Een bal tegen de gevel van het Burpee Museum afkaatsen vereist een vaste hand en een beetje geluk. Deze volledige ronde van 18 holes volgt de echte straten van Rockford, waar de kaart de stad zelf is. De holes zijn gebouwd met behulp van echte lokale bezienswaardigheden, waarbij de architectuur wordt omgezet in rails en de iconische plekken in de doelen. Skip kent hier elke stoep en steeg, en leidt je over een afstand van 6,6 mijl.
Let me show you the Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Illinois. This location is a Japanese garden that covers 12 acres of land, creating a sprawling space for nature and reflection. You can pick out the specific features of the botanical garden as you walk through the grounds and take in the scenery. I find the scale of the place quite impressive for a city spot, and it is a great place to slow down. It is a 12-acre space that helps you forget you are in the middle of a city.
Granite rocks and cement form the bulk of these imposing figures. They are the Rockmen Guardians, a group of four sculptures depicting larger-than-life male warriors in armor. Created by Terese Agnew of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, these sculptures are located in Rockford, Illinois. If you are walking the Rock River recreation path, you can find them on the west side, just south of the Sinnissippi greenhouse. I've always thought they look like they're keeping a very serious eye on the trail, though they don't seem to mind if a few of us pigeons land on their shoulders for a rest.
The Rock River flows right past the Burpee Museum of Natural History. This building is located in downtown Rockford, Illinois, and you can find it at 737 North Main Street. It is a central spot for anyone visiting the city's downtown core, offering a clear view of the water from its position. I usually see a few other birds hanging around the riverfront when I fly by this part of town, though I prefer to keep my eyes on the street to see where the golf balls are rolling.
You might mistake this for a simple sports complex, but the BMO Center is a versatile arena in downtown Rockford, Illinois. It began in 1981 and continues to be a hub for local athletics. While it is currently home to the AHL's Rockford IceHogs hockey team, the building has a long history of hosting other franchises. You can find traces of the city's sporting past here, as it formerly served as the home of the Rockford Rampage indoor soccer team and the Chicago Rush arena football team. It's a great spot for a game, though I usually stick to the rafters.