Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN

Another less eventful, but long day of driving brought us to the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Who knew they actually had a beach, certainly not I or I would have packed the beach towels and umbrella.

The waitress we had at lunch told us about the area so we added it to our list and stopped for a few days.

The Indiana Dunes National Seashore stretches along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. On the eastern end we visited a shifting sand dune, Mt. Baldy. It has always moved south with the wind and waves, but people climbing on it have caused it to shift at an alarming pace southward, hence the fence!

The park includes many acres of timberland as well as marshes and bogs created by glaciers. Due to an abundance of mosquitos after recent heavy rains, we chose not to hike the bog trail through the woods. The Calumet Bike Trail runs 12 miles through the park but our bikes were not operating at the moment.

At the western end we stopped at some more dunes at West Beach.

We took the Dune Succession Trail that follows a boardwalk up the side of the dune which is much easier than struggling in the sand. 250 steps later we arrived at the top.

The national lakeshore surrounds a state park but we chose not to pay $10 to look at it. There is also a section within the boundaries that is includes a steel mill and boat harbor.

We did enjoy a short hike to the Bailly homestead. Joseph Bailly, a fur trapper, arrived in 1822 with his family and set up a trading post. There are several log buildings on the property where he housed his furs.

The house has been restored to look as it did in 1917.

Less than a mile away is the Chellberg Farm, restored to how it might have looked in the late 1800s.

We spent 3 hot days and nights at the national lakeshore but we knew we might not come this way again. Most of our days were spent in and out of air conditioning. Boy are we spoiled!

The Dunes Campground was full over the weekend and most people were in tents. We felt very fortunate to have fans! We had a really nice spot nestled under the maples, oaks and sassafras.