Michigan Part 2

Day 2- Meijer Gardens, Windmill Island.

Welcome back!

Another ‘hearty’ b’fast , at IHOP (why do they call it ‘hearty’, because it really fills your tummy? 

B'fast!

Meijer Garden

Mr. Meijer's Cottage

I guess the heart pays for these indulgences, later!), and we were off to the second part of our adventure, that is the Frederik Meijer (pronounced Mayer, or Measure as in Leisure/Pleasure a la Fauja Gill ! ) Gardens & Sculpture Park. This is a One-man collection of sculptures, but more importantly, his largesse at donating over 130 acres of beautifully landscaped property, to the Municipal Council. The place is teeming with  flowers & cacti,  from almost all over the world, grown under controlled temperatures, birds, cottages etc. Of particular interest, is the Children’s Corner, where awareness of the Country, natural resources etc. are brought home to the children in the most amazing way.

Orchids

Children's Park

A 30 min. open bus drive through the park, especially for seeing the sculptures, is another highlight. I was not totally blank, because I had heard of Henry Moore, and 2 of his pieces were on display!!  

Alphabet Sculpture

A Henry Moore Sculpture

 They have a central building housing the 2 underground lobbies, used for exhibitions, seminars etc. In fact, there was an Iris show on that day. I have some pictures of these beautiful flowers. And of course, the ‘gift’ shop, cafeteria etc. From here, we moved back & ahead of the Dutch Village, to see the Windmill Island. Unfortunately, it started to rain & by the time we reached the Island, there was a proper downpour. Yet, we made it up to the Coffee and gift shops. As expected, some very typical/ethnic merchandise was on sale, including Fudge & Peanut Brittle. But, I will give the palm to our good ole Maganlal Chikki, in comparison to P’nut brittle! The rain having eased a bit, we made our way across a quaint bridge over a river and entered into a typical Dutch Farmland. But the prize attraction was the Windmill, transported from Holland and re-assembled here. And it is still used to grind the wheat/corn etc.

Bridge to Windmill Island

Original Windmill-5 Storeys high

Flour Delivery Chute

We took a trip of the 5 storey Mill. Except for nuts & bolts for fastening, everything else is pure wood, including the gears, shafts etc. Having understood the business of milling, we left for home, via the Macaroni Grill, an Italian Restt.  

Inside the Macaroni Grill

Man doesn't live by bread alone!

Chicken Parmigiana (Can't see it, as it is
smothered under the Cheese!)

Food, was superlative, as was the drink, in this case, 2 repeats of a good Mojito cocktail.(I have yet to get used to pronouncing the J as H, as far as anything Latin is concerned. By the time I return, I’ll probably be spelling Hoppy’s name as Mojite! No ‘J’okes!!(figure that out)

Honda

Memorial Day

Next day was a Big Day in the US. Memorial Day. The last Monday of May is celebrated as Memorial Day. I will not say much about how it is celebrated, because it makes me feel utterly ashamed, though not totally helpless, when I see how the Three Services are treated in India. All the graveyards were looking so colourful with flowers & flags all over. Having remembered their soldiers, the Country was on a holiday. And I think, by an unwritten custom, all the Harley Davidsons, Triumphs, Yamahas & Hondas  etc. are on the road. What a bike! What a bike!! Truly, fit for a Man! And the best part is that most of the riders were all veterans! Hats off to them.

After attending to one small puncture, we found ourselves headed for Lion’s Beach, St.Joseph, MI.

The Old Man & the Sea....and SHE!

Beachcombers-J & J

    Fortunately, there was no parking available at the main shore, so we headed to the lesser populated beach of Lake Michigan. Boy, what a sight! An endless body of water, small boats all over the places and lots & lots of families, out there! And did we appear out-of-place! It was as though we were the most formally dressed people there. Do you get me Steve? The return trip was faster, as there were no holdups on the way back.(The traffic going up was still heavy & slow).  

Heavy Up traffic!

We took a short lunch halt at a Subway outlet. Frankly, I found this kind of food much better in all respects i.e. no oil/grease, low on calories, if you went easy on the dressing and easy to handle! Yet, we all split a footlong sub in two! And a BIG glass (easily 2 ltrs) of Fanta! With a change of a fresh driver, we were home by 7 pm. One of Janu’s friends, Vidula had sent hundreds of Idlis with gallons of sambar & chutney! At least I ate as though there was no tomorrow; for as Confucius,  (or Kung-fu-tse) say, “To eat is Divine”……I’ll drink to that!

That’s it for now. As Scarlett O’Hara said, “Tomorrow is another day”.

Till then, TC & keep smiling J

Ashok Gune

 In this case

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