Not really a secret

We decided dinner out would be a nice change so Sharon and I began the painful process of elimination.  I say painful because we never agree on where to go.  We got it down to two choices and surprisingly we both wanted to go the the Phoenix Street Cafe (http://www.phoenixstreetcafe.com) in downtown South Haven.  Well-known for it's great breakfast and lunch menus, we thought what a better time than to try them for dinner.

The dinner hour begins at 5:00pm and we arrived shortly thereafter.  We choose a window seat and was quickly greeted by a very gracious hostess who explained the evenings specials and took our drink order.  A few minutes later she came back with a small hors d'oeuvres consisting of a thinly sliced soft baguette-like bread with a salmon spread and a balsamic vinegar reduction.  All served on a decorative ceramic tile.  I could have made my entire meal on several more of these tasty little morsels.  Looked good and tasted even better.

Our hostess returned shortly and Sharon ordered the salmon dish with quinoa, mushrooms and a red pepper-tomato sauce and I picked the whitefish with pearl pasta and a citrus, mustard, and dill sauce.  Within 15 minutes our orders arrived and the presentations were flawless.

Salmon

Whitefish

Superbly fresh and a more than adequate quantity, these fish entrees were first cabin.  Delicate and unique in flavor ... this chef knows what he's doing.

So we'd finally discovered what many locals probably already knew.  The Phoenix Street Cafe is a great place to eat.  A cut above most local places but not so pretentious that you wouldn't feel comfortable in casual clothes.  We'll be back.

Yup ... we're still livin' the dream.

Phil

 

More Great News

I must be getting older (oh really?) ... I now have a granddaughter who has a drivers license and ... her own car.  OMG.  Father time marches on.  Even though her mother's anxiety level may have reached new highs, she's working her way towards adulthood and this is just another milestone along that path.  I vaguely remember when I got my first car (my grandfather's 1951 Chevy) and what an exciting (and liberating) moment it was.  My world just grew exponentially larger.  No longer was a bike ride downtown a big deal ... Just think ...I could now go anywhere. (well maybe anywhere my folks would let me). New places to go and see without Mom and Dad ... this is exciting stuff.  Anyway it's often said that a picture is worth a thousand words so here is what pure joy looks like.  My granddaughter and her Jeep.  Pretty cool, I'd say.

So fellow travelers ... keep an eye out for her on the highway.  She's a good driver but still is learning (as most of us are).

On another note (a musical one at that) ... I gathered up several of my fellow campers and headed for the "What-Not-Inn" (http://www.whatnotinn.com/) for a late Father's Day evening of food and jazz.

Headlining was singer Tony Reynolds (www.ynotsing.com), the consummate big-time professional who makes you glad you drug your butt off the couch and found out where he was performing.  Handling song requests from the last three or four decades (plus his standard show), there are few he can't do.  With the fantastic keyboard work of Michigan's own Wally Michaels, the two make for a unforgettable evening.  By the looks of Tony's schedule (he performs in California almost every weekend) you can better understand his chosen profession is more than a paycheck but a true labor or love.  He and Wally will be back at the WNI July 17th. But in the meantime, they will be performing at various venues in the Grand Rapids area so check out the link.

The next major event at Cousins RV Park (http://www.cousinssouthhaven.com) is the upcoming Fourth of July Pig Roast.  Most of us are already drooling profusely so it's difficult to talk, but let me say this ... this is a major eating fest.  Dishes to pass from some of the best cooks/campers on the planet, this is summer at its finest.  Jerry and Corky will be cooking up the 180+ pound porker and by about noon on the 3rd, we'll all be lined up like kids at the candy counter anticipating that heavenly pork.  Oh what decadence.  We'll have a parade in the park complete with flags, decorations and pretty girls plus South Haven will be having its annual fireworks show later that night. Summer in Southwestern Michigan at its finest.

Hal and Mary (camp owners) make such a fuss over the campers here it's no wonder so many come back each year and this premier event seals the deal for most of us.  A big 'Thanks' to both of them.

And so it goes ... still livin' the dream.

Phil

Catching up ... again

Kickin' back must come naturally as that's just about all we've been doing of late.  Getting reacquainted with friends and family after our winter trip has taking most of our time.  But as you might suspect ... we have had a few interesting moments.

For instance ...

We returned to our house to find that nothing had leaked nor had we been invaded by any critters.  Nothing was out of place.  Nothing.  Oh what a relief.

Sharon's family decided to have a reunion after a 20 year hiatus, so it made for a gathering with many new little faces, sadly several missing faces, but the family has remained intact and thriving.  From as far away as Texas and as old as 85, lots of hugs and kisses all around.  It was a good day.

One big happy family

Here's a picture of the whole clan.  (however getting this group together for this photo was sort of like herding cats)

Our friends Bill and June have joined us at our summer camp with the coach they purchased in Florida earlier this year.  They've already made themselves at home and make a great addition to the existing group.

Our friends Ron and Tammy have upgraded their inflatable boat to a 13 footer with a 40hp motor. Oh my ... Should go like a rocket.

Friends Don and his wife Nancy hosted a gathering of some 25 Chevrolet Corvettes here at the park.  These almost civil hotrods just ooze testosterone and their presence makes any red blooded male a little weak in the knees.  Though not all piloted by gentlemen, these speedsters are still what driving is all about ... whomever is behind the wheel.  I was however a little disappointed in that not one tire was squeelled or squawked.  No smoking tire exits ... no high revving 600hp engines ... just a calm, orderly departure. Come on people ... how about next time giving us station wagon owners a little thrill?

The whole gang

Sure like to see this beauty on the streets of Aruba

Four members of the Model "A" Ford Club of America (and their cars) (www.mafca.com) made a lunch stop at Cousins restaurant and we coaxed them to pull out in front of the restaurant for a few pictures.  More than gracious and eager to please, they lined up for the shots before leaving.  They had started in Colorado and their next stop was Mackinaw City, Michigan.  These old beauties must be pretty tough as when they were new it was the late 1920's and early 1930's.  Try that with the iron your currently driving in another 80 years! I don't know where these folks are eventually headed but they're certainly a hardy lot ... no air conditioning, no soft cushy seats, top speed maybe 45mph, and no cruise control.  Truly life in the slow lane.

So where's Bonnie and Clyde?

As you might of guessed ... I aged the image above so it looked like an old postcard.  Unfortunately the Nike tennis shoes gives its true age away.

Two good looking ladies

And finally we enjoyed an afternoon of silliness and frivolity with the annual 'White Elephant Meet and Greet' at the park.  Owners Hal and Mary provide the hamburgs, hot dogs and chicken while everyone brought dishes to pass.  The 'white elephant' involves each of us bringing a gift (sometimes goofy) to trade off to one of the other camp members.  Lots of laughs and a great way to kick off the summer season.

So there you go ... I'm caught up and ready for the next adventure.

Still livin' the dream.

Phil