Number of Miles Driven: 195

States Driven Through: Michigan 

Hours Driven: ~3 hours


We hoped to get an early start, so we could get to Mac Woods Dune Buggy Rides which was on a first-come first-serve basis. We woke up at 6:30 and Andy made Mickey/Minnie waffles for the kids. It was a typical chaotic morning as everyone got ready for the day. Andy and the kids were out the door shortly before 8, and then Brianna had a work call right at 8 – so we focused on getting everything packed up while the kids were cleaning the basement “Instant Dream Home” style. They created special features throughout the basement, including a reading nook for the girls and carefully planted barbie dolls (like a Where’s Waldo game). They also rehearsed a show to the song “I Want it That Way” – because of course they had to put on a show.

We got everything loaded by 9:00 am and then watched the kids show – it was cute. Dani and Matthew were the “back-up” singers while Andrew performed on the rings and Carolyn performed in the hammock.

It was a 2-hour trip to Mac Woods Dune Rides in Silver Lake State Park. The crack had gotten noticeably longer which stressed Michael out, but I convinced him it would be fine (hope that doesn’t bite me in the butt later). We only had to wait 30-minutes for the dune ride so we ate lunch quickly and then got loaded up in the Dune Buggy. It was such an exciting ride. We got a little history along with some dad jokes from our tour guide, Joel. The buggy went faster than any of us thought and there were several hills that took our stomach away – or as Dani liked to say “My stomach went up and forth.” I wish I could mean easily upload videos because the pictures just don't quite capture it! The dunes were huge and impressive with separate sections for pedestrians and dune buggies. Our dune buggy held at least 15 people – maybe more. The trip was about 40 minutes and it was certainly a highlight. Carolyn now thinks the dune buggy ride was the best part of the trip.

Working in their "school" books without even being asked!

Picnic Lunch at Mac Woods


Our tour guide, Joel

Pit stop at Lake Michigan



Pit stop at Lake Michigan


After the dune buggy ride, we went to Little Sable Point Lighthouse (National Park Service officially calls it Little Point Sable) and played at the beach there for a while.  The lighthouse reminded me of Gay Head lighthouse because it was a brick lighthouse. The water in Lake Michigan was much colder than it was at St. Joe’s, but the kids went waist deep anyway.








In Lake Michigan at the Lighthouse

Next, we wanted to check out the pedestrian section of the sand dunes. It took us a minute to figure out how to get there but we made it – and perhaps regretted it – haha! The initial ascent was practically straight up and at least 60 feet. Silver Lake has one of the largest sand dune systems in Michigan and they were beautiful and vast – and very, very steep. The kids loved it, but the heat of the sand hurt Dani’s feet. No one else was bothered by it, and the kids would race down the dunes. After a couple of tumultuous hills, we made it to the beach and just hung out there for an hour or so. The water was cold but that didn’t bother the kids. Andrew didn’t change into a swimsuit because he said he didn’t plan to swim, but shortly after getting to the beach he if he could walk up to his knees. Nope – because we didn’t have any other clothes accessible, so he made a sandcastle instead. The girls played horses. Matthew started sunbathing on the dunes, and Michael and I just enjoyed sitting on the beach. I had hauled my book through the Dune trek, so I made sure to read a little bit.

Cottonwood Trees on the Sand Dunes. They adapt to the increasing levels of sand because their limbs become roots - it's one of the reasons most trees can't survive in dunes because they suffocate as they get more and more buried in sand. 

Excited for a snack

Building his castle/moat



We were all basically on all fours trying to climb the dunes

Feeling it...

On the way back to the car, Carolyn chose the steepest incline and made it up successfully – yet very winded. Everyone else took the more graduate ascent and we found a short cut back to the car to reduce the number of hills we had to climb. The kids had sand in places that I didn’t even know existed and there were no hoses to wash them off – so we dusted off as much as possible and resigned ourselves to a sandy car.

Next, we headed to our campsite at Ludington State Park. It was a huge park that ran along the coast of Lake Michigan. Our campsite was less than ideal – it was very sandy and had no privacy (Andrew said he hoped we were camping in the dunes, and we essentially were with the amount of sand at our campsite). The campsite next to ours parked their trailer camper right next to our firepit. We couldn’t even put chairs all the way around our pit. So, we decided to heat up the chicken tacos on the stove top and not even do a campfire. 

Andrew said he wanted to camp on the sand dunes...we had enough sand at this campsite that it seemed like a sand dune. 

Our campsite at Ludington State Park

After dinner, we went to the beach at the park and watched the sunset over Lake Michigan. It was the best decision ever. The kids enjoyed the water for a bit but then got fairly cold, so Andrew, Danielle, and Matthew started working together on a large sandcastle. The water from the lake kept tearing down the front, so they were coordinating efforts to fortify the front. Meanwhile, Danielle was practicing dance moves in the water – she was singing and dancing as if she was putting on a show. We were at the beach for over two hours because the sun sets so late – around 9:30, but it was worth it. It was the thing to do because as we got closer to sunset, more and more people started setting up on the beach. We watched the sunset while playing Racko in a really nice lodge area.

Working together to keep the water from Lake Michigan out of the sand castle
Practicing her "show"
Taking an oreo break for the sunset
He's always looking for driftwood
Chillin by the Lodge


Getting ready for sunset
Putting together a puzzle while waiting for the sun to set
Playing Racko in the Lodge
Learning about Michigan topography
Almost there...
Getting Closer...
Beautiful sunset over Lake Michigan

We got back to the campsite around 9:40 and then immediately took showers – we were so dirty from the dune hikes. And then off to bed to we went. We were all exhausted!!