We drove north to Grand Rapids, MI, where we parked at the Elks Lodge. What a beautiful setting. We are in front of the club house for the golf course. There aren’t any hook-ups so we parked at the end of the parking lot under a big tree. Gidget had a big grassy area all to herself and she really enjoyed running for the little bit of running she will do.
We had called ahead to Frank’s nephew Mark Allard and wife Shaun and let them know we wanted to spend the weekend with them. We drove across town and got caught in a Classic Car parade, so didn’t get to their home until about 4 pm. We visited for a while and then they took us downtown Grand Rapids to a great Italian restaurant for dinner. Elizabeth, their daughter joined us. What a sweetie she is.
Our really great waitress took our picture. It is cold and threatening rain outside. I can’t believe it is 50 degrees and the last day of Aug! Again I’ve had to get out my winter clothes and jackets. What a summer! But, good company and great stories from Mark keep us laughing and warm.
We left our car at their home and they drove us back to the RV promising to pick us up in the morning for a day of site seeing in Grand Rapids.
Check out the “surf” on Lake Michigan. Today is sunny and partly cloudy, but no rain! The wind is blowing and creating the waves on the lake. The palm tree below is a fake! I think it is for atmosphere. We stopped to have lunch at a place overlooking the lake, but we either had to eat outside in the wind, or in the lounge, where it was dark. The dining room wasn’t open for lunch. So we walked out! We ended up at a nice lunch place where they give you crayons to mark on the brick walls. It was a fun place to eat even though we couldn’t see the lake.
Mark drove us through the beach front homes and told us a little about the area and then we headed back to Grand Rapids to go through the Gerald Ford Museum.
We visited Gerald Fords gravesite first. Very serene and peaceful.
Of course, even though Jerry Ford was raised in MI, and was elected to office from there, we in the Coachella Valley feel very close to him. He lived with us until he died. Betty Ford Clinic is in Rancho Mirage near Eisenhower Hospital. He and Betty were very visible in the social and golfing communities.
The doors to the museum have handles that have the presidential seal on the handles. Very cool.
Inside there is a replica of the oval room, a dining room, the cabinet room and a few of Betty’s dresses.
There were also displays about his life, his involvement in the Nixon administration and the pardon. Also the withdrawal from Saigon, Viet Nam and the amnesty for those who left the country to avoid being drafted into the war. His was an amazing presidency and the only President to never have been elected to the office.
After the museum we went to Mark’s office on the 17th floor! What a view they have from their meeting rooms and terrace.
Check out the view of Grand Rapids!
The Grand River, can you see the rapids?
The new convention center. The roof is supposed to represent the “rapids” of the Grand River.
As far as you can see—no hills, no mountains.
Grand Rapids has not suffered in the recession like Detroit and Flint, MI. De Voss and Van Andle of the Amway corporation have had a big impact on the downtown areas revitalization. This area is not so dependent upon the Auto Industry and is still growing and building.
We ended the day at a real authentic Mexican restaurant, back to Mark and Shaun's, picked up our car and bid them a very fond farewell. We left them with two of Frank’s walking sticks as a parting gift. Use them in good health!
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