Cave Point and Whitefish Dunes

The New Jersey Division had to hit the road very early Saturday morning to head home.  We had such a great time spending the whole week together!  Since we were already up, Scott and I watched the North Bay sunrise and closed up the cabin.  We decided to stop for breakfast (at Al Johnson's in Sister Bay, of course) and then revisit Cave Point County Park and Whitefish Dunes State Park before picking up Teddy at the kennel and heading home for laundry and rest after a busy week.

 The sun comes up at about 5:05 AM this time of year...but worth the early wake up call

 Cave Point County Park (easier to see the caves without ice!)

 

  Without ice we could climb down to the beach level

 

 Cairn beach at Cave Point

 Scott checking out the thunder hole

 Arch on Lake Michigan

The last time we visited both parks, they were very much frozen.  Cave Point is a county park, but it really is not to be missed.  The New Jersey Division had the chance to visit both parks while Scott and I were working earlier in the week on a beautiful, sunny day. On Saturday, clouds and rain threatened, and both parks were pretty quiet, especially for a Saturday.  After checking out the beach, Scott and I went on a nice 1.5 mile hike on the Brachiopod Trail through the forest in Whitefish Dunes Natural Area, without the snow this time.  Lots of warblers and woodpeckers were out and about.

Crystal clear Lake Michigan

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." -Jacques Cousteau