On a recent trip to visit my youngest son at college in Washington State he suggested we visit the Pacific Bonsai Museum. When your college age son suggests an outing specifically for his plant loving mom, you jump on it!

The Pacific Bonsai Museum is perfectly situated within a large park filled with hiking trails. It is reached by taking a quarter mile stroll through the Washington forest. It is a very well-curated oasis.

The museum is free to the public with a suggested donation of 12 dollars and in my opinion well worth that amount.  We visited in winter time so didn't get to see the leaves or blossoms on any deciduous trees, but the stark beauty in the bare branches made up for that fact.  If I had to guess autumn would be a glorious time of year to visit.

My opinion of the beauty and skill of bonsai artists was certainly elevated after walking among the sometimes ancient plantings (the oldest bonsai I could find was started in the 1500s!) Some day maybe I'll tackle caring for a bonsai, but for now I'll revel in the magical artistry of others, and I thank them for sharing with me and my son the obvious love that shone through the bonsai's diminutive branches.