The Weathervane from across the canal.
The Weathervane from across the canal.

This photo is looking at The Weathervane restaurant in Charlevoix from across the canal by the drawbridge. The restaurant is run by Staffords and so far, every place I’ve been to that they own is great.

I was trying to think of what makes the Weathervane so special and it all boils down to its distinct personality, comfortable atmosphere, great food, and wonderful view. After enjoying a meal here, I like to go across the canal and walk to the free public beach. And, here’s a tip, when you’re coming into town, park before you get to the drawbridge.

I was standing above the fishladder when I took this.
I was standing above the fish ladder when I took this.

Today I was just itching to take a picture but couldn’t think of anything and then presto bammo, I thought of getting a shot at the fish ladder. This photo was taken at Fish Ladder Park in Grand Rapids. If I showed you the photos I took facing the other direction, you’d see several fisherman standing out in the freezing cold water fishing… what the heck??? In my book, you’d REALLY have to love fishing to be out in that cold water. Hope they were catching something. The fish ladder is in downtown Grand Rapids, along the Grand River, near the 6th Street Bridge.

One of the Many Sculptures in the Park
One of the Many Sculptures in the Park

I can’t decide if I like the Frederik Meijer Gardens more at Christmas or in the summer. What I can say is that it’s a beautiful place to visit any time of day, and any time of year. If you’re still looking for that perfect Christmas present, they have a gift shop with reasonably priced gifts that are unique and special.

Storm clouds ovr Lake Michigan at Oval Beach
I thought I’d stop by Oval Beach on the way to the Saugatuck Waterfont Film Festival and saw this weather front blowing in over Lake Michigan. Even though it started raining, I still had a great time, always do in Saugatuck.

Charlevoix Magic Water
If you love basking in the sun by aqua blue waters on sugar sand beaches, maybe you should check out Charlevoix. It’s a beautiful seaside town along the shores of Lake Michigan. I took this photo in Boulder Park, please click here for a Google map link.

 

Water Sculture at Frederik Meijer Gardens
I never get tired of the Frederik Meijer Gardens, as I’m sure you can tell if you look at my blog long enough! This is a sculture that you can walk inside and once there, it has water flowing through a steel link screen. It makes you feel kind of off balance when you look at it.

Leslie Tassel Park Sculpture of Children Playing
If you get LAKE Magazine, check out the April issue. They wrote up a really nice review about this blog in their “200 Words or Less” column and also featured my shot of Downtown Grand Rapids at night on the page opposite the back cover.I took this photo at the Leslie Tassel Park in Cascade. It is loaded with statues and just one of the most charming parks I’ve ever been to.