July 1st, Indiana Dunes State Park

Saturday, July 1, 2006
Day 6
Indiana Dunes State Park

Day two at this State Park was even better than the first day. I woke up and took Brownie for a hike this morning at around 7 am. We hiked trail #9, which worked out to be about 4 miles. It took us 2 hours from the camper and back. It was a beautiful hike which went through the Oak – Hickory forest and then up the dune through a blown-out area. This gave a beautiful view of Lake Michigan. It was sure hot up at the top of that dune, and what a workout to get there. Then, back down the dune and back into the forest. I detoured onto trail #10 at the end just to have a different view on the way back. Also I managed to see two deer toward the end of my walk. They both snorted loudly at me before running off. The first one didn’t see me for a while and we stared at each other for several minutes. It was probably 50 yards away in the woods to my left. The second one was out in the open in the trail, and saw me quickly.

Right after returning from my hike Julie and Nina arrived at the camp. They had stayed at the Econolodge last night. We hung out for a while and then Julie had to go up to Valpo to meet her aunt for lunch. Nina, the kids, and I went to the swimming beach and mostly built sand castles. Well, they did, and I mainly watched. I’m not as into it as they are. The kids swam a bit and then we all came back for lunch. After lunch and the return of Julie, all of us headed back to the beach, except for Rod, because he needs to stay out of the sun if he can. More sand castles were built and more swimming was done. It was nice, but I got a bad sunburn on my back and a bit on my legs and shoulders. Oh well. No more farmers’ tan…

While we were at the beach, Rod took the car to get the oil changed. He also got gas and got the car washed. It looks much better. He picked up some items we needed at the store. It seems like we are always going to the store…

Julie and Nina stayed for a dinner of hamburgers and hotdogs cooked over the fire Nina started. They were really delicious. After dinner we took the kids to a Ranger Program about reptiles. It was really geared toward the kids and was a bit boring to me, but he showed a box turtle and a fox snake. After that we all gathered around our fire for S’Mores and then I sadly had to say goodbye to my good friends again. I’m sure I’ll see Julie soon, but Nina I may not see again for years. I miss her already.

Well, I’m exhausted and glad that we cleaned up camp already. Tomorrow we’re off the Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin.