Wilhelm, Brychwyn & Huxley soak up a last bit of New York state sunshine Typist: Bethany
Last week, 'R' Blood on the Tracks Boys and I bade farewell to a warm, sunny Monday in Western New York to begin our journey back to Cascadia. There was a lot of running, playing, chewing and a hike around the pond at my aunt's house, before we loaded up and drove all day to the shores of Lake Michigan. We arrived at Warren Dunes State Park near Sawyer, Michigan in the early evening. Since the dogs had patiently spent the whole day in the car, we parked in our campsite and headed to the dunes.
Last week, 'R' Blood on the Tracks Boys and I bade farewell to a warm, sunny Monday in Western New York to begin our journey back to Cascadia. There was a lot of running, playing, chewing and a hike around the pond at my aunt's house, before we loaded up and drove all day to the shores of Lake Michigan. We arrived at Warren Dunes State Park near Sawyer, Michigan in the early evening. Since the dogs had patiently spent the whole day in the car, we parked in our campsite and headed to the dunes.
Day one drive from Buffalo, New York to Warren Dunes State Park, Michigan: 478miles
The trail from the campground to the dunes, the Mt. Randal trail, first goes past a huge dune called Tower Hill, which we, of course, decided to climb. Well, we tried to climb it. Between the very loose sand of the dune and the humidity that we Cascadians are not at all used to, we got about 3/4 of the way up, panted a lot (yes, all of us panted a lot) then we ran/slid down.
 I'm not panting; let's go! |  Trying for the top of Tower Hill |
We followed the Mt. Randall Trail for what felt like forever (in the humidity that we are not used to) through what seemed like a tropical jungle (not just because of the humidity but because of the amazing trees and vines growing on the dunes.) When we finally caught sight of Lake Michigan, we sped up, quickly hiking out of the humid forest and onto the breezy, sunset lit beach.
 I hear waves crashing... |  I found a huge lake! |
Lake Michigan
With a lovely sunset, dramatic lightning strikes over the lake and a whole huge, dog friendly beach all to ourselves, we stayed until it was almost dark. I love storm watching and always feel so lucky to have dogs that don't mind the crackle of lightning or the boom of thunder. Since I had not planned on such a long excursion, I did not bring a torch, so we walked back to the campsite on the road. Those dark clouds that had made for an awesome sunset and some great storm watching, began to dump rain on us about half way back to the campground. As we trudged on through the down pour, I thought, "I have not yet set up the tent... If it stops raining long enough for me to set up the tent, it is a very small tent to share with three sandy and now very wet dogs... How do I make it work for us to sleep in the van and will the dogs mind more crate time?" Well, they answered my questions by happily hopping up into their crates and beginning to snore as soon as they finished their dinners while I sat in the drivers seat wondering if the rain would let up. I took their cue, grabbed a blanket, leaned the seat back and joined them in soggy slumber.
Lake Michigan, Warren Dunes State Park, Sawyer, Michigan
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