We had arrived rather late the night before, after a very pleasant evening in Chicago. The long drive warranted a lazy day on the beach. Hence, our stop along Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes.
Indiana Dunes offers a surprising variety of parks, both state and national, though they’re not all interconnected. To visit the different areas, you’ll need to purchase your ticket in advance from the Indiana Dunes Visitors Center for whatever park you decide on.
But before we made our way there, we enjoyed a slow, easy morning at the Spring House Inn. The hotel had clearly seen better days, but its location was excellent, and overall, it was pleasant enough for a short stay.
Spring House Inn @Indiana Beach
This made me almost forget the very strong chlorine smell in our room. Maybe someone had died in here and it needed a thorough cleaning in industrial strength?
The included breakfast, however, was an unmitigated disaster. The sheer amount of plastic was astonishing: cutlery, cups, plates, all disposable, and every item of food individually wrapped. Despite staying for two nights, we only subjected ourselves to that scene once.
breakfast area @Spring House Inn
I had already decided that we’d only get a pass for the national park. Our destination for the day was Porter Beach, where I was fully prepared to spend a few unhurried hours lazing around in the sand. According to my online research, it had a laid-back vibe and was often less crowded than some of the more popular beaches along the lakeshore.
Porter Beach @Indiana Dunes
There was definitely still some space left on the beach, but I can’t say I agreed with the “laid-back vibe” part.
not sure about the laid-back vibe @Porter Beach
It was a real shame the day turned out so hazy. Directly across from our spot on the beach was Chicago, stretched out along the far edge of Lake Michigan. On a clear day, it would’ve been a striking view. Instead, the city floated in and out of the mist like a Fata Morgana, more illusion than skyline.
Chicago in a haze @Indiana Dunes
While I finished my book, the teenagers kept themselves entertained in their own way. Digging, burying, laughing. You wouldn’t guess, looking at the picture below, that someone was buried.
buried in the sand @Porter Beach
After dinner, we tried our luck at a second state park beach. Kemil Beach had come recommended for stargazing. We walked to the far end of it, where there were no buildings in sight. On a clear night, it would’ve been the perfect place to lie back and take in the stars.
Unfortunately, the haze still hadn’t lifted, and the night sky remained stubbornly blank. On top of that, the mosquitoes were relentless. It didn’t take long for us to reach a unanimous decision: time to call it a day.
Kemil Beach @Indiana Dunes
On the way back, we stopped at Hobgoblin Fine Wine & Spirits, picked up a bottle for ourselves, and managed to convince the kids to play a round of UNO with us. It was the perfect ending to a lazy day. Low-key, a little silly, and exactly what we needed. Yours, Pollybert
