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Literary Tour: Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha, NE

By Michelle DeRusha 13 Comments

I’m not one to shy away from winter. I appreciate a fierce snowstorm or two (though Boston’s winter may be a bit much even for me)—the scrape of shovel against cement, icicles hanging like stalactites from the gutter, my fleece hat pulled low over my ears. But as January gives way to February, and the relentless Nebraska wind blows hard into the early days of March, I grow weary of the soot-smeared snow, the days unfurling gray, one into the next.  And so, as March roars in like a lion, I go searching for verdant life and warmth wherever I can find it.

One might argue that manicured gardens and greenhouses are a weak substitute for the wildness of nature. In fact, naturalist writer Henry David Thoreau suggested exactly that when he claimed, “Wildness is the preservation of the world.” Yet as I stand on a barren hilltop overlooking Omaha’s belching smokestacks, I might disagree, at least on this barren March day. Behind me, a lush world of ponytail palms, exotic orchids and scarlet cyclamen beckon just beyond glass walls.

Lauritzen Gardens Tropical House

Lauritzen Gardens is a 100-acre urban oasis, a hidden sanctuary overlooking the Missouri River and the city of Omaha, Nebraska. This past October 2014, the Gardens opened the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory, a 20, 000-square-foot, $21-million space nestled into the steep hillside.

Lauritzen Conservatory

As my son pushes open the glass doors of Temperate House, we are greeted with the refreshing cadence of trickling water and the sights and scents of early spring: cheerful pansies nodding their smiling heads, delicate magnolia blossoms, a profusion of magenta and ruby cyclamen bursting in raucous pockets throughout the room.

Lauritzen Gardens cyclamen

“I want to go slow and take my time, ” Noah says, and we all agree; it’s best not to rush this process.  The path wends beneath a pergola, and we stop to admire the spiky leaves of a sago palm before drifting up the stairs.

The humidity of Tropical House hits us heavy and moist as we follow the path past palms spread wide like the fans of giants, succulents and bromeliads, the graceful, fern-like leaves of the Royal Poinciana. We gaze up at the cacao tree and the coconut palm and peek into the pitcher plant’s spotted pods, noticing the hair-like bristles running down one side. Now that I’ve seen it up close, I understand why insects swoon in its presence. After all, who could possibly pass by that voluptuous red lip?

We shed our jackets. A warm mist falls from the ceiling, beading our hair and skin, and Rowan’s cheeks flush in the heat. Suddenly the boys and my husband have had enough and head back to the main building, but I turn and retrace my steps through the Tropical and Temperate Houses, unwilling to relinquish the lush warmth just yet.

Tropical House Lauritzen Gardens

When I finally make my way back to the main building, I notice Lauritzen is featuring an art exhibit. At first I scoff – the exhibit includes 14 pieces, all comprised of LEGOs, and with two boys, I figure I’ve seen all I need of “LEGO art.” But I quickly change my mind when I catch glimpse of the enchanting pieces themselves – a regal praying mantis, an ethereal humming bird, a monarch butterfly poised on milkweed – and how the kids, my own included, are drawn to them. “Nature Connects 2, ” aims to integrate art, play and nature, and artist Sean Kenney – who calls himself a “professional kid” and owns four tons of Lego bricks – makes his living doing exactly that.

Lego Monarch Lauritzen Gardens

Lego Hummingbird Lauritzen Gardens

On the drive back from Omaha to our home in Lincoln, I see from the extended weather forecast displayed on my phone that March has no plans to relent just yet. As I sink deeper into the seat, heat blasting from the dashboard vents, I’m grateful for the opportunity I’d had to glimpse spring and earthy wild—both living and LEGO—before facing the March lion once again.

Browse more Literary Tours

Post and photos by Michelle DeRusha.

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Michelle DeRusha
Michelle DeRusha
A native New Englander, Michelle now lives in Nebraska, where she discovered the Great Plains and grasshoppers the size of Cornish Hens. She is the author of True You, Katharina and Martin Luther, and Spiritual Misfit.
Michelle DeRusha
Latest posts by Michelle DeRusha (see all)
  • Regional Tour: Homestead National Monument, Beatrice, Nebraska - November 13, 2015
  • Making Little Free Library No. 25, 001 - November 4, 2015
  • Regional Tour: North House Folk School, Grand Marais, Minnesota - August 12, 2015

Filed Under: Blog, Literary Tour

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About Michelle DeRusha

A native New Englander, Michelle now lives in Nebraska, where she discovered the Great Plains and grasshoppers the size of Cornish Hens. She is the author of True You, Katharina and Martin Luther, and Spiritual Misfit.

Comments

  1. Maureen Doallas says

    March 20, 2015 at 10:23 am

    Love the Lego art, and I appreciate the greenery because it is snowing here in Arlington, Virginia.

    Reply
  2. Sandra Heska King says

    March 20, 2015 at 10:35 am

    Only dirty remnants of white left. Pretty sure we’ve seen the last of snowflakes–though it *has* been known to snow in May here in the mitten.

    Reply
  3. Michelle DeRusha says

    March 20, 2015 at 11:15 am

    Thankfully right after I wrote this, the weather turned in Nebraska. It’s warmer, and I have a few tiny daffodils and crocus blooming in the yard. Hope blooms!

    Reply
  4. S. Etole says

    March 20, 2015 at 12:07 pm

    Snowing here this morning. Enjoyed the tour you have shared.

    Reply
  5. Megan Willome says

    March 21, 2015 at 1:39 pm

    This makes me want to fly you and your boys down here in a week or two to show you our wildflowers.

    Reply
    • Michelle DeRusha says

      March 24, 2015 at 12:14 pm

      That sounds good to me, Megan – I’ve always wanted to see the Texas bluebells!

      Reply
  6. Katie says

    March 24, 2015 at 12:20 pm

    Oh, Michelle!
    Thank you for sharing this lovely stroll:)
    Heard rumors of some flurries here in Maryland in the wee hours this morning! Looking forward to sharing the pics of the Lego sculptures with my grandson who can’t get enough of those little bricks:)Love how your prose can bring me along with you on such adventures!
    Gratefully,
    Katie

    Reply
    • Michelle DeRusha says

      March 24, 2015 at 12:28 pm

      It’s raining hard here in Nebraska today – gray and chilly. It’s good though – we need the moisture terribly. I’m glad you enjoyed the tropical stroll amid your Maryland flurries – 🙂 And yes, those Legos, wow! I was impressed. Rowan, my 10-year-old, still loves Legos too – he builds a lot of “war ships” — not as pretty as the hummingbird and monarch, but creative nonetheless!

      Reply
  7. Janet says

    March 26, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    Love this post, Michelle! I followed you here from your blog. I saw some of those lego art pieces at the San Antonio Botanical Garden last year. They were surprisingly impressive, an interesting new art form. Met a guy and his wife at the garden, who were trying to find the lawn mower lego art. I’m not sure why they wanted to see that one. I loved the flower pics too! There are few things I love better than a walk in a botanical garden! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  8. Richard Maxson says

    March 30, 2015 at 5:42 am

    Michelle, here in the Ozarks we though it was finally Spring, but we keep getting nights in the thirties. This essay was a warm and beautiful place to come to.

    Reply
    • L. L. Barkat says

      March 30, 2015 at 8:19 am

      Titania and Oberon still arguing, after all these years 🙂

      Reply
  9. lynn__ says

    April 3, 2015 at 10:59 am

    It’s a sunny Good Friday in northwest Iowa. Thanks for the virtual tour, Michelle – beautiful photos! It looks like a place I’d like to visit. (Our basement is full of LEGOS after 5 sons…and DUPLOS for the grandkids.)

    Reply

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  1. Michelle DeRusha | If You Are In Need of Spring… says:
    March 24, 2015 at 6:00 am

    […] A while back I mentioned on Facebook that I’ve started writing for a poetry website called Tweetspeak. I know, poetry – not usually my gig! And while none of my posts for Tweetspeak so far have […]

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