Wandering Grounds for Sculpture with Dawn

This is a bit different of a hike.

Everyone needs to purchase their own entrance ticket via the website groundsforsculpture.org. It is highly recommended that tickets are reserved in advance. I anticipate purchasing my ticket 5 days out, once I have a fairly good idea that the weather is going to cooperate. I will comment when I purchase my ticket. Tickets are $25.00. I will get the 10:30 tickets, but if you want to get there earlier and look on your own, your option. Anyone that wants to go as a group, should meet in the Seward Johnson Center at 10:45 am ready to start exploring. So use the bathrooms, tie your shoes, and sign in by 10:45.

Per the website: Grounds For Sculpture is a museum, sculpture garden, and arboretum framed by nature on 42 picturesque acres. Wander the grounds and discover hundreds of contemporary sculptures. Explore rotating exhibitions in six indoor galleries. More than 270 sculptures by renowned and emerging contemporary artists are thoughtfully positioned on meticulous landscaping complemented by thousands of exotic trees and flowers. GFS features works by distinguished artists including Clement Meadmore, Anthony Caro, Beverly Pepper, Kiki Smith, George Segal, Magdalena Abakanowicz, and Isaac Witkin. Their artwork, along with the enchanting works of our visionary founder Seward Johnson, comprise our amazing and eclectic collection.

I will be focusing on viewing the outside sculptures, so be sure to dress warmly. This will be a wandering type walk, admiring the outdoor sculptures, and taking photos with them. No outside food is permitted. A bottle of water is permitted. For more information go to groundsforsculpture.org.

We will plan on wandering the grounds as a group for 2 hours. At that time some of us will head over to Rat’s Restaurant for lunch ($$½$). Some of us includes anyone that wants to be some of us! I want to make reservations so if you want to be part of lunch, please check out the menu (https://www.ratsrestaurant.com/menus/lunch-menu/) and let me know by Sunday, November 17 so I can add you for lunch.

For those not wishing to join the lunch group, you are welcome to wander around on your own. Your entrance ticket is valid all day.

Hike leader: Dawn Tepper
Anticipated Distance: ?? However many it takes to explore 42 acres!
Expected Speed (Casual does not mean slow): Wandering
Number of planned breaks: There will be many stops for admiring the sculptures and taking photos.

Bathrooms: See the map at GFSmaps.org for locations.
Be sure to bring water but no food.
Be sure to be prepared for the weather since we will be outside for much of it.

Take your preferred tick, chigger, and flying insect precautions.
I drive a dark blue/gray Toyota Sienna minivan. I wear a skirt.
Any questions ahead of time, email [email protected]. Problems the day of, you can text 609-742-8803.

Constant rain, wind chills below 25, heat index above 85 degrees, or other nasty weather of the same ilk cancels. If above 60 degrees and only isolated showers or mist, hike will be on but may be modified.

The nitty gritty:

• Dogs: No dogs on this hike.

• Why do I often title my hikes as casual? Because my pace varies on how I’m feeling and the makeup of the group that day. Unless I title my hike as slow, my pace falls within the moderate level, whether I’m using my rollator, hiking sticks or pushing a stroller. My distances are generally short to mid range. I also like to look at nature, take time for photos, spot interesting things and don’t mind stopping for comfort breaks. If you want to go fast, you picked the wrong leader/hike.

• As anyone who has hiked with me in the past knows, I have Multiple Sclerosis. MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. It is an autoimmune disorder, a condition in which the body attacks itself by mistake. MS is an unpredictable disease that affects people differently depending on which nerves are being attacked. I have been blessed to have had somewhat mild symptoms. The location, types of hikes, distance, and pace that I choose are generally based on my current symptoms. Occasionally, I will need to adjust a route or take more frequent breaks. If appropriate, I will use hiking sticks or a rollator.

• If a hike is titled as a family hike expect at least one of my elementary school aged children to be accompanying me. The pace will be on the slow end of moderate.

• If a hike is labeled as slow, not just casual, expect the hike to be slow not moderate.