Belknap Park, behind Griff's Ice House ... the sledding hill.

Have you been searching for the ultimate sled hill? The sled hill where you want to prepare with helmets, padding, bandages and slings because it’s so high and fast? Well, this one is probably it for Grand Rapids. Note the antennas to the right, it’s a high point of the city.

To find the hill, it’s a little tricky, so of course I’ve provided a google map link for your convenience, just click here. The hill is located near Division and Coldbrook on the Northeast side of Grand Rapids behind the Griffs Icehouse at Belknap Park. There is convenient parking in the Griffs Icehouse parking lot, and then you just walk to the back of the building and Whah Lah, sled time.

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The Frederik Meijer Gardens at Christmas

No one does Christmas quite like the Frederik Meijer Gardens. Their Christmas & Holiday Traditions from Around the World exhibition features over 300,000 lights, strolling carolers, horse drawn carriage rides, and more than 40 international trees and displays. Create some memories and check it out with someone you enjoy!

Upstage Crew helped kick off the 40th Anniversary of the Festival of the Arts today at noon.
Upstage Crew helped kick off the 40th Anniversary of the Festival of the Arts today at noon.

The Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids is a great way to spend this weekend and it looks like we’ll have great weather. This celebration features lots of ethnic food, fine art, local bands on multiple stages, a juried film competition, activities for children of all ages and dance performances. All performances are free thanks to generous donations and lots of volunteers. Festival will be on June 5, 6 and 7. Here’s a link to Upstage Crew’s website.

Wandering through the Fields.
Wandering through the Fields.

I was wandering through the county and had to stop to take this photo of this little farm on a hillside, I love the little windmill peeking over the roof.

Hopefully this is the last shot I put up here this spring that doesn’t have LOTS of green in it. The trees are starting to bud, it’s warm and sunny and the air smells like life. Welcome back spring, I’m so glad to see you again.

Downtown Grand Rapids from the Rooftop at Sunset
Downtown Grand Rapids from the Rooftop at Sunset

So, this is where I was the other evening. I took this photo from the new helipad at Spectrum Health at sunset. I felt a little like Mary Poppins overlooking the city, only not quite as brave. I love heights but feel a little quesy until I get used to it, so I guess I’ll have to get more experience in high places!

He thinks he's cool.
He thinks he's cool.

The Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition will be winding down pretty soon, so if you want to see it, this would be the time to act. The event is over on April 30th. The butterflies are at their best on sunny days, they go crazy and are everywhere.

I appreciate having the Frederik Meijer Gardens here in West Michigan. We’re lucky to have so many philanthropists who care about making their hometown special. It’s not unusual to see Fred Meijer at the gardens he and his wife Lena so generously gave to this community. And the gardens continue to grow and give. Each year I’m amazed at the new exhibits and changes that make them even better.

Popular coming attractions are the Michigan All-State Bonsai Show May 16 – 17 and the Jonathan Borofsky exhibition, now underway through May 10.

What the? Curious Goats
What the? Curious Goats

I’m almost a little embarrassed to admit that up until I took this picture, I had never “met” a goat before. These little stinkers are REALLY cute and fun. First off, they are curious and secondly, very funny.

I was bored, so deliberately got lost in Coopersville farmland. I saw this farm with goats and the farm owner was nice enough to show me around and let me take some photos.

When the goats saw me standing on the fence to take this picture, they all stared at me like “Hey lady, what the heck are you doing there, shouldn’t you be in here standing on the picnic table with us and playing?”

Some people have goats for pets, and now I know why. If I was home more, I’d be one of them. As I was leaving the farmer told me that some of their goats are for sale. If you would like to find out more about owning a goat of your own: Call Beth at (616) 837-6432.

Butterflies Are Blooming Through The End of April
Butterflies Are Blooming Through The End of April

One sure sign spring is nearing in west Michigan is that the Foremost’s Butterflies Are Blooming Exhibit is underway. This is one of the most popular exhibits at the Frederik Meijer Gardens, and for good reason. It’s a delightful experience to enter the exhibit and be among fluttering butterflies everywhere. This is the largest temporary butterfly exhibit in the United States.

Joy, that’s what I feel visiting there, I hope you can make it to the exhibit, I think you’ll love it.

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.