As I stepped out the door, I did my best to channel Little Women author, Louisa May Alcott, who once declared: “I like adventures and I’m going to find some.”
I set out to tackle three Metroparks in one day. That may sound like a daunting task, but, as you can see by the map above, the parks are located fairly close together and I had already accomplished a similar Parksapalooza feat back in 2020 and survived. Besides, I would rest up a little while driving to each successive venue.
My first stop on Saturday, July 2, 2022, Willow Metropark, is the topic for today’s post.
It was forecast to be a hot-and-sticky holiday weekend, with potentially severe storms to cap off the 4th of July and kick the heat and humidity down a notch or two, (of course … when we all went back to work). Just moments after I parked the car, a bead of sweat rolled down my face simultaneously with seeing this sign about sledding – well no chance of sledding today!
This venue is not far from Detroit Metro Airport and a steady stream of airplanes interrupted the stillness of the morning. Here is one of many planes whisking passengers to their respective destinations for the three-day weekend.
I had two primary reasons for visiting Willow Metropark today – to visit the dilapidated Washago Pond and to see the Detroit Institute of Arts “Inside/Out” collection of reproductions that were on display at this venue. I had already visited the DIA collection of five reproductions in my City, earlier in the month.
What happened to Washago Pond?
The first and only time I had visited 1,531-acre Willow Metropark was after fellow walker Arnie urged me to visit. He enjoyed riding his bike on the 15-mile bike trail connecting this trio of Metroparks. Arnie, who was in his early 80s at the time, told me his favorite spot of the three venues was Willow Metropark’s Washago Pond. If you’re really adventurous and have a comfy bicycle seat, you can opt for the 49-mile round trip that includes Lake Erie Metropark, my favorite Metropark.
At Arnie’s insistence, I decided to visit.
These photos from my 2020 post show this Park’s jewel, a scenic 17-acre pond, an idyllic setting, just perfect for a lazy Sunday ride on a paddleboat …
… or a leisurely afternoon of fishing.
But, fast forward to May 2021 when a pipe beneath the water, part of the control structure of the pond, developed a leak, causing it to drain through the Regan Drain to the Huron River. The water level in Washago Pond had receded noticeably by the morning of May 19th. Imagine the stunned faces of Willow Park workers when they came into work that morning and instead of paddleboats bobbing gently in the water while moored in their wooden slips, they were resting on the Pond’s sandy bottom. Two days later, the pond was almost completely dry, having gone from a stellar view and fun way to while away a few hours to a vast wasteland.
This is how Washago Pond looked just one year later at this visit. A sign explained the misfortune.
Any water in the Pond was just from recent rains.
You know how your garden and yard weeds multiply if you don’t tend to them regularly?
I follow the Metroparks on Twitter, plus get an e-mail of news and events at the 13 Metropark venues, but had not read any updates on Washago Pond recently. Clearly, from the looks of things, they had not yet started any repairs. I saw a Metropark worker in a golf cart whizzing around and waited for him to near me, then waved him down to ask the status. (Yes, Your Roving Reporter, must stick her nose in the newsy updates of all her walking venues.) I was surprised to learn that Washago Pond’s underwater structure was beyond repair, so they were going to just let grass grow over it permanently. Wow – I decided to cross this venue off my list unless I ever use the bike trail, as there is really not much else to see here. But wait ….
Hmm – a sweet fawn and I walked right past it?!
I left the Pond and ambled along the bicycle path and then heard some noises so I turned around to investigate. Down the hill is where I met a nice family of five attempting to ascend the steep incline.
One of their sons was just learning to ride a two-wheeler without the training wheels and they were encouraging him to make that slow climb up the hill. Because he had a lot of trepidation, I walked down and encouraged him too. So, after he made it to the top we all applauded and Dad clapped him on the back, said “that’s my boy” and the youngster just beamed. Mom was towing another child and an older child was up ahead. This is the pathway looking down and a sign advising of the sharp incline.
I told the parents this was just my second time here, as it was better as a biking venue, than a walking venue. The Dad asked me what photos I’d taken with my camera at Willow Metropark so far that morning and I advised just photos of the pond and told them about the misfortune with it. They were surprised as they usually ride at other Metroparks and, like me, had only been here once before. Then the Dad said “you have your camera – shoot some video of the fawn that came right up to us just before we met you!” Excited, I said “where – you were right behind me?” He laughed and pointed and I said “I just came from there, so I’m going to double back and find that baby!”
I never saw that fawn, but next went in search of the art reproductions and to be honest, I wasn’t all that successful in that venture either, finding just two of four in the already searing-hot sun.
Art in Park.
After visiting the sad remains of Washago Pond, chattin’ it up with the bikers and hunting down a fawn, it was getting warmer by the moment and I had not located any artwork yet. I saw the same friendly worker, again on his golf cart. I asked about the DIA reproductions, only to discover one was nearly in front of my face – oops.
So these art reproductions were what I was looking for …
… but I only found two of them and the sun’s glare on a too-dark painting and a huge shadow did not make for great pics by me.
I was at Willow Metropark about 90 minutes, then went to Oakwoods Metropark followed by Lower Huron Metropark and those visits will be the next two posts. Thankfully both those were woodsy venues, so I knew it would be a tad cooler (and hopefully some critters as this trek was kind of boring).
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
It is so nice that you have all these parks along the river. It is to bad about the pond, that was a nice spot for wildlife as well I am sure. I have been taking photos of planes as well, I tend to see more of those then birds lately 🙂
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Sandra, yes, it was really scenic there with the pond and I’m sure it attracted some birds, so that is a real shame – you can see how nice it was before for fishing or paddling. I don’t know if people could bring their own boats as I didn’t see a boat launch area, but I know they rented rowboats as well as those paddleboats. There were non-stop planes that day – it made me wonder how they didn’t collide with one another as there seemed to be constant noise. There are 13 Metroparks and four of them fairly close to me and all along the water, be it a lake or a river. All three parks I visited that day are along the Huron River.
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What a pity the authorities have decided not to rehabilitate this pond.
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I agree Anne – the pond was the best part of this Metropark. I was surprised to hear this, even though their own sign seems to suggest rehabilitation would be done.
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I’m glad you were curious and could give us a full report.
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I was hoping I could do before/after and now (post-renovation) all in one fell swoop. After I read how they were going to revitalize it, I was surprised to learn that was not in the cards.
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It seems a shame, but maybe it really isn’t fixable.
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Yes, it’s too bad – it was so picturesque. The next park I went to had an overlook that listing off the cliff and they had to put caution tape up until they can figure out what to do.
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Sad about the pond. It probably was a great refuge for wildlife.
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Yes I am surprised they did not do something else if they could not fix the underlying structure. Coan Lake at Heritage Park is a manmade “lake” – just a very large pool of water with cement seawalls and I am sure they could have done something like that to preserve the scenic setting.
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My art tastes would typically favor the “exhalant” Summer (new word!) but Cycles is full of whimsy and much more striking. Such a shame about Washago Pond. I almost wish you hadn’t shared those initial photos. Gone forever…
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I thought Cycles was lighter and more fun too Dave. As to your new word “exhalant” I thought of the old expression “Look that up in your “Funk & Wagnalls!” (You might be too young to remember that phrase from the old “Laugh-In” show and people used to use that expression all the time with a big word or unique word.) I had hoped to have before/after and the new and revitalized Washago Pond photos, but now that never will be.
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I see your adventures and asperations for waling are growing bigger. I do hope your feet and body hold up to the walking you plan for this year. Too bad you missed the fawn and sad to see such a well used pond disappear forever. You meet a lot of people as you walk and interact with some – that makes things more interesting.
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Peggy, this was a big undertaking for such a hot day and I looked at my notes that day and I did a little over six miles. I don’t want to overdo it and I only do that on weekends when I have more time since I have to get to work on weekdays. I was surprised there was a fawn as both times I visited I saw no deer, not even a squirrel running around in the wooded area. I was hoping for an encounter like the year before when Mama Deer left her fawn next to me while she went for a swim and a bite to eat … maybe my favorite nature moment ever. It’s funny you say that because I generally walk alone, but I have met the nicest people walking at the Metroparks – always friendly and they will often see the camera and mention something they saw on the trail. One time a woman went out of her way to point out where a hummingbird moth had surfaced so I could take a photo of it. (I didn’t find it though.)
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People who love nature are generally very nice. Six miles is quite a walk.
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That is very true Peggy – it is a bond that brings people together as they are all appreciative of Mother Nature’s gifts. At least I had breaks in between that six-mile walk by driving from park to park. But it was hot. Sometimes at Lake Erie Metropark I walk the six miles nonstop. When I first started walking in 2011, we had a mild Winter that year, so I was able to walk a lot. Then we’ve had Winters with so much snow, I have to start out with smaller walks in Spring and build up my miles for each walk or risk shin splints.
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Wow you have been walking since 2011. We drove up to Sugarloaf Mountain yesterday and hiked a 3 miles roller-coaster trail (up and down) through the woods. Was 70 degrees yesterday. So nice.
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Yes, I started walking because I began working from home and was not getting any exercise except out in the garden. That sounds pretty rigorous but what nice weather to do that three-mile trek in the woods. We had 40 degrees today and the sun came out – that was nice. We had an all-day rain yesterday and rain/thunderstorms Thursday … just really weird weather.
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Our 70 degree day was followed by a 35 degree drop in temps the next day with thunderstorms and pouring rain all day. Tornado activity in the Southeast corner of our state. This weather everywhere is definitely weird.
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That is amazing and also awful Peggy. I heard earlier in the day that there might be a tornado outbreak, including Ohio – I hope you were unscathed. There was to be severe weather on the Ohio/Michigan border, but now just gusty thunderstorms, which we may also have. This weather is so erratic. That’s a steep drop in temps for you. We got to 50 today – but chance of snow or wintry mix in the morning. It is pouring again – we had moderate drought all Summer so I guess the rain is helping now.
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One tornado in Aekansas – tore up one small town. 100 mile per hour with that tornado. A long way from us – thank goodness.
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Yes, thank goodness … I hope this is not going to be another volatile weather year for you again Peggy.
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My granddaughter took pictures of a sunset on her way back to college yesterday. The sky was full of birds migrating North. This never happens this early. I think it is the changes in weather patterns.
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Your granddaughter is appreciating sunsets like you do. I don’t like what the weather is doing to nature as we know it Peggy. That’s unnatural for birds to migrate North already. We had that brutal cold spell At Christmas and the real feel got to -24. Do you remember all the dead fish that turned up after the Creek thawed out in January 2021? I had the pictures of 100s of them. Well I fully expected that to happen this year from that brutal weather – not a single one. I am not the only one who was looking for the shad. The seagulls have been circling overhead, plus flying down to the water, sitting like a duck on the surface- nothing there. I was amazed those gulls remembered … there are zero fish in the Creek, but they sit there. I went down to the edge to look. I saw two Mute Swans flying today – that’s not a sight I see to much, usually they are in the water. I heard their wings … I only saw the back of them so assume they were Mute Swans, as Trumpeter Swans sightings around my area are not common.
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Yes, the world of nature (weather wise) is changing. Last time we were up viewing the Trumpter Swan they were acting as if they were preparing to leave early. Most of them had congregated in the largest of the 3 lakes where we usually view them. They were cleaning theirfeathers and doing a lot of low flying – justnabove the water.
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I think the birds don’t know what to expect – do they stay or do they go? I see Robins at the Park all the time now. It used to be people would see a Robin and remark “well Spring must be here, I saw my first Robin.” We got a few inches of snow today and next door, the Magnolia bush is in bud. We are getting three to six inches of snow Wednesday and we are over a foot behind in snow … hope it doesn’t all happen non-stop now. I don’t like rain, but it was better than shoveling.
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We are suppose to get snow Tuesday into Wednesday. Hope it is not much here. The Northwest corner of our state is suppose to get 6 inches. Hope you do not have to shovel snow.
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All of a sudden it looks like Winter makes its arrival! Well I hope you don’t get the 6 inches Peggy. I am hearing our part of the state will be hit the hardest and it’s wet snow, not the nice fluffy kind. Ours begins Wednesday morning drive time and goes to 7:00 p.m., with 4-6, maybe 7 inches of snow – we’ve been spoiled, so not ready for it now, but here’s a pleasant thought I heard today: we gain more than 2 minutes of daylight every day now through May 17th.
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Good for the daylight gain of 2 minutes. Over 6 inches of snow in about a third of Arkansas. Luckily we only got rain where we are. The roaring wind was terrible. Blew things around the yard.
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Yes, that extra daylight is a start and brings us a little hope for Spring Peggy. That’s great you only got rain. The roaring wind tearing around your yard sounds terrible – glad it wasn’t another tornado for you. I heard about the devastating tornado in Houston last night and two earthquakes in California – the weather is so erratic. We got 5.5 inches of snow so far – it was supposed to be over by 8:00 p.m. Wet and heavy snow. I shoveled one inch this morning and ended up pushing a lot of it as it was already heavy then.
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Yes, it was a heavy snow here too. Be careful dealing with that snow. Lots of folks over-do and end up in the hospital. One place in Arkansas had 13 inches of snow. Several had 8 inches.
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I had to do it in stages – it was very wet and heavy – the worst kind of snow to shovel. I did 3/4s of the driveway and left the rest because the plow would only throw it all back and sure enough it came by minutes after I finished. That always aggravates me. I know a neighbor of mine, years ago, had a heart attack shoveling the snow. He had a large driveway. He survived and the kids bought him a snowblower to use after that … personally, I would think they could have pitched in and got him a service instead.
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Lots of people die of heart attacks shoveling snow. Yes, those kids could have even shoveled that snow for their dad after his heart attack.
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Yes, there was a local news story this morning that someone died from having a heart attack shoveling the snow the plow dumped at the end of the driveway. I agree with you Peggy – all four of the kids lived locally and could have taken turns helping shovel the snow.
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That is the thing about setting out for adventures…sometimes they find you; sometimes they do not. Just reading about a warm, sunny morning improved my day! The Metropark system you have near you is so cool! You are lucky to have such wonderful venues to visit.
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You’re right about that Laurie because some of my best adventures last year I just happened upon. On this day, going to three parks, the only critters I saw were at the Nature Center (a rehabbed hawk and a rehabbed owl) and my first chipmunk and nothing at the last park. Yes, it warms my heart thinking about sunny days (that I whined about then in this post) – we have had three very cold, but snow-free days and right now it is pouring raining. At least we are not drought deficient anymore with all this rain we’ve had lately. The Metroparks are cool – especially linking them together like this, plus we have the Iron Belle Trail, which I stumbled upon a part of it by accident in October. I have to research what part of it I found while trying to take some deer photos (the deer were very far away). Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail is 2,000 biking/hiking miles long from the Upper Peninsula to Detroit.
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Wow! 2000 miles? That is awesome. I would love to do an Upper Peninsula trip sometime. We are visiting my sister in Florida right now. I am enjoying the warm, sunny days for sure!
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Yes it is awesome Laurie and they are extending it down around Trenton where I go to the Wildlife Refuge – that is recent. That sounds wonderful – warm and sunny. We had a foggy and rainy day here today. Whenever the sun comes out, however brief the appearance, it is joyous. I never remember such a long period of gray and gloomy days.
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You go, girl!
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Onward and upward Pam!
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👏👏👏
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I think you should get one of those folding bikes, put it in the trunk and when you get to these parks pull it out and ride everywhere! These Parks are designed better for biking then walking and you could even put up a walking total and a biking total at the end of each year!
You can even get one of those lazy bikes If you want!
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I think I have tucked away that info you sent me one time on the fold-down bikes Wayne as I’d really like to do that. I know you can put a bike carrier on a vehicle, but I don’t want to do that and what if it bike and car got damaged while driving? Arnie had a van and just left his bike in the back of it unless he/his wife were traveling somewhere. This 15-mile ride would be run and the 49-mile ride too, if a person is up to it. This particular park was better for bikes than walkers. That would be fun to have a bike miles versus walking miles war in my year-end post. Thanks for giving me that idea! I see a lot of those bikes at the Metroparks – they don’t look all the comfortable to me, but people seem to enjoy them. Have you ever tried one?
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A folding electric bike would be perfect for you Linda! It would extend your photographic capabilities and open up a whole new world!
https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a25102796/best-folding-e-bikes/
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/biking/best-folding-electric-bike
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Hi Wayne – Thank you for forwarding these links. I don’t think the prior folding bike info you gave me were electric bikes and I never knew there were electric bikes. I’ve never seen any. Is this something new? They are really compact – I looked at the various styles (and prices). But, like you said, I could go more miles and try different opportunities than I can do now. For several years, I followed a Swedish blogger and he followed me back. He had health problems so stopped working and quit blogging altogether a few years ago (his health problems were that all he wanted to do was sleep, no energy). But anyway, John went out every day after work and weekends on his bike. Never in the car. He was a birder and he’d carry his photo equipment in his bike basket as I recall. Have you ever ridden an electric bike?
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No,I have not ridden on an electric but I see no reason why they would feel any different then the bike I ride now? Adrian has one and loves it! He goes zooming down the beaches looking for birds!
You should start learning more about them from people riding them and stores that sell them. I can see you zooming about wondering why you hadn’t done this sooner!
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We used to have a bike shop in my City – it was there for decades. I got my exercise bike from them in 1987. Then they opened a second location, bigger and more modern, and closed this store. I looked at their online store and they have no folding bikes but they have electric bikes. It sounds fun. I wonder why I’ve never seen any around here – maybe people figure the season is too short for riding bikes? Although this year, November, December, even January have been good for riding bikes as well as walking, with a few exceptions, like today (foggy and raining – again).
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I suggest getting an electric with balloon tires. We have tone of them here. Best tire for a beach and in your case icy/snowy conditions.
Yes,looking around your area is best because If you buy It at a store they have better service rates but are more inclined to repair one of “their” bikes. Make sure to ask If they have any of their business decals. Advertising for them will put you in front of the service line up!
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Good tips Wayne, especially as to placement of their business decal – brilliant on your part!
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Oh wow that’s so sad about the lake, all the waterfowl and other wildlife are probably sad about it too. I like your expression Parksapalooza! Cute.
We were in a park up in Northern Ontario that had art scattered around, it’s very interesting.
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Yes, very sad Susan – I was sure I’d go back and see before and after photos, not this. Thank you – when I did these three parks the last time, I added Huroc Park which had a cool dam with a heron fishing on the side of near the dam. They had an oil spill earlier in 2022 and they were doing tests on the River, so I just stayed away this year.
I saw one painting at Humbug Marsh a couple of years ago, the first time I’d heard of this art program. They had five in our City last year. I’ll have to see where they put paintings this year. Interesting how they do that!
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I love the mixture of photos you shared, you found some fun signs to include in the storyline. Nice work Roving Reporter. That’s such a bummer about the pond. I guess I’ve always wondered how the state ponds form but didn’t really know they have underwater pipes that can fail. Hmm…thank you for teaching me something new! I look forward to your next post 🙂
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Glad you liked the photos Shelley – I really wanted to show how nice it looked before this big fail. I had no idea that there were underwater pipes and just assumed it was a natural body of water. It made the newspapers when it failed, but then there were no follow-up stories at all, so I assumed they fixed it – what a surprise!
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Maybe the fail was a good thing as sometimes nature knows what is best 🤷🏻♀️
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You have a point there Shelley. I am surprised they don’t have another way to fill it without using the pipe structure that broke. Hmm.
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Thanks for the summery walk through the Willow Metropark ~ it almost warmed me up sitting here bundled up in my winter clothing. 🙂 So sad that the pond is gone now… I like the idea of having art reproductions outside for people to enjoy for free. Maybe next time they will find better spots for them, shaded from the sun glare. I looked up Thomas Dewing on WikiArt and found they have 75 of his paintings. I never heard of him before and he’s from New England. Most of his paintings are of summer and “ethereal female figures.” Thanks for the introduction!
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Glad you liked the walk Barbara and reminiscing about the warm Summer days. In the middle of Winter I always say I won’t whine about the heat come Summer but here I was complaining anyway (per my notes that I write after every walk). And today, sitting here listening to the pouring rain and last night a little thunder which made me shut down my computer earlier than
usual, I feel, were it not for the occasional shiver, that it might be Summer outside. I am going to look for the 2023 DIA paintings and their locations. I usually hear about it on the news first. They usually run from May through November. You’re welcome – I’m glad to have you “meet” a new painter and from New England on top of it. Now you have a new person to feature for your posts about the change of seasons!
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It makes sense to me to complain about BOTH the heat and the cold! May our springs and autumns be longer and our winters and summers be be shorter. 😉 The weather here has been pretty blah for a couple of weeks now. Looking forward to the Groundhog Day Parade on January 29, to me it means winter is 1/2 over.
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Good – I won’t be the only one complaining then Barbara. Our weather has also been blah, but lots of rain this month and only 2/10s of an inch of snow (which is fine by me). We had an all-day rain and fog Tuesday and will have the same tomorrow with thunderstorms in the afternoon. The Groundhog Parade sounds fun. We have our Michigan Groundhog called Woody the Woodchuck, who is a female and is more accurate than Pugsatawney Phil. She lives at the Howell Nature Center (not around here or I would go to see her give her prediction) and it’s a big event here in our state.
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Wow so that’s so sad about the Lake waterfowl and wildlife are so probably sad about too. Beautiful you adventure near to Metropark . Nice you sharing the pictures.
“I like adventures and iam going to some fine”! So wonderful your think title.
I like it’s, Linda 👍
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Glad you liked the post and its title rajkkhoja. It sure is sad what happened with the lake for bot humans and wildlife too. I was surprised to find out that there was no “fix” for the problem.
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Thanks, Linda 👍
Iam so 😊😘
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Well, regardless of the scenery or lack of, it looks like a great place to get a LOT of steps in, Linda. Nice to see some summer images to remind us of what we are missing these days. I’m quite limited on walking outdoors now with so much snow on the ground. I walk with my dog up and down my street several times when it s a bit warmer–at least the snow is cleared away. I listen to an audiobook and sometimes talk on the phone to pass the time. My dog is pretty bored though, but at least he is getting his steps too. I might join a birder group’s guided tour this weekend, an hour’s drive from here if the weather holds out. Do you have much trouble finding places to walk in the winter? We don’t have any sidewalks in our neighborhood, so it’s the street for now.
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Yes, all the Metroparks have a lot of options for walking and getting steps in Terri. You have an option of a paved pathway for walking or biking, or you can go on the more rustic trails, so lots of options. All four of these Metroparks are about fifteen miles from me. Plus we have state parks, plus the county parks (these are all free), but the Metroparks and state parks you just get a yearly pass which is reasonable. There are 13 Metroparks, but others are not near me. I just read an article that was posted by Detroit Audubon saying there are less birds at our feeders and along the Detroit Riverfront, where they have many of their birding excursions in Winter, because our weather has been so mild. We were near 50 today, so the birds can continue to forage rather than go to birdfeeders, or for the shorebirds and raptors, no need to go to the River to catch fish from the ice floes because with no snow there is plenty of ground prey to go after. Your birder group’s tour sounds fun. I would like to join Detroit Audubon Society when I am retired. They go somewhere different every weekend. Here, we are supposed to clear our sidewalks or risk being fined, but the police don’t enforce those rules very well, so once it is snowy or icy, I am forced to walk in the street where it has been salted.
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That’s such a shame that the pond is history…..I noticed the photo of the guy fly-fishing which is something you don’t see very often. Re the DIA – my art friend said the VanGoth exhibit was fantastic! They had an extra ticket which she had offered me, and after looking at the link on the website I was sorry I had not gone, although I knew I couldn’t. It closes Jan 22. Most of the art and writing is on the website anyway, but still what a missed opportunity.
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Yes, it is a shame Joni. I was surprised they couldn’t fix it because originally they were going to repair it. Yes, it was nice seeing him fly fishing in his waders. I don’t see that around here in the waterways – everyone fishes from a dock or in a boat. I heard good things about the exhibit as well. Have you heard anything about the painting at the exhibit which a Brazilian collector said was stolen from him six years ago? They have a guard standing by the painting until the exhibit closes Sunday. There’s a big controversy and lawsuit about it. I will send you the link in a separate comment in case it goes to your SPAM folder and you miss it.
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No -I hadn’t heard that and my friend never mentioned it I’ll look for the link.
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Here is that story about the stolen Van Gogh painting Joni:
https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/arts/2023/01/17/detroit-institute-of-arts-van-gogh-stolen-painting/69813935007/
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It was interesting…..esp. that they have a registry for stolen art work in London UK. It must happen sometimes.
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They had a court hearing about it this morning – haven’t been able to listen to the news for hours on end as two news stations are carrying local college basketball games; another is carrying the Pistons game in France – sigh. And my anti-virus I’ve used for years did not “roll over” properly when I paid the yearly fee, so I had uninstall it and reinstall it – I am doing a scan now and it is making my computer go very very slow, so I can’t even open up more than this site until it’s done. I believe the judge was going to take it under advisement.
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We have those odd snow signs as well that are up all year.
But damn those swan boats! They are never ever free … sigh … one day …
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I remember you saw them in the original post … I wonder what they did with them. The only place I’ve been on a paddleboat was when we visited Germany. I thought they were unique to there.
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You have the memory of an elephant! 😉 These things make me angry. Here they are pretty common but I’m pretty sure I’ve seen them i Italian movies as well. They do seem like a nostalgic memory. At least the ones you can hire here look like they’ve seen their better days
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Nostalgia is good to look back, but sometimes how we remember things get a little tarnished through the years!
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You are blessed to have so much beauty around where you live for you to go and explore. I love your motivation to keep going to explore and capture beautiful memories and the fact that you share them with us ❤
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Zena – you are right; there are many beautiful places around here to explore and I was so lucky last year to see and take photos of so many birds I had never seen in person. I hope to be walking and seeing lots more this year and will see if my luck holds out.
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Wow, you don’t see many disappearing ponds! It’s a shame that the problem has been deemed unfixable. They need to update their sign.
And I like the idea of sharing art replicas in parks.
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It’s terrible what happened there JP – it was such a picturesque spot and the pond was the highlight of this metropark. I was surprised they decided not to fix it. Surely they could have built a seawall and had a man-made lake like at Heritage Park? I like this art sharing idea too. I will be checking what venues they will place art in 2023 to make a visit to local sites.
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