How many fans are out there of Tim Burton’s beloved holiday mashup, The Nightmare Before Christmas? I for one can’t count the many ways I love this stop motion masterpiece, if only for the fact that it bridges the fall – winter holiday season together so whimsically. But from a philosophical perspective, this film brings into focus how we can all get into a rut, such as we initially find with our story’s hero, Jack Skellington.
What we come to learn through his hollow eyes is that inspiration can come from many places- outside our routine, by rethinking our existing lot, and through friends and lovers.
The one other more esoteric lesson was to enjoy the present without wishing it away in a constant look to the future– to challenge ourselves to be more conscious in our waking life. It’s with these lessons that I was inspired to share the off-season joys of the Saugatuck-Douglas area (aka the Art Coast of Michigan) happening right now!
We begin our tour-of-conciousness with the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. Blessed with 1,000 acres of land with 2.5 miles of stunning Lake Michigan shoreline. The park has fresh water coastal dunes that are over 200 feet tall, and 14 miles of trails. This sets up the perfect opportunity for hikes with incredible vistas, and exciting chances to see wildlife such as a variety of birds: common terns, brown thrashers, grosbeaks, pileated woodpeckers, tufted titmouses, and great horned owls. Fall is the perfect season to commune with nature on less crowded trails, and experience more vibrant colors.
Looking for a more “festive” adventure? Look no further than Crane’s 20 acre corn maze in Fennville, MI. Fun for kids at all ages, and super scary at night! And, as with every year, it has an expiration date at the end of October.
We’d love to see Ellen’s Andy and Amy tackle it at night!
When night falls, however, nothing quite beats Douglas’ Glow in the Park all family event which will be on Friday, October 28th this year, or — on Saturday night— the (local) granddaddy Halloween event of all, the Halloween Parade *for adults* ! The latter is a hysterical romp where everyone gets a chance to strut their stuff down Douglas’s Center Street.
In year’s past, my best friend, Doug, dressed up like the Dairy Queen– passing (throwing) out processed sliced cheese to parade watchers, and another year we all dressed up like sassy, naughty Gilly.
Of course, if all of this activity is stretching you to your inner Jack Skellington existential core, you can always simply curl up with nice glass of Halloween Pumpkin ale, cider donuts from Crane’s, and your favorite movie in front of RWP’s newly installed retro-faux fireplace.
Whatever your state of mind, enjoy the season, and come soon to RWP!
Vacation Home Rentals- Saugatuck and Fort Lauderdale 