Well-Watered

 How can I help you?

Another friendly ranger, this time at Indiana Dunes National Park, addressed us as we approached his counter. We looked forward to hiking the dunes, and his detailed explanation of the various trails and diverse biomes was just what we needed. 

National Park #2

After leaving East St. Louis we traveled east through the lower tip of Illinois to the southeast corner of Indiana to a park my sister, Debbie, recommended. Clifty Falls State Park was a pleasant 2-day layover on our way to Indiana Dunes NP. Our campsite was shady the entire day and we enjoyed temperatures in the 80s. This park did not supply water at each campsite, so we pre-stored several gallon bottles of water for drinking, brushing, and flushing. From the freezer I retrieved some of those pre-cooked meals my Food Saver saved, and we microwaved these meals on paper plates (another Publix BOGO) so we would not use water for cooking or washing dishes. It worked out nicely, and we refilled our gallon jugs as needed from spigots spaced throughout the campground. The showers were clean and modern, so we took advantage of those, saving even more water at the camper. 

Location of our stop-over before heading north to Indiana Dunes National Park.

Speaking of water, Clifty Falls had a pool! And four waterfalls! There were more than 10 trails up and down the ravine, around the rim, along the stream at the bottom, and paralleling it about halfway up the ravine sides. On the three waterfall trails we hiked, "what goes down must come up" and between stream, steps, and steep, our legs were feeling like stew. 

Tunnel Falls

There is much more water in the spring, of course.

Clifty Falls

A view of The Ohio River from the observation tower at Clifty Falls.

The humidity was oppressive, so we spent an afternoon at the pool cooling off. Aaahhhh! Water! Later that first night it rained, cooling the air and refreshing the earth. In spite of no running water at the campsite, we were well-watered.

On to Michigan City and Indiana Dunes National Park. We stayed a few miles south of the park at a campground that had a pool! The water looked inviting, so once we set up the camper we headed over for a swim. It felt amazing! So this makes my third swim on this trip. Last trip we didn't even take our suits.

The next day we drove to IDNP. This park is 15 miles long and about 2 miles wide, along the southern Lake Michigan shoreline. We discovered that US Hwy 12 and a set of train tracks run east-west through the park. Quite the urban experience until you begin to hike the dunes.

These snowball hydrangeas were planted all over the town.
If only our poor plants had bloomed like this back in Florida!

At the west end of the 15-mile long sliver of land is Cleveland Cliffs, a steel fabricating company, and US Steel. I wonder if either of these corporations contributed to the construction of the Gateway Arch?  At the east end is a power plant. In between are the Port of Indiana and many other industries. Proponents of saving the dunes began their conservation activities in the 19th century, and as industrial ventures claimed more and more of the sand dunes in the 20th century, conservation efforts also increased. Indiana Dunes State Park was created, then it was surrounded by the National Park, completing the land rescue efforts.There is ongoing work to restore this beautiful area to its pristine state.

One hike we decided to tackle was Dune Ridge Trail. The trail began with loose sand leading into the forested area on the dune itself. The hike climbed to the top of the dune (P for Platform), led us long the top for a ways, then descended back to S (street). The trail was loose sand at times, and hard-packed sand at others, but narrow and flanked by wildflowers. At one point we could see a marshy area, one of the biomes mentioned by the park ranger. 

Ever plodded from the beach through loose sand back to the hotel?
Yeah. Like that.

Woodland Sunflowers beckoned us on.

A friend along the way enjoying goldenrod.

A second hike was at Mt. Baldy, a 126 ft. tall dune which overlooks Lake Michigan. This dune is moving inland (south) a little more each year, due to weather and human forces. We spoke to another hiker who said he was at the park several years ago, and the mountain of sand had moved about 5 ft. away from the water in that time.

Mt. Baldy
Wondering if we climbed it?
See next photo.

However, there were trails leading around the dune...

... taking us to the beach.
on Lake Michigan.

The trail around Mt. Baldy.
Then a steep trudge downhill to the beach.
And what goes down must...

We enjoyed Indiana Dunes National Park, and appreciated the efforts of those who helped save this special area of tranquility in the midst of industrial progress.