Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

 

Sheila and I drove to Sleeping Bear Dunes today.

We choose to do the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive instead of the Dune Climb Trail, demonstrating the cumulative wisdom of seasoned park veterans by avoiding the arduous climb to the top of a mountain of sand. 

The Rangers at the Park Headquarters recommended the loop and even gave us a little map, pinpointing the best places to stop and take a picture. If you ever decide to make this trip, be sure to stop in Empire and get a copy of the Visitor's Guide.

We had my little Fuji X100s with us so we stopped where the Rangers said we should and I grabbed some pics of GOD's handiwork.

 

#1  The Covered Bridge with the National Park Service Arrowhead on it.

 

#2  Glen Lake in the distance and Little Glen more near. 

 

#3  Dune Overlook in the middle of the 2600 acre area of Sleeping Bear Dunes.

 

#4  The Cottonwood Trail through the dunes.

 

#5  The Dune ecology: harsh, windy, dry and sandy.

 

#6  The old Basswood trees between the dunes and the forest.

 

#7  The forest of Sugar Maple and American Beech trees. 

 

#8  The post-Glacier landscape changes, from sterile ground to fertile woods.

 

#9 and # 10  The Overlook for Lake Michigan and The Sleeping Bear Dune.

 

#11  Once a Lake Michigan bay, the North Bar Lake was formed by the accumulation of blowing sand.

 

#12  Pine Plantations were planted by the Park Service many years ago.

 

Isaiah 55:12b  -  The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees in the fields will clap their hands.