MLive says: “If you want to see a spectacular view of Michigan's second largest city, head up to Lookout Park for a bird's-eye view. We recommend checking it out during different times of day (and night), as well as different times of year. Sunrises, sunsets and city lights all look fantastic from up on the hill. You'll get a different view each time. If you can snag a spot here for Fourth of July fireworks, you will surely be wowed.”
July 19, 2020
I went to Kent County’s spot a while back, and as I mentioned in the original post, I didn’t feel like this was a good pick! As a resident of Kent County, I felt like there were so many other great spots that were far more beautiful than Lookout Park…no offense to whoever picked it. I think I finally found what is truly the most beautiful place in the county, though…introducing Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve.
Just like the signs pictured above state, Saul Lake Bog is an extremely biodiverse place that features multiple ecosystem types, and is managed by the Land Conservancy of West Michigan. My first visit to this site was earlier this year in April, with Bill - in early spring the site wasn’t nearly as green and lush, but had a really peaceful and special feel to it. Returning in the summer only elevated how special this place really is.
Chloe was in town, and I wanted to take her to this spot and share some of its magic. We went on a Sunday night after dinner, and arrived for a golden hour hike. Getting to Saul Lake Bog is interesting, because you enter and exit on the same one-lane dirt drive - I have no idea what would happen if a car were entering and exiting at the same time because of how tall and thick the vegetation is one either side of the drive. While we made the slow and careful drive in, we spotted rabbits and turkeys. When we pulled into the parking area, there was only one other car, but we didn’t run into a single person during our entire visit.
I was delighted to see that summer had gifted us a sea of purple monarda (bee balm) blooming across the entire prairie; it’s one of my favorite Michigan wildflowers and I felt like I was dreaming.
The trails at Saul Lake Bog take you on little adventures through different ecosystems in just a few miles of hiking; we popped in and out of prairies, forests, wetlands, and transitional spaces like savannas. We noticed and admired butterflies, wildflowers, birdcalls, and bees.
Golden hour brought a really beautiful sentiment to this already special place. Saul Lake Bog is great place to be quiet and meditate, and to practice gratitude and being gentle. Chloe and I spent periods of time during our hike enjoying the silence of the space. The peaceful hum of insects and intermittent bird calls, grass blowing in the wind, rustling leaves, the scratchy sound of gravel and sand and mulch underfoot while we walked, an absolutely perfect temperature for a breeze across the bog…it was a really perfect evening to enjoy Michigan’s gifts.
This was only my second visit to Saul Lake Bog, but I am excited to return in future seasons for birdwatching, wildlife and butterfly spotting, identifying hundreds and hundreds of native plants, writing, photographing, sketching, and relaxing.