Well, summer is the time for the three of us, Sandra Campbell, Sharon Hegwood and Linda Sparkman, to pack our ol’ bags and hit the road to explore, photograph and enjoy some picturesque cities along Michigan’s west coast. We were excited for our adventure to begin and we found a wonderful resort in the town of Saugatuck to escape the fast-paced daily pressures of America’s work-a-day world. No one rushes here. Just breathing the clean, fresh air along Lake Michigan makes you slow down, relax and stop to smell the roses.

Located about 185 miles from the Metro-Detroit area, Saugatuck is a small harbor community filled with natural scenic beauty. Sand dunes to the west and verdant orchards to the east provide a unique setting for this charming town. It is here that the Kalamazoo River empties into Lake Michigan. The Saugatuck/Douglas Visitors Guide and Directory provides us with this interesting tidbit: “Saugatuck’s Oval Beach has been rated by Conde Naste’s Traveler Magazine as one of the 25 best shorelines in the world. MTV has ranked the Oval as one of the top five beaches in the country.”

Saugatuck was first settled in the mid 1800’s as a lumber community. Many of the trees in this area were used to help rebuild Chicago after it burned to the ground in 1871. Its reputation as a resort town started in the early 1900’s when many people from Chicago came to Saugatuck to vacation and rest.

In 1910 the Summer School of Painting was started in Ox-Bow Lagoon and today it is affiliated with the Art Institute of Chicago and has become a Mecca for artists everywhere. Saugatuck is located in the heart of what is nationally known as The Art Coast of Michigan.

When visiting here be sure to stop at the Chamber of Commerce and pick up the “Art Gallery Guide” which locates more than 25 art galleries in the area. “The Artist Trail” brochure features several working artists’ studios nearby which highlight various art mediums including sculpture, forged copper and glass, hand-thrown stoneware, and porcelain pottery. Some of the best artists in Michigan find their creativity heightened by their scenic surroundings.

If you are naturally drawn to the blue waters of the Great Lakes, there are many ways to enjoy your stay in Saugatuck. Take a 1 ½ hour cruise on The Star of Saugatuck, an authentic sternwheeler paddleboat and learn the history of the area while catching glimpses of blue heron, Canadian geese, and wild turkey along the shore. Charter boats are available for those fishermen who love to catch perch, salmon, pike and trout. You can also rent kayaks, pontoons, and seadoos from the many marinas along the shore.

For those of you who love to watch the waves, but prefer to stay on dry land, Saugatuck has three 18-hole championship golf courses in the area, one of which was designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer. Or, you may prefer to hike to the top of the Mt. Baldhead sand dune. The 283-step climb will provide you with a breathtaking view of the harbor. For those of us not so athletic, we can enjoy a rollicking ride in a dune buggy across the gigantic sand hills. If you enjoy hunting wild game, you can contact the Top Gun Hunt Club for an exciting adventure.

Lake Michigan provides refreshing cool breezes in the lazy days of summer. We found our stroll along the boardwalk in the cool of the evening to be quite pleasant. Birds chirping, squirrels scampering and the fragrance of flowers in full bloom made our view of the harbor quite memorable.

Saugatuck has many small boutiques located throughout this artsy community. There are plenty of benches to stop and rest along the be-flowered sidewalks. One whole corner lot in town is devoted to a spectacular rose garden. The delicate beauty, kaleidoscope of colors and rich fragrance made this a favorite spot to stop and smell the roses.

Be sure to stop by the Dockside Marketplace and locate the International Home whose collection of Small World Rhythm clocks is truly mesmerizing. Other shops in town include the Tiki Hut, Uncharted Courses where you’ll find nautical discoveries, and the Wild Ideas Gallery featuring woodcarvings by local artists.

Since Saugatuck is a good three-hour drive from the Detroit area, you might want to make arrangements for a stay in the Bed & Breakfast Capital of the Midwest. The Chicago Sun Times voted the Rosemont Inn Resort as “one of the Midwest’s Top 10 romantic retreats.” Whether you prefer the casual elegance of the Bayside Inn on Water Street or the Hidden Garden Cottage, a luxurious hideaway for two, there is sure to be pleasing accommodations for even the fussiest traveler.

The culinary arts are well represented in Saugatuck as well. Whatever your taste, you have a wide variety of choices. Elegant dining is available at the Belvedere Inn, a renovated mansion. Marro’s is a 30-year favorite of the locals known for their specialty Italian cuisine. Crane’s Pie Pantry specializes in children’s menus and famous fresh pies, homemade with fruit provided by nearby orchards. And don’t forget to stop by the Saugatuck Drug Co. for their 81-year specialty of the house: an old-fashioned hand-creamed soda. A perfect way to end the day.

Although our short time in Saugatuck was well spent, the ThreeOlBags decided we needed to return for a weekend writer’s retreat. Now, wouldn’t that be fun? With so much to see and do here, we might not get much writing done, but we would go home with our creative juices flowing. Maybe we’ll see you there!