Michigan Recap Part 1

Hello and happy Tuesday!

Today, I’m sharing part one of our trip to the Lake Michigan area.

This trip came about because Trav and I both haven’t been to the Lake Michigan area although we’ve heard wonderful things about it. There are so many small lake towns, each unique in their own way, that when we’ve thought about going in the past, we weren’t really sure where to start. Also, I’d heard that it’s better to go in July as the water is warmer, and typically we do June vacations.

Anyway, with our 20th wedding anniversary, Trav suggested that we plan a trip in Michigan for a few days. We knew it would be an easy drive, and we chose a time frame when one of the kids (Hayden) would be at camp, so it was just Hadley who we needed to find coverage for a few days. Trav’s mom stayed with her two days, and then she stayed with a friend the other two nights. She was busy with work and volleyball, but she had some down time too.

Anyway, like with most of our vacations, Trav did all the planning. The running joke on our trip was how his “friend” Chat GPT really did most of the planning. I guess he asked Chat GPT for town and hotel suggestions and went from there.

Also, typically when just the two of us have gone away, we’re only gone three nights, and we wish we have one more day. This time, being gone four nights was perfect, and the six hours drive gave us time to feel like we had five pretty full days.

South Haven

Last Tuesday, we left around 10:00, and drove to Indy. We stopped for lunch and then finished the rest of the drive, arriving at our Bed and Breakfast in South Haven just before 4:00.

For the first two nights, we stayed at The Carriage House Bed and Breakfast, and it was so cute.

Our room was the Victoria, and it was precious.

This was the view from the balcony, and it was just perfect.

One thing I loved about our room was that it did have it’s own entrance. Later, we learned, that our room used to be the cook’s quarters, so that’s why it had its own entrance, and the large bathroom used to include a kitchen!

Anyway, we unpacked our car, and then went for a walk. One of the small beaches was right across the street. It was a foggy afternoon, but the view was still oh so pretty.

After that, we walked back to the B&B and drove across the bridge to the other side of South Haven. Of course, Trav spotted a brewery, Harbor Light Brewery, on the main street, so we made a pit stop there. Then, we walked around a bit more and went to Black River Tavern for dinner.

After our meal, we walked to lighthouse and then back up Main Street. It was nice to get some steps in after dinner.

After that, we got in the car and drove back to our B&B. Then, we walked back to the beach to catch the last few minutes of the sun setting.

By that time, it was 9:30, and I was ready for a shower and my PJs.

It was a lovely first day getting the lay of the South Haven land.

Wednesday

On Wednesday morning, I woke up to this pretty water view. It was so nice to wake up and have some time before breakfast.

On vacation, Travis tends to get up early and go for a run while I sleep in. When he came back, he told me we needed to hurry up because everyone else was already at breakfast. haha

At this B&B, breakfast was served at 9:00. We found a spot with a view of the water. We had Julia Child’s blueberry clafoutis, and Trav had to ask me who Julia Child was. The nerve! They also served us bacon, roasted potatoes, watermelon with mint, and a cherry scone. It was a great meal.

Then, we walked a trail that Travis had found near the B&B. I think it’s a trail that spans over 30 miles, but we just walked two miles!

It was a great way to get our steps in that morning.

There was a market near the B&B, so Trav went and picked up sandwiches, and we headed to the main beach (south beach, I believe) near the B&B.

It was a lovely afternoon, and we were there for almost four hours.

Reading, sand and sunshine…name a better trio!

After the beach, we took a nap and then showered. Since we wanted to see a few beach towns, we drove to St Joseph for dinner at Clementine’s. There’s also a Clementine’s in South Haven, but it had a long wait the night before.

The onion rings are apparently a must a Clementine’s, and we would agree!

After that, Trav said we “had to find” the carousel that he’d read about. We drove down to Silver Beach near the downtown area, parked and walked around. Trav thought the carousel would be outside, so he was bummed…but he also told me I had to take a picture of it. haha

We walked up the stairs, and that’s how we found the downtown area. Looking back, this scene reminded me of when we’ve gone to Del Mar, California…I guess just seeing the water in the distance and the sailboats.

We walked around downtown…

…and of course we got some ice cream!

Then, we headed back to South Haven just in time for sunset. We walked over the drawbridge, and it was just such a nice evening.

I loved the quaint feeling of this town with the flowers on the bridge.

Then, we headed to the beach for sunset…which was stunning!

After that, it was time for bed!

Thursday:

Again, Trav went for a run, and I slept hard! I got out of bed just in time to head to breakfast. Thursday’s menu was quiche, grapefruit salad, another scone, and a delicious Panna Cotta for dessert!

Once we were back in our room, I enjoyed one more cup of coffee while watching the boats pass by.

Then, it was about 10:30 which meant time to pack up and say goodbye to the cute bed and breakfast.

We found a spot to park downtown, and decided to walk around a bit, looking in quite a few shops.

South Haven is just so cute.

Trav suggested we grab a drink, so we sat outside for about an hour watching the boats pass by.

Including…this one that I joked looked like the pirate ship from Goonies.

Cuteness at every corner…

Around 2:00, it was time to leave South Haven and head to Saugatuck.

I hope you enjoyed this little recap! Have you ever been to Michigan? Considering it’s only about six hours from us, I can’t believe we haven’t been sooner.

I’ll share part two of our trip soon!