”
On that note, Happy Traveling!
Til next time!
