Greetings from South Haven, Michigan! I didn't get here by public transit this time, there is a way to do this! Take the Amtrak train to Bangor, MI. From there, take a cab to South Haven 10 miles away (Call A1 Bumblebee Cab at (269) 639-8000). This time I opted to rent a car. I had been super looking forward to this end of summer retreat because all summer I had a nanny job taking care of four lovely but exhausting little girls. I believe that I had earned this little escape.
I bid a warm greeting to Chicago from the other side of the Lake Michigan (though I was unable to see it, being that the lake is 118 miles across, the 5th largest lake in the world!). How lovely to be on the opposite side for a change, coming from a person who is much more likely to see the sun set rather than rise. It was a cloudy night but the weather was perfect as I listened to the music of the waves and enjoyed the seagulls circling overhead.
I wasn't far from downtown so I figured I'd walk over and check it out since there were clouds rolling in and it was unlikely I would be able to see the sun set over the water that night.
I bid a warm greeting to Chicago from the other side of the Lake Michigan (though I was unable to see it, being that the lake is 118 miles across, the 5th largest lake in the world!). How lovely to be on the opposite side for a change, coming from a person who is much more likely to see the sun set rather than rise. It was a cloudy night but the weather was perfect as I listened to the music of the waves and enjoyed the seagulls circling overhead.
I wasn't far from downtown so I figured I'd walk over and check it out since there were clouds rolling in and it was unlikely I would be able to see the sun set over the water that night.
Downtown South Haven
South Haven is full of cute little shops (some more unique than others). Some of my favorite stops were Renaissance and Papyrus (nice women's clothing and jewelry, but definitely worth a trip upstairs to check out their interesting book and art collection), Black River Books which has a very diverse and affordable selection of reading materials (used and new) as well as $1 self serve coffee and a very friendly shopkeeper. As far as restaurants, be sure to stop into the Phoenix Street Cafe which has mediocre coffee but amazing food. I got their steel cut oatmeal with brown sugar, bananas and raisins and comes with a delicious biscuit with butter and honey.
Curiousities about Clementines:
Shannon recommended I check out a restaurant called Clementines, claiming they have the best onion rings ever, so I gave it a try. Here are a few idiosyncrasies I found upon my visit:
1. I really am unsure about why people feel the need to put 3 slices of bread on a club sandwich. It makes it quite impossible to fit into ones' mouth.
2. Why oh why won't you let me sub ONION RINGS for fries?? They're basically the same thing. Fried onion vs. fried potato.
3. There was an angry looking elk head staring at me all through dinner.
My second day I decided to skip the shops and get away from people in general. Sometimes living in the city requires some escape time into nature. In fact, I wrote a postcard to my mom depicting the changes in my face after spending some time away from all that I'm used to.
Curiousities about Clementines:
Shannon recommended I check out a restaurant called Clementines, claiming they have the best onion rings ever, so I gave it a try. Here are a few idiosyncrasies I found upon my visit:
1. I really am unsure about why people feel the need to put 3 slices of bread on a club sandwich. It makes it quite impossible to fit into ones' mouth.
2. Why oh why won't you let me sub ONION RINGS for fries?? They're basically the same thing. Fried onion vs. fried potato.
3. There was an angry looking elk head staring at me all through dinner.
My second day I decided to skip the shops and get away from people in general. Sometimes living in the city requires some escape time into nature. In fact, I wrote a postcard to my mom depicting the changes in my face after spending some time away from all that I'm used to.
A postcard I sent to my mom depicting my "City Face" and my "South Haven Face"
I stayed at a rental house belonging to some friends of mine, Shannon and Mark. Check out their awesome digs! It is truly a beautiful place. Quiet, spacious, clean and clutter free with lots of character including some of Shannon's original artwork (see the fish painting above bed), a shed filled with bicycles, a rolling cooler, games, books, and CDs (I just love poking around at other peoples' book and cd collections!). All of these cute personal touches really adds a "home away from home" quality that you just don't get when you stay at a hotel. There were fluffy black squirrels romping around the yard upon my arrival and as an awesome perk, a beach right down the street.
Simplistic beauty: the master bedroom
I went on a joy ride enjoying the freedom of having a car and stumbled upon Van Buren Nature Preserve. Despite all of the woods I saw, it seemed like every trail let to sand dunes. I decided not to fight it and climb the steepest dune I've ever seen. I swear it was just a vertical dune. I had to use all 4 limbs to climb to the top, but it was worth it. The view was fantastic.
I could very nearly see the entire lake from up there. I befriended a sand beetle and named him Wilson. Wilson and I sat up there for quite some time. It was at this point I realized I might be a little starved for human interaction. When I was finally ready to get down I decided it'd be more fun to try to slide down on my butt. And it was!
I could very nearly see the entire lake from up there. I befriended a sand beetle and named him Wilson. Wilson and I sat up there for quite some time. It was at this point I realized I might be a little starved for human interaction. When I was finally ready to get down I decided it'd be more fun to try to slide down on my butt. And it was!
An incredible view from the top of a dune at Van Buren State Park
All three nights I was there, I enjoyed an extra bedroom which I fondly referred to as my "movie room". I watched movies late into the night. I think when going on vacation it's important to have a good selection of good and bad movies. The ones I ended up enjoying were "My Best Friend's Girl"(a bomb of a movie), "Almost Famous" (an old favorite) and "It's Complicated" (also pretty bad).
Advantages to going on vacation alone:
1. You pick the movies.
2. You pick the outings.
3. You pick the meals.
... it goes on like this.
Disadvantages to going on vacation alone:
1. You could end up talking to beetles if you're aren't careful not to be too antisocial.
2. Going to a small own alone, local shopkeepers and restaurant servers may try to introduce you to single men who are completely inappropriate for you. Seriously guys, I'm fine.
Advantages to going on vacation alone:
1. You pick the movies.
2. You pick the outings.
3. You pick the meals.
... it goes on like this.
Disadvantages to going on vacation alone:
1. You could end up talking to beetles if you're aren't careful not to be too antisocial.
2. Going to a small own alone, local shopkeepers and restaurant servers may try to introduce you to single men who are completely inappropriate for you. Seriously guys, I'm fine.
Back yard grilling and fire pit
My final night consisted of building a fire pit and grilling out in the backyard. I made delicious chicken and corn on the grill and built a fire where I cooked marshmallows and celebrated a wonderful retreat. I would definitely recommend this town for people wanting to get away from the city for a weekend. I've heard the "off season" (fall and winter) is actually a great time to visit to avoid the crowds. And for me, that's exactly what I was looking for.
Happy trails until next time! :D
Happy trails until next time! :D
RSS Feed
