jonny tamm on lake michigan
Since I’ve begun working at ZAAZ, I have met several peoplefrom Michigan (Ford Motor Co is a major client).  There has been one womanin particular, who is from South Haven, a lil’ beach town located on theeastern shore of Lake Michigan, about 45 minutes from my undergrad collegetown. 
Speaking with her, I was reminded about how much that areahas meant to me and my friends over the years. It was a perfect 45min drive from all the stresses of college backthen.  Along the route, we’d pass thelast gas station on West Main… drive through Bangor (a sleepy speed trap townjust when you least expect it) and a stop at Jericho’s, the church-turned-liquorstore.  When I left Michigan, this wasthe spot I was truly leaving behind.
Anyway, I miss it.  
Imiss the warmth, the lighthouse walk at the end of the pier, the familiar DairyQueen with air-conditioning, and the kindness of the folks who lived there,opening their precious town to the rest of us who needed it once in a while.  I still haven’t found that space in Washington, however, revisiting South Haven in my mind made me realize that the search needs to continue.