Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Just outside of the Grand Rapids city limits lies Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

This destination features a tropical conservatory and sculpture park in an indoor/outdoor setting. This is one of most comprehensive collections of sculptures around. The botanical gardens are housed in a conservatory, while the outdoor sculpture park is 139 acres built for exploration--- definitely enough to keep visitors occupied for an entire day.

There’s actually so much to see that the museum has created a tool that highlights various aspects of the gardens during different seasons! Guests can figure out their perfect day, based on what they’re into. Choose from a self-guided tour that highlights art, plants--- or an adventure perfect for the family. There's even a list of hot spots for those who want to hit all the important sights.

Work from renown artists is located in different areas on the premises. Six sculptures created by Marshall Fredericks are on display. Many of his commissioned pieces can be found throughout the Detroit area including Belle Isle, the Henry Ford Estate and the Detroit Zoo.

​Other features include a labyrinth, children’s garden, treehouse and butterfly maze. There’s also a zen garden, teahouse and even a series of waterfalls. Like I said, you’ll definitely find enough to keep you busy. 

​I saw three ships a-sailing.

I saw one!
​
That's the common refrain you hear when attending a stargazing party.

We're at the Meteor & S'mores event, hosted by the Bald Mountain State Park. It's a viewing party- when the star player is just that--- a star. A shooting star. 

The Perseids meteor shower is an annual event that lights up the night sky in early August. The peak is on August 10, through the 13. This phenomenon features up to 60 meteors an hour— shining through the night sky. The meteors are bright enough that are visible without a telescope. And this year  is going to be even better!

The park rangers serve up s'mores campfire-style. Just like you remember. This event takes place around twilight by the lake, under a glittery summer sky.

And the crowd goes wild! Everyone in attendance shouts "Aaaahhhhh" when one streaks across the sky. This last one had a tail-- like a fiery dragon shooting through the night sky.

With each shooting star that did its dance through the atmosphere, people screeched with unbridled JOY, and laughter filled the night until there was no one left and the beach was empty. ​

True North is a newly constructed band of Quonset houses in Detroit city.

Nine huts are positioned within shouting distance of one another to create an intimate community that isn’t too close for comfort. Some of the buildings serve as work spaces, while the rest are residential units.

​Each one is spacious in a newly-defined way of thinking. The living space is oh so modern, paired with community greenspace where everyone can gather.

Recently I went to visit, and there were crowds of people everywhere- inside and out. It didn’t feel cramped at all, which is pretty unbelievable!

The sides of the structures let diffused light in from both sides, and in some- the entire wall opens to let the summer sunshine in. There are porches and balconies. 

Most of the structures are two stories; only two are one level. Constructed of corrugated metal fabricated by a company called SteelMaster, it’s been said that you can actually build one single-handedly— so the legend goes. (really- if you order one, it comes with instructions)!

Thousands of music fans from around the world converge onto Hart Plaza during Memorial Day weekend. They come for three days of dancing and hearing the best in electronic music performed at Movement Electronic Music Festival. 
Attendees respect the fact that the music is curated with the best in underground, regional and local acts, with some heavy-hitters thrown into the mix. Movement has stayed true to its roots despite the onslaught of EDM acts on the scene, creating a unique experience for all music fans. Here’s some advice for those attending the festival, happening this year from May 27 through the 29, 2017.

Tickets
Don’t waste time standing in line to buy tickets- definitely order those bad boys in advance. The convenience is worth it, just make sure you don’t leave them at home! 

VIP Pass 
Score prime access to areas of the festival grounds that are off-limits to the general pop. The pass includes a private entrance and check-in, special viewing areas to catch the show, an extensive selection of premium drink options and more. 

Parking + Transport 
Parking is a hassle. If you can even find a spot for the car, it’s probably going to be expensive. Your best bet is to take an Uber. If that’s just not happening, try to find a garage to park your ride. Then be prepared to walk; it’s not that bad of a hike.

Lineup
Around 100 acts will hit the stage this year. Movement is all about discovering new music and checking out things you’ve never heard. Stumbling upon your new fave DJ is part of the draw of this festival. So don’t try to plan every minute- in fact- toss any scheduling out the window- it’s all about having fun in the moment and experiencing all the scene has to offer. Embrace it. 
Here’s the caveat: If there’s someone you must hear- put a reminder into your phone before you get there. Give yourself enough time to wrangle the gang. The stages aren’t spaced too far apart, you’ll be able to hear the main thing is finding a spot. 

Attire 
Sometimes it rains, sometimes it pours- then there’s always the sun. Basically- you never know what Mother Nature is going to throw at you- so be prepared. It’s usually still breezy at the end of May, so a long-sleeve something will be good, but you’re going to be dancing, so layers are key. Slather yourself in sunscreen before you leave for the day, just in case. 
pssst: Looking unusual has its privileges. Rock a unique look and your face has a great chance of ending up published on some music site the next day!

After Parties
You know how the song goes, so I’ll spare you. After parties are a must. There’s a ton, both official and unofficial. Go to them. You will have fun. 
​
Food + Drink
Don’t forget to eat and stay hydrated. Seriously. There’s plenty of food trucks and drinks to fill you up throughout the day. It sounds simple, but don’t neglect to sip on some water so you don’t pass out. That’s not fun.

​The bus came by, and I got on, that's when it all began.

The Ford Rouge Tour gives visitors the opportunity to discover the history of the automobile LIVE! Just buy your tickets at the Henry Ford Museum and a bus will swing by and pick you up. It's really quite convenient.

Step inside and get ready to rumble! The film experience is like a concert- with full-on lasers and explosions. The floor rumbles, and sparks fly as a car is created right before your eyes. This was the highlight of our experience and one of the best parts of the tour.  A car elevates through the floor just like Jay did that one time. For real. 

*Happy New Year!* 

​Grab a bucket and get to work.

It's time to scoop up a fish from its home in the koi pond at Belle Isle. Walk along the path, down the uneven stairs leading into the aquarium's basement and dump your fish into the holding tank. This is the place where the koi will winter. This Detroit tradition is known as 'The Koi Transfer.'

The transfer happens twice a year, once in the fall and then again in the spring. In November, the brightly colored fish are brought into the basement under the aquarium for safekeeping during those cold winter months we all know and love. In May, the koi are scooped up from their home away from home and are transported back into their pristine pond where they can swim with reckless abandon once again. 

Here's how it goes down:

The day finally arrived. Opening day of the Flower HOUSE. Tickets were sold out for the temporary art installation made using fresh flowers and an abandoned house in Hamtramck. 

Floral designers from around the US descended upon Lisa Waud's abandoned Hamtramck home, dubbed Flower House, to decorate the dilapidated structure with thousands of fresh blooms. The home was purchased at an auction for $250. There are flowers throughout the house, from top to bottom. In the bathroom, in the closet, adorning the staircase. There's a flowing waterfall made from plants in the dining room. 
​
This home is just one of hundreds of thousands that are broken. Mile after mile they- looking as if they were punched in the eye or beaten to a pulp and left for dead- are stripped of their metals by scrappers, gutted by scavengers and destroyed by teenagers looking for something to do. They are then set ablaze by a molotov. Sometimes the fire department comes, but don't hold your breath. The department is overwhelmed by the countless issues working against them.