October 2021 Texas, Gentian at Hemlock Crossing, Ludington State Park, Grand Haven Pier

 We have had a beautiful and warm autumn this year.  Today is November 11 2021 and the trees are still so bright and golden.

This is our driveway, no sun but still warm and glowing gold.

I took my third trip to Texas for the year, this time I went to just play with our youngest grandkids, ages 6, 4, and 2 years.  We played lots of hide and seek at their new house, went in the pool, visited a nature preserve, and a pumpkin patch!  Grandkids amaze me!  What interesting and curious people they are. Each one has their own uniqueness, they are curious and have their own ideas in those adorable little heads. 

 

I really do love being up in the clouds!

After Texas, my sister from Minnesota visited Michigan.  We took her to Hemlock Crossing Park and Nature Center.  This is the park I have been watching some beautiful Closed Gentian, and we checked on those gentian and they were still blooming!  Mid October.

Hemlock Crossing 

We went into the nature center here at Hemlock Crossing and talked with Kristen Hintz, she has so much good information, it was fun seeing her again.  She works for Ottawa County Parks. 

Four sisters go for a walk!  We went together to Ludington State Park, we walked  Lost Lake/ Island  Trail.  It was a wonderful walk and so nice the four of us could be together on a perfect day.

In Grand Haven we went all the way out on the south pier on a very calm day.

That is it for this post.  I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.

March 2018 in Michigan

This year March was cold and mostly dry, still we were able to get out for many walks.

March 2nd, it was Hofma Preserve in Grand Haven Township, with my daughter Betsy.


March 3rd, Marie and I went to Hemlock Crossing Nature Center for a hike led by Kristen Hintz, on Tree ID in Winter.  It was a great walk, Kristen is very interesting and knows so much about nature.  It was a much larger group than expected with a wide age group, but Kristen took it in stride!  She involved everyone from young to old in our exploration of trees.  Unfortunately, I managed to lose my pictures from that day. 

March 4th Mike and I went north to the Manistee River trail, starting at Red Bridge.  We walked north for one and a half hours then back the way we came.  The trail was icy, so it was slow going.  But a beautiful day to hike our favorite trail.

March 10th and 11th we were at Connor Bayou, an Ottawa County park along the Grand River in Robinson Township. 

         Connor Bayou



The difference of 11 days along the Grand River.

We also drove through Riverside Park a few miles east of Connor Bayou. 



Boat Launch at Riverside Park on February 27 2018  Red Circle marks the sign at the launch

Below is the same boat launch on March 10 2018



Debris in the trees from the high water

March 12, Mike and I went for a quick walk at Hofma Preserve.  It was a cold and windy day but we got out there.

March 14, Marie and I visited Hiawatha Forest, Ottawa County property. We have been here before, a long time ago.  And yes there was snow on the ground.

March 15, another quick loop through the woods at Connor Bayou.

March 17, another favorite place Crockery Creek more Ottawa County Property.

March 18 Connor Bayou again.

                              Still some snow!

March 20 2018 Hager Park and Grand River Park with Marie.
Spring begins and we saw Chickweed blooming at Hager!

Not very impressive but still, it is blooming.
More from Hager Park...

 United States terrain map

 Michigan on the terrain map

Then to Grand River Park



March 23 Crockery Creek with Mike

 

March 24 Riverside Park, with Mike

 

 

And March 25 Connor Bayou, again with Mike

 

March 26  Marie and I went to Van Zoeren Woods in Zeeland Township and Hudsonville Nature Center in the city of Hudsonville. 

 

 Wild Leek

And Hudsonville Nature Center...

 

 

We did see more Wild Leek coming up, and some buds on Marsh Marigolds.

March 30 One more walk at Connor Bayou in the evening with Mike.

 Grand River at Connor Bayou Ottawa County Park

So that was my March 2018, cool and mostly dry.  Spring is being a bit slow but we will see in April how things can really slow down!