Aug 16 Sleeping Bear Dunes Park

On Sunday evening, after out trip to Mackinac Island we drove down to Traverse City to spend the night. The next day we drove to Sleeping Bear Dunes Park to begin our ride. We parked at the visitors center to buy our passes for the day. The ranger asked where we were going and I said we wanted to ride up to Glen Arbor but on the way to ride the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive to see the Dunes. The ranger said that they recommended that you drive the route before attempting to ride it on a bike. I wanted to say that I rode across the U.S. last year, how tough could it be? Luckily I didn't say that. It included some of the steepest climbs I have ever done. Steve and I rode every inch although it was hard, we made it. We also saw some pretty spectacular scenery, the huge sand dunes. I was amazed that what I was seeing was on Lake Michigan and not the outer banks of North Carolina. We walked out to the dunes and the wind was really blowing. It had been blowing while we were riding but once we got out to the dunes we got the full force. It was probably at least 25MPH. It hurt to have the sand blasting against your skin. The wind and sand did not deter people from climbing down the dune to the water. Steve and I passed on that. We left that area and headed up to the Dune climb area. There people could climb the dune without going down to the water. People acted like they were at the beach. They had picnic lunches, blankets etc. and sat around while the kids played in the sand. The sand is very soft and the kids loved it. We rode on up to Glen Haven and visited the old Coast Guard Station. After lunch at Glen Arbor, we rode on back to our car and then home. It was a great three days and the first time that I have spent and extended time with Steve by himself since he was a young boy. It was great time. We rode 28 miles with some pretty good climbing and strong head winds.