Sleeping Bear Dunes

7 July - Our last day of sightseeing with Bonnie, and a very scenic and memorable day to finish up. Bonnie drove us to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.   This was another well-presented National Park with a well organised driving route near the edge of Lake Michigan.  There were lots of points of interest along the way.

The start of the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, named after Pierce Stocking, a lumberman who loved this area and built the first road to the dunes.  He built this covered bridge, figuring that it was cheaper to repair a roof damaged by rain and snow, rather than the structural components of the bridge.

A view of dunes and Lake Michigan - the sand comes from glacial action from the past ice age.

Overlook - Lake Michigan

There were signs warning people not to go down this very steep slope to the lake.  Although it looks sandy the surface is rough with sharp stones.

Steep! A very slow climb back up on hands and knees. (We didn't try this!)

Looking toward North Bar Lake and Lake Michigan

Dune Climb - climbing is encouraged here and people, both young and old, were having fun.  It was actually hard work.  This first ridge was a false summit - more to come!

Made it!  As you can see it was sunny, but the wind was cold.

Looking down to the parked cars below

We were impressed with these well-maintained barns nearby.

Bonnie was keen to take us to this famous cherry pie restaurant at Beulah

Cherry pie and ice cream - yum!

A visit to an ATM - we thought this was an appropriate bank for Owen - the "Chemical Bank"