59. SAUGATUCK

Saugatuck, Michigan

7/26/2010

Saugatuck was started as a sort of artist-haven and about a third of Schultz’s entry focuses on the Oxbow School of Art – a hundred-year old summer satellite of the Art Institute of Chicago.

We were surprised that there was no signage for the school anywhere. In fact, the school lies at the end of a very narrow road, far off the beaten path. If I hadn’t done my homework in advance we never would have found it. It doesn’t have a real address and cars can’t make it all the way to the school. We parked the car as close as we could and then hiked up a small, heavily wooded hill. At this point, I was still uncertain if we were in the right place, since we hadn’t seen any indication of any school. Just when I was starting to think it might be a good idea to turn around we entered into a clearing where a series of small buildings made up the campus. A wooden sign declared this indeed to be the Oxbow School of Art. A few dozen people were scattered over the clearing eating lunch, sitting on benches, in circles on the grass and over on a small pier. Many of them stared at us quizzically. It seemed as though we had fallen upon some strange, undiscovered tribe in the wilderness. It was clear we were invaders and we felt guilty. A woman approached us, and although she was very friendly she seemed confused when we explained what we were doing there. It was obvious that it was unusual for people to erupt from the woods “just to see the place.” The woman brought us to another lady in one of the buildings (presumably someone in charge) who seemed just as confused by our presence – although amused. She said we were free to walk along the lakeshore if we wished, but not to disturb the classes. We went back outside and someone was setting up easels. Lunch was ending and work was about to recommence. Sheepishly, we disappeared into the wilderness from whence we came.

Well, that was awkward. Thanks, Patricia. Thanks a lot.

All was not lost at Saugatuck because we spent most of the rest of the day at Oval Beach. MTV calls Oval Beach one of the best five beaches in the USA, so since we’ve been there that pretty makes us the hippest people in alive.

I don’t think most people think connect “Lake Michigan” and “tropical paradise” but that is pretty much what you get here. We couldn’t drag Daniel away from playing in the sand and swimming with Mommy.

Even Philip worked on his tan.

Thus ended our successful conquest of Lower Michigan. It took us six hours to drive home and as we moved further south and east it was very obvious to see how much the environment transitioned away from the gorgeous diversity of western Michigan. What a beautiful state.