There is nothing more peaceful than walking through a labyrinth of lavender plants. With the soothing scent of lavender wafting through the air, there's no beginning. No ending. No dead ends. At the Cherry Point Farm's labyrinth you simply walk.
“A labyrinth allows people to connect with themselves, with the land, with the higher power,” said owner Barbara Bull. “It provides a space of peace and tranquility. Everyone, regardless of faith or understanding, is welcomed to this special experience.”
What makes a labyrinth especially relaxing and serene is that, unlike a maze, they have no dead ends. You don't have to worry about where you put your feet. You just “walk the path,” said Bull. This sense of abandonment allows people to let go of the worry in their lives and just listen.
“People enter a labyrinth with a question, a thought, a concern, a prayer... They're seeking guidance,” Bull explained. “They want direction. Inspiration. Answers.”
According to Bull, a labyrinth brings them a certain energy and allows them to feel a connection outside of themselves. Many people visit the lavender labyrinth during hard times in their lives, an escape from worry, fear and pain. A place where they can take in the silent beauty around them and breath in the calming scent of the lavender plants. And in the center of the labyrinth is an ever-present herb garden surrounded by stone.
Lunch is served daily during summer months by friendly volunteers at Cherry Point Farm.
An ancient spiral pattern thought to be a spiritual journey, the labyrinth at Cherry Point was made specifically for that location. Earth mounds and lavender plants define the 1.5 acre path, said Bull, who also noted an arbor tower above the path.
According to the farm's official website, the labyrinth is a contemporary design, but was created “in accordance with the principles of sacred geometry,” including a 12-point vesica pattern defined by 36 beds filled with “dozens of herbal varieties.”
“Have you ever smelled the breeze after it has been brushed by a bed of basil?” asks Cherry Point. The farm invites you to walk the paths, absorb the essences, and experience serenity of this unique garden.
Cherry Point Farm planted their first lavender in the labyrinth in 2002, one of the many ways that Bull made the farm her own after taking it over from her father.
One of the oldest operating farms in Oceana County, Michigan, Cherry Point Farm is located just a mile from the Lake Michigan shoreline. A beautiful destination, Cherry Point Farm has become a tradition for locals and visitors alike. Like most farms, Cherry Point offers a variety of fresh produce, including their renowned fruit stand. Something that Bull's father started soon after purchasing the farm in 1949.
“I grew up here,” said Bull. “I loved working the land. Seeing the results of what one does. The heritage of family and farming. We make a difference in people's lives. Even if we're just a one day stop on a person's vacation, we know we made a positive impact on somebody. We see that our work is appreciated.”
Other than attending school, Bull never left Cherry Point. While the work can be “very challenging,” it's also an exciting new adventure every day. And while she keeps adding new activities and products for people to enjoy, the core of Cherry Point will never change. It's a farm. Forever.
The lavender is a special addition to the orchard. It's a particularly difficult plant to grow and pick, so it cannot be found just anywhere. A herb used for a variety of culinary, medicinal and aromatic purposes, Cherry Point sells lavender products and bulk lavender in their market.
“Every farmer creates his own self portrait on his land.”
That's an old quote that Bull recited. She said every farm offers a different experience. A different opportunity to connect with the land.
“People are losing their agrarian roots,” she said sadly. “It's important to provide that opportunity for people, for them to have that experience.”
Cherry Point Farm & Market offers a variety of unique experiences, like their Fish Boils, a Great Lakes tradition. There's also pancake breakfasts, complete with fresh fruit, and Tuesday afternoon teas. Lunch is also served daily in summer months.
The beauty of Bull's one-of-a-kind lavender labyrinth is best viewed in the summer months, when the lavender is in full bloom, as well as the other colorful shrubs along the path. However, the farm stays active through Halloween. Upcoming operation hours can be found here. Yet there's always something blooming in the herb garden all year long. And Bull is always there with her story to tell.