Van Buren State Park, MI
The lighthouse where the Black River flows into Lake Michigan in South Haven
We enjoyed our stay at Van Buren State Park in Michigan. Our campsite was about a half mile walk from the beach on Lake Michigan. Barnie and I walked it Thursday morning, and all three of us walked the beach that evening for sunset.
LeeAnn and Barnie look on as the sun sets over Lake Michigan at Van Buren State Park.
A sight seeing boat navigates Black River in downtown South Haven.
On our two full days there, Wednesday and Thursday, we spent the morning and early afternoon in the nearby town of South Haven. It’s a quaint little town with a downtown featuring fun shops, eateries, public art, and a harbor on a river that flows into Lake Michigan. We enjoyed a walk along the riverfront to the lake, then spent some time walking through downtown. All three of us checked out Decadent Dogs, a dog accessory boutique. Barnie got some fancy cookies. LeeAnn checked out a few places on her own, while Barnie and I enjoyed time on a few of the many park benches they had for just such an occasion. Sitting by benches in a touristy downtown is where Barnie really shines. He lays on the ground in a regal posture waiting for strangers to pet him. And pet him they do.
Barnie waits patiently between pets as LeeAnn checks out a souvenir shop.
A Moment of Joy, by Lou Rodriquez, in downtown South Haven
One shop that LeeAnn visited is More Polish Pottery, a store that, true to its name, sells handmade Polish pottery. She spent so much time in there, I was starting to question if I was sitting in front of the right store. I was. She came out with a really cool soup bowl and raving about how she now wants to win the lottery so she can spend it all there.
LeeAnn poses with her soup bowl at Orchard Beach State Park.
In camp we were next to two couples who each bought new (or new to them) campers and were visiting from Kalamazoo on a test run. Shout out to them.
Some previous campers left behind a flat rock on which they drew a grid and encouraged anyone who found the rock to paint a square and hide the rock. I painted a square. It was so much fun, I wound up painting pictures on three small, flat rocks and leaving them there. I see me doing more of that in the future.
