Adults Can Go on Field Trips, Too!

Each week, Patch tells you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, make your life a little easier, or a lot more enjoyable.

This week, we're letting you know that there's no reason for adults to be jealous of schoolchildren who get to go on field trips when the Somerset County Park Commission naturalists are lead adult adventurers on their own “Field Trips for the Fun at Heart.” 

The naturalists are organizing educational and entertaining day trips to view gardens in all their spring glory, with each starting from the Environmental Education Center at 190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge.

Next Tuesday, April 17, adult adventurers can join a naturalist-led trip departing from the EEC at 7:45 a.m. for a day trip to northern Delaware to explore the history and beauty of the house and garden at Wintetrthur.

Founded by Henry Francis du Pont, Winterthur's 1,000 acres encompass rolling hills, streams, meadows, forests, and a 60-acre naturalistic garden. Du Pont selected plants from around the world and arranged them in lyrical color combinations carefully orchestrating a succession of bloom from late January to November. Highlights may include winter hazel, glory-of-the-snow, Lenten rose, magnolias, flowering cherry trees, squill, rhododendrons, wildflowers, flowering quince, and daffodils. Fee is $65 per adult and $55 per senior.

On Tuesday, May 15, another adult field trip will depart from the EEC at 7:45 a.m. for a day trip to tour Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, Pa. The preserve's 134 acres featuring over 800 species of native plants followed by a step back in time with a visit to Hortulus Farm, a 100-acre 18th century farmstead featuring 20 separate formal gardens with its ponds, streams, woodlands, pines, fountains a kitchen garden, and the historic barns with a variety of farm animals. Fee is $65 per adult and $55 per senior.

On Thursday, May 24, another adult field trip will adults will depart from the EEC at 9:30 a.m. for an in-state day trip to Montclair's famous Presby Memorial Iris Garden. The trip wil have the theme of “Irises and Ice Cream.”

The garden is home to 10,000 irises from approximately 3,000 varieties, creating about 100,000 blooms per season!.The variety includes classics and contemporary, antiques and heirloom, tall and dwarf. The tour will be followed by a visit to Jersey-famous Applegate Farm Dairy for some homemade ice cream. Fee is  $45 per adult and $35 per senior.

The fee for each trip includes van transportation, admission fees, and interpretation. Register online at www.somersetcountyparks.org or call 908-766-2489. Advance payment is required.