South To Allegan County

2010 12 20 Silver Creek County Park,  located on 134th Ave. about three miles east of Hamilton Michigan.


The most beautiful and unique thing about Silver Creek is that the entire park is primarily wooded and has 450 feet of frontage on Silver Creek, which is a spring fed trout stream.  Silver Creek Park is primarily an equestrian park,  320 acres in size, it connects to over 25 miles of horseback riding trails.
 
My sister, Marie and I walked the North trail, Foot trail, and Creek View trail.  It  was 26 degrees, we were out exploring for about 2 1/2 hours, we found Trailing Arbutus with its green, rough, beaver ear shaped leaves sticking out from the snow.  It was overcast much of the day, so not much for photos.  Still Fun, Fun, Fun!

Along the road in Allegan County Michigan

Farmland still beautiful on a gray day.

Tunnel under the Tulip City Airport Holland Michigan

Nice Day at Connor Bayou and Little Robinson

2010 12 13 Connor Bayou County Park was our destination for this day (142 acre property including nearly a mile of Grand River frontage and a diversity of natural communities, the property is open for hiking; however, there are no designated trails).

When we started on our walk the temperature was 17 degrees Fahrenheit.  Brr!  We tried to get to Connor Bayou but it is marshland all around it, with cattails and tall grasses. 


We walked to the east, the park goes east here quite a ways but no trails and you are between houses  and the marsh.  So we turned back to the west and walked the 7/10's of a mile to the other end of the property.  We saw a Pileated Woodpecker along the way.



The thin white bit of snow is Connor Bayou.

Next we got in the van and drove west on North Cedar Drive  around the corner to 132nd Avenue  (about 1/2 mile) to property owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.                                                                                                                   
Years ago you could drive back through this property to a boat launch on "Little Robinson". We parked at the road and walked through the woods to the old     boat launch, about a half mile.  The sky was a vivid blue with some puffy white clouds. We walked another quarter mile to the area of an old ditch.  

What a beautiful day.  We wandered back through the woods, sitting in the snow for a rest. 

Winterberry also known as Michigan Holly

All that walking worked up a little appetite so we drove into Grand Haven for French fries and a shake at Ray's Drive In.

                                    

Happy Holidays