Hi, I’m Alfred I’ve been a Google Guide for about two and a half years. I really enjoy taking pictures and reviewing local businesses and attractions near home and when I travel. I really like sharing them with others. This post is about what the Local Guides program means to me.
The Local Guides program means adventure to me. Not always the rollicking, wild ride adventures – though I’ve had them too while participating with Google, but also the quiet, family oriented adventures, dining experiences and excursions that just as exciting and memorable.
One of the gentle views along the carefully manicured walkways at the Arboretum.
One example of this sort of quiet and satisfying adventure I have had as a Local Guide happened to me when I went to the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, North Carolina with my children. I had been a Google Guide for just a short time when we went there. I was taking pictures of my family and the wonderful variety of plants and landscaping that are there when we fell in with a guided tour. From there we went from attraction to attraction and eventually joined another group of students who were preparing beds for the winter. It didn’t stop there, though, because it was a busy day at the arboretum and we ended up visiting with a team that was setting out new landscaping in modern garden and even tiptoed around an art class that had come by to draw and take measurements of the beautiful Japanese Garden there.
I had been to the arboretum many times before when I had been living in Raleigh and each time I enjoyed my visit. This was the most interesting visit, however, because, first of all I was with my children, and secondly, it seemed each time we turned around we seemed to be welcomed into another group that was just starting up some amazing work or other activity. My kids really loved building bee boxes. That was with some students that normally visit the arboretum on the weekend and have a science class.
Yew after the Rain
The arboretum has lots of walking trails as well as the landscaped walkways. One of the buildings had been built right into the earth itself and it hard to tell where it begins and ends as a watercourse runs through it and ends in two small waterfalls tumbling into a stream.
They have a very nice and reasonably priced gift shop and also offer photography books and scientific books, textbooks and manuals for the student, hobbyist, visitor or scientist.
This particular day the weather was clear and bright. At that time of year in Raleigh the weather can be mild and pleasant and it was that day. With a gentle breeze behind us we made our way through the fabulous plantings which range, chiefly, from sub-tropical plantings to desert displays and a marvelous assortment of trees and other plants from across North America, Asia, Europe and elsewhere.
We had a lot of fun learning that day, seeing new things and making friends and contacts from arboretum and colleges in the area!
This was a great day with my family. I’ve had other adventures with friends and acquaintances in many other places - the Local Guides program means adventure, family and friends to me.
What a treat!