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.
Okay, this time it’s for real! This is the Little Point Sable Lighthouse. It’s located near Silver Lake in Mears, MI and is one of the oldest brick towers remaining on the Great Lakes.
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.
I fell in love with Pentwater when my mother-in-law took me there to an “Arts and Craps” Show (my disgruntled father-in-law’s term, not mine.) The city is charming, on the water and relaxing to visit. I took this downtown where 3rd Street dead ends at the water (near the intersection with S. Hancock Street.)
Here’s the same spot where I took the picture of the dragonfly. This is the Little Point Sable Lighthouse in Whitehall. Whoops, thanks to help from one of my visitors, I’m correcting this, it’s actually the White River Lighthouse. I also took pictures of the Little Point Sable Lighthouse and will be posting them soon.
This is the view from across the water, which is a little harder to get to but worth it. The view is better and it’s not as busy. Here’s a google map link so you can see it from my perspective in Medbery Park
Okay, so technically this isn’t really called Lilly Pad Park, but it should be. I took this picture in a little park off the beaten path in Whitehall. There is a long boardwalk that goes into this field of lilly pads and cattails, it is near Funnel Field.
For the last ten years, every time I’ve driven by this farm, I’ve said to myself, “Hmmmm, I think I’ll take a picture of that place, could it possibly be more perfect?” Problem is, it’s on Pettis, a rather busy road, and there is no shoulder to park on.
I finally decided to brave the elements and get the shot. I very quietly parked. Quietly, because my car was a little bit on someone’s lawn, and then ran across the street, took my pictures and ran back to my car. Unfortunately, my car locks on it’s own when I shut the door and I locked my keys in it. No problem, I just stuck my hand in the open window and unlocked the car, which of course set off the car alarm. And, I couldn’t turn it off. So, if anyone saw a woman driving down Pettis last night with her horn honking and lights flashing, “hi,” it was me.
You would not believe the grossness I walked through to get this shot. The best photo angle was through a mucky swampy area though, so I walked through it barefoot. I really hope I can get the mud out of my toenails before I have an executive level meeting tomorrow at work.
I took this off Pettis Avenue at Chief Lazy Cloud park in Ada. What a perfect place to watch the sun go down. I heard that the Pettis family owns property adjacent to the park and are going to donate land to make it bigger.
Actions speak louder than words and the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center (FHFAC) is a perfect example of this. From the staff, to the beautiful LEED certified facility, this place tends to the performing and visual arts like a master gardener tends to a precious orchid. The facility is high tech with an incredible intimate 1,220 seat auditorium that hosts nationally known acts and student performances.
However, the people who work at the FHFAC are what make it so special. In 2006 I was a featured artist there and couldn’t have had a better experience. They were professional, helpful and encouraging. Artists need this kind of nourishment to thrive. So, I thank you, I thank Meg George, Jeremy Cox, Sue Sherman, Lori Dykehouse, Karen Lott, Rose Kogge, John Bischoff, volunteers and the Forest Hills Public School System for all you do on behalf of the arts. And, I thank the sponsors who care enough to dig into their pocketbooks and support this place.