Walking in Carl Creek Preserve ~ 6/20/16

This eight something acre site used to hold a ramshackle home about half way back between Grand River and Fulton. When the house went up for sale, we checked it out and though it was advertised as vacant, there was obviously someone living there, hobo style. Due to the wetlands and Carl Creek running throughout the property, it eventually was purchased by Ada Township to be preserved as a wetland area (2011). But no real access was provided until 2015 when the township had footpaths and bridges put in. Now you can walk from Grand River to Fulton, with multiple paths all circling back upon each other.

I walked onto the property a few times back in July 2015 to see what was happening, and here are some of those photos:

And a few weeks later,

By the fall it was walkable but this was my first time there in 2016. Mosquitoes were a little thick but as long as one kept moving it was ok. Obviously no motorized vehicles are allowed.

Plant life is lush and poison ivy is rampant, mixed in with Dicentra and Trillium, and more.

This is Dame's Rocket, the 4 petal invasive species frequently confused with Wild Phlox (5 petals).

Fallen blossoms

The farthest path leads one to a view of Fulton Street and some apartments/condos that are probably none to thrilled with this development. And then it circles back. After a few other circuitous routes, I headed back to the entrance.

Immediately it became apparent that rain was headed this way so after a few photos and a picked-up pace, I headed home, just in front of the rain.

Happy Summer Solstice and Full Moon today, not happening again on the same day for sometime.

Here's all you need to know about that from @UniverseToday

 
 

Grand Haven State Park ~ 3/22/16

It was about 51 degrees at home and for a lunch break, we drove out to Grand Haven to see what the lake was doing.

There were fairly large swells in the channel but on the other side of the pier, the waves were breaking. With the wind chill, the temperature fell back into the 30s.

This man on a rock kept inadvertently photobombing us while he was climbing up but we finally managed to get our picture on this very windy day.

 Here's a short video from today

And here is a wintery write-up from back in January 2015

Until next time Grand Haven!

 

 

Early Spring is Stark ~ 3/15/16

I haven't taken this walk for months and it was good to be outside on a 50 degree day. The landscape is a bit bleak yet but holds beauty of its own.

 

Little signs of spring are appearing, however.

Along with those, the damage from the winter is also revealed (the 1st photo is from 3/8 with some snow still on the ground).

I also found a new friend down at the PreSchool Farm, who trotted up to greet me.

He may have disapproved of me :-)

Cheers to spring and to finding beauty everywhere at any time of year.