Day 2 - Trifecta- Water, Sand and Trees!

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore - West Beach

We headed out for our destination today- Omaha, Nebraska. As we were driving, we saw a sign for Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. We had no idea what to expect and we couldn’t pass up checking it out as it was so close to highway exit. We wish we had more time as this was such a really cool place. We were able to get the Dunes Succession hike in (~1 mile). https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/west-beach.htm

What a great unplanned detour! The hike had cool sand dunes, a little beach, and a walk through forest lands.

Within this less than 1 mile loop we were able to see different stages of development of the dunes ( thus the name "Succession"). The walk had some boardwalk, mostly sand trail(making the 1 mile seem much longer), a lakefront beach, a brief forest stroll and a climb of 270 stairs that paid out with a great view of both Chicago and Lake Michigan!

The Dune was recently named " Diana's Dune" in memory of a fascinating women named Alice Mabel Gray ( nickname Diana of the Dunes was given to her by local reporters captivated by her life as a hermit.). The park is running a Diana of the Dunes Dare- encouraging people to hike the dune and dare to be different , and make a difference ...like Diana. https://www.indianadunes.com/explore-the-dunes/indiana-dunes-national-park/ddd/