Travel – My Spirited Travels

THE UNEXPECTED GARDEN

Jessica Baines — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 21:00:53 +0000

Have you ever visited a garden, expecting the usual sights, only to be pleasantly surprised by the unexpected? At the Botanica Garden in Wichita, accept the gardens invitation to joyful delight as you pause and listen. Let the soothing sound of water bring calm to your senses with its hidden streams, fountains, and running water. Relax into this truly unique experience as Botanica’s unexpected gift to you.

The Wichita Botanical Gardens is well known for its beauty of scenery and sounds.

I had a chance last October to visit the garden myself and it was true that I saw many beautiful plants, art, and natural landscape. The garden was fun, well designed with the intent to please its visitors. The garden lived up to its name and reviews.

I was caught off guard however by a beauty in the garden that was unexpected.

A special beauty not advertised. A beauty so subtle that I almost walked the entire garden before I realized it’s specialness. This garden in Wichita was not just the garden of sight, but a garden of sounds.

Not the typical sounds of the birds and the bugs, but the sounds of water.

And by sounds, I mean the many sounds of water twisting, turning, bubbling and splashing throughout seventeen acres of the garden.

THE GARDEN OF WATER

My first experience with water was in the Chinese garden of friendship. With the indoor and outdoor art installations, sculptures and stained glass, the garden showcased the values of community, beauty, and serenity.

Read more about the Chinese Garden here [link to my other article]

And I was amazed at the soothing sound experience from the start of my walk through the Chinese Garden to the end. From the beginning, tinkling sounds of water greeted me as a sort of welcome.

Elements of water weaved through the garden, following my path. The streams gently bubbling and gurgling were not the primary visual blockbusters of the garden, however they were the foundation of the magic of Wichita’s botanic garden. The trickling streams were well woven artistically into the beauty of the existing stone, metal work, and painted art infrastructure. The undulating flow of rocks and natural structures among living greenery lived and breathed pure energy. A graceful energy only eclipsed by the KOI fish which undulated through streams artfully designed under the bridges and walkways. I could hear sporadic soft splashes from the little flicks of sound as the happy dance of KOI fishes.

The water cascaded over rocks and undulated through the riverbed path as it flowed through the Chinese Garden very much like the Terracotta dragon who sat and flowed along the garden wall and hobbit like open doorways.

WATER IN THE SHAKESPEAREAN GARDEN

When I exited the Chinese garden into the Shakespeare Garden, I had noted the prominence of the sounds of water, but I did not understand its significance in relation to the rest of Wichita’s Botanical Garden. I had assumed the water was confined to the garden of friendship.

The minute I stepped out of the friendship garden and into the Shakespeare Garden, I was proven wrong.

Upon exiting, I immediately stepped into a shaded vestibule. The vestibule was highlighted by a fountain tinkling, tinkling, splashing, splashing water into this inky black pool. The sharp staccato of the sound matched the striking visual contrast of the neon green lily pads floating on top of the fountain pool that looked unnaturally black.

The inky black water was a vision of moonless midnight reflected on its surface and yet I was looking at the fountain in the middle of the day.

This lively display of a water fountain contrasted sharply to the water found in the Chinese Garden of Friendship.

In the Garden of Friendship, the sound of water was muted and sort of like a low hum. The gentle hum is like the sound coming out of a sound machine turned on low so that you can peacefully drift off to sleep.

However, this water was sharp and staccato. A sound that rejuvenated my spirit after it has been lulled into the relaxed state after visiting the Chinese garden. The fountain was very much a center of attention and was deserving of rapt attention.

Walking past the inky water fountain further into the Shakespeare Garden, my eyes and ears were drawn to a larger fountain up ahead.

The fountain in the center of the garden was a large fountain where water gushed, rushed and was flung into the air from various waterspouts.

The water was loud and demanding to be noticed. The water was like a roaring lion, surrounded by nature, flowers and shrubbery that circled the garden.

It was truly a pleasure to walk around the fountain admiring the flow of water and then to walk around again facing outward towards the garden. The garden was lush and in bloom around the fountain as if it was an audience watching with rapt attention, flowering in approval of the spectacular show.

THE SUNKEN GARDEN

When I was surveying the garden, much to my surprise, I had originally missed some steps leading down into a secluded sunken garden.

Sunken gardens were popular during the Renaissance period and as I was in the Shakespeare Garden this was no exception. To my delight in the middle of the garden, you guessed it, was a fountain.

In handcrafted marble, in each corner, there were four sculptures of ladies in various states of dress.

Each statute represented the passage of time, much like the water that felt eternal that seemed to flow with me. As I stepped further into the sunken garden, away from the lion’s roar of the main fountain in the Shakespearean Garden, this subdued fountain lent a sense of refined calm.

The ladies standing on each of the corners were modeled after the seasons.

To my delight I had forgotten as it was October; Halloween was near, and I could see blue twinkling lights in the greenery behind one of the statues. It took a moment for my mind to register that these tiny blue lights weren’t fireflies nor flowers, they were holiday lights.

Holiday lights matching the other festivities that they were adding to the Garden during this type of year. I would not have imagined how fun the garden could be decorated with Halloween spirit. (link Halloween article here)

As I progressed through the rest of the Botanical Gardens, the water followed, or I followed the water.

Shortly after leaving the Shakespeare Garden, the concrete path became colored yellow, like a yellow brick road that begged to be followed.

The path swirled childlike, and to my surprise lead rainbow and you guess it! Another fountain.

THE SUNFLOWER FOUNTAIN

But this was no ordinary fountain, it was whimsical than the English fountain.

The water from this fountain pooled and flows over its middle in a very gentle, elegant way.

A middle in the shape of a sunflower. A sunflower cap expressing joy in its bright colors. Beautiful and exciting sight for a child.

The fountain was low to the ground, it was at a child’s level. Its water pooled and poured over the flowers middle gently, encompassing the whole of the sunflower cap.

Just like the sunflower fountain, the garden’s fountains and water features filled me with wonder. Each one, with its unique sound, brought a sense of peace. Water is essential for the plants thriving in the garden, and hearing it flow gracefully and freely was a reminder of its importance. The gurgling and bubbling sounds were a delightful surprise, making my garden visit truly memorable.

DISCOVER THE WATER SYMPHONY AT THE WICHITA’S BOTANICAL GARDEN

Start your own journey of relaxation by wandering through Wichita’s Botanical Garden. Listen to the calm sounds of streams, the splashing of pools where KOI fish swim, and the rhythmic sound of an inked fountain surrounding you. Hear the rushing water from the main fountain in the Shakespeare Garden and the constant pouring sound from the sunflower fountain that adults and children can delight in. This one-of-a-kind water experience promises peace, rest, and relaxation amidst the botanical beauty.

Here are the details of visiting Wichita’s Garden (unofficially the garden of water):

Location: Botanica, The Wichita Garden is located at: 701 Amidon St, Wichita, KS 67203.

Website: For more details to visit the garden view their website here: https://botanica.org/

Phone: (316) 264-0448

Calendar/Newsletter: Sign up for more information here: https://botanica.org/email/

Pricing: At the time of this blog post, ticket prices varied based on age (approximate $8-$10 range), with free admission for children under 2 years old. Go here for updated pricing information: https://botanica.org/contact-us/

Ready to immerse yourself? Visit the Kansas Botanical Garden today and let the song of water wash over you.

WICHITAS BOTANICAL GARDEN

Jessica Baines — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 06:15:10 +0000

Experience calm and relaxation by exploring Wichita’s Chinese garden.

The Chinese Garden is a picture if serenity with its tranquil winding paths, magnificent stone foo dog statues, and walking paths. Explore a surreal garden filled with visual and auditory beauty, created with elements of water and diverse living and non-living art design. The Chinese Garden is a place of peace.

In October, I had the chance to visit Wichita’s Botanical Gardens and experience the Chinese garden for myself. Upon entering the garden, the utilitarian lobby transitioned from an everyday space to a craftsman’s masterpiece of living and non-living form.

WHEN A RELAXING VISIT IS NEEDED

Like many of us, I needed time to relax. A vacation was needed to slow down and disconnect from the incessant interruption of technology.

For me, a single phone call, an email asking for a status update, or a spontaneous text message can easily disrupt my entire day. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I visited the Botanical Gardens in Wichita at the beginning of my vacation.

I could tell that I wasn’t fully relaxed as I wanted to be. I was overdue for a vacation, and I knew it.

I was surprised by how quickly I felt relaxed when entering the gardens. And this sense of relaxation occurred while I had walked through the Chinese garden. I hope that my story today will do justice to the amazing relaxing experience I had. If you’re in Wichita or just need to relax, it is my hope that you too can find some peace for yourself.

When entering the entrance to the botanical gardens, visitors are immediately greeted by a bronze statue of a child. I was so entranced by her graceful lines, I failed to notice the quietness of the area. A quietness that let me know I had been left behind by the group I was traveling with. Walking quickly to catch up with my tour group, I was warmly welcomed by a garden staff member.

Being a gardener myself, I know that gardens are living entities, with a vitality and personality of their own. A garden requires daily care and effort without the guarantee of knowing how it will turn out.

When I entered the lobby, I knew I would have the opportunity to see the efforts of many people working to make the space enjoyable. I had no idea that the Botanical Garden held beauty far beyond its greenery; the physical art, like the whimsical child in front, was just a hint of what was yet to come.

The atmosphere in the small lobby was unassuming and welcoming at the same time.

The polished floor reminded me of a school or community center hallway, well-worn with a muted shine. The well-cared for utilitarian space matched my hope that the grounds in October would still yield a visual display enhanced by the same love and well-maintained care.

The hall visually curved to the left towards the gift shop, inviting me to walk that way. But to my surprise we were walking into space on the right. Little did I know that I was about to experience something far more remarkable than the simple pleasure of a green garden.

Delight and awe awaited me long before I set foot in Wichita’s Chinese garden.

The journey to tranquility started with a show of luxury.

FOM ORDINARY TO LUXURY

As I walked through the hallway leading outside to the Chinese garden the inside space became less utilitarian. I did not notice this at first as I began following the group with my head looking down and my hands fiddling with my camera. Little did I know that as my feet had only automatically traveled a few feet down the hallway, I had left the common place behind.

The hallway broadened to welcome me with a life-sized lacquered screen of a serene Chinese scene of affluent women dressed in flowing pinks, grays, yellows, and orange. Symbolically, the colors speak of inner peace, formality and balance, energy, happiness, and friendship.

The symbolism felt like a fitting greeting in the Chinese garden space.

As I walked further down the hallway I came upon a very large stained-glass window in the ceiling. The muted light felt joyful as it washed muted colors with abandon onto the floor below. This vision of lighted serenity was designed to illuminate the space and felt fitting with its amber, greens and blues designed as a prelude to the outdoors to come.

Marveling at the expanse of color washing over the space, my eyes noticed the muted kaleidoscope of colors contrasting sharply with a bone white sculpture of horses encased in glass nearby.

The power and energy of the horses sculpted in marble felt dangerous. Would the glass shatter if it could not contain the horse’s fierce energy? The power exuded by the sculpture was in utter contrast with the serene view from above.

I wondered at the symbolic nature of these barely contained horses. I was surprised later to realize the myth and deeper meaning behind them. I wondered about the story the horses wanted to tell. [Link to article of story of Zaofo]

We left the indoor space and entered the outdoor garden, where the powerful energy of the statue and the peaceful colors created a striking contrast to what was outside.

WHEN YOUR EXIT IS GUARDED BY DRAGONS OR RATHER FOO DOGS

Upon exiting the inside space, I was caught off guard by two foo dogs guarding the entrance to the garden. These two guardians were imposing with their faces stuck in a perpetual growl that nearly stopped me in my tracks.

I was struck by the irony that they sit not guarding the treasures inside the building but guarding the outside garden space.

Their intense and focused gaze made me feel like I accidentally walked into a meeting I wasn’t supposed to be in.

Just like I would expect admonishing stares from the inhabitants in the room, the dragon’s stares questioned my presence in the garden.

Since entering the main entrance of the garden, I had experienced peace, energy and power.

As I walked past the foo dogs and wandered into the garden, I was surrounded by bronze and stone art. The stone and metal art expressed a permanence to an otherwise living, breathing space.

This journey of experience is artfully crafted by the master gardeners making Wichita’s Botanica so appealing.

The rich green plants with different colors and textures, along with rocks rising from the ground, formed a natural background for the buildings. Water flowed through the hard lines of rocks and green spaces, adding another dimension of experience.

THE WATER THAN RUNS THROUGH IT

Flowing gracefully through the garden space is water.

Water bubbling and splashes can be heard as graceful KOI fish can be seen swimming elegantly beneath bridges and walkways.

As my eyes were drawn to the source of the splashing water, I caught flashes of fish undulating in their bright oranges, whites, and yellows.

The KOI fish with their bright electric colors flicked and rolled in the brown, at times black water. Green and white-water lilies gently floated on the water, disturbed only moderately by the tempest of activity below them.

My ears could also hear the soothing sound of a fountain adding a sense of tranquility. The exterior garden wall was a mural of painted tiles and the iron window cut outs created an outdoor courtyard of simple pleasures.

DRAGONS BE EVERYWHERE

Relaxed and at peace, my mind was still, and I realized walking the path amid the garden was to follow in the footsteps of a great dragon.

Prior to noticing the dragon, I had been gazing at the lovely green space with its diverse plants, weaving and undulating in sharp and rounded shapes. The breeze and the fresh air felt cool to my skin as fall has set in.

With a clear mind, I was delighted to notice that the curves of the walkways mimicked the curves of the walls. The walls had terra-cotta shingles on top, and to my happiness the curved wall resembled the spine of a mighty dragon. The sound of the water created an audible movement that flowed with the dragon-inspired wall. At the end of the pathway of dragon spines was the head of a great Chinese dragon.

Contrary to my expectations of feeling coming face to face with a dragon at the end of my walk, I was at peace and felt childlike wonder.

My heart held on to this sense of wonder and I held my curiosity tight as I stepped into the Shakespeare Garden. It was not long before I realized that the Botanical Garden was not what it seemed, it was a garden of another sort. Wichita’s Botanica hidden garden of water. [Link to blog article about the garden of water]

DISCOVER TRANQUILITY AT THE CHINESE GARDEN IN WICHITA TODAY

Whether you are visiting Wichita and wondering ‘what to do in Wichita Kansas’ or you have finished a hectic work week, and you are looking for a way to enjoy nature and unwind, the Chinese garden should be on your list of places to visit.

Plan to visit Wichita’s Botanical Garden…

Location: Botanica, The Wichita Garden is located at: 701 Amidon St, Wichita, KS 67203.

Website: For more details to visit the garden view their website here: https://botanica.org/

Phone: (316) 264-0448

Calendar/Newsletter: Sign up for more information here: https://botanica.org/email/

Pricing: At the time of this blog post, ticket prices varied based on age (approximate $8-$10 range), with free admission for children under 2 years old. Pricing information may be found here: https://botanica.org/contact-us/

Ready to experience this oasis of calm? Plan your visit now.

THE FAT PUTTER

Jessica Baines — Fri, 03 May 2024 12:51:36 +0000

For those who love a good game of miniature golf, swing by the whimsical ‘Fat Putter’ for a round of fun! Looking for a casual and interactive experience in downtown Omaha but short on time? Skip the sprawling museums and zoos, and head straight to the vibrant world of the ‘Fat Putter.’ With its vibrant interior, fun mini-golf twists, and playful games, this unexpected treasure of a place guarantees an hour of pure enjoyment — giving you extra time to create memories with loved ones.

I had the opportunity to visit The Fat Putter in Omaha, Nebraska on a busy Saturday afternoon and the place reminded me of the lively downtown area in Chicago, Illinois. There were families, groups of adults and everyone in between playing games, golfing and enjoying the lively atmosphere.

DESIGNED FOR FUN

One of the first things I noticed about The Fat Putter is the massive amount of color on the walls, the floors and the larger-than-life statues. The large floor is divided into four lanes. Each lane has its own designed theme and challenges designed to match the theme. The lane that we chose to play was the game themed lane. At each entrance of a lane, the design of the first hole lures me in with interest, but then the walls bend and curve, which causes you to lose sight of your path. This design creates suspense because you can’t see the rest of the course until you reach the next hole. This incredible design ensures each of the four lanes guarantees a new and exciting experience.

TICKETING

When it comes to pricing, The Fat Putter is very reasonable. Visitors can choose the perfect package for their family with prices starting at just $10 for children and $14 for adults for the first round of miniature golf. Additionally, after the first round is purchased, you can purchase a second round of golf at discounted prices. This pricing is an affordable choice for families and friends who want to have fun and also save money for dining at local restaurants.

At The Fat Putter, I was pleasantly surprised to find lockers where I could store my coat and scarf. The lockers are free and are secured with a zip tie. There are zip cutters on the countertop by the register. I was thankful for this convenience because it let me enjoy the hands-on golfing experience without the hassle of carrying a putter and my coat at the same time.

After purchasing a round of golf, I received a token for a gumball machine to pick my golf ball. As adults, we often forget the excitement of simple things like a gumball machine. The larger-than-life atmosphere at Fat Putter really sets a playful mood. I watched the bright yellow golf ball travel through the gumball tube to end up resting at the bottom of a metal spout. As the back of my hand hit that cold metal of the spout to get my ball, I was reminded of that same cold touch of metal when I was a child reaching for a taste of the overly sweet bubblegum in a grocery store gumball machine.

SCORING

After picking my ball, it was time to pick a course out of the four courses that were available. Before playing golf, make sure to prepare your scorecard after selecting your course. You can choose to use pen and paper to keep score or use the online scoring card. If you want to go digital, you can scan a QR code with The Fat Putter to get the scoring card. On the day that we went, more than once the online scoring card erased my scorecard when my chrome screen refreshed. My friend and I weren’t competitive, but if we were, losing points would have been very disappointing. Next time I will be brining a written scorecard, to ensure that I have a record of my scores and can fully enjoy the friendly competition with my friends and family.

ITS ARCADE GAME TIME

The four courses are named after colors (red, blue, white and green) and I played the course that was modeled after games such as Pacman, Tetris, Chess, Grabber, Twister and a boxing punch power arcade. In this course, you will play different simple games or spin a wheel to decide the advantage or disadvantage that your team will have in a game. For example, depending on how hard you hit the boxing bag, determines how close you move your golf ball to the hole. You spin the spinner to see what action you or your team must do before putting the ball. In the twister, you spin to determine how your hands and feet are placed on the twister board to block your opponent’s ball. There are actual Tetris video arcades to play a game of Tetris where the winner wins an advantage.

It was so much fun having these additional elements embedded into the game play. This elevated the experience of miniature golf to a whole new level. As a middle-aged person, I liked that the challenges were not physically or mentally demanding; they were quick and easy to do. The course was completed in about an hour due to the easy game play and course design. I liked that the post mentioned that a player should move on after six unsuccessful attempts to hit the ball into the hole. The only place that the six attempt rule was changed on this course was the zebra-like striped area where the limit was twelve tries! I managed to sink my ball in eleven tries and I felt lucky.

The Fat Putter in Omaha, Nebraska is a fantastic destination for anyone looking for a fun and interactive experience. The Fat Putter provides a fun and memorable outing for visitors of all ages with themed lanes, affordable pricing, convenient lockers, and interactive activities. Get your friends and family together and go to The Fat Putter for a fun day of laughs, friendly competition, and unforgettable memories.

SWING INTO FUN – MINI GOLF MEETS ARCADE

If you are in downtown Omaha Nebraska and want low key competitive, game-oriented fun to do with the whole family, the Fat Putter should be on your list.

Here are the details to visit The Fat Putter…

Location: The Fat Putter is located at: 111 N 10^th Street, Omaha, NE 68102.

Website: For more details to visit the website here: https://letsgoputt.com/the-fat-putter-omaha

Phone: (531) 375-5435

Pricing: Tickets prices varied, prices ranged between $10 -$14 (child/adult) for first round, additional rounds were offered at reduced prices. For current pricing please visit the site here: https://letsgoputt.com/the-fat-putter-prices

If you are ready bring your competitive A game, swing by The Fat Putter in downtown Omaha and create lots of great memories with your loved ones!