Our next stop was another national park. These places almost feel like home now after visiting so many. We start with some research on the NPS app and our NPS book. Then we stop at the visitor center to get a map, Jr Ranger books, and talk with a ranger about best places for our family and vehicle. Last we make a plan and head out.
We started the afternoon at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center where we watched a film and looked over the educational displays. Our first stop was Bailly Homestead and the Chellberg Farm. Neither had rangers working at them, so we read as many displays as we could and looked through windows. The kids loved the chickens at the farm. Although they felt they needed more pasture room and fresh grass. All our talk of raising healthy happy animals (including animals for food) is sinking in. Wish we could have visited the farm during a ranger led time.
We drove to the 1933 Century of Progress Homes next. These homes were at the 1933 world fair and now reside on the banks of Lake Michigan in the national park. We read about each one and wished we could have toured inside in their original form. Especially the one with an airplane hanger for a garage, because you know we all have airplanes for travel now. lol! Many of them are private residences but at least one is available for tours from time to time. We think the bright pink flamingo house would be our top pick for moving into.
After driving a bit more we were at our camp. We spent the night at Dunewood Campground. It was pretty and would have been great except the large amount of mosquitos. We rode scooters and ate outside but quickly made our way inside for card games till bed.
The Flamingo House 
Our plan for the second day was to hike the 3 Dune Challenge at the Indiana Dunes State Park. Then spend some time on the beach before getting our badges at the Paul H. Douglas Center.
We started early at 9am on the 3 Dune Challenge Hike. This hike walks to the top of the three highest dunes in the park. Although the route is only 1.5 miles hiking in sand and up dunes is not an easy feat. The kids made it through with only a small amount of whining. Mostly the little one who told us half way up the first dune she was not doing this. Then she stoped. We all kept going, by the time we had gotten to the top and rested a bit she was there to continue on with us. It was a good hike we all used leg muscles we had not used in a while. We also found “skating” down a dune is lots of fun. Flying butter from the dinner skillet burnt Jen’s shoulder the night before and she could not carry her backpack and waters. Luckily we have a great 15 year old who volunteered and a bit reluctant 13 year old who helped. They make us crazy but moments like this show us they are good kids.
This was the only set of stairs on the hike 
All together and mostly happy 
The views were great 
We stayed at the state park and enjoyed the beach at Devil’s Slide. Lake Michigan was colder then Erie but warmer then Ontario. Everyone had fun splashing, swimming, skipping rocks, and playing in the sand. All three lakes were so different we are sad the other two are not in our plans this trip. Looks like we need to start planning another trip to get them all in.
Lake Michigan 
Perfect skipping stones 
The little scientist found a dead monarch to investigate.
By lunch time we had dried off and headed to the Paul H. Douglas Center. We were a bit disappointed as the center had some great educational experience set up, but no one to facilitate them. Then we found the volunteer and rangers sitting up front not doing much. We did enjoy the turtles, snake, toad, and fish in one room. Overall though it was not a place I would put on the visit again list. We got our badges and left for our next destination.
Snapping turtle standing on tip toes. 
Our 6S Full Life 