Day 335 South Haven, MI

Vintage Farmall Tractor, manufactured in Rock Island IL, still in use today at Berry Farm In Michigan.








'28 ford "woody" actually driven to "Cruise In"








'32 fiberglass "high boy"






Vintage truck at another Michigan farm.








Our friends Susan, Mark and us at "Salt of the Earth" restuarant.







Liz & Diann







Entrance coming into South Haven off of Lake Michigan






We arrived at South Haven with the understanding we would only have the opportunity for a one day visit since there were no long term transient slips available because of this week-end annual Blue Berry Festival. After we arrived at the dock, a pleasant pair of young dock hands asked if we wanted this slip for the week-end. We were totally confused, surprised, looked at each other and said sure. Apparently the person slotted for this reservation, cancelled at the very last moment and we were at the right spot at the right time.

We learned earlier in the day that our looper friends Liz & Steve Kemper, “Shingebiss” from the Twin Cities, MN were due in South Haven also. We haven’t seen Steve and Liz since Manhattan, NY. They arrived mid afternoon and ironically were assigned a slip immediately adjacent to us. We had a wonderful time discussing past travel experiences, highlights and just catching up. The four of us planned on a bike ride to the “Thirsty Perch” for dinner, however just out of the parking lot, we discovered Diann's bike had a flat tire. Steve & I rode on, Liz and Diann walked the four blocks to the restaurant. We enjoyed cocktails in the bar and were quickly seated for a good meal, good service, lots of laughs and just reconnecting a friendship.
Saturday morning, first priority (after coffee) was to repair Diann’s bike. Pretty smart lady, she brought spare inner tubes with her from home. Next question, where are they on this boat? After a little search we found them, I removed the old tube, installed the new, walked over to the marine service center at the next door marina, asked to buy some air and the courteous technician offered their air compressor free of charge. Re-assembled the wheel on the bike and good to go.

It is hot and humid. We decided to launch the dinghy and go exploring. There are thousands of boats here in South Haven on the Black River. The river is narrow and lined with beautiful homes, condos, marinas, restaurants and yacht clubs. It wanders inland for miles and is an interesting dinghy cruise.

This afternoon we connected with our good friends Mark & Susan Sandock from South Bend, IN. We met last month in Petoskey, traveled with them down the coast to Muskegon and reconnected here in South Haven. Mark and Susan picked us up, took us to the grocery store and a hardware store. Later that afternoon they picked us up again for a fantastic tour of South Haven’s beautiful Lake front homes and parks. We then drove to Fennville, MI for a very quaint and wonderful dining experience at “Salt of the Earth” restaurant. Mark drove us through some of the most scenic countryside of Michigan you could imagine. We drove along the coast of Lake Michigan looking at high end homes and then through some of the most beautiful farmland, vineyards and orchards you could see. We were headed for dessert at a Berry Farm on the way back to South Haven and wouldn’t you know there was a “Cruise In” car show in at the farm this evening. Now were talking! I also spotted a vintage working “Farmall Tractor, manufactured in Rock Island, IL at the farm, couldn’t resist a photo op.

Michigan is beautiful, and we owe a huge thank you to Mark and Susan for their gracious hospitality and sharing a beautiful evening with us. We would not have seen South Haven like we did if were not for Mark and Susan's.