We don’t have room for many books aboard Intuition, but two we carry are the latest edition of the Tourist Trains Guidebook for me, and the 1998 edition of National Geographic Guide to America’s Public Gardens for Beth.   Today will be a garden day as we leave Gaylord behind and start heading toward home.

 

Leaving Gaylord in 55° rain just before 10, we headed south. By noon we were eating lunch at a Rest Area in Big Rapids where it had warmed to 70°.

An hour later we were walking through construction at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A new entrance and exhibition hall are under construction so there is less parking than normal, but we didn’t have any problem finding space. 

 

We spent a little over two hours here and could have stayed longer. What follows are photos of just a few of the many sculptures and gardens.

Mad Mom by Tom Otterness greeted us outside the tropical greenhouse.

 

Cabin Creek by Deborah Butterfield.

 

The American Horse by Nina Akamu

 

Lying Man by Sean Henry

 

A portion of I, you, she, or he by Jaume Plensa

 

I, you, she, or he by Jaume Plensa

 

 

 

Long Island Buddha by Zhang Huan

 

A pond lily in the Japanese Garden

 

Japanese Garden

 

Huge Pitcher plants in the carnivorous garden

 

We headed inside as it started to sprinkle. Building supports shaped like trees and leaves in the floor tiles were fun thematic elements of the structure’s design.

 

We were back on the road about 4 o’clock continuing south. Tonight’s goal is Elkhart, Indiana. The plan is to stay at the RV / Motor Home Hall of Fame. That should be worth a separate post!