From the time I was in kindergarten until I graduated from high school, our family moved six times.  But oddly enough, I started and finished within the same school system - Lakeshore Public Schools.  Our last move brought us back to Stevensville Michigan during my 7th grade year, and I remained a Lakeshore Lancer until the principal handed me my high school diploma.  Ironically, since graduating from high school, I myself have moved six times and have only been back one time to the area I grew up, and that was about twelve years ago.  Having moved around so much made it difficult to track me down for our five and ten year reunion (which I subsequently missed), in those years prior to the ubiquity of the Internet.  So as you can imagine, I was greatly looking forward to my twenty year high school reunion.  It would be a chance to not only re-connect with classmates I hadn't seen in 20 years, but also an opportunity to revisit my old stomping grounds, and show my wife where I grew up.  After several weeks of growing anticipation, Karen and I packed up the Bimmer for a weekend away, and made the five hour drive from Dayton to St. Joseph. 

Once we arrived, we immediately checked in to hotel I chose for the weekend - the Silver Beach Hotel:   

Back in my day, this hotel was a Holiday Inn...and not a very nice one at that.  Since then the hotel has changed hands a few times, and has recently been remodeled to its current iteration:

As it turns out, the hotel does need some more work - it was reasonably appointed, but between a fan that ran all night in the bathroom, and the anemic water pressure from the shower, the stay was less than what we'd hoped for.  But I sprang for the 7th (top floor) room with a view, which was nice:

After we got checked in and unpacked, we changed for the pre-reunion get together planned for later that evening.  We ran out and grabbed a quick bite to eat, then raced down Glenlord Ave. to my favorite spot in the area to watch a sunset.  When we got out, I took this shot of my car in front of the wooden observation area which over looks Lake Michigan.  It turned out to be a much better shot than what I initially anticipated.

A kindly older gentlemen who was also there watching the sunset took this photo:



I couldn't resist getting a wrist shot with such a beautiful backdrop:



This shot is Karen's favorite:

I sort of had this weekend built up in mind as something really special I wanted to share with Karen, and the fantastically romantic sunset was high on the wish list - God is good!  I was so elated to get to share the experience I'd enjoyed growing up with Karen, who really appreciates a nice sunset.

Afterward, it was time to head to the pre-reunion get together which was being held at the 5 O'clock Sports Bar - formerly known in my youth as Win Schuler's restaurant.  Win Schuler's was such an icon in the area I grew up - practically an institution.  I was heart broken to know it had been turned into a "sports bar."  <Shudder>.  But we headed over about 8:00pm to the 5 O'clock:

Many thanks to Holly and Eric for organizing and getting the word out.  This pre-reunion get together actually provided an environment more conducive to having some extended conversations than did the actual reunion the following evening - both Karan and I very much enjoyed the pre-reunion get together:

For those interested in seeing the photos of all the LHS 1988 classmates that made it to the pre-reunion get together at the 5 O'clock, just click HERE

Feel free to E-Mail me at John@luxurytyme.com if you have any additional questions or comments.  Be sure and come back to read the next installment (Saturday) with some more great sight seeing photos, as well as photos from the reunion!

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