The gale came as predicted. We drove out to the Holland State Park point, where we had entered the harbor on Saturday. The wind was so strong, we could barely open the car doors, and held onto each other for support. Big Red was getting a fair amount of spray.
The sand was blowing horizontally, as we struggled to approach the point on foot. Not too close, as the waves were washing over the breakwall.
The giant waves – approaching 18 feet in height – were a spectacle to see. Our stomachs tightened at the thought of Monarch – or any boat – being out in this! Winds, at 60 mph, approached hurricane strength.
The north entrance mark on the breakwall almost disappeared behind the crashing waves.
Behind Big Red, you can see the wall of water on the horizon. It was the angriest sea we have seen, even more than the oceans we have sailed.
The parking lot and sidewalks had been blown full of sand by the high winds. The poor park ranger had an uphill struggle with the front-end loader, trying to put the sand back where it belongs.
With sand in our eyes, ears, socks, shoes and who knows where else, our next stop is to check out downtown Holland, about 5 miles around the lakeshore. On the way, we passed a large junkyard and scrap metal depot.
Along the avenue, we saw these sculptures, which we later learned were created from scrap metal by Stuart Padnos of the Louis Padnos Iron & Metal Company.
The downtown is both historic and hip! Nearly 120 specialty shops, nice restaurants, art galleries and traditional Victorian architecture greeted us.
When the weather is cooling down (now it’s in the high 30s at night!), downtown Holland’s sidewalks heat up. That’s right, there is a snowmelt system to keep the sidewalks clear of ice and snow. Not necessary quite yet, but no doubt soon!
The Dutch influence is evident. Founded by Albertus Van Raalte and his followers in the mid-1800s, Holland has many more international influences today, but still the windmills.
The gale came as predicted. We drove out to the Holland State Park point, where we had entered the harbor on Saturday. The wind was so strong, we could barely open the car doors, and held onto each other for support. Big Red was getting a fair amount of spray.
The sand was blowing horizontally, as we struggled to approach the point on foot. Not too close, as the waves were washing over the breakwall.
The giant waves – approaching 18 feet in height – were a spectacle to see. Our stomachs tightened at the thought of Monarch – or any boat – being out in this! Winds, at 60 mph, approached hurricane strength.
The north entrance mark on the breakwall almost disappeared behind the crashing waves.
Behind Big Red, you can see the wall of water on the horizon. It was the angriest sea we have seen, even more than the oceans we have sailed.
The parking lot and sidewalks had been blown full of sand by the high winds. The poor park ranger had an uphill struggle with the front-end loader, trying to put the sand back where it belongs.
With sand in our eyes, ears, socks, shoes and who knows where else, our next stop is to check out downtown Holland, about 5 miles around the lakeshore. On the way, we passed a large junkyard and scrap metal depot.
Along the avenue, we saw these sculptures, which we later learned were created from scrap metal by Stuart Padnos of the Louis Padnos Iron & Metal Company.
The downtown is both historic and hip! Nearly 120 specialty shops, nice restaurants, art galleries and traditional Victorian architecture greeted us.
When the weather is cooling down (now it’s in the high 30s at night!), downtown Holland’s sidewalks heat up. That’s right, there is a snowmelt system to keep the sidewalks clear of ice and snow. Not necessary quite yet, but no doubt soon!
The Dutch influence is evident. Founded by Albertus Van Raalte and his followers in the mid-1800s, Holland has many more international influences today, but still the windmills.
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