Holland, MI - 2025

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We stayed in a really nice park near Holland MI. Ernie and I both had gotten colds so we laid low except for a visit to Windmill Island Garden. Although it is known for it's historic 'de Zwaan' (the Swan, in English) windmill, the tulips (150,000) are the main attraction in the spring (from late April to mid May). The gardens were still beautiful and colorful with 1000's of annuals and perennials throughout the 36 acres. 

The mill was brought over from Vinkel, Noord Brabant, the Netherlands in 1964 and opened the following year. While the mill is turning as often as possible, the millers are currently training to use the mill to grind grain into flour. They are also able to mill other grains (corn, barley, etc.) on the small mechanical millstones. We toured the 5 floors where you can see the mills, tools and read about how the mill works and its history.




Sights around the garden


This beautiful tree is a Dawn Redwood




Dutch Mailbox


Wooden Shoe Wisdom




Echo in the wooden shoe




The big mill






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