I have walked through the arboretum at least a dozen times. My girlfriend lives practically next to it. I do not recall seeing any designated Holly collection. They have a nice little wildflower area, some pretty gardens, some intertesting native azaleas, and of course lots of labeled trees and some nice paths through the woods. Bluebird boxes with little bitty eggs I saw this weekend. The people working there are very nice, and they have let me look around in the geen houses, where they grow stuff for a plant sale they have every year, which they just had this last weekend. I keep meaning to buy a membership so I will get their newsletter. So there is a long winded reply that probably doesn't specifically answer your question. Todd

I think pindo palms, windmill palms, needle palms, sabal minors, musa basjoos, and other tropical plants in pots would really liven up the spot and give it a tropical feel. Pindos will need protection and windmill palms might need some for the first year or 2. Needles and sabal minors could also use some protection, but if they werent greenhouse grown, they should do fine. If you want something a little more exotic then Jubeas are a great idea, but a challenge to grow, but more of a challenge to find at a decent size. I could see some crape myrtles growing all the way at the end of the screenroom to the left of the slides. They bloom very nicely when older and do fine in my zone 7. good luck! -Alex

I love this thread. We have had some fantastic vacations by visiting cities were we have friends and returning the favor for them. Our last vacation was a week in Cleveland (people always make fun) but we had a great time. We stayed with a friend. They were working during the day so we did day trips to the zoo, museum, etc. They borrowed passes to some of these places from their local library so we were able to go free. Breakfast was home, lunch was a picnic at different locations, dinner was home. We hit ice cream parlors and bakeries to sample local treats. Souvenirs were items that we wanted like t-shirts, local gourmet foods, framed print by a local artist, and as always a Christmas ornament from one place we visiited. While we were there we did a couple of projects around their house- I weeded her garden, we stacked wood that was delivered. I made dinner each night and babysat their children so they could go out on a date. On the way home we met other friends in different states for day outings. We are a family of six and that trip including gas was under $500 for ten days. They also came here and we went apple picking with all the kids, went the children's museum on the free night, joined a friend on their boat for a sunset tour of the harbor.

Our family loves Maui. We have been to Hawaii a few times and will go back there again this year. We like to go in August. The weather is beautiful and the prices are lower at that time of year. We stayed on Oahu for a few days the first time so that we could visit Pearl Harbor (an awesome experience) and visit the Polynesian Cultural Center. The Center was interesting and told the history of Hawaii. We went to a Luau there and suggest that you not waste your money on that particular banquet. We then ventured on to Maui and found that we loved it there. The last time we went, we were on Oahu long enough to switch planes to go to Maui. We stayed at the Palms at Wailea on Maui. This condo was not on the water but the beach was about a 5 minute walk away. The condo cost us $1000 for a week for 6 of us. It had two bedrooms and the living room couches came out into beds. The kitchen was very modern and stocked with utensils, pans, etc. We bought groceries at the local groc store. There was a washer and dryer in the condo also. Everything was very clean. (I am a neat freak so this was a big plus) On Maui go see the moon rock scape or whatever they call it. It is lava a they claim it looks like the surface of the moon. It is kinda neat but eerie. You can watch the sunrise from the crater at the top of the island. Very nice. Of course you must take surfing lessons and go snorkeling. We flew to the Big Island to see the active volcanoes. That too is awesome. Lahaina has a luau that is wonderful and a must for a visit to Hawaii. We love it there and will be going again this August.. If you would like any more info please let me know.