Until recently a National Lakeshore and now a National Park, only from this year. A controversial choice, perhaps, when you talk to anyone about the pollution, destroyed dunes and frankly ugliness of the place, rangers outside the park all say, ‘well, it used to be worse’. Since the 1950s campaigners have been trying to stop industry from flattening these unique sand dunes and have been mainly successful. We had one of the least attractive walks ever, past recovering bogs, and saw a juvenile beaver starting to set up its first home. We listened to music on the beach looking at a really pretty sunset, courtesy of Chicago pollution. A large eastern box turtle blocked our path on another day, turning to face us as we tried to get past. Our bike ride of 1 2miles was on a very badly maintained track, but at least we got to watch frogs skittering in the very large puddles. We also saw a snake, wild turkey, deer, a skunk and something large, brown and furry!! So there have been some good wildlife moments. We also visited the Pinhook Bog ranger tour, where blueberries grow so sweet (you can eat what you see, but not take away) some plants are carnivorous and turtles have bright orange spots. So we enjoyed our visit, but would not wish to return.

carnivorous plants

 happy dragonfly