Tuesday, January 22, 2019

May 2017 - New Buffalo, Michigan

When I was first assigned a short term assignment in Mishawaka in 2017 everyone said - UGH! What will you do in Mishawaka, Indiana? It was truly the greatest job assignment to date! I lived and worked in Mishawaka, Indiana (5 minutes from Notre Dame University) and every night I drove to Lake Michigan! 

I was blown away at the lake! I had never seen it before and it was HUGE!!! It really was like the ocean only no salt and no sharks!!! AMAZING!

There are so many awesome and exciting beaches and restaurants to visit along  "The Mitten" of Michigan! I really love that state and that lake now! I miss it terribly! Here is a rental car selfie...


I found this awesome restaurant Stray Dog Bar and Grill because of a recommendation from one of the employees. It is located in New Buffalo which is a cute little vacation-ish town on the shore of Lake Michigan.

The ahi tuna salad was TO DIE FOR! Sadly, so was the bread! HA! I gained so much weight during that year and 1/2 of travel but I would not trade the experience for anything!

And the view was truly amazing!!! I spent every night walking the shores of Lake Michigan looking for sea glass and crinoids! (I learned about the crinoids from Jeri)  It is an amazing mystery how they got there!!!

Seriously, I love the beach and this was a dream job come true!!

I met so many friendly people as I walked these shores every night! One woman, Jeri, I still keep in touch with - she lives there year round!! Check out her instagram in the link above for really cool winter photos!!!

Cute little decorative lighthouse on the shore of New Buffalo...

Beautiful place...

Sun was setting...Sooo pretty!!!!!!!!!

Closer...
Almost done...

I got to watch the sun set over water everyday during that assignment...I got really spoiled those 6 months!! Then it was time to leave and winter took hold so I think I lucked out there too!!

From what I hear from the locals; winter is brutal near the lake! I will take summer anytime!!

Have you got a favorite job experience? Love the beach or not so much? Know what a crinoid is? Do you search for sea glass at the beach? Have a favorite or special place - what is it and why?


28 comments:

  1. Gogeous!! But in your home state there are 11 miles of sandy beaches. Have you never been?https://www.goerie.com/presque-isle/things-to-do/beaches
    And all the history. Food tours, historical tours, nature tours. Ann, I am going to come up there and take you!!! It's only 2 hrs away. :-)

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    1. LOL Maragaret!! I have not ever been! Isn't that crazy! Someone else mentioned that to me - I am only about an hour away according to people here! The only water I had seen prior to Indiana was the sea - Jersey shore, etc. LOL! I would be happy to plan a fun trip with you!!

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  2. What a great experience! I would love to see the Great Lakes!

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    1. They really are amazing!! It looks like the sea and they have waves and everything!!!

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  3. I lived right on Lake Erie for four years. Winter is beyond brutal! But the Great Lakes are beautiful.

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    1. Oh wow Terri!! That is awesome! So you can agree summer is amazing and winter is crazy cold!!! HA!

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  4. Beautiful photos!! A co-worker of mine just moved back home to Michigan and he is not far from the Lake supposedly....
    Thanks for stopping by!! Actually, decorating for every holiday is a stress reliever for me and a creative outlet!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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    1. Well it must relieve a lot of stress because you do it very well!!! I am very jealous of your co-worker!! It is such a lovely state and the state parks are the best!!! HUGS and have a great night!

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  5. Ann, if you do go please let me know. I will give you all the great spots to take in. I mean unless i can go with you. ....tee hee.
    I used to skip school to go to the beach. That was my life up there. The rest of the city is - eh....but the beaches are da bomb. Kite flying on beach 10 is phenomenal and known around the world. If you are north of Pit it won't take you long - straight up 79 until you hit water. :-)

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    1. I will - I will definitely wait until spring or summer but i am making a plan to go next summer FOR SURE!!! Any tips would be very welcome and keep an eye out for the post!! HA

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  6. Beautiful pictures. Thank you for visiting my blog today and it will be fun getting to know one another. God bless you in a special way today.

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    1. Thank you so very much!! I am also so excited to learn more about you! There is nothing better than new friends!! Hugs and thank for the blessings!

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  7. My dad took the family on a Great Lakes cruise years ago, but I didn't fully grasp their entirety. (A remedial course in U.S. geography might be in order, for sure.) I would love to revisit those shores someday.

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    1. That's so funny you said that! I hated geography and I have no idea where anything is geography wise! I was amazed that I have a great lake that close to me in Pgh!! Also, I would have never realized the size of them...when I fly over them, they honestly look like oceans they are soooo BIG! Now I wish I had paid more attention to geography! HA

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  8. Looks so pretty! I have a friend who is from Indiana but must not have been that part because he hated it.

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    1. LOL! Yes, it would depend on where although a few people I met in Mishawaka were not thrilled about where they lived either and seemed amazed when I told them I loved it...perspective perhaps???

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  9. I've always wanted to visit Michigan; but probably not in the winter. LOL

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    1. Yes Definitely NOT in the winter!! I would steer clear then! HA! But if you are even close; I would add it to your must see list at the top!!

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  10. Hi Ann, Thank for visiting my blog and following. I love this post. My daughter (I have 4) took me to New Buffalo two years ago and we celebrated all our winter birthdays with my daughter whose birthday is in June. We had a great time and ate at the Stray Dog. It was relaxing and fun. My daughter used to live in Bristol and Elkhart..she has now moved to Carmel. I would love to visit the Norte dame campus ...I love that old movie, "Rudy" . Blessings to you stay warm and safe . xoxo, Susie

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    1. That is awesome!! I was right next to Elkhart - small world!!! What a great place to celebrate birthdays! Wasn't the restaurant yummy and so welcoming!!! Very cool! I am so happy to learn more about you Susie!!! I think anywhere can be amazing if you explore! Hugs

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  11. Oh, wow! I grew up there, well on the other side-- Lake Huron. Beautiful place!

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    1. Oh wow Sandyi that's awesome! I am so very jealous. I would've loved to grow up that close to a lake! My parents had a house on a lake but we only got to go up on weekends. If Lake Huron is anything like Lake Michigan … You had one blessed childhood! Have a great weekend Sandi!

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  12. I have to say that I attended a Bible camp in Mishawaka so many, many years ago!

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    1. That is wonderful Betty and that does not surprise me at all! I worked there for a few months and I swear I've met people that I won't know for the rest of my life! It is such a great area with so many wonderful people… Thanks for stopping by and I can't wait to get to know you better! Have a great weekend!

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  13. What a fantastic opportunity! I haven't been to Lake Michigan in a zillion years but agree - there is so much to be said for lake life! My biggest draw being the no sharks part ha. Sounds like it was ana amazing and beautiful 6 months. Thanks for linking up with #farawayfiles

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    1. Thank you for stopping by! It was the experience of my lifetime now. I really enjoyed meeting new people and exploring new cool places!

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