S6,E32: South Haven

This week takes us to the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, as we do a little road trip to Saugatuck and South Haven. We'll take you out on the water, do some shopping, talk to three blondes who brew, and meet up with some fine friends who are cooking up greatness at their very own restaurant finally. We'll even tell you about the most fantastic saltine crackers we've ever had. Intrigued? Here's more: We'll start off at a cute little spot nestled downtown Saugatuck on the shores of the Kalamazoo River. Retro Boat Rentals offers up the sweetest little boats that you can take out, on your own, to cruise around and see Saugatuck from the water. Brightly colored 50's-style little cruisers will make you feel like a vintage movie star, while the donut boats can be packed with friends to bob along with. There are pontoons too, and all the boats have been retrofitted and are electric, so you'll hum along in silence, able to absorb all the sites and sounds of Saugatuck. Grab a beer or a cocktail afterward on their sunny deck to prolong your enjoyment. Next, our friends from LuLu Cadiuex come by and share that they are expanding into a new space in downtown Saugatuck. While their cooking school remains on Blue Star Highway, they'll be moving their store downtown. This is the place to find all sorts of fun things for your home, from table linens to dishes and cookware, to a stacked array of cookbooks. Amy is a big fan of snooping around here and seeing what she might find, from cool clothes to great gifts. Just a few minutes farther down the shore lies South Haven, another beachside gem. During the busy summer time it can be hard to find parking downtown, so we head outside of this bustling area and go straight to Three Blondes Brewing. Located very close to the highway exit, this fun spot is easy to get, and always has a cold beer waiting for you. We talk with Amanda Johnson, one of the three blondes brewing. Finally, we reconnect with some friends who have been making their dreams come true and we couldn't be prouder. Meredith Sherrod owns The Lodge, an absolute banger of a restaurant, bar, and hang-out located just a bit outside of downtown SH. She and her business partner Erica Degrandchamp worked together for years at Captain Lou's, and finally made their dream of owning their very own restaurant a reality when they purchased local spot The Curve. A few years later, this remodeled space features an incredible menu, from their scratch kitchen, all run by these two best friends. Now about those crackers.....find them at The Lodge. Have them with pimento cheese dip. Thank us later. Follow John and Amy: Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten Twitter at @BehindTheMitten Instagram at @BehindTheMitten