We awoke to a hazy humid day and decided that instead of going to Holland, where all the marinas are far from town and things to see, we would go to Saugatuck, which has a reputation as picturesque harbor and town with art galleries and restaurants close to the marinas. As we headed out to Lake Michigan, the water was calm but the haze and fog obscured our destination. As we passed Holland, a regatta appeared to be underway with about a dozen similarly sized sailing vessels. We saw curtains of what appeared to be rain and the skies darkened - and were glad that this was a short run.

We were glad to tuck just in time into the Saugatuck inlet, actually the Kalamazoo River. The river is navigable - not for us, only small boats - all the way to the city of Kalamazoo MI (50 miles to the southeast). The river inlet winds several miles past a parade of elegant large cottages high up on hills with staircases leading down to docks on the waterfront.

The waterway eventually widens to Kalamazoo Lake on the northern shores of which is the villages of Saugatuck - on the south, Douglas. We headed past several other marinas and tied up at Sergeant Marina.

The town of Saugatuck looks like it might have been plucked out of the New England countryside - it was originally a satellite town to Singapore, Michigan - a 19th century town originally located right by the Kalamazoo inlet. Singapore was eventually abandoned in favor of the inland Saugatuck and the ruins of Saugatuck were covered by Lake Michigan sands over 50 years ago.