Evan and I planned a picnic on the giant lawn at the end of the boardwalk alongside the river. We laid blankets and set up tables under the ancient weeping willow whose long limbs reach the water, sweeping back and forth as if soothing the river.

A white gazebo sits in the center of the lawn. It is the spot of weddings and celebrations. Tonight, a jazz band is playing. I set up a large spread of snacks: artisan chèvre from a local farm, a selection of jams and fresh fruit from a local orchard, herbed crackers and seedy salt bread from my favorite bakery, freshly made whitefish dip from the local farmhouse deli and wines and hard ciders from our local wineries.

I had thought the other guests might be jealous when we motored by on the Adie Lou, but I was pleased to see they were having as much fun—if not more—than we were.

The boat nears the end of the channel, and I can see Lake Michigan open up before us.

“It looks like the ocean,” one of the women gasps.

It does, I think, agreeing with the common refrain I hear from guests.

No matter how many times people see Lake Michigan, they almost can’t believe their eyes. When they think of “lake,” they think of an inland lake where you can see across to the other side. But Lake Michigan is as big, beautiful and grand as any ocean.

The water is as flat as glass tonight, and Scooter eases the Adie Lou onto the great lake with little wake.

“Hold on!” he yells, gunning the boat across the water.

I turn, and the women are yelping, their hair flying, gripping their glasses.

Scooter motors by Oval Beach—Saugatuck’s stunning stretch of golden public beach with towering dunes framing it. This beautiful night people amble down the boardwalk, arms filled with blankets, picnic baskets and pizza boxes, ready to enjoy sunset like we are.

The Adie Lou putters around the bend of the lakeshore until it slows. I point up at the inn, which—from the lake—looks as if it has been tucked into the dunes grass like it’s going to bed under a goldeny-green blanket for the night.

Scooter shuts off the engine, and the boat bobs on the surface as the women take pictures.

“We need a proper date,” Scooter whispers in my ear.

I look at him, an amused expression crossing my face. “Ssshh,” I say.

“We do,” he says. “Meet me downtown at 1:00 p.m. on the boardwalk off Water Street. Your guests will all be gone then, right?”

I nod. “But I have to clean and...”

“I’ve learned as an entrepreneur that you must take your own time to replenish your spirit,” Scooter says.

The same expression crosses my face again. “I didn’t know I was dating Deepak Chopra,” I say with a laugh.