Shangri La: A Place of Beauty

If you live anywhere near Orange Texas, I would imagine you've already visited the Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center. The sign says, "Be Kind To Your World." That should tell you something about this wonderful place. Founder, H. J. Lutcher Stark, originally developed this center to improve, as well as enrich lives in Southeast Texas. It's still a privately funded organization.

Even kids will want to go on a school field trip here. After all, there's a swamp with three outdoor classrooms. And you travel by boat. I venture to say that would sound pretty cool to most kids.

Furthermore this is the first project in Texas to earn the US Green Building Council's Platinmum certification for LEED®-NC. Explanation: Shangri La obtained the highest green building and performance measures. Good to know.

Think about retreating to such a place. A chance to explore, discover and be at one with the gardens and nature. I think we call it harmony. Ah, such peace.

In any case, I heard it said that it's quite an enchanted place. Now there's something we all should be . . . enchanted. So, to say the least, you should come and travel Shangri La's wetland ecosystem in a specially designed pontoon boat. There's a whole other world out there to explore! There's a lake, there's a swamp, a 1200-year-old survivor tree, a bird blind, a lab and an outpost. What more could you ask to make your trip worthwhile?

School tours are available. Make sure you tell your kids that it could take up to an hour just for the walk about. They'll probably love it.

If you live in Orange Texas, shame on you if you haven't visited this 252-acre preserve. And for those outside of Texas, make sure you plan your day and visit their website for all necessary information. Enjoy!