Lake Michigan

Imagine driving along a highway that turns off left onto a smaller road that travels straight towards water. You make a few curves and you head up a hill where there are people parked and walking, all towards the same direction. You find a parking spot, get out to step on sand on pavement, you reach for the hand of your lover, and follow the crowd.  You pass people sitting on benches and on blankets spread out on the green grass.  An old couple are holding hands facing the water.  You walk along the harbor banks toward the a with an old, red lighthouse that proves it has seen waves abundantly in its history.

On the lighthouse, there are signatures written in multiple depths. If only you’d have known to bring a marker, would you have been able to signify your presence there along with hundreds of others. The beaches alongside Lake Michigan are spotted with families and children playing Frisbee, getting their feet wet and cold, and enjoying the view of all the other pier walkers.

The sun is setting. The water reflects the glow of the sun and the beautiful reds and blues that surround the western sky. The view makes the entire drive worth the while. It’s peaceful and so much is to be said by the beauty and the atmosphere during those few moments before the bright, setting sun can no longer be seen but travels downward to a different part of the sphere we call our land, our home.

This is the vacation I experienced this year. In South Haven, Michigan.  Keane and I wanted a little getaway but without much expense and no air travels.  He'd seen Lake Michigan before on a fishing adventure and wanted me to experience it as well.  You look across the sky and see only water, trying to fathom that there is land somewhere on the other side. 

There were boats, both speed boats and sail boats, traveling in and out of the harbor all day and evening.  It was such a beautiful sight.

The restaurants were inviting with live music and chatting people.  There were shops, and bike riders, and ice cream cones, and swimwear.  Yet it was relaxing.  There was no pressure to be somewhere or to get things done.

The first night we stayed in an old hotel with the feel of a bed and breakfast.  There were individually designed rooms: we chose the Hunter's Cabin.  The owner, Ana, was German.  After hours, we had to ring a bell and she would wake up and let us in.  She made strange comments that made Keane and I look at each other with apprehension. 

Keane: "How are you doing tonight?" 
Ana: "Oh, I think I might die." 

We were told there was a girl who worked there having my same last name, a German name.  We never did get to meet her but I would have liked to.  It was such a neat experience.

The second night we switched to a different hotel across the street.  Here we had an all-glass shower door, fireplace (which wasn't needed but we still turned it on just to do so), a King-size bed, and it's own door to the street.  A bar with loud music was right outside our window, so we later found a seat on the bar's patio to appreciate the time and essence of our vacation.

We ate seafood, and Mexican.  We had bar food, and Burger King.  We had ice cream, beer, and a glass of wine.  We made the most out of it all, took walks in the evenings, chatted about deep subjects, met a few friends and a man who built a story in our hearts. 

We sat on the beach forgetting to put on sunscreen, resulting in major burns, while sipping on blueberry and raspberry beer we got from making our own six-pack.

We took an hour trip on an old sail boat representing Friends Good Will, a merchant sailboat that was captured by the British in the War of 1812.  Keane helped put up and down the sails, but after sitting in the hot sun for hours beforehand, we weren't quite feeling the ship and ending up spending most of the time staring at the horizon and awaiting the return to land.  All in all, I'm thankful we got to get out on Lake Michigan.

Vacations are good for the soul and good for relationships.  We met a few people and shared some conversations.  We bought keepsakes and postcards to share with our families.  And to top it all off, we made it back home safely.