Road Trip - EOD4

Hello, and greetings from Benton Harbor, Michigan!



Warning: this might be a long post.

After a very short visit, it was time to say our goodbyes to Whiteman Air Force Base. Here's to coming back again someday!



We had a long but good drive in. Went through a bit of questionable weather, and I honestly think we were bordering on being completely delirious when we arrived. Chalk it up to spending about 12 hours in the car... and one hour travelling about 2km in backed up traffic. ;) The drive wasn't really boring, but... what was most interesting about today was our destination.



Benton Harbor is right next to a town called St. Joseph. They're sometimes referred to as the twin cities. Our hotel was within Benton Harbor, right off the Interstate. We unpacked, and made our way out in search of Lake Michigan, which should have been mere kilometres from our hotel. A quick check of the maps in the local phone book, and we were off.

What happened next was something neither of us expected. Near the hotel, there are some restaurants: Applebees, Hardees, a Wal-Mart down the street, a few hotels - nothing out of the ordinary. As we drove down the street, the landscape began to change. We passed by some older houses, some of which looked like they could "use some work". A few more blocks in, and the homes were in an even further state of disrepar: some abandoned, others lived-in but hardly looking "liveable" by most standards. As we continued on, we passed more abandoned buildings: houses, businesses. Many with the windows and doors boarded up, some with broken windows (although most were intact).

Soon, we reached what appeared to be the downtown core. Buildings that seemed to be 80 years old or more, most of which seemed completely abandoned. Yet traffic flowed through the city. Pedestrians gawked at us as we drove through town, as though they knew something we didn't, and wondered why we were there. I began to, for the first time in a long time, seriously feel as though I had placed myself in a dangerous situation. I felt even worse, knowing that I had brought my girlfriend into the same situation. Every time we waited at a streetlight, I felt my pulse race, and watched the cars behind and around me closely, in fear of their passengers emerging to jump our car.

Where had we arrived? What was this town? How is it I could have chosen THIS place for us to stay?

As we continued on through town, we began to wonder how important seeing the lake really was. It was almost dusk now, and we're driving through a very rough looking neighbourhood. But, a glimmer of light emerged: as we passed through the downtown area, we passed by an outdoor public concert. It looked like a lot of people were having themselves a great time! So, the town isn't completely abandoned... but... are we completely safe here? We are the outsiders, after all...

We made a left turn out of the downtown core, and crossed a set of railroad tracks. Passed a few industrial buildings (factories of one kind or another), and soon we were away from civilization. Trees, grass... no buildings. No people, no traffic. About 2 kilometeres of this, and it changed yet again. We were stunned. The trees opened up, and we were staring at new home development. Large brand new houses! Beautiful ones at that! Streets filled with them! Talk about being on the wrong side of the tracks!

We drove through this unexpected development of posh homes, to a small access road that led to the waterfront. We were still in a state of shock (of sorts): we just drove through a neighbourhood that appeared to be predominantly black, and neglected for about 35 years. All of a sudden, we were in a seemingly exclusive neighbourhood, which appeared to be predominantly white. It almost seemed unthinkable that such a contrast could exist! Especially living in the Toronto area, where so much multiculturalism exists... it seemed impossible.

But for the moment... we're here. We're not driving. We came to see the waterfront... and water we saw!



As it turns out, Benton Harbor really isn't right at the edge of the lake - St. Joseph is. And it looks like St. Joseph is the snooty white town next door. Either way, it's a pretty nice view. :)



After a quick look at the waterfront, it was time to head back to the hotel... and eat - we were BEYOND hungry at this point! So, we sat ourselves down for a nice, romantic meal.



Tomorrow... I think we'll take a quick look around Benton Harbor in daylight... some of the buildings here look amazing... even if they have been neglected all these years. That's kinda what makes them interesting!



(It didn't really scream at all)