South Haven: Packing and Unpacking

Today we made our second trip this week back to South Bend from South Haven.  Jim had a candidate's job talk and  recruitment dinner on Tuesday and today and tomorrow he is leading his seminar.  Some people commute an hour daily so doing this twice in a week is not so bad!  I decided not to stay in South Haven alone without a car so I kept Jim company on the trip and during those afternoon and evening hours on Juniper Road just north of the Notre Dame campus.

I have been a bit overwhelmed by the constant packing and unpacking however.  Today we left Jim's shampoo in the shower in South Haven and my favorite pillow must be there because it is not here!  I have had more trouble with insomnia this week and I am attributing that to the transitions--and wanting to enjoy South Haven so much.  Plus we are constantly problem solving to get wifi access, run the TV remotes and turn the kitchen fan off. (a new remote battery was the answer)  Yes, these are first world problems but they are a challenge for two 75 year olds! 

Last night's sunset over Lake Michigan was worth the confusion of our many transitions.     We walked to town and waited 20 minutes as early as 5:30 for a table at Clementine's, a favorite and always busy restaurant.  We were walking home at 7:30 when I said to Jim, "I think it is beginning to rain."  Within three minutes, there was no doubt.  It was a downpour.  We took shelter at the entrance to the Maritime Museum and checked our weather app which said it would stop in 20 minutes.  It did lighten up and we walked the rest of the way home.  It was good to put on dry clothes.  Our shoes were still wet this morning. But then the sun came out over the lake and the sunset was glorious.  The sky was pink for miles north of us and the water reflected that pink sky.

The condo we rent in South Haven is so lovely.  And it is well equipped unlike this Notre Dame rental.  There was plenty of toilet paper, hand soap, paper towels,--even a bottle of Merlot and a container of coffee.  The owner gave us a $25 gift card to Bunde's Bakery, another favorite place two blocks away, but sadly they will only be open on Saturday and Sunday mornings for a few hours each.  This is the Covid story--staff shortages everywhere.  We'll get ourselves a treat and then leave the card for housekeeping to use. 

Jim and one of his favorite golfing buddies, Uncle John Lukaart, golfed at Hawkshead while my sister Lois and I did a bit of shopping.  We were happy to see our favorite women's apparel store, Janny's Beach House, was still open and I left with a shopping bag in my hand.  

It has been too windy and cool to enjoy the beach and the pool.  But the best part of renting #301 at 225 North Shore Drive is looking out at the lake which is always beautiful.  We will head out there again tomorrow afternoon for another 24 hours and maybe another beautiful sunset. We have to time our return to South Bend carefully however because Juniper Road has always been one way traffic on game days--coming into campus pre-game and leaving post-game.