Greg, of Minnesota, flies a kite 75-100 feet over Grand Haven, Mich.
PORTFOLIO UPDATE
+9 Photo
Having been born and raised in Saginaw, on the eastern side of Michigan, I have not had the chance to experience much of what West Michigan has to offer until this summer. It is pretty safe to say I was missing out on some of Michigan’s finer places.
A summer day in Grand Haven today – an impromptu visit by Press reporting intern Nick Persons and I – is, thus far, one of my highlights. It was my first time there, a harbor town on Lake Michigan. And we didn’t even stay that long. We drove through town a little bit and spent 2-3 hours on the beach. But I got to meet some cool people, soak in some rays and take a nice dip into Lake Michigan.
Quick facts about Grand Haven: It’s a town of about 11,000 in Ottawa County, about 25 miles west of Grand Rapids and at the mouth of the Grand River (which crosses right through Grand Rapids). Two of my Central Michigan Life coworkers – Jake May and Jessica Scott – either lived or grew up there and both recommended at least one visit during my stay nearby. It has a huge beach on Lake Michigan that was quite crowded today. I figured it was a great way to meet a few people and take some nice photos.
Two people I met were Greg and Carrie – a couple from Minnesota – who were flying kites on the beach. Carrie told me they were visiting, in part, to check out other kites and materials, having also been to Mackinac Island and, if I remember correctly, Ludington. (Not sure if they went to those places on this trip or before that) They got one kite up a good 75-100 feet in the air (the one pictured above) and eventually sent two others into the sky later in the afternoon.
A happy head in the Grand Haven sand.
Later on, I got to meet two other families near the water, with their kids digging holes, making sand castles and burying themselves. One parent turned a girl into a sand mermaid and a boy into a crab. (See more photos on my photography page.) It was one of those moments in which I missed being a kid. I remember burying myself all the time in sand at the beach, whether it was in Michigan while camping or at Florida near St. Petersburg, where my aunt resides. I was never too much into sand castles – only digging holes and burying myself. At least that is what I remember.
Overall, though, I decided a return trip, possibly next weekend, was in order. I also may check out Holland and Saugatuck, both of which are south of Grand Haven and also on Lake Michigan. From proofreading Grand Rapids Press stories on events and entertainment, it seems like a lot goes on on the waterfront. I better make my last four weeks here worth the stay!
Be sure to check the photography section for the photos I added from today’s trip. Offer any comments or suggestions, if you would like! Photography is something I am trying to get a little better at and could use the criticism.
Posted by Brian Manzullo at July 11, 2009
Photography