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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Frederik Meijer Gardens

Yesterday Bob and I visited the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, which is in Grand Rapids, about 30 minutes from our home. It's 132 acres of gardens and sculptures and has been named as one of the 30 must see museums in the world. We have been there quite a few times, but it's always enjoyable and it seems there is usually something new.
One thing I like is the way they have sculpture mixed into the Gardens. You never know what you are going to see as you walk!

This is a statue of Fred and Lena Meijer. They are the founders of the Meijer stores and are the benefactors of the gardens.



One of the most well known statues here is the DaVinci horse. It's a replica of his sculpture, on a smaller scale. It's huge - when I walked under it, my face was even with the front hoof that is raised up!


How would you like to come around a corner and find this giant spider?


The paths through the woods are so inviting.


Here is Bob, standing under the 'Grand Rapids Arch.'


There is a small farm on the property.


Everywhere you look there are glimpses of beauty,
from small berries...

to clusters of pine cones...

to majestic trees. The beauty of God's creation surrounds you!

We were walking near a pond, when we saw a hawk swoop down, grab a snake and fly off with it in his mouth. Imagine our surprise when we rounded a corner and saw this:
The hawk was sitting on top of a light, eating the snake.


We also saw a woodpecker...

a duck...


and several egrets and blue herons.


As we walked away from the wetlands, we saw these cute frogs on the hillside.


There is also an area for kids.
This area is a map of the Midwest. Many states are mapped out in the cement, with the Great Lakes surrounding Michigan - and such a fun place for the kids to play in the water.


These silver scoops spin in the wind.


Even the storage sheds are cute!


Here is a back view of the conservatory as we left the children's section.
Right now there is something special going on at the Gardens. I'll share that with you tomorrow!

26 comments:

Aspiemom said...

That park looks really interesting and I agree that the pathway looks quite inviting. Guess that hawk didn't feel threatened by you and your camera! lol

Unknown said...

It is a fun place to visit, and like you said always something going on. Glad the two of you got to go and enjoy it. The pictures are lovely as always.

Angel said...

Wow, this park looks really cool. Would love to go there sometime. Thanks for sharing.

Love and Blessings

Susan said...

Looks like a lovely place to visit.

Heart2Heart said...

I absolutely love this. Oh how I wish we had places like this. It just reminds me we need to get out to more museums around our neck of the woods. Note to self: Get out more.

Thanks for sharing your adventure with all of us.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Pat said...

I've heard so much about this place but never visited. It's on my to do list.
Not crazy about that snake though!

Erika Jean said...

What a great spot!! I'll have to check it out when I'm in Michigan visiting my grandparents ;-)

I love Meijer... they don't have it in Arizona :-(

Nancy said...

Sounds and looks like a great place to visit....Everything is so large....glad you had a good day...making memories is so important.....

Sue O said...

Thanks for the tour, Mari. If I'm ever in Michigan, I know who to talk to about places to see.

Justabeachkat said...

What a gorgeous place...so many wonderful things to see.

Hugs,
Kat

Kari said...

I like it too when sculpture is mixed in with the gardens.
Looks like a wonderful place to visit.
The hawk and his snake would have scared me.

remistuff.blogspot.com said...

Thanks, another place I want to put on my list of places to go, Beautiful

A Stone Gatherer said...

It is a neat place!

Hootin Anni said...

Beautiful, oh so beautiful!!!! I find the DaVinci Horse the best....wowzers!! And of course, all the wildlife is always a special treat for me.

;) said...

Thanks for this beautiful walk ! I'm reading a book about Leonardo da Vinci and its very interesting to see his sculpture, sculpture never realized by his creator !!!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh sweet Mari, thank you so very much for this beautiful tour. I love it...is my OCFD showin???

I covet those little frogfies. It all makes my 'whimsy' in the gardens seem quite shallow. I would love to visit this garden.

God bless you sweetie and have yourself one glorious day! :o)

Brooke said...

what a beautiful park so close to your home! and the bird/snake incident would have sent me running!! :P

Heidi said...

Hey, you lucked out with that hawk eating snake sighting! Wow!

I love this place. We need to go there again soon, I.T. and I. We like it too.

Nice post.

Cherdecor said...

What a beautiful park and I loved the huge horse and your description of its hugeness. We used to shop at Meijer's stores in Ohio. Loved them!

Betty W said...

What an interesting place to go to. Everything looks so beautiful and green. I love that stone arc your husband was standing under. And the park benches in the woods. Must have been such a nice relaxing visit.

septembermom said...

So much to see and appreciate at the gardens. I think the arch is very impressive. Thanks for sharing Mari.

Nicole - Life in Progress said...

Stunning pictures! I think we need to plan a roadtrip....I showed Caroline the frog statues....she thought they were "Awesome!".

Unknown said...

Those are fascinating. Beautiful place. I'd love to visit there.

Lynn said...

What a beautiful place! I love the arch. The kids would love splashing in "the lakes."

Jenny said...

WOW ... I sure would like to see that place. One of my favorite places to visit is Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. This Meijer place looks equally fascinating! I love to visit Meijer stores when I'm in Ohio visiting relatives. I can't believe you got a shot of that hawk eating a snake! Whatever you do, don't tell the loons at PeTA! Also I love that big horse.

Raise Them Up said...

I never would have guessed how big that horse was! Wow! Your pictures are incredible (as always). :) Thanks for sharing all the beauty!