I actually love the West side of the state in the off season. Our anniversary is in November, and a couple of times we've gone over to Saugatuck and rented a cabin or stayed in a B&B. It's great because it's mostly locals at that point, and not a bunch of yuppie tourists. We get to eat tasty food and check out the yarn shop and buy shoes and stuff without being mobbed.

I've never been in the summer though.

BTW, can I just say: TWELVE? Is that a normal sized litter for St. Bernards? They're too cute, but that is a LOT of puppies.