Josh Klasic
3L
Book Breaks
As we settle in for another semester (or, in the case of 1Ls adjust to the shock of mountains of work) I thought it would be a fun, and hopefully a useful, idea to write a column about destinations (both town and country) in the area offer escape when you want to leave behind the law school bubble for a little. After all, even though we may not be able to take full advantage of it and often take it for granted, we live in Northwest Indiana – an area that is just a short car ride away from, depending on which direction you head, a world class city, an vast inland sea, first rate college football (speaking, of course, about the VU crusaders), or the solitude and serenity of rural back country roads and towns.
This month’s column is going to focus on a natural wonder that is practically at our doorstep, the Indiana Dunes at Lake Michigan. As the leaves change color and cooler weather replaces the humidity from summer, but before the icy winds blow in from Lake Michigan now is a perfect time to experience the Dunes. And nothing relieves stress or frustration of reading (30 pages of dense text outlining rules with complex exceptions and then exceptions to exceptions) better than getting outside in some fresh fall crisp air. As an added bonus, especially for cash-strapped students, the National Park Service does not charge admission to enter the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
A great to place to start a trip to the Dunes is to stop into the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center where you can find maps of the area, guides, trail maps, interactive displays and park rangers who are happy to suggest trails or activities depending on what you hope to see or experience and your time constraints.
After a trip to the visitor center, if you still are not decided on a course of action, you have a couple different options available to start your exploration of the area. If you are in the mood for hiking, I highly recommend the Cowles Bog Trail which is named after Dr. Henry Cowles, who is credited with the creation of the concept of ecology and did much of his research and work at this very site while he was at the University of Chicago. The Cowles Bog Trail can be accessed from Mineral Springs Road where there are two parking areas (one near the south shore line’s train tracks and one further up the road just before the guard house entrance to Dune Acres community). The trail itself consists of 3 connecting loops for a total of five miles – along the way you walk in between dunes, ponds, and many different types of trees and flowers. This is a perfect hike at this time of the year to experience the changing leaves and it is also a great hike for viewing a variety of birds and water fowl. However, the highlight of the hike comes towards the end, when after a steep climb up a dune, you catch a wide open glimpse of Lake Michigan and on a clear day the skyline of Chicago beckoning across the lake. Descending the dune you end up on a (usually) deserted beach front where you can beach comb (sure to find some interesting things washed up) and walk along the water. You can then catch the trail further down the beach upon a return loop. This is a fairly doable hike but the hike up and down the dunes to the beachfront does leave you a little winded.
An alternative (and flatter) trail to the Cowles Bog Trail is the Ly-co-ki-we trail trail that winds along dune ridges, through wetlands, and reclaimed prairie. Other trails at the National Lakeshore include the Bailey Homestead trail, Dunewood Trace, the Heron Rookery Trail, Inland Marsh Trail, the West Beach Trail, and climbing Mount Baldy. The Indiana Dunes State Park , sandwiched by the National Lakeshore, does charge admission but it also offers other trails. If you are in the mood to just stroll the beach or stake a spot in the sand (and read for class?) there are numerous points that provide direct access to the beach with free parking. Two of my favorites are Dunbar Beach and Lake View. It is also enjoyable just to drive leisurely along Lake Front Drive looking out at the blue expanse of Lake Michigan on one side and gawking at the multi-million dollar vacation homes on the other side of the road. If you enjoy bike riding the Calumet trail is a 9.1 mile long trail of crushed limestone that runs along U.S. 12. Whatever your particular outdoor interest, the Indiana Dunes offers a number activities and a good book break from the rigors and routine of studying and preparing for class.
Happening Now: If you head up to the Dunes on a Saturday through October be sure to head up in the morning and check out the Valparaiso Farmers Market at Central Park Plaza and (especially recommended) Chesterton’s outdoor European Market in downtown Chesterton. The European Market offers a number of food choices from artisan breads and cheeses, fresh produce, pasta, flowers, pumpkins, crafts and more. On-site chefs are there cooking everything from handmade butternut squash tortellini to wood-fired pizza.
To Get There: the Indiana Dunes can be accessed from heading up Route 49 North. Once past Chesterton, follow signs to your particular area of interest. The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center is located at 1215 North State Road 49, Porter, IN 46304. The Cowles Bog Trail can be accessed by turning right (when heading west) at the corner of U.S. 12 and Mineral Springs Road.
Helpful Websites:
http://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm
http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2980.htm
http://www.indianatrails.org/Calumet.htm
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