One thing I love about nature is that just a slight change of an angle can give an interestingly different perspective. Like this photo of the same log in the post before this one.
I took this photo on one of the nature trails in the Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids. The other day a friend commented to me that most of the places on my website are free. The Blandford Nature Center is another of those free sweet spots. I remember the first time I went to Blandford, I was blown away that such a nice place was free and so accessible.
I’ve spent a lot of time there and what I treasure about it, is the ability to get in touch with nature and yet be in the city. I used to try to go to Blandford a few times a month when my boys were little. We’d walk along the nearly 5 miles of nature trails, talk and get a workout all at once. Here’s a google link, the nature center gate closes at 5:00pm, but you can still enjoy it in the evening. Just park in the little lot at the entrance in front of the gate and walk on into the park.
As if you couldn’t tell by the photos, I really love the Frederik Meijer Gardens. I took this photo behind the amphitheater. The amphitheater is the best open air venue I’ve ever been to, it hosts summer concerts that are probably one of the best kept secrets in west Michigan.
This sculpture of children playing graces the entry to the children’s park at the Frederik Meijer Gardens. There is a fountain in the center of it that children can run and play in.
Have you been to the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park? If you live within an hour’s driving distance and haven’t stopped by, you’re punishing yourself!!! This place is a gift of love from Fred and Lena Meijer and what a gift it is. The pictured sculpture is one of many that you’ll find there. I’ve got several photos of this place that I’ll be sharing over the next few weeks.
Pretty much everyone who takes a shot of downtown Grand Rapids has to take this one, me included! Hey, it looks like someone got a ticket. For those of you familiar with Grand Rapids, where’s your sweet spot? I’m looking for places that are beautiful and off the beaten path.
The Grand River flows through Grand Rapids. Usually you’ll see photos looking down on the river from the bridges and air. I wanted to show you something different. Downtown, along the river, there is this wonderful boardwalk that goes for quite a distance, I love to walk along the river here. This bridge is the huge walkway that leads to the Gerald R. Ford Museum.
This is a photo of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Gerald R. Ford chose Grand Rapids to be his final resting place and considered this town his home. In 1999 I was privileged to work on the Kent County International Airport’s annual profile when the ad agency I work for (Allie Design Group) was selected to create it. This was the year the airport was renamed the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
I coordinated our efforts with President Ford’s assistant, Marty Allen. Previous to this experience I had a skeptical impression of all politicians, Ford included. What I discovered changed my mind, about him at least. We had access to many of President Ford’s personal photos and looking at them, it was easy to see he was a caring, sincere man who deeply loved his country. We selected a variety of photos of his life including one of him in the White House relaxing with a pipe in his mouth. We were told we could use this picture, but only if the pipe was Photoshopped out of his mouth. President Ford had since quit smoking and didn’t want to be a negative influence.
In the final draft of the letter we were to print from him on the inside front cover of the airport profile, President Ford recalled his feelings for Grand Rapids. When I read it, I told Marty that I thought the letter should be toned down, I thought maybe it was a little too much. Marty paused and then insisted “No Ann, that IS how he feels about Grand Rapids. Don’t change a word.” I believed him.
Here’s what Gerald R. Ford had to say about Grand Rapids, “In a long and eventful life, many honors have come my way. Few compare with having my hometown airport bear my name. None can surpass the proudest claim of my life – I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan.”
Years later, tens of thousands of Grand Rapids citizens lined the streets for President Ford’s funeral procession. I took the photo at the bottom of this post during the 21 gun salute at his burial. As a canon blasted away at dusk one of the shots formed a perfect smoke ring.
We love you too President Ford.
