Sasebo Japanese Garden

The Rio Grande Botanic Garden

has a main garden area with smaller exhibit areas.
There is a main lawn and pond surrounded by the greenhouses,

the seasonal Butterfly Pavilion, the model trains,

and the Moorish garden.

They also have several larger themed areas, including Heritage Farm,

a children's garden, and Sasebo Japanese Garden.
After visiting the Cider Festival at Heritage Farm,

we visited Sasebo Japanese Garden,

which is my favorite area at the Botanic Garden.

We looked carefully for more signs of fall.
While I paused to notice, I heard the train.

The Rio Line Train is a 3/4 scale train

that carries passengers between the Botanic Garden

and the zoo a few miles away on the same piece of property.

The tracks run along the edge of Sasebo Japanese Garden
and loop around Heritage Farm.

Hmmm...a rabbit!

The brilliant colors of fall were beginning to appear.

Sasebo Japanese Garden

has a pond with a waterfall.

We hung out for awhile at the pond where children feed bread pieces

to the Koi fish.

The children felt a simple joy and delight in feeding the fish.

There is a circular path around the pond

that also has Japanese sculptures and water features.

Do you see the waterfall falling like a sheet behind the log?

One thing that makes Sasebo Japanese Garden

a special place is that it was designed by a specialist from Japan

who utilized Japanese design elements without making it look

like a Japanese Garden in Japan.

Plants that are able to grow locally in this region

were used. It really honors both the feel of the region
and the design and intention of Japanese gardens.

It has a different feel than most places in Albuquerque,

revealing surprises and seasonal changes.

I love how peaceful this area of the garden feels.

They have truly created a retreat from the daily stresses of life here.

The train track runs behind this hill.

The train passed by again as we left
Sasebo Japanese Garden.

On our way out, Ella insisted on stopping by her favorite fountain.
This tiled mosaic bench with a fountain along the top 
reminds me of small mountains or streams in the southwest.

Water has this odd magnetic property.
There were many small children touching the water 
from the spout and the water in the fountain.

We found a place off to the side for one last fall portrait

for this trip.

Adios until our next visit!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

 Although I did not focus on photographing
the shapes made of light tubing,
they were abundantly and curiously found in the landscaping.

Workers are already getting the Botanic Garden 
ready for the River of Lights in December.

I have been twice since I've lived here.
I may have to go again this year!