Pat and Cindy's Great Loop Adventure

South Haven, Michigan

August 30 – September 4, 2023

The Admiral enjoying the perch basket at Captain Lou’s!
Captain Pat walking the pier to the lighthouse.

Entering South Haven, Michigan, via the Black River we see all kinds of boats -even a pirate ship with tourists.

The “Blue Heron” sailboat
Ahoy, Maties!

This is a popular waterfront destination with marinas to the north and south. We secure a slip at the south marina, the marina closest to the downtown area. As this is Labor Day weekend it’s even busier than usual. Lots of people traipsing the main walkway to and from town.

Captain Pat walking from marina to downtown South Haven.
‘Sunshine’ docked at the South Haven Marina
South Haven Marina

Looper Friends

We meet up with Tracy and George and two other Loopers (Donna and Doug aboard “Hattitude”, a 53’ Hatteras.) We laugh and swap boat stories over pizza and later ice cream. It’s wonderful to meet such warm and welcoming people. We share a lot of interests – especially endeavoring upon the Great Loop. Talk about a sub-culture. Over the weekend Captain Pat commiserated over boat issues with both George and Doug.

We make too many stops at the ice cream shop. This flavor intrigued me – for Yellowstone fans!

St. Basil Church

We locate a Mass at a Catholic church close to the marina – St. Basil’s. The name ‘Basil’ is dear to me because Basil Hayden is a distant relative who founded the first Catholic church in Kentucky. But what he’s better known for is the bourbon he distilled. ‘Basil Hayden’ is a popular bourbon brand today.

I do some research and discover that St. Basil, along with St. Chrysostom, is an early Church Father later designated a Doctor of the Church. St. Chrysostom influenced his friend Basil to convert to Catholicism. Basil was Bishop of Caesarea Mazaca (modern day Turkey) and Chrysostom was Archbishop of Constantinople.

‘Chrysostom’ is the middle name of my paternal grandfather, Hayden Chrysostom Thompson. I’ve never known anyone else with this name. How odd the two saints were friends.

Sunday Mass at St. Basil’s Church

The church of St. Basil is beautiful and even more impressive is its spacious campus that faces the beach. What a spectacular view. 

View of beach from the Church
Captain Pat by the St. Mary’s statue
They had these sweet little prayer boxes by the Mary statue.

The Beach at South Haven

Monday, we take a walk to the beach and the lighthouse.

Perfect beach day
Walking the lighthouse pier on the beach.

We are amazed at the number of people at the beach! It is a sunny day and a holiday. People took advantage of the weather to have one last soiree in the sun before autumn descends.

View of St. Basil’s Church from the beach
This fisherman caught a “dog” fish. He measured it, and threw it back in.
This older gentleman was so enjoying the lighthouse and pier!

Captain Lou’s

Yes, the Admiral’s middle name is “Louise” – “Cindy Lou” – so I knew a restaurant named “Captain Lou’s” would be good. Actually, it was the packed crowds there every night that was the giveaway. I’ve fallen in love with “perch” as a fish to eat. Captain Lou’s is known for its perch baskets.

On our last night in South Haven we treat ourselves to dinner out at Captain Lou’s. I order the perch and am not disappointed.

The next morning, we head to our last stop on Lake Michigan – West Basin Marina in St. Joseph.

Passing the lighthouses as we depart South Haven.

Here are more photos from our South Haven visit:

Saw this bird while walking with Captain Pat. I say to him “looks like a wood duck.”
A voice from someone on the sidewalk says “No, that is not a duck. It is a double-breasted cormorant.”
I look this up later. I heard “double-breasted” but she said “double-crested.”
It is a double-crested cormorant, and is not a duck but a seabird.
They are named that because they have two tufts, one on each side of their head.
This crane stayed by our boat most of the weekend.
The stunning summer flowers are fading away. This hibiscus is still vibrant.
Walking back from ice cream one night, we see this girl climbing this little light.
Pretty kitty sleeping in the shop window.
Sign outside a shop -“Surround me with sun, wind, and water – then I will be at Peace.”
Good bye, South Haven!

cmclaughlin80outlookcom

2 responses to “South Haven, Michigan”

Leave a comment