After enjoying Holland Mich. for 2 days, we headed north along Lake Michigan. We went about 150 miles north to Manistee Mich. We stayed at a campground that was run by American Indians along with the casino that went with it. Of course we played the slot machines, before you have to ask! This pic is of a lake lighthouse. It is wooden and still in use. The second day there, we headed north about 30 miles to a lake National Seashore. There were fruit and veggy stands along the way with home grown apples and pumpkins in abundance. This field was for show near one of the stands. At one spot there was an overlook where you could stop and take pics and enjoy the view. That is a giant sand dune in the background. This is where we were headed. And it was a really neat place. There is an indian legend that long ago a mother bear and her 2 cubs swam across Lake Michigan. The mother bear made it to shore, but the 2 cubs drowned and became 2 islands just off the coast. Mother bear stood on top of the dunes looking for her cubs for the rest of her life. This dune is partly covered in grass. The height is 150 feet. This is a dune movement measurer. It is a beam that runs back into the dune. It is marked in 12 inch increments. It was placed there in 1985. To date the dune has grown 59 feet in 30 years. This is the dune that my wife and Ruby climbed. It is 150 ft tall. They expected to have a spectacular view of the lake. Instead they found 8 more dunes. To go to the last one and back was a 5 mile hike. They decided not to.
I love the story of the mother bear and her two cubs!! What beautiful white sand the dunes are comprised of and the scenery is stunning. Good to know the lighthouse is still in use.
Love the dunes. They remind me of Denmark, but I think their dunes are a bit lower. The lighthouse is special. I'm not certain about the colour but I'm glad it's well-kept.
