CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER

When I am visiting areas away from home, I am always thankful for the opportunity to visit a designated "nature center" of that location.  Such was the case recently when I was able to tour the Chippewa Nature Center in Michigan  ( www.chippewanaturecenter.org ) .  The round silo-type structure at the entrance pays homage to the many silos that punctuate the Michigan landscape. 

 Inside the spacious Visitor Center (which is free of charge to visit) one could spend hours exploring all there is to see and learn there.

 In the Bur Oak Theater, there are a variety of short, interpretive videos to watch. 

 The River Overlook area is a great place to unwind, by watching the river and surrounding countryside go about their life-sustaining patterns.  The gentleman using his notebook computer is a reminder for me to mention that the facility has free WI-FI throughout. 

 With such a beautiful setting, protected from the elements, it is not surprising that the River Overlook is a popular  year-round place for weddings.  In fact, this and many other areas of the Chippewa Nature Center can be rented by individuals or groups for various private functions, such as weddings, birthday parties, classes, corporate retreats, etc.  (For more information,  email   rentals@chippewanaturecenter.org  .

 The comfortable furniture and abundance of reading material makes this area ideal for relaxing conversation or study.  One can even purchase a cup of coffee in the building to enhance your "coffee house" experience!

 The younger visitors can indulge their "inner scientist" by participating in the many nature-themed activities, crafts, and equipment that is available for them to use free of charge. 

 Visitors are able to stroll through the excellent exhibits of the Ecosystem Gallery to get a better understanding of all the components of nature that come together to make this such a beautiful part of the Great Lakes region. 

 You can also learn about the native American people that were the first inhabitants here.  Not surprisingly, canoes were a very important part of their civilization.

 This room was a unique "Wildlife Viewing Area" because the window wall on the left side of the room is of special construction to make it soundproof and "invisible" from the outside.

 In spite of the window coating, however, I was able to not only see, but photograph, this black squirrel through the special glass.  It was the first black squirrel I had ever seen!

 The inter-active displays of the Ecosystem Gallery and Nature Discovery Area enable the curious individuals who so desire, to feel the fur of a skunk, without having to endure the awful smell of a skunk!

 "Maple Syrup Day" occurs annually in March, and gives visitors an opportunity to actually observe and participate in the remarkable process of turning the sap that comes out of maple trees, into the delicious liquid we put on our pancakes.  I think this is a great opportunity for folks who are curious about this sweet "farm to fork" process to experience it in the middle of the United States, without having to travel to one of the New England states where this activity is a major tourist attraction. 

 For those who think that no day is complete without a little "retail therapy", there is a well-stocked Nature Center Store where one can purchase a field guide, gift, or nature-themed toy. 

 I was really glad to see so many children taking advantage of educational areas in the nature center.  There is a tremendous amount of programming that is specific to children (as well as many for adults), so I would encourage people to keep checking the nature center website to see what they can sign up for.  For example, besides the Nature Preschool and Nature Day Camp for kids, there are kayak trips for adults, some of which are multi-day trips, such as the Voyageur Canoeing at Grand Island and Pictured Rocks, that was scheduled for August 16 - 19. 

 As fascinating as the interior of the Chippewa Nature Center is, there are even more wonders to be found beyond its wall.  I think I am telling my age when I admit that I see "pac man" outlines in this lily pond, as well as the beautiful pink bloom!

 The trails that go through the wetland areas of the park stay wheelchair accessible by the use of boardwalks. 

 The Chippewa Trail (which is paved and wheelchair accessible) is a convenient pathway linking the nature center with the TRIDGE in downtown Midland (www.MidlandOnline.com) .  I am proud to write  that "Tricia Trudged the Tridge" so that I could   say I had crossed my first-ever, 3-way pedestrian footbridge!

 The two rivers that flow through the 1200 acres,  are the Pine River and the Chippewa River. 

 One of the trails leads to this lovely pavilion where you could sit and reflect on the beauty of God's creation.  It is appropriate that when I was visiting a city called "Midland", that the verse would come to mind that says "And God said, 'Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.'  "   (Genesis 1:6)  If you would like to learn more about visiting this "expanse between the waters", just click on www.VisitGreatLakesBay.org to prepare for an experience that will bring you miles of smiles!  Tricia

DOW ARCHITECTURE EXPEDITION

 I recently had the opportunity to tour a National Historic Landmark in Midland, Michigan, known as the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio.  I was very interested in Mr. Dow, because he is the architect credited with designing the town of Lake Jackson, Texas, where my husband grew up.  Alden B. Dow (1904 - 1983) was the son of Herbert Henry Dow, founder of Dow Chemical Company.

 I was with a group that was visiting the area to learn about popular tourist attractions in the Saginaw Valley area of Michigan.  This photo shows our group going through the very "modern" looking gates that lead to the home.

 Although you can't tell it from this photo, it actually has 20,000 square feet of living and working space. 

 This landmark of architecture can be toured by groups or individuals, plus it has an extensive program of youth and adult educations classes, day camps, and lectures that are available. 

 Photography is not allowed inside the home, but you can see many photographs of the interior on their website, www.abdow.org , where you can also find a listing of activities being offered at the facility.  This photo of the magnificent front door, is just a teaser, as to the incredible design features that you will find on the interior.

 These unusual planters have been especially designed to harmonize with the unusual roof line that is above them.

 This photo shows the exterior of the room where we had the opportunity to sit down and listen to our tour guide as she told us about the Alden B. Dow family.  As we sat inside, we had a view of the surrounding lily pad pond, right at eye level.  It reminded me of sitting in a houseboat, that has its living room below the water level. 

 There is a door that opens out from the sunken room,  onto the pond.  Depending on your courage, you can walk across the pond on the strategically placed stepping stones.  The water is only about two feet deep, and as you might imagine with all the school group tours that go through the landmark, one or two kids have "fallen" in to the pond.  Our tour guide said that towels are provided for such mishaps.  This is just one example of how the Dow  Foundation that operates the tours has encouraged exploration in the same way that Alden B. Dow himself encouraged it.

 This trellis, with its bright red translucent overhead panels, adjoins the sunken room.  Notice how the red reflections give the appearance of red blooms on the otherwise, green plantings.

 Alden B. Dow  is famous for  his signature style in residential spaces, called Unit Block construction, which he patented.  The design uses white unit blocks (all of which were made by hand, at the building site) which, although they appeared to be a cube, are actually six-sided rhombuses.  The rhombuses gain strength as they are stacked together.  From the front, it looks like cubes stacked one on top of another.  However, actual cubes stacked on top of each other would be unstable, and allow water seepage through the straight line of joints.

 This veranda between the home and the garage, shows examples of the Unit Block construction forming pillars and walls.

 Alden Dow's philosophy of architecture went beyound just the front face of the building.  He said it also included the landscaping of the building, which is illustrated here, in the way that the portico is designed to create square shadows on the ground below.

 I remember years ago when I was involved in a home building project, the builder said every time you add a corner to a house, it increases the cost by thousands of dollars.  Suffice it to say, this house has HUNDREDS of corners!

 Some of the rooms are completely surrounded by earth, with the only light coming in from built-in openings along the roof line, or through skylights.

 The home incorporates a rooftop garden, which can be seen on the left side of this photo.

 Alden Dow believed in a home blending into the surrounding environment.  You may remember this philosophy was also taught by Frank Lloyd Wright, and Alden Dow did an apprenticeship under the famous architect, during the summer of 1933, at Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin.

 The long, low section on the right side of this photo contains the architecture studio, where Dow's apprentice architects did their drafting work.

 I was glad that photography was allowed on the screened-in porch, so that I could capture a memory of the vibrant colors of furniture used throughout the home.  One thing that is unique to this home, versus others I have toured, is that we were ENCOURAGED to sit on the furniture (including an original Charles Eames chair).

 Another feature that was encouraged was to discover hidden spaces and passage ways, that run throughout the interior and exterior, of the home.  This photo shows a "hidden" sidewalk along the home under the roof line, that is an exterior connection between the back of the house and the sunken room in the front of the house.

 Alden B. Dow is quoted as saying "Each idea must be an expression of intimate care, a personal concern that all the details of the 'Big Idea' meet a standard of QUALITY."  I saw this as a paraphrase of Colossians 3:23 that says "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."  This photo illustrates that concept, as the architect used a corner of ground adjacent to the pond, to create a "work of art" in the form of lines and spaces.  The creation is functional, as well as visually pleasing, because it can be used as an "amphitheater" to view the lily pond activities.  If you would like to learn about visiting this incredible landmark, as well as other attractions in the area, just log onto www.VisitGreatLakesBay.org to see how you can get miles of smiles in this beautiful region!  Tricia

OLYMPIC EXPEDITIONS!

 If you watched the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in London (www.london2012.com), you may have noticed the five, brightly-lit Olympic rings appearing to float on the water. 

 I saw a similar  scene, when I attended the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, in 2010, and took this daytime view photo of the rings, and the barge they were sitting on, whenever I was out exploring the city.  (The first photograph is just a "photoshopped" version of this original photo, since I am only participating in the 2012 London Olympics, as one of the millions watching the events on television, and not attending in person). 

 The Olympic equestrian events have been getting some additional attention, due to the fact the Mrs. Mitt Romney has a horse that is competing in those events.  Hearing all the publicity about "dressage" brought back memories of when my husband and I attended the dressage competition at the Atlanta Olympics.  In the dark, wee hours of the morning of our scheduled equestrian event, we were sleepily making the drive in our truck from our motel an hour outside of Atlanta, to where we were to catch the motor coach to the location of the dressage venue.  Shortly before we got to the motor coach staging area, we turned on the radio, to get the latest weather news.  What we heard shocked us!  It was the authorities urging all listeners to STAY AWAY from downtown Atlanta, due to a bombing that had occurred at an Olympic concert event very late on the previous evening.  Since we were, by that time, already at the staging area, we proceeded to find our designated ride to the rural setting where the dressage was scheduled to be held.  Needless to say, none of the motor coaches were running on time, because INTENSE security measures had been implemented following the bombing.  When we finally got to the actual equestrian park, we arrived about one hour AFTER the scheduled starting time.  However, because the newly-implemented and rigorous security measures had slowed down EVERYTHING that was associated with the Olympics (including the transportation for the athletes and horses), we had not missed anything, because it had not even started yet!  This photo shows one of the official Olympic Equestrian Posters, that we had framed to also include our two tickets to the event.

 Lest you think we were some kind of elitists because we were going to the dressage competition, let me clarify, that we definitely WERE NOT.  I had no idea what it was, or how to pronounce it, whenever we received those tickets.  The official Olympic ticketing office had substituted dressage tickets, because the tickets I actually requested (gymnastics) were all sold out.  You can imagine the red-neck impression I left on a fellow passenger on the motor coach when I asked if there was a problem with getting ticks while attending.  I had seen people standing in weeds, in the woods, watching the steeplechase competitors, and thought there would be a similar setting for viewing the dressage.  Little did I know that we would be watching from bleachers, with nothing louder than a whisper being murmured by the audience, as we watched the athletes---dressed in tuxedos---perform precise movements with their horses.  What an education I received!

 The camaraderie seen in the London Olympic Opening Ceremonies set my mind to thinking about the whole reason for the Olympics.  It is to bring people---the world---together for a common cause.  That reminded me of the title of the Bible study book for this fall's session of First Place 4 Health (www.FirstPlace4Health.com)  The book is called "Better Together", and one of the weekly memory verses (from I Thessalonians 5:11) sums it up when it says "Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."  If you could use a little encouraging and building up, please email me (triciaturnerfirstplace@yahoo.com)  for more information, on how you could be a part of the class that will start on Wednesday, August 29, in Mountain Home, Arkansas.  Likewise, you can phone 870-425-6961 to find out more information about the Mountain Home classes. However, no matter what part of the country you live in, there are First Place 4 Health classes throughout the United States. Being a part of a First Place 4 Health class will bring you miles of (healthier!) smiles!  Tricia

Back to School Expedition

 Those businesses that sell school supplies are busy now reminding all of us that "back to school" time is approaching, so it is time to "stock up" on all the supplies needed to resume a life in the classroom.  The advertisements will often portray the idyllic setting of a one-room schoolhouse with it bell tower straddling the roof, calling all students back from their summer vacations.    Such  advertisements also reminded me of a "back to school" experience I had on my last visit to the capitol city of California. 

 Situated on the banks of the Sacramento River, with this bridge as its iconic symbol, is a historic district, known as Old Sacramento.

 One part of this district is the building shown in this photo, known as the "Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum".  This replica of a country schoolhouse was opened in March, 1977, to provide a "hands on" experience for visitors of all ages to take a peek into how students of the past received their education.  With such a scenic location,  it is not surprising that, just as in the 19th century when the schoolhouse was the center of community activities, the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum can host birthday parties, weddings, family reunions, and other events.  For information on reserving the Museum for a special event, log on to www.scoe.net/oldsacschoolhouse/   . 

 Since that time almost .5 million boys and girls from all over the world have had a taste of 19th century "book learning" in this little yellow building. 

 There is even a "photo op" cut out, where you can stick your head in the opening of the schoolmarm's silhouette, as she rings the hand bell to gather in her little flock of students.  Volunteers in the community serve as school master and schoolmarms for visiting students.  As with any organization of this type, there is always a need for more volunteers, and anyone interested in assisting can email  info@oldsacschoolhouse.org for more information.

 The classroom is equipped with old-fashioned school desks, that are quite familiar to me.  Although they were not in use at the schools I attended, my parents had a business that sold school supplies, and sometimes one of these old-fashioned desks would appear in their inventory, as either a trade-in, or purchase they made to use as a display rack.  Based on what current students have written about their visits to the schoolhouse museum, this pot-bellied stove seems to capture their attention more than what the teacher is writing on the blackboard!

 There are different activities going on at the schoolhouse museum, based on the time of year.  For example, in the winter, they conduct "It's A Gingerbread Holiday".  For this competition, children, families, youth groups, and those in culinary programs can enter gingerbread-themed creation of any type they desire.  The entries are judged on creativity and imaginative use of candies.  Gingerbread-themed prizes are awarded by a panel of judges.  Then after being on display during most of December, selected entries are donated to local children's homes and hospitals for further enjoyment. 

 The schoolhouse is filled with books and photos from 19th century schools.  There are annual exhibits, such as Black History Month, Sports History, Coming to California, and American Traditions. 

 My mother was an elementary school teacher in the early 1900's, and actually taught from one of the editions of McGuffey's Reader that was in use during her tenure. 

 The school desk staples of the past look quite a bit different from the tools today's students use!  The students wrote on their "slates" (that is the black square with a wooden frame in the photo), using their white chalk.  Paper and pencils were much more scarce back in those days, and of course, computers had not yet been invented!

 Something that captured my eye on the grounds of the Old School House Museum, was this magnificent flower.  I photographed it, not knowing what it was called, because I thought it was the most beautiful flower I had ever seen in all my life.

 After a little research, I found out that it is called "Passion Flower", and there is quite a story that goes with in.  The legend goes back to the 1600's, when a monastic scholar, Jacomo Bosio, first saw drawings of the flower.  The symbols are said to depict the Crucifixion of  Jesus Christ.  The 72 radial filaments represent the Crown of Thorns.  The top 3 stigma represent the 3 Nails.  The leaves are in the shape of the Centurion's Spear.  The red stains represents Christ's Blood Drops.  The round fruit represent the world Christ came to save.  The lower five antlers represent the 5 wounds of Christ.  In fact, in some parts of the world, the flower is still called the "Flower of Five Wounds".  If ever there was an example of the words of Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 6:28) that tells us to "consider the lilies of the field", this is it!   Who knows, maybe someone planted this flower at this location, for the sole purpose of reminding visitors, that the Creator of the Universe has made a beautiful world for us to enjoy!  What makes the passion flower  even more relevant in this particular city, is its implied reference to "The Blessed Sacrament", as remembered in the name of the capitol city of California.   If you would like to learn more about this and other Sacramento attractions in the same area, log on to www.discovergold.org for dozens of experiences that will bring you miles of golden smiles!  Tricia