Touring the Home Town: The MSU Gardens

As our visit with Annie and Don continued, so, too, did the rain! But for one brief, not-quite-but-almost-shining moment, the wet let up enough to make a visit to the Michigan State University gardens possible.

These gardens are a real gem and from where I sit, the jewel in the crown is the 4-H Children's Garden. 

 

Even though we were off season (not really, but because the weather is so late, that's how it worked out), it's still pretty charming.

One is greeted by a dragon made of natural fibers.

is as fascinating in detail as it is from afar!

Within the garden, the giant globe and rainbow -- a wonderful setting for photos!

There are a variety of mini-gardens -- a fragrance garden, the pizza garden and a water garden, complete with ducks...

...and Monet's bridge, modeled after the original in Giverny down to the exact color of paint.

The Alice in Wonderland maze includes wonderful stones along the way.

There is even the "Secret Garden."

As you leave the children's garden, you'll pass by the Bee Garden. Here's the "Bee Hotel!"

While most of the bulbs had passed, a few still were sharing some of their vibrant colors.

The bright pinks and yellows were welcome when it looked like the sky might burst!

We saw a few birds, getting a bit of a break between storms.

We were especially worried about this little guy. He appeared to have fallen from his nest high above.

We alerted one of the garden staff who was going to try to find someone who could help, since touching the birds isn't wise.

And to be honest, I'm not sure "mom" would have let us.

We were walking back to the car when it started to rain again -- and we made it back just in time!

But the walk left a lovely memory -- and ready for an indoor venue.

That's next time.