Platte River Campground at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Honor Michigan

The national park campground had spacious wooded campsites and finally no mosquitoes so we were able to sit out without putting up the screened porch. We headed into Empire for breakfast at Joe's Tavern and then proceeded along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive stopping at the scenic spots and then hiking the Cottonwood Trail. Next stop was The US Life-Saving Station and maritime museum at Sleeping Bear Point. we strolled through Glen Haven Historic Village. We drove through scenic seaside village of Glen Arbour on the way to the Bay Farm trail that took us through Port Oneida rural Historic district. After hiking our eight miles for the day, we relaxed and grilled steaks, corn on the cob and sweet potatoes on the grill and finished off the cherry pie for dessert.

Covered bridge in National Park Service Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

A closer view showed the boats to be on boat lifts off from shore

The Cottonwood Trail across the dunes

Amazing wildflowers growing in the sand along the dunes

Along the dune trail

Spectacular number of flowers blooming in the sand

The dune walk that was mobbed by the afternoon 

The beauty of the beach

Overlook to Sleeping Bear Dune

The steep dune climb with sign posted for $3000 rescue if you could not make it back up

Mama sleeping bear and two cubs drown and became north and south Manitou Islands

Ranger explained the life saving equipment

Life saving gear

Old Coast Guard Station now a Maritime Museum

Hotel in Glen Haven Historic Village

Old General Store with museum

Blacksmith demonstration

Old cherry packing plant now museum for old boats

Life-saving boat with engine added

Puddin on bow

Lichen on fallen logs

Bay Front Farm Trail crossed the bike path through meadows

Port Oneida rural historic district and farm

Platte River Campground hike to Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan sandy shore and rocks for beach finds

Sandy hiking trail from campsite