Hiking Trails in Niles

Fernwood Botanical Garden is a 105 acre natural garden in Niles, Michigan.  It is only about 15 miles from the Day house.  Dick and I went a few years ago to see a specific exhibit, but Michelle had never been.  This was the perfect time.

The Welcome Center contains a two-level arboretum, gift shop, and large exhibit and teaching center.  There is also an educational center and library on site.

We even found a cool, secluded "hideout" suitable for adults.

Michelle is demonstrating the size of this enormous hibiscus bloom, and she has what she calls "basketball" hands.

There are numerous hiking trails full of beautiful vegetation and the occasional snake and squirrel.

Unlike the previous botanical garden we visited, Fernwood is much more natural and less manicured.

Included in the acreage is a 55 acre Nature Preserve consisting of hiking trails, numerous streams and a 125 foot drop in elevation down to the Saint Joseph River.

These tree-covered hiking trails on the ridge provided much cooler temperatures.

The Saint Joseph River, a tributary of Lake Michigan is one of the most beautiful rivers.  It flows in mostly a western direction across south Michigan and then southward into Indiana.  It flows right through the middle of Mishawaka where John's hospital is located.

The water wheel is one of the most favorite features of the garden.

As seen from above.

There are several buildings on the grounds and one is used for conferences, weddings and other gatherings.  Others are for over-night guests.  This one, however is probably not habitable.

Quaint but no thanks.  But, the chairs are cute and add a nice touch.

One of the "rooms" in the garden is this section that grows only herbs.  There was a large variety of interesting fragrances.

After trekking a good portion of the trails, we were more than ready for food and Dick and Michelle were in need of their caffeine fix.  This neat little Italian bistro in Niles had the most delicious food and self-brewed coffee.  It was worth the wait!

This was not the last of our outings and fun, but enough to help me recall in days ahead the great time we had with our Indiana family in the summer of 2022.

A Wednesday Collection of Thoughts

I am not spending much time on my blog these days except to share with

Joyce and my Wednesday Hodgepodge Friends.  It is something I always look forward to.

1. Pokemon Go...your thoughts? Are you playing? Do you even know what it is?

I think it is just another craze that is fun for the moment and will be forgotten before too long.
I am not playing and really wasn't even familiar with it until one of my great-nephews cane running into the house at the family reunion a couple weeks ago, shouting, "I got him!"  Who would have known a blue Pokemon would found on a rural country road in south Louisiana on a hot Saturday?  But there he was.
I learned what it was right then and there.

2. What was something you collected as a child? Do you still have that collection? If you're a parent what's something your own children collected? Have you ever camped out, stood in a crazy long queue, or paid a ridiculous sum for a 'collectible'?

I don't really remember collecting anything other than Lightening Bugs as a small child.  As I got older I began collecting pictures of Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural designs and favorite movie star's pictures.  They all went by the way-side as interests and locations changed.
Son John collected Baseball cards and Daughter Christy had quite a large collection of Barbie Dolls.
I have never done any of these crazy things to secure a collectible.

3. "Collect moments, not things"...tell us about a moment you've added to your collection this summer.

The summer isn't over and neither is collecting special moments, but so far, I will say the time spent with family at the get-together a couple weeks ago and mentioned in last week's Hodgepodge.

4.  What's something collecting dust in your home right now? Any plans to do something about it?

Nothing is collecting dust that I don't want to be there.

5. A favorite song relating to time?

Interesting you should ask because I just listened to the video of a friend of mine who is a one-man quartet, sing "Soon and Very Soon" we're going to meet the King.  You might enjoy it as well.

Kaoma Chende

6. What's been your most frightening or your most interesting encounter with wildlife?
This would have to be the most interesting and memorable because of how much our children enjoyed it.  This was many years ago while on a trip in North Carolina.  Love those two silly kids!

7.  On July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong set his foot down on the moon. If you could travel to the moon would you go? Why or why not?

I remember that night well as I was one month and two days from delivering our first child.  We didn't have church that Sunday night and instead gathered around the TV with several friends to watch it all take place.  I have no desire to travel to the moon.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

So much has happened in our world in the past week that could easily defeat the non-believer and certainly discourage those of us who believe in an Almighty, Sovereign God.

Even in these troubling days there is one answer.  There is one message that we must rely on and spread to the world.

"For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

Thank you Kaoma, for arranging and sharing this message that so beautifully reminds us of His great love in the midst of the storm.

 

 Reminder:  This is only one person singing all four parts.

Things About May and Twigs

Can it honestly be the middle of May already?

Yes, time passes so very quickly these days, and as Joyce wrote,

Wednesdays roll around mighty fast.  I always look forward to joining her and other ladies all across our country for

Wednesday Hodgepodge

So, click on the link above after reading my blog, of course, and see what others have to say.

1. It's still May, right? When were you last in the middle of something that might be described as mayhem?

Last fall we and friends went to the Texas Fair.  This is no ordinary fair, mind you, so we got there early in order to enjoy some of the exhibits and in time to see the Japanese Lantern display right about dusk.  When we came out it was dark and the press of humanity had entered the grounds.  I. DO. NOT. enjoy this at all and we left in short order.

2. When did you last feel dismayed?

How to handle difficult situations in the right manner can be disconcerting to me and recently, I was dismayed with how others handled a situation in which we were all involved.

3. What's a food combination you like, but other people may find strange?

Sunday evening I roasted veggies consisting of brussel sprouts, red potatoes and zucchini.  They were delicious and we had plenty left.  So, on Monday I put them in the Ninja and made soup.  My mother taught me that left-overs make the best soups.

4. "It is never too late to be what you might have been." Do you think that's true? Why or why not?

Yes and no.  I believe that an opportunity lost may be impossible to recapture and these experiences help mold us into who are or will become.  Sometimes we can't go back and re-do or un-do things that have affected us.  On the other hand, I do think that often life offers us opportunities to overcome obstacles that might have held us down at one time.

As a Christian, I believe when we come to know Christ as our Savior, we become new creatures and the old is passed away.  And since our Creator is the only one Who knows what we were meant to be, then all things are possible for those who are called according to His purpose.
  
5. US News and World Report listed the best historic destinations in the US as follows-Washington D.C, Philadelphia PA, Williamsburg VA, Charleston SC, Boston MA, Richmnd VA, Savannah, GA, Santa Fe NM, Yellowstone, San Antonio TX, San Francisco CA, New Orleans LA, and Charlottesville VA.

Of those listed how many have you seen in person? Which two sites on the list would you most like to see in person?

I have seen Washington D.C, Williamsburg, VA, Charleston SC, Savannah, GA, Santa Fe NM, San Antonio TX, San Francisco CA and New Orleans, LA

Since there are only two that I haven't seen, Philadelphia and Charlottesville would be my logical choices; however, I would most like to revisit Santa Fe.  We have been there many times, and I just never tire of that part of the country.

6. May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. If you had to participate in a single fitness activity for the next half hour, which activity would you choose?

Water Jogging
 
7. What did you like best about the city, town, or neighborhood where you grew up?

The acceptance of everyone.  Older adults were called Aunt and Uncle and the kids were like brothers and sisters.  Small town USA in the 50's and 60's were unlike any other time or place.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

While we were visiting family in Granger, IN, I heard about a Twig House Sculpture at nearby Fernwood Botanical Gardens & Nature Preserve in Niles, Michigan.  Hubby and I decided this would be a fun excursion. 

The sculpture was done by Patrick Dougherty.  An interesting video of how he does his sculptures can be seen HERE

 

 One of my favorite aspects were the shadows.

 

 Hubby enjoyed playing peek-a-boo for my camera.

 

 We look forward to returning to Fernwood for another season when there will be more flowers, but this was a very enjoyable trip.