Holland, Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan

Holland, Michigan has its roots in the most solemn aspects of Dutch culture. Much of the religious conviction remains, as does the traditional Dutch architecture, and ambiance. The Big Red Lighthouse is Michigan's most photographed lighthouse and while most people take pictures from across the harbor in Holland State Park, we managed to get right up close to it. The point area was closed off by a gatehouse and gate to all but residents of the area. I asked a couple of ladies out for a walk how to get to the lighthouse and they told us it was private property but that if we wanted to walk down and see it, they would let us in! They were so nice about opening the gate so we could park inside and gave us directions how to find the lighthouse. After a pleasant walk through the neighborhood we came upon the lighthouse and a beautiful private beach.

At the DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory you can talk with the artists as they mold, hand-paint, and glaze the only authentic blue and white delftware made in the U.S, or watch the wooden shoe carving on machines that were imported from the Netherlands!

Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan are harbor villages that attract so many artists, the area is known as “The Art Coast of Michigan”! In Saugatuck, we strolled along the boardwalk admiring the boats and explored the dockside shops. There was a Victorian hand-cranked ferry, an old-fashioned sternwheeler, and WWII amphibious "Duck" vehicle which we tried to ride to tour the area but it turned out the guy who drives it only shows up when he feels like it! Just across the river, Douglas is home to the SS Keewatin, a Titanic-era steamship, now a museum. Douglas is also home to the area's first microbrewery where we enjoyed a sampling of brews and a few games of darts!