My mom and dad have a mid-city Chicago tart cherry tree and we make pies. GREAT pies. But I would pick both tart and sweet. Pies and many lbs. of the other, sweet, would be gone. We picked 33 lbs. of blueberries last year and about 1/2 were used fresh by my extended family (large) at my house in Michigan- so you see what big mouths we have. And I don't even want to highlight all the ones that got swallowed out in the field.(My 8 year old grandson had a blue mouth.) But I did freeze for later pies in 1/2lb.separate plastic bags after rinsing and they were just as good as the fresh when the pies were "done"- maybe a little more juicy and better actually- for pie or pancake use. I would pit and do the same with the cherries.

My dad is 86. He takes the chestnut and a very very sharp knife (small pointed) and makes a crossed X through the outside hulk of the chestnut. Be very careful as it is like shelling clams, you can cut yourself easily. Then after being pierced in this way, are put on a cookie sheet and into a moderate oven until you can smell and observe that they are done (they pop a bit open and the aroma is delicious.)It takes about 45 minutes or a little longer, I think. You don't want them burnt. Then you shell them and eat them warm. UMMMMMM!
They are sold all over Europe by vendors with carts (chestnuts roasting on braziers) in winter, and they also warm your hands at the same time while you walk/eat. Enjoy!

tomboy and JJ5, thank you once again!

I do realize the 4th of July will be crowded... It's the only way for us to stay 3 nights vs 2. if it gets too much, we can drive until we see something secluded - like that deer park near Saugatuck. Glad we'd be able to swim in July, we shall bring the deet just in case.

Cherry picking would rock - thanks for the info! As well as for restaurant tips.

Traffic on the other hand... I didn't think of traffic.
wow, you are certainly right. Does anyone know what's a good strategy to avoid the worst of it? If we wait until about 7 or 8pm on Friday to depart Chicago, would that work better? than leaving at 5 or 6pm?
Also, if we return early on Monday the 4th - or really late? is really late better?

This weekend getaway doesn't look as blissful all of a sudden... I don't drive far to work so I forget how terrible the driving in Chicagoland can be. ouch.

Leaving late makes little difference on any Friday. Just get a good map and designate for yourself, Ridge Rd. / Rte 30/ Sauk trail routes- just in case you get into a standstill.

Before you leave go to
www.visitchicagosouthland.com/home.cfm

and on that web page you will find a Chicago / Indiana traffic web cam. It will give you coded colors to tell you how the traffic is moving and where the backups are and also you will get a real live visual of Bormann etc. and out to I-65 interchange at 4 points and in either direction.

It will be worth it. But do know that we live within eyeballing I-80 and Rte. 96 (LaGrange Rd) and we have never made it in 2-1/2 hours on a Holiday weekend. Once you get to I-65 you are home free- so plan some alternates to that point.

And just in case you don't know, you will be paying tolls and the I-Pass, IMHO is a necessity. You can get one at Jewel.

thanks JJ5!

www.visitchicagosouthland.com/home.cfm
is a real gem and should give us some guidance re alternative routes...
My b/f has an Ipass, so tolls should be no problem.

Well, if the traffic is slow moving, I hope it will be a pleasant, scenic drive.

A few more q-ns:
If we were to arrive to South Haven around 10pm, are there any places (aside from McDonalds and BK, hopefully) to get a bite, that will be open? we may not have a chance to have dinner earlier.

Also - how does that cherry/blueberry picking thing works? Do you pay per pound of picked item? Or pay per hour? I'd love to go, blueberry-ing particularly.

If there is any blueberry farm you may think of, next to So Haven/Saugatuck, can you please let me know.

nadya

It's a ball. You get a pail, and all I have been to do provide pails, at least. And you pick on your own. The bushes are differing sizes and sometimes they will limit you to a section or row, and sometimes you are free to roam. You pay either by the lb for those you pick (some places will let you fill your own containers, some will only package the picked fruit into theirs). Or/And you also have the option of buying already picked fruit.

Some years are better than others, but the fruit is easy to pick. It just rolls off into your hands in bunches. Sometimes you drop quite a bit. They don't seem to care as plants are so plentiful that an entire bush often never gets picked "clean". It is not like apples etc. - you do not need to climb.

Where I pick now (only blocks from the I-94 Exit #60 Paw Paw) the bushes are not yet more than 6 feet tall. I do not have to pick over my head or up to my face ever, if I don't want to. I could stoop for some great handfuls at times, but not if I prefer not to. The end of the season is harder to pick than the beginning. July 4 is at the very beginning of the season, usually ready about the 12th to the end of the month. But last year we picked a great amount after August 1st, but it was harder work as the bushes were spare by then. Actually, this year could be early as spring plants were /are early.

There are numerous places to pick. I see signs off Rt 94 at much closer positions to IN than Paw Paw exit. I would do a google to get some farm names / locations. Berrien Springs rings a bell. Northern IN also has large tracts off Rt 30 that are blueberry picking territory.

If you are serious about bringing a lot home- flatter and larger containers are much preferred over deep and narrow containers. The weigh of the blueberries will crush some underneath if you transport them in depth.

Oh yes, important. You want your hands free. Leave purses etc. somewhere else or locked up in the trunk of your car. Some places provide ropes/ twine etc. to tie the pail handle to a length around your neck. You can pick twice as fast and more acurately not holding anything. Last year, even though it was late in the season- 2 of us picked 33 lbs. in about an hour. Wear sunscreen because these fields are not shaded.

Nadyam,
If you are coming from the city or north, take the Skyway, that way you'll bypass a majority of the nightmare traffic mess that runs from the Bishop Ford through about Exit 15 in Indiana. Even if the Skyway is still under construction it's worth it. As for South Haven restuarants, Hannahs is great for a burger/sandwiches- great onion rings, but don't go really hungry at noon or 6ish as the waits can be awhile. We like to have drinks at 3 Pelicans on the deck or the boat across the river (Outriggers maybe? someone else remember the name?) you can't miss it though and they are both great spots to sit and boat/people watch.

Thank you - now I'm familiarized with berry picking (it sounds like a blast), and I'll know to take Skyway and to eat at Hannahs.
Do hope there will be SOMETHIGN for us to pick in the beginning of July... the kind of fruit is not as important as the process looks like warm early spring may help.

this really should be fun; looking forward to checking out So Haven and surrounding areas!

nadya

Ditto for cherry-picking. Rope, pail, cherries, all that for only IF MEMORY SERVES ME RIGHT only $1.25/lb./maybe?
Last year, if my memory is even somewhat accurate, we picked 4# of sweet and 19# of tart cherries in about an hour. The fruit is abundant, and low enough not to need a ladder.

I echo the sentiments about Yelton Manor B&B. It's absolutely wonderful. The gardens are spectacular and the hospitality is first rate. I too consider it the best B&B in the Midwest, at least.
Have a great time...I'll be jealous!!!!

Nadyam, although I haven't stopped in South Haven recently, I thought that the only Hannah's was in New Buffalo and not South Haven.

Hannahs is not in South Haven. If I were you I would simply wait until you are at The Yelton Manor and let them point out all the restaurants and things to do. They will have maps and menus too. The innkeepers there are into great service and they will have it all.

Cherries are out of season by then, by the way, but blueberries will be great.

Sorry, my brain cramp! I meant Clementines. We were at Hannahs a few weeks back and apparently I had Hannahs on the brain! Cherries usually appear late June/early July so they may still be in season--last year cherry season ended mid July in the South Haven area. Blueberries start early July as well so you should hit both.

Goodie - we may have a shot at blueberries and cherries both! that would be nice.

Yes- Clementines is in S Haven from what I've been told, and yes, the best thing for me is to wait until we are actually there, and ask our hosts where to eat/go, etc.

I also found some info on Glenbrook Dining room/Grill, which has a good dinner menu online (Saugatuck?).

All should be fine. My main concern is that the water in the lake will be warm enough to swim a bit (we are major fans of sand and water).

thanks all for helping, once again!

There's a Clearbrook Country Club in Saugatuck with a public dining room. I
haven't eaten there in years, but the last time I did they had a special of venison roast that was luscious.