Since Jonathan has raised the possibility of selling the lake house, I wanted to see what was available in Southwest Michigan. I spent three days in Harbor Country with a realtor named Sandee. She had a spotless Escalade and knew a great deal about the school districts, although I told her schools weren't part of our search.
Nearly every house had a name. We saw Knot on Call, Dune Deal, Shore Thing and Lake Expectations. Knot on Call had rather a lot of rope indoors. There was also a gray-shingled house called Bored of Directors, which I liked better than its sign.
The one I keep thinking about had no name at all. It was cedar, with four bedrooms, a proper kitchen and a porch facing the water. Someone had actually cooked in that kitchen. I could see us using the house without first removing everything that made it a lake house.
Sandee says the disclosures are clean. I've asked for the full packet and another walkthrough when it's raining. I want to know where the water goes before I become too attached to the porch.
I haven't told Jonathan about the second visit yet. He asked whether we should sell, and I would like to have something useful to show him when we discuss it again.
— Ash