May 2017 - St. Joseph, Michigan

I have been thinking a lot lately of two years ago when I lived and worked in Indiana/Michigan. I drove up to lake Michigan almost every night and I have such a love for the lake now! I miss seeing it and hearing it!

Here are a few pictures of St. Joseph, MI. It is a 20 minute drive form where I worked in Indiana. I think you will understand why I love it there when you see these...

Untitled from ann wolfe on Vimeo.

On one of my many walks along the beaches there; I met a wonderful woman, Jeri,  that taught me about crinoids - they are fossils that can be found in the sand there. We have kept in touch and she is now a wonderful self made photographer that takes the most beautiful and unique pictures of Lake Michigan. You can see her work HERE.

I miss you Lake Michigan!

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?