when going to the lake, be sure to take your boogie board

Last night found us watching the sun set over Lake Michigan and a hazy outline of Chicago.  

It was the most pleasant of days—we climbed into the car, cranked up the oldies (Sweet Caroline), and drove through rural Indiana until we came to the Indiana Dunes Lakeshore Park.  At first it didn’t seem too impressive (though I was completely beside myself thinking about running on sand dunes), but after talking with a 90-year-old local who drew us a map of the park and sent us to his favorite beach things, seemed to be looking up.  

 

We climbed out of the car and began a steep climb up the back of a dune through a wooded area—still no sight of the lake or the sandy beaches we’d been promised.  Then all of the sudden, the trees fell away and we found ourselves standing at the top of a dune looking out across Lake Michigan.  It was breathtaking and we were giddy.  We ran down the dune, threw our beach towels out, and crashed into the waves.  Yes folks, big lakes have waves too it seems.  

For dinner we, again, followed the advice of locals to a hole-in-the-wall tavern where the kind owner informed us that we looked about sixteen and we definitely couldn’t be married.  Despite her skepticism, she made us delicious burgers which we ate in a cute little gazebo. 

How does one finish out such a day, except to head back to the beach, lay out one's towel, and read as the sun sets over the lake.  It was unbelievably beautiful and words/pictures can't do it justice.  You will all just have to come and see for yourselves.

Coming home we have found a liberal coating of sand over everything we own but it is completely worth it.  We agreed that if all days could be like that, Indiana might not seem so bad.