South Haven

Joan and I spent her birthday walking the beach and wandering around town. As you can see, the water was a little choppy.

South Haven, Michigan, on September 26, 2003.

South Haven's Old Harbor Inn is really just too picturesque for words; you've really got to see the place to believe. But our room was undeniably comfortable, had a wonderful view, and is within an easy walk of the beach. Pricing is good, too. What's not to like? The hotel's restaurant, York's Landing, is at the end of this pretty little lane of shops (they call it Old Harbor Village). Our room was up the stairs from the upper walkway on the right.

Since the waves regularly wash over the pier, the Coast Guard built this catwalk so the keeper could maintain the light in foul weather. The light's long-since been automated, so the catwalk's planking has been removed. South Haven, Michigan.

South Haven Maritime Museum. Camera: Olympus Camedia C50 Photo by Joel Dinda

A couple years back we spent Joan's birthday in South Haven. As you've maybe guessed, I've been sorting through the pictures I took that weekend.

South Haven, Michigan. This was only a moderately windy day....

We spent yesterday afternoon walking the beach.

Photographed from the South Haven light, last weekend. Definitely a vessel with character.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Three parallel stairways up the dune, just north of Van Buren State Park on Lake Michigan. Might have thought they could have shared the expense, and only built one set of steps. But I probably don't understand the situation. Joan and I picked up my brother and we spent Veterans Day walking the beaches around South Haven. First time I'd been to this beach in decades, and Joan's first visit ever. I hissed at the power station in honor of mom, who hated the place. Richard shook his fist.

On South Haven's light. Judge for yourself ....

South Haven, again.

One last South Haven picture, for now.

And a deck half-way up for those who've grown weary. Near South Haven, Michigan. (Barely north of the state park.) The large view really shows off my camera.

Same picture as this , processed differently. I'm pretty sure I like this one better.

These two shacks--they house charter fishing boat offices--were visible from our hotel room last weekend. Both were closed for the season, of course, though a guy I took for Silver King's captain stopped by and sat on the dock, watching South Haven's harbor, for an hour or so. Presumably he was wishing he was out on the Lake.