Rick's Hiking & Fun Group

Time 10am CT, 11am ET

This is a different biome from much of the dunes area, scattered fire-resistant trees, and a low understory of shorter plants and bushes. Plenty of room for the sun to peek through. A very nice place for a hike.

Difficulty
It is a moderately difficult hike. The total distance is just under 3 miles. There are a few sandy, steep parts, and the trail is narrow in places.

Details

• Dogs are allowed on leash
• Bring some water
• In case of bad weather the hike may be bumped

More info, photos and maps the route can be found here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/indiana/tolleston-dunes

Access
There are about 20 parking spots on site, and some may be taken. But there are some options for overflow parking nearby we can use with a little on-the-spot car-pooling. Don't drive off if the place is full, stop and we'll talk and figure it out.

Parking is overseen by the National Park system. Both the Indiana Dunes National Park pass, and "America the Beautiful - Interagency Pass" are valid.

• https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm
• https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm

State Park passes are not accepted.

Feel free to text or call me at 217-717-7860 for last minute details.
Please cancel your RPVP if you can't make it, so we don't wait for you.

Hope to see you there,
Jonathan (I'm a bearded guy with glasses and a bright blue backpack)

Some previous hikes on this trail:

https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/35645249/

https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34615755/

https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34142953/

Michigan City is on Central Time, just like Chicago. we meet 10:45 AM CST, 11:45 AM EST (Michigan time). that way we will be ready to get a table at 11:00 when they open.

i scheduled this event for their lunch opening time at 11:00. i think that is the best strategy for a situation where we won't be sure exactly how many people will be coming, and sometimes people are late. it also makes it easier to get separate checks, because they usually aren't too busy yet.

to recognize me if we haven't met, i will be wearing a faded blue hat that says "GREECE" on it.

dear friends--

we invite you to join us for lunch at the Shoreline Brewery, 208 Wabash St, Michigan City, 219-879-4677, http://shorelinebrewery.com/ , with a selection of their own and others' beers, tasty bar food, and the best poutine south of the border.

to make things run more smoothly, I strongly recommend that you have enough cash to pay the bill: some restaurants don't like splitting up credit card charges.

we try to get separate checks when possible, but if not, just figure what your order cost (don't forget beverages, desserts, and your share of appetizers), add about 1/3 of your total for tax and tip, and contribute it to the pot.

If you have a coupon you’d like to use at this or any other meal, please check with me first. If I have a coupon for the whole group to use, and there is a limit of one per table, the group coupon will take priority. If not, feel free to use yours.

if you have symptoms of, or have recently tested positive for Covid-19 (or any other contagious disease), please DO NOT ATTEND.

after lunch, we will walk across the street and visit the Lubeznik Center for the Arts http://www.lubeznikcenter.org/ , introduced by our own Grace Hopp. (a small contribution to the Center’s donation box will be appreciated).

then, if weather, time, and interest permit, we can cross the Trail Creek bridge, and take a stroll past the harbor and onto the pier of the Michigan City lighthouse.

To reach the pier from the art museum, walk north on Franklin st and cross the Trail creek bridge. The street will change names a couple times, but it’s easy to follow down to the lakefront. Then turn left to reach the pier and lighthouse, or turn right if you’d like to walk toward Michigan.

hope to see you there

Rick

if you get lost or have any problems finding us, call me at 773-415-0428