While it is true that the roads are sandy, and make difficult going, you can generally rely upon finding good side paths; though after a rain-storm I have found some of the sandiest roads firm and hard, and good going.
Your wheel and baggage should be checked for St. Joseph, as this will save you an hour's time at least (unless you are going to stop in Benton Harbor).
Where next to go or what to do will depend upon the person making the trip, the time at disposal, or inclination to long or short trips.
If you decide to make St. Joseph or Benton Harbor your headquarters and take short trips into the country, you can put up at one of the hotels in either town or some near-by resort on the river.
Many have the idea that Benton Harbor is on Lake Michigan shore, whereas it is a mile inland, and east of St. Joseph—is not on St. Joseph River, but connected by canal with it. The two towns are connected by electric street cars and a paved roadway.
Take the main street of St. Joseph (State Street) and ride south, and you are soon among the famous fruit farms of this region.
The road leads along the St. Joseph River, of which you get a view now and then; and often you can take a side road to the river's edge, where an hour can be profitably spent in viewing the surrounding country.
Summer resorts of various degrees of standing are continually being started, so one does not need worry about meals; even, at a pinch, a nickel or dime will bring you a good supply of milk, bread, and fruit in season at any of the fruit farms; and as most of these farms average ten to twenty acres, the houses are close together—so close, in fact, that it reminds one of the suburbs of Chicago.
If you wish, you can cross the river about two miles out from St. Joseph. On this side of the river better roads are to be found.