Back at the Dunes

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore runs for 25 miles along Lake Michigan in northwest Indiana. Leave the Chicago area, pass by Gary, and drive to the park at Ogden Dunes, north of Portage. There are miles of beaches, sand dunes, wetlands and forests to explore. There is even a 1830's French homestead and a working 1900s farm (I haven't seen these) to check out.

There is a large pavilion beach house that was impressive, and it was completely deserted this warm fall day. No one was swimming this time of year, of course, but the sun was out and the day was fabulous for a walk on the beach. It wasn't windy, and the Succession Trail led back into the dunes, and up the scenic dune, boardwalk and forested trail.

Photographers had tripods out trying to snap impressionist beach and dune photos. The wooden boardwalks were so comfortable, so solid; it kept one from struggling through the white sand all the time. The dunes grew to only a medium height here, but there are parts of the lake shore where the hills of sand climb to a whopping 180 feet. It seems like the ocean without the salt air, in a way. Oceans I love as well, but Lake Michigan stretches out as wide as an ocean, so the comparisons are inevitable.

There are lots of other dune plants besides the lovely grasses: there are large green ferns, pines, and deciduous trees further back. Along the beach in this area we saw polished, squarish-shaped green and brown stones - unusual and just beautiful along the beach.

On one place along the dunes, there stands Mt. Tom, a dune a website says rises to 192 feet. Kids run up and down the dunes, and it would be great for summer and bare feet.

It would be wonderful to have more time, but we have to get back on the road, and there's lots of fall foliage to see along the way. Near home in Fort Wayne is this park in Leo - Riverside Gardens. The photo to the right shows the undulating row of burning bushes here in 2011. I love the magenta glow they give off. They last a long time, and have very dimensional color. You have to enjoy it while it lasts.