Move toward the (holiday) light here ... and toboggans and free parks
Happy Thanksgiving with gratitude, even for hardships that lead to better things
Move toward the light.
After a long year, two botanic gardens — Wellfield and Fernwood — offer festive but also restorative walks through oodles of holiday lights along trails that normally are aglow with flowers and pollinators.
As well, ice skating begins as usual at Howard Park in South Bend.
Lest we forget a nearby toboggan run and a day of free state parks.
All of this embarks on Friday, Nov. 28, the day after we’ve given heaps of gratitude for our mixed blessings on Thanksgiving.
Before I get to the details, the South Bend Tribune has rounded up many more of the area’s holiday light displays, including the Potawatomi Zoo and the Blasko family blow-out, all with a handy map, which you can link to here. Give it a look and let the Tribune know if you have a good display to add to its list.
About mixed blessings: I’ve spoken with a lot of people about pain and illness this year. One woman told me she’s grateful for the coma and heart condition she had. Before, she felt so alone, even though she lived with her significant other and two step kids. But, in the hospital, she realized that her loved ones were her companions through therapy — no longer alone. She also is learning to believe in God, reassured that, again, she isn’t alone.
Yes, we can be thankful for hardships, if we allow them to lead us more closely to our true selves and to each other. In darkness, move toward the light. Advent will guide us as it begins Sunday, Nov. 30.
I thank each one of you for tagging along with me and my Substack blog. I hope that it’s inspiring, informing or filling a need for your outdoor soul. I am growing and learning with it. So feel free to drop me a line with any feedback — anytime.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wellfield
Wellfield Botanic Gardens in Elkhart now boasts more than 1.8 million lights in its Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights display, which opens Friday, Nov. 28.
How do you wrap your mind around 1.8 million lights that circle the wellfield ponds and the many ornate gardens?
Can you feel the difference that a new year brings to about three-quarters of a mile of walking through the likes of a Rainbow Caterpillar tunnel and floating trees – now in the super-popular display’s ninth year?
Expect Santa on Thursdays in December and Teddy the minihorse from the therapeutic LoveWay program on Jan. 3.
As usual, warm up by firepits and with hot cocoa and other concessions.
Wellfield is extending the lights two days after the New Year. It will open on select nights, generally late and early in the week, through Jan. 3. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the last admission at 8 p.m.
Wellfield is selling discounted tickets through Thanksgiving Day at a rate of $12 per adult and $8 for ages 3-12. The cost rises to $15 and $10 after that.
Find more details and order tickets at this link.
Fernwood
The Lights at Fernwood may not have the grand scale of Wellfield, but it enchants you in a more intimate way as it runs from Friday, Nov. 28 through Jan. 3.
Fernwood Botanical Garden in Niles combines cultivated gardens in the midst of nature preserves and forest along the St. Joseph River (you won’t see the river in the lights display).
Activities include caroling where you can join in, a life-size Lite Brite inside of the Sims Education Center, glowing swings and fire pits, plus visits from Father Winter on Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 23. Concession treats include a pale ale that River St. Joe brewed with autumn olive and lavender that was foraged at Fernwood.
When you book tickets here, you’ll pick a specific time (6, 7 or 8 p.m.) and date, which Fernwood does to manage its limited parking.
Adult and youth (ages 3-12) ticket prices vary based on which night you select. Learn more and book tickets at this link.
Skating holiday at Howard Park
The ice skating season at Howard Park in South Bend begins Friday, Nov. 28 with its annual market of local crafts and a full day of activities on or near the ice.
The day begins with skating for season pass holders from 10 to 11:20 a.m., complimentary donuts and hot cocoa at 11 a.m. while supplies last, live reindeer from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., face painting from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a ceremonial skate with the River City Sled Rovers, winter movies indoors from 2 to 3 p.m., cookie decorating at 3 p.m., a character meet-and-greet at 4 p.m. and skating to deejay music from 6 to 7:20 p.m.
The holiday market will run indoors from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28 and from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29.
To book a skating session, visit visithowardpark.com/ice.
Free Indiana State Parks
There will be free admission at all Indiana State Parks on Friday, Nov. 28, with prizes to win at on.in.gov/optoutside.
Toboggan run
No matter the weather, the refrigerated toboggan run opens for the season Friday, Nov. 28 at Pokagon State Park in Angola, Indiana, and runs through March 1, 2026. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cost is $20 per toboggan per hour. Find all of the details at www.tobogganrun.com.
Contact outdoor journalist Joseph Dits at josephdits@gmail.com.
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