Not too long after I returned to Michigan, my mother was ready to take her own roadtrip. We'd both been hearing about the Dale Chihuly exhibit at the Fredrick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan and thought we should see it before the snows start. We left Van home in the garage and Elliott Beagle with my dad, then headed west.
Why I don't go to Grand Rapids more often is a mystery to me. It's the second largest city in Michigan, about three hours west from where I live and only about 40 miles from Lake Michigan. As a kid, I used to go with my parents to visit my mom's relatives in Holland, Michigan, not far from Grand Rapids, but I can't remember visiting the west side of Michigan since my children were young. For some reason whenever I go on a roadtrip in Michigan, I seem to head north or east, towards Lake Huron or Lake Superior.
Grand Rapids is a great town, with loads of things to do and places to visit. At the top of the list is the Fredrick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The gardens and sculpture park is a hard place to describe. You could easily spend an entire day there without getting close to seeing everything. It's one of those places which will surprise you every time you visit. There are both indoor and outdoor exhibits, permanent and temporary displays, a sculpture trail and a fantastic children's garden. Mom and I probably spent an hour playing in the children's garden. It made me wish my kids were still little.
All throughout the gardens were installations and displays by world-class designer and glass artist, Dale Chihuly. His fantastical blown-glass creations added a sense of whimsy, wonder and beauty as we explored the gardens. We spent the entire day wandering about, both on foot and by tram. After a little time in the gift shop and the cafe, which has a Chihuly installation on the ceiling, it was closing time. We left wanting to see more, but knowing we're sure to visit again.
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