Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, which stretches about 15 miles along the southern shoreline of Lake Michigan between Gary and Michigan City, has some of the highest dunes along the Lake Michigan shoreline. These dunes are called “living” dunes because they continue to move inland a few feet each year, burying plants and trees as they go.

Within the National Lakeshore, a 3-mile section of the beach is actually a very popular State Park. This is where most of the action and facilities at Indiana Dunes are located. There is a large beach pavilion complete with snack bar and gift shop, a nature center, a lifeguard protected swimming beach, over 16 miles of dune hiking trails, and a large 286-site campground.

Another popular trail is the 9.2-mile Calumet Bike Trail, which is located in the National Lakeshore section of the Dunes about 2 miles inland. This trail runs along a railroad bed through a wide variety of habitats—beach, sand dunes, black oak forest, and marshes.

• Lolo

Day 1

And so it begins…

After waking up at 4:30am to navigate the murky waters of Route 80 for the next twelve hours (it only seemed like six) our arrival to, as Tommy put so eloquently the “Buttcrack of America,” went very well.

We weren’t out of Paramus and Colin filled us in that he forgot his utensils. We then questioned and he also forgot the garbage bags and paper towels. After much abuse, we allowed him to accompany us for the remainder of our adventure.

As I mentioned earlier, the drive seemed surprisingly short. I think we were all prepared for a 12 hour “hellish” trail of tears (especially for us relatively inexperienced “long-drivers:” everyone but Tommy). But jokes and laughter led the way with morale in high spirits and low points were few and far between.

We arrived thinking we made good time, and then remembered the time zone change and ended up making great time. The campsite was nice but stuffed to the rafters. Just about every site was full. Burgers and corn were a great dinner, and the fireworks on the beach were a great way to end the night. The patriotic explosions that lit up a gorgeous coast line littered with smoke stacks and pollution was a site like no other, but none-the-less, enjoyable.

• Jake