I plan vacations around  pubic gardens.  What strikes me is however large or small any given garden is, the people who work and volunteer there, are proud of their garden. I see eyes light up and pride in the voices of those who tell me about theirs.

My recent vacation took me to several gardens in and on the way to Michigan.

My original goal was to visit gardens at Windmill Park Garden in Holland Michigan. I would love to be there in tulip season, but even without the tulips, it was good to visit and see their working windmill.  The green space is covered with tulips in the spring.   Some 900,000 bulbs are planted in the fall.

 

 

While in the city, I discovered the floral display at Holland’s Centennial Park.

 

 

 

 

A trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan drew me to Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park with it mix of prairie grasses and sculptures.

One day I drove to Fernwood Botanical Garden.  Several small gardens dot the place, including  one set aside for model railroad cars.It seemed to be a big hit with children.

Almost all the gardens were emphasizing prairie grasses, doing their part in creating healthy spaces for bees to prosper.  

 

 

Olbrich Botanical Garden in Madison WI was the last stop on my route home. 

 

 

I give thanks for people who had a vision and then invested time, talents and financial resources to create these places of beauty, reflection and peace.

“They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.” Amos 9:14