A beautiful early-summer night, I thought it was finally time to take the bike out and experience nature and my surroundings. What better place to begin than Michiana Shores. (That's where my bike was, I kind of had to begin there).
I left my parents' cottage on Powhatan, drove down El Portal, the "main stretch" of the summer vacation community and headed up Old Grand Beach Road toward Michigan. Passing the state sign was a great feeling, as was observing some of the trees and animals on my route.
I turned around about half way to New Buffalo on US 12 near Grand Beach. But on my way back, I made sure to bike through Grand Beach, which is one of the richest areas I've ever been to. It's traditionally an irish community nestled on the southern tip of Harbor Country that is filled with Chicagoans vacationing at their second homes.
I followed the main drag in Grand Beach and it took me to Lake Michigan, my best friend.
I love the Lake. I can;t be without it. I tried for two and a half years in Clinton, but I just needed to have it. When I was transfered to La Porte two months ago, I felt a little frustrated that I was even 15 minutes from a Lake Michigan beach.
But I knew I would find it in Grand Beach Wednesday night. And making it all better was that I got there just as the sun was about to set. A great way to conclude a great five-day weekend for Memorial Day.
The five-day weekend in itself was less motivating, but I did improve the look of my car, a 2003 Saturn and relaxed at my parents' home in Oak Lawn, Illinois, also enjoying the annual Memorial Day Parade in Beverly down Longwood Drive.
Some day I just want to bike across the nation, pass all of the state signs and experience every place. Maybe one day. Hopefully while I am still young enough to have the energy.
