Dunes are not exclusive to the Oregon Coast. The Dunes on the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan are the largest freshwater Dune system in the world. Dunes exist in many places all around Lake Michigan and in some places the Dunes rise several hundred feet above the surface of the Lake. This shoreline is often referred to as the “Third Coast” of the United States.

At Holland, MI, Mt. Pisgah rises 157 feet above Lake Michigan and is accessible via a boardwalk and stair system. At the top are majestic views of Lake Macatawa, an inland lake, and Lake Michigan. Michigan is nick named the” Great Lake State” because of its 11,000 inland lakes. Lake Michigan is known to the locals as “The Big Lake.”

When driving the eastern coastline it can be challenging to find quick, easy and free access to the beach and Dunes. One great place is New Buffalo where these photos were taken. Whittaker Street leading to the city public beach is lined with shops that are also fun to visit. Highly recommended is The Villager for gifts or just something nice to take home. For souvenirs and especially post cards, visit the New Buffalo Pharmacy. Just a block from The Villager is a restaurant that boasts “New York Style Hot Dogs!”

At the end of Whittaker Street is the beach access. Jake’s At The Beach with its Famous Strawberry Shakes sits here next to the Dunes.

Across the way is a hangout for the gulls.

At the base of the stairs to this Dune was a crew cleaning sand off of the concrete walkway to the stairs. My Wyoming T-shirts always cause comment and one worker started to converse when he was distracted by a couple coming down the stairway asking if he was playing in the sand. Yes, he said, it’s never-ending. I climbed the stairs to the top of this Dune and the views were great. Again my Wyoming T-shirt was noticed by the couple up top and we struck up a conversation. From central Indiana, the gent visited here in New Buffalo growing up and did a lot of fishing on The Big Lake with his uncles. They were just here for the day and on their way to Elkhart, IN to visit his mom for Mother’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the great moms out there!