Bruce and I have always been people who loved locations where the water and land meet. Our 2nd date was at the Oregon coast. I’d lived in Portland for close to 3 years, and hadn’t gone to the beach yet. From Bruce’s point of view, this was simply wrong. He’d grown up going to the coast, digging clams, crabbing, deep sea fishing, building bonfires and investigating tide pools.
Being a northern Californian, who spent a couple of summer days at the beach each season, (working on a sunburn with baby oil and iodine), driving to the beach for a walk and some chowder was alien to me. Little did I know how deeply I’d fall in love with the rocky cliffs of Lincoln City Oregon. And yes, I ate clam chowder at Mo’s – and clams were not my thing.
Love is truly blind
Anyway, we’ve always loved trips to the ocean, be it a week long vacation or a day trip. There is something about the waves meeting the shore that’s soothing. When we lived in Capitola we loved watching the surfers, especially when they wiped out. Seeing sea lions on the pier and the occasional dolphin from the shore. We could hear the waves at night from our house, they sang us to sleep. The majesty of the ocean is unparalleled for me. It’s a testimony to the powerful handiwork of an intelligent and creative God.
Moving inland, to AZ was a challenge. We left the Monterey Bay for the desert and I was not happy. Not only was the desert hot, dry, brown and filled with prickly plants and bugs
There was no water
That first summer I went back to Capitola in July, mostly to escape the heat. Having friends in the area allowed us to get our beach fix before we had to go back to Phoenix. All that waited for us were 118 temps, chlorinated pools, roaches, poisonous spiders, scorpions and dust.
Just as our bodies adapted to desert life, we moved to the Chicago suburbs. Living near one of the Great Lakes afforded us that majestic, water experience again. For anyone who has never been to a Great Lake they are magnificent. Some of them are so big they create their own weather. They are endless-you can’t see to the other side. Kinda like the ocean.
There are even seagulls
We took a little excursion to Lexington MI. Sailing harbor, quaint shops, B&B’s, and a gorgeous view of Lake Huron.
All of the Great Lakes that I’ve seen are stunning, and I’ve seen 4 of the 5, (missing Superior). I am always in awe when we stand on the shore. Lake Michigan from the Michigan side is spectacular. Sunset cruises, sailing, sandy beaches and climbing dunes.
Chicagoans are addicted in summer
Lake Erie is connected with the Rust Belt cities, Cleveland, Buffalo, Erie and Detroit. We visited Lake Erie from the city of Erie and it was lovely. Windy, sunny, big rocks and breakers. A Pirate cruise waited to take people out for a tour.
We saw Lake Ontario from the Canadian side in Toronto. It was cold and rainy, but we still felt like we’d managed a trip to the coast.
But this morning’s visit to Lake Huron in Lexington is ranking up there as my all time favorite. There was something so peaceful, beautiful, even magical, about seeing the sun sparkle on the water as it came up. People were walking the breakfront with their coffee and dogs. A few brave kids were down on the sandy shore, building castles and being buried in sand.
I could live there, but I say that about almost every coastal town we visit, be it ocean or lake!
Never hurts to dream does it?
I picked up a tee shirt today,
Anyone whose been to an ocean beach knows what saltwater is like. The sticky feeling you get after swimming, the sand clinging everywhere and the seaweed…oh the seaweed!
Not in the Great Lakes!
We took a little walk in Port Huron to see the water because everything in the town from dentists to real estate offices are named, “Blue Water ____ ”. The bridge to Canada is called, The Blue Water Bridge. I didn’t believe the water was as blue as their claims…
Wrong!
Each side of the lake flies dual flags
A few of our park neighbors are Canadians. The country is so close that people come and go on both sides regularly. One couple has a dog named Brandy, who diligently waits for someone to come greet her. She rolled on her back to show me her tummy this morning before we left camp. They are semi retired (like us) and trying to decide if they want a winter home in Florida.
If I lived in Canada I might want a winter home in Florida too!
I admit, I’m in no way ready to abandon my love of the ocean for a Great Lake, but they have definitely opened my world when it comes to land/water life. The Great Lake states were never on my bucket list of places to visit, but I’m so grateful I’ve seen them.
It’s a big country, this USA we live in. And it’s an amazingly hospitable place, contrary to how it can be portrayed at times. I’m eager to explore more of it, and see how life is lived in places I’ve never been.
For now, I’m grateful to accidentally be in this place, where the land and water meet
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