What) On the Southern shore of Lake Michigan, Dunes National Lakeshore covers 15,000 acres and is traversed by a scenic stretch of US 12.  The area emerged from the most recent ice age with a natural landscape that accommodates an unusual ecosystem of dunes, plants and animals.  The surface is constantly altered as a result of sand dropped by the continuous Northwest winds.  The largest dune, 126-foot-tall Mount Baldy, moves 4-5 feet South from the lake each year. 

    Michigan City is widely known as “The Coho Capital of the World.”  The waters abound with coho and Chinook salmon as well as brown lake and steelhead trout. (from the CAA guidebook)

    Why) I have had an active rock collection ever since I was a child.  At some point between now and then, I came up with the rules for a game that I play whenever I find myself walking over a rock strewn beach or river area.  The rules are quite simple but always seem to lead me to some satisfying results.

    1) Pick up any rock that looks interesting.
    2) Once you find yourself carrying 4 rocks you must discard 1 of them immediately.
    3) Once you can no longer bring yourself to discard a rock then the game is over and your walk is done.