Nichols Arboretum

Even though I drive out to Ann Arbor practically every day, one beautiful Sunday afternoon Rich and I decided to take a ride out there to take a walk in the Nichols Arboretum right by the hospital.

It was too gorgeous of a day to stay inside.

When we first got there the Survival Flight was just taking off and seeing as the parking lot is just below the helicopter pad we stopped to watch it. 

This one was new last year. The cool thing about it is it uses propulsion to lift off so the rotor blade above doesn't start until they go forward. It's quieter and can take off faster. 

Anyway, on to the Arboretum. 

I'll just show a few pictures of how gorgeous it was.

This is the pathway that goes along the Huron River.

See the stones in a line in the river? You can't see the whole thing but they kind of go in a sideways V shape with a opening in the middle. Apparently that's "art" placed there by one of the art classes years ago.

The river is pretty shallow in this area. People were walking across it.

In other news, my dad is getting ready to list his house for sale. That is the house we built when I was in high school, moved into it right after I graduated and I lived there for two years until I got  married. 

Lots of memories and LOTS of stuff.  I'll be doing a post about that soon. 

Until then....

Belle Isle

Belle Isle is an island on the Detroit River. In its heyday it was the place to go for day outings in the summer. There was an aquarium, a zoo, a conservatory, a beautiful fountain and lots of picnic areas along the Detroit River.

Unfortunately, after decades of mismanagement and neglect by the Detroit City Council and other crooked politicians it fell into ruin. The aquarium closed and people stopped going there. It became just another crime ridden place to avoid in Detroit. 

Finally after years of negotating with the ridiculous city council the state finally took it over and it became a state park. 

Rich and I decided it was time to pay a visit so on a warm Sunday afternoon we took a drive out there. 

It was packed with people exploring and having picnics  

The aquarium was open. 

The conservatory was beautiful. 

And the fountain was also beautiful. 

There are still some neglected areas but for the most part it's a very nice place and I'm glad we took the time to go.