You won't want to miss this beautiful spring hike through the Arnold Arboretum - nature is really bursting there now and it is beautiful! Beginning at the main entrance, we'll walk throughout the entire preserve for about four miles.  Our absolute highlight will be the flowering shrubs, especially the wonderfully fragrant lilacs, but also the early blooming azaleas.  We'll also be taking in the spectacular views of Boston from Peters and Bussey Hills, ascending the slopes of Hemlock Hill, and - as always - viewing the magnificent tree specimens.  The Arnold Arboretum is a 280-acre treasure operated by Harvard University on land owned by the City of Boston.  It's one of the finest examples of landscape design by Frederick Law Olmsted - and it's a National Historic Landmark.  Because of the vagaries of Boston weather, please dress with the appropriate outdoors gear, wear good hiking shoes and bring a liter of water.  After our extensive walk, we'll re-group and walk over to nearby Jamaica Plain Center where we'll schmooze at a local eatery (probably the Galway House).         

We will meet at the Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130.  You can use that address for your GPS.  Parking is free along the main road (the Arborway).  It's a 10 minute walk from the Forest Hills Station of the MBTA's Orange Line.  We will meet at 1 pm on the main steps in front of the brick Hunnewell Building, which is just inside the main gate at the right.  A little warning - this is a very popular weekend at the Arboretum!  Sunday is the annual Lilac Sunday there (which is crowded) and Saturday will be busy too.  For parking, you likely will have to find a spot in the neighborhood just to the east (across the Arborway) of the Arboretum.  If that's the case, you can walk across the Arborway, where there is a walk signal to use.