Monday-Tuesday - August 17-18, 2020 - Getting Ready to Move; Visit to Affinity RV Group, Move to South Haven, MI

Monday-Tuesday - August 17-18, 2020 - Getting Ready to Move; Move to South Haven, MI

Monday, August 17, 2020

We walked this morning and I still managed to get a few new pictures to share.  

Closeup of the flowers planted around the clock 

The rest of the day was full of chores around the RV before we move tomorrow.  After our morning shakes, I washed a load of clothes, defrosted the freezer, then did the monthly cleaning routine to our combo washer/dryer.  We needed to get a few things at the grocery store before we left and I wanted to get a couple of cards that needed to go in the mail by tomorrow, plus I did a little bit of pre-packing as we need to leave here no later than 7:45 tomorrow morning.  It was a busy, full day!

August 18, 2020 - Visit to Affinity RV Group, Move to South Haven, MI

I was up shortly after 5:30 this morning.  After getting the coffee started, I worked on putting things away downstairs and in the bathroom in preparation for moving today.  I enjoyed my first cup of coffee with Dean when he got up around 6:00.  After the coffee, I was back at putting things away for our move.  We managed to pull out of our spot at exactly 7:45, which was our plan.  However due to the traffic construction in between the 4 miles we had to drive, we should have left at 7:30 for our 8:00 time frame.  We arrived closer to 8:15. Today we stopped so they can take a look at the hot water tank electric panel.  It quit working shortly after we arrived in Goshen.  Fortunately it wasn't the element that went out, but a burned wire.  They replaced it while we were there.  Brenda told us she had everything together and would contact our extended warranty company today.  They will contact us with a date to return to have the work completed.  We left Affinity at 9:45.

In the meantime, we are headed to South Haven, MI for three days.  We have enjoyed visiting Michigan several times over the years, however this will be the first time along the shore where we can enjoy a sunset over Lake Michigan. 

We stopped at this truck stop before heading north to reset the GPS (or Bobbie as she is known to us - my mom's nickname from her nieces and nephews).  

Our drive was pretty easy - but quite bumpy.  It wasn't too far before we passed into Michigan.

The road was pretty rough and we were sure glad when we transitioned to a smoother road as we neared South Haven.  Fortunately, we chose a great place to stay - we barely tuned off I-196, before we were turning into Jensen's RV Park & Motel.  You can't get much closer than that.  The park sets back off the road, and had a larger footprint than we expected.  Most of the residents have RV's here year round, but there are several spots on the west side of the park for people who are visiting the area.  Each site has full hookups, a picnic table and a fire ring, with the latter across the road from the RV.  

We parked in front and walked into the office where we were greeted by one of the nicest ladies we've ever met at an RV Park.  We've met many, many nice people, but this young lady was bubbly.  After we paid, she brought out maps, marking places we might want to visit, how to get there, letting us know about the beaches, locations, and specifically about the pedestrian beach which is only .04 miles from the RV park.  I learned she and her husband own the park, having purchased it from his parents.

  

I was surprised to see this collection of Lego's on display.  When I asked about them the owner told me the ships were her husbands - ones he made when he was younger, the ones on the table belong to their 7 year old son.  It immediately made me think of our grandson Gideon.  He loves Legos.

It felt more like we walked into a Visitor's Information Center.  She was happy to answer my questions and when we were through, she led us to our site.  Before she left, I asked her if she could show me where the pedestrian path was.  Fortunately, the path started very near our site.  She walked me over and pointed it out.  Dean and I will make that walk one day while we are here to spend some time on the beach.   After helping Dean unhook the truck from Bentley, I went back to the truck to fill out my log book.  It was 11:45A.  I love these short 2 hour travel days.

As soon as Dean had Bentley leveled, I went in to make sandwiches while he got all of the utilities "hooked up".  We both finished about the same time, allowing us to enjoy our lunch.  We were both hungry!!!  We opened the windows and door, turned on the fantastic fan that pulls the air into the RV, and were soon very comfortable.  We enjoyed relaxing for an hour or two, before we headed to the truck for a little sightseeing.

What a beautiful downtown area they have leading right along the Black River which flows in to Lake Michigan.  South Haven has several beaches on Lake Michigan.  There are four located on the north side and one area on the south, located on both sides of the Black River where it converges with Lake Michigan.     Downtown was busy but not packed.  It was full of beautiful flowers.  We parked closer to the beach, and walked toward the downtown area.  We didn't visit any of the shops, but turned here to walk back to the beach area.

We enjoyed watching the kiteboarders.  Notice the waves on the right.  At times the waves were 4-6' high.

Lots of rental homes near the beach

Boat slips along the Black River waterway leading to Lake Michigan

We seen several canoes out today on the Black River.  We were crossing the drawbridge here.

We crossed the river bridge so we could park along the river on the other side of town where most of the shops are located.  We enjoyed watching the drawbridge raise and lower for the boats to pass through.  The bridge is not very high from the water, so unless its canoes or small boats, the drawbridge operates fairly often throughout the day.  Both times we crossed - coming and going - we had to wait.  The second time we were first in line so it was a little more interesting to watch the boats pass through than when we were setting 5-7 cars back.

Gorgeous Building downtown - Clementine's Restaurant

You can see the waves hitting the boardwalk.  It was a beautiful and very windy day.

Walkway along the Black River.  At the far end is a lighthouse as it opens to Lake Michigan.

Earlier in the day we drove around other parts of town where we passed by Sherman's.  The owner of the park had pointed out Sherman's on the map but she didn't mention what it was.  As we drove by and saw the line we both looked at each other and smiled - ICE CREAM!

 Sherman's - a local homemade ice cream shop.

Earlier on our drive, we ran across Sherman's, a local ice cream establishment.   I know that you know, we could not resist.  LOL!!  Dean had a double dip with pecan praline and butter pecan.  The pecan praline was the best.  I chose a vanilla soda.  I can't remember the last time I had a GOOD one.  It was most likely at Riggs Rexall in Chetopa, KS.  I was leary about ordering one, as I've not found anyone who knew how to make a real soda in a long time; but they said it was an old fashioned one, so I gave it a try - and it was very, very good!  I was glad I chose it.  

We returned to Bentley where we rested for a few hours before dinner.  We had a light meal, a small baked potato, topped with broccoli and cheese.  

We decided to go back to the beach area where we walked earlier to watch the sunset.   The owner told us you have to see the sunset on Lake Michigan.  With nothing but water to see as it sets we were sure it would be wonderful.

As we approached the downtown area

It was a beautiful evening with the sunshine.  We loved watching the boats as they came in.

Sunset on Lake Michigan

Happy Couple

Love these signs

This guy flew in on a powerchute, then folded his kite that he stored in a bag.

The last few kiteboarders as the sun sets, with the lighthouse off to the right.

We enjoyed our afternoon and evening walking along the Black River.  It is a beautiful area.  The waves were really interesting to watch on the north side of the Black River walkway with the high winds today, but on the south side with the break of the walkway that extends into Lake Michigan, it was fairly calm.  We enjoyed watching the kite surfing where some of them really came out of the water several feet (maybe 10 feet or more) before the wind let them back down to the water's surface.  It was amazing to watch.  The waves on the north side were very high - 5' high or more and water continually ran over the walkway on the north side, but it only occured occasionally on the south side - a trickle in comparison.

It was a great first day in South Haven, Michigan.