Harsens Island Workation 2016

Back in the Summer of 2011 I finally quit my job that had been making me miserable for years in pursuit of a full time freelance design career. A few days later, I retreated to my family’s vacation home on Harsens Island, MI to begin an annual tradition known as the Harsens Island Workation. Each Summer I spend 6 – 8 weeks here working my regular full time hours but in a beautiful place surrounded by friends and family. Since my description of this unique place can’t even do it justice, I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Part of a successful workation is having regular office hours, but that doesn’t mean the scenery has to be boring. I typically alternate between the couch with the cats or out on the dock with the freighters in the background.

As you can see cats and cat naps are kind of a big deal around here.

Everyone who knows my brother understands that “subtle” is not a word that properly describes him. He comes with a large personality, intense energy, and of course an entourage which includes a large English Mastiff named Tilman.

Tilman is a gentle giant and token photo prop when he’s around. He’s very photogenic.

Riverside Grocery is a great place on the island to stop in for coffee, pizza, and ice cream. We arrived via boat for morning coffee several times over the Summer and got to know the owner Jim Neumann a little better. An enthusiastic small business owner, Jim can make a mean latte, and has entertaining stories to tell about island life. We were even greeted by the guard dog Rosie.

Pre-dinner festivities start around 4:30 where all the neighbors congregate on the dock with our social club Silipint glasses. We solve the world’s problems, I give manicures and pedicures, and try to get the Great Lakes freighters to give us a honk. I think that sums things up nicely

The dogs definitely outnumber the cats around here, but they’re a huge part of island life. Harsens Island is a dog’s paradise.

There’s no shortage of rainbows around here, and they’re even more spectacular over the water.

Beautiful scenes are everywhere and there’s constant creative inspiration wherever I look. The golden hour here is to die for.

Already looking forward to the 2017 workation! Stay tuned.