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Monday, September 22, 2025

A Day Out

Bob and I have been trying to do some fun things occasionally as we so easily get into the rut of just being busy at home.  It doesn't have to be anything big, just getting out with the two of us is the goal.
So last week, we spent the day out.  We started by driving to Holland which is about 30 minutes from our house.  I had heard about a place called the Holland Bowl Mill that makes wooden bowls and utensils that are sold all over the country.  They offer free tours which Bob especially thought would be interesting because of the wood working he does.

 

 

 

 


Here you can see someone turning a bowl.





This shows how they get several bowls out of one chunk of wood.







After the bowls are done, they are set out to dry for 4 weeks.  Can you believe how many bowls are here?





They make other wooden things too - utensils, rolling pins, cutting boards, coasters, herb strippers...






They even have wooden light covers!







We came home with this small wooden bowl.  The design in it, is burned by putting an electric current through it.



After our stop at the Wooden Bowl Mill, we stopped and got a sub sandwich and took it to a nearby park where we ate and then did a little hiking.



This park is called the Grand Ravines because of the hills and deep ravines in it.  They have built places like this where you can look over the ravines.  We ate our lunch in this spot.






Here's another overlook







The trail you see here, is where we are walking to.  It winds along the hill and eventually we made it down to the river.







Here we are at the river.  It's such a pretty spot!







There's a covered bridge down there.  It isn't going over the river, but was moved there from another location where it couldn't be used anymore.  Now it's mainly used for photo shoots.






Another picture of the river.







It was a beautiful day and a beautiful place to walk and enjoy God's creation!

33 comments:

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Dear Mari, God's creation is amazing!!! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful photos.
The wooden bowls and light covers are very creative.

Susan said...

Hi Mari, You have so many beautiful places by you. That bowl is so interesting. Thanks for sharing another day adventure!

🍂 Debby 🍁 said...

What a beautiful place, Mari. I’ve seen those wooden bowls before with the electric current burning the crackling image. Amazing.
What a sweet covered bridge. Looks like a nice place for a picnic.

Katerinas Blog said...

This wooden craftsman does amazing work!
What wonderful photos from the river!!

Ginny Hartzler said...

What a wonderful day! that is a whole lot of bowls. But the one you bought is so amazing!! I have never seen one like it, or heard of making one this way! It does kind of resemble tiny bolts of lightning!

Tampereen Mummu said...

Beautiful woodwork, I've never seen a wooden lampshade before. The calm surface of the water in the river is beautiful, like a mirror reflecting the sky.

Nicole Orriëns said...

What a lovely idea to go on small outings together. I love the wooden bowls. They've made so many!

Catherine said...

It was a nice day out with Autumn Sun. The bowls are beautifully made, an inspiration for Bob’s wood work! Beautiful pictures of these beautiful sceneries.

Prims By The Water said...

We have been to Holland but did not know about this bowl making. Very interesting. Wish we had seen it. Beautiful pics of the area too. Glad you had this outing. Looked like fun. Janice

Sparky said...

Those are lovely. Woodworking is fascinating to me. My husband knows how to do these things but it's beyond my capabilities. What a gift to be able to create useful items.
Such delightful photos. You take the nicest pics. I felt like I was actually there with y'all strolling around and enjoying God's beautiful creation. ❤️

16 blessings'mom said...

That's such a good idea to have those outings, and that was a beautiful one. I love the bowls too! Actual craftsmanship, super nice.

MadSnapper n Beau said...

This is the perfect day out, not a long drive, and everything you did I would love to do. the bowl you bought is gorgeous.. I would like to have the wooden light bowls... a blog friend in New Zealand hand carved wooden spoons, ladles and forks when the finds wood that is right for it. I would have enjoyed seeing how they make those bowls.
your hike was spectacular and when I read the words going down to the river, that song started playing in my head. if you have not heard it go to youtube and search down to the river to pray Alison krauss. its on my blog with the story how much I loved Kentucky as a child

Lori said...

I get my wooden cooking utensils from a local woodworker and I LOVE them. They age so well. The bowl you found is really gorgeous. Sounds like it was a great day!!

Changes in the wind said...

So glad we got to go along with you and LOVED the bowl you took home, just beautiful.

Jeanette said...

That was a great day trip. I would love to visit that park if I ever get that way again!

Jeanette said...

Oh year, I love that bowl, too!

Terri D said...

Those bowls are all amazing! I love the one you bought to bring home. Beautiful. The lovely park you found seems so peaceful. Thanks for sharing more of Holland with us. I loved visiting there with you in July!! xo

R’s Rue said...

What a wonderful day.

Mandy said...

What a perfect day out! I just HAD to go look them up on the internet! I have been wanting to replace our plastic serving utensils with wood, and I think you have pointed me to the perfect place, so thank you for that! Their work is just exquisite! I LOVE the bowl you chose. It is so pretty!

The Happy Whisk said...

OMG. I love wooden bowls, spoons and boards. What a treat to go there. LOVE the pictures too. Thanks for sharing your adventure! 🥄🥣

photowannabe said...

What a fun day. Bob must have been in heaven seeing all the woodworking things. That electrical charged bowl is amazing. I have never seen anything like that.
I do love the wooden lampshades too.
Perfect place for lunch and what a perfect weather day too.
Glad you can get out and enjoy your time together.
Sue

HappyK said...

What a lovely fun day out. Love those bowls and the walk looks fantastic. I'd love to spend some time there!!!

Kim said...

That is very interesting! I can see how Bob would love that place...and that charged bowl is really cool. I'd love to see how they do that!! From a distance of course!! Hahaha

Aritha V. said...

What a beautiful day you had together! I love how you and Bob take these little outings—it’s inspiring. The bowl you brought home is gorgeous, such a special piece of craftsmanship. And the walk by the river looks so peaceful. The most nice: de lampenkappen. Eh in Englisch: the wooden lamp things, haha.

Thank you for sharing your photos, they made me feel like I was right there with you. 💛

Joyful in His Presence said...

What a fun way to spend the day! There's a folk festival coming up the first weekend in October that isn't far from us. We are going to go to that. Carroll has bought me several wooden utensils there in the past from some of the artisans. The bowl you brought home is gorgeous.

Lowcarb team member said...

That was a lovely day out ... it's so nice to get out and about.

All the best Jan

doodles n daydreams said...

My youngest daughter used to do wood turning as an option at high school. She made us a lampstand. Sadly she didn't continue. It seems you had a lovely day out together, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Michelle said...

What a nice day out! I like the bowl you chose.

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hi Mari! I think it's wonderful that you and Bob have "date days" like this one. Looks like a lovely place to go walk and relax, and the bowl factory is fascinating. Now I'm wondering if Bob ever makes bowls like you saw. They are beautiful! I hope your week is going well. See you again soon!

Debbie said...

Mari, what a fun day out. Exploring the wood carving place and then the beautiful scenery and lunch...sounds like the perfect day.

carrie@northwoods scrapbook said...

It's so fun to see what you crazy retired kids get up to! :) Love the photos. Not only the beautiful shop and the amazing works people create. But also, the lovely nature you visited! That bowl you picked up is so cool!!

Jean said...

I probably said this on Facebook, but those bowls remind me of Dick's dad. He did wood turning and made beautiful bowls and candle holders and many other things. What a lovely day!

Jenny the Pirate said...

Mari, that bowl you got! So fascinating! And yes the sheer number of wooden bowls drying out is astounding. They must sell them by the hundreds! So natural and beautiful, just like your outdoorsy date! xoxo