Ahhhh… I’m sitting here sipping on my water bottle this morning, the last piece of My Socialist Independence Day Vacation: it’s filled with the deliciously pure water from the D.H. Day Campground just outside of Glen Arbor, Michigan. Anne and I spent the past week there and I always return refreshed but also reminded that one of our greatest national […]

I have a new piece up at A2Politico that looks at the impact on the area in and around the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on being named “The Most Beautiful Place in America” by “Good Morning, America” viewers. It talks about the history of the formation of the national park, why some locals are not particularly happy about all […]

Click image for a larger version As I ramble about this most awesome place with my best friend, soulmate, lover and wife (all the same person, fortunately for me), I’m reminded that this this amazing place belongs to all of us. That’s the beauty and strength of the National Parks — they are owned by all of us collectively, a […]

Our first real view of Lake Michigan. Just north of Empire near North Bar Lake. A view north from the beach: Adding… Did I mention that they have 3G data coverage throughout the whole park? === Here’s the (only) sign that marks the trail to this beach: ====== North Bar Lake, just one small dune away from Lake Michigan. Click […]

This is our home, smack dab in the middle of The Most Beautiful Place in America for the next five days. Bliss: found and followed.

I can’t believe they’ve gone and told everyone: LEELENAU COUNTY — Sleeping Bear Dunes is voted the Most Beautiful Place in America, according to a contest held on Good Morning America, where the winner was announced this morning. “Tens of thousands of viewers voted online for this Michigan park, which is one of the nation’s best-kept secrets,” GMA said. “The […]

This isn’t news to me. Dr. Beach’s 5 Great Great Lakes Beaches #1. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Lake Michigan, Michigan Here you will find some of the most spectacular coastal dunes in the world — I especially liked trekking up the huge dune on the north end of this expansive park. There are a variety of beaches with fine […]