Let’s be honest. It’s spring, we want to get in the water. But what to do when Lake Michigan is still quite brisk, but you can’t help yourself? 

Water temps in the low 30s...

Julie Albrecht Royce, the Michigan Editor for Wandering Educators, recently published a three-book travel series exploring Michigan’s coastlines. Nearly two decades ago she published two traditional travel books, but found they were quickly outdated. This most recent project focuses on providing travelers with interesting background for the places they plan to visit.

One of our favorite places within Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is the art exhibition space. In an enormous complex completely devoted to art and nature, there’s so much to see here. But as you excitedly venture through the front doors and traverse the gorgeous new entryway, plan time to peruse a landmark art exhibition before heading to the Butterflies are Blooming exhibit in the conservatory (running now) or exploring the vast sculpture gardens (perhaps once we stay above freezing temps here in Michigan). 

It was a water photo that drew me in, of course. A snow-covered rock up on Minnesota’s North Shore, sun peeking through icicles, wave movement, sea smoke, the gorgeous clouds of sunrise…Minneapolis photographer Scott Youmans captured magic in that moment, and shared it with us all.