From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com Tim and Linda Bunyan
We've left the cities behind and returned to hay bales, peach orchards, and wine. Many trees of chestnut and pine, and oak. It is Tim's birthday and we chose this playground: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to celebrate his birthday!
Platte River Campground, space 140. Very nice with electric. Paid in full $72.00 Recreation.gov
Even in the evening, there is magic in the air.
Our first bike ride to the Philip A. Hart Visitor's Center.
The glacial landscape formed Lake Michigan. Over time waves wore back the headlands. This sandy coast on the windward side of Lake Michigan is an ideal setting for building sand dunes. This perched dune sits high above the shore .
The bike trail skirts this mighty Sleeping Bear Sand Dune.
Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
The Dune Climb can be strenuous through loose sand. We preferred the shady environment of the maple-beech zone on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.
There are miles of sandy beaches, bluffs above Lake Michigan, and lush forests here at the Lower Peninsula. Our RV Park hugs the northeast shore of Lake Michigan.
Amazing scenery and adventure are ours. A great place to bike ride and explore small towns and see the Sleeping Bear Dunes and the infamous "Dune Climb". 
The sand dunes here are called "perched" because they are sitting on top of glacial moraine bluffs made of sand and gravel. They are formed by the prevailing westerly winds blowing the sand out of the moraine and depositing it on top of the bluff.
This little girl decides it is best to get down and roll all the way down! A place to play, dream, and refresh. This downhill is stabilized with native vegetation like dune grass, barberry, and buffaloberry. There are also cottonwood and birch trees.
Tim's Birthday: "It's your day today; you can play. Go to where your heart desires, for to be there with you, and come what may; makes this a special day. The magic of it all is for you are here. Carving your place in this space. Take your time, all is fine.
A rare man and a rare lake make for a perfect day.
The sparkling water of Lake Michigan. It is the largest lake completely within the United States and the fourth-largest fresh-water lake in the world,. It has a profound influence on the formation of sand dunes.
This is your day your birthday!"
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in the shaded, sheltered, and moist forest. 
Glen Lake overlook shows the famous beauty of the many hues of blue and aqua. The varying depth of the crystal-clear water above the light-colored sand.
Scenic vistas and gentle curves through the forest to scenic overlooks of the Lake. Picturesque Covered bridge on the Pierce Stocking 7 miles scenic Drive built by Pierce Stocking to protect wooden bridges from rain and snow.
Visitors have been coming to this fun and special place for decades.
Winetasting too!
All modes of travel!
Of course, there is golf here too!
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a United States National Lakeshore
We bike ride for the day to visit Glen Haven a restored port village on the shore of Lake Michigan on the Leelanau Peninsula within the now Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The beach, and restored General Store and
the Blacksmith Shop. The Blacksmith was essential to the community keeping the sawmill and the other machinery in operation in Glen Haven. While horses were being shod the shop served as a gathering place for local gossip.
Examples of Coal, Coke, and Clinker.
The Interior of the Blacksmith Shop remains active with hot fire and hot-iron branding.
Bike rack made by Blacksmith. Anvil provided a platform on which to hammer and shape the iron being worked. Tongs were used to hold the hot iron while shaping it.
The Blacksmith hot branded R and B onto these wooden blocks for us to give to granddaughter Rose.
U.S. Life-Saving Service 1871
Sleeping Bear Bay in Glen Haven provided deep water and allowed large boats to come near shore. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is unique in having this historic station within its boundaries. It has been restored and developed as a Maritime Museum. Inside the museum describes the Life-Saving Service, its equipment and facilities
There were railroad cars
to transport wood to load onto boats traveling Lake Michigan. Mail was trundled off to the boats and other supplies stored in the warehouse on the dock.
We asked the Blacksmith to make wooden blocks for our granddaughter Rose Elizabeth. She is almost 2 months old.
Cannery Boat Museum displays boats used by the U.S. Life Saving and Coast Guard on the Great Lakes.
We've enjoyed riding our bikes every day. So many trails and stops along the way at Sleeping Bear Dunes, Glen Haven, and Empire Beach have been invigorating, educational, and joyful in the outdoors in perfect weather.We end our visit here in Fishtown. A pleasant surprise in the area. It is a historical place. One of the most unique towns ever. There is a park, Main Street, and the harbor. The Leland Historic District is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. 
In 1853 pioneers built a sawmill and docks and a fishing fleet began. 
A car/boat that just crossed the Carp River.
Many of the historic shanties are being repaired and stabilized to preserve current and future fishing operations.
This boy is fishing from the dock
A Shanty has been lifted onto land and restored; now a shop for visitors.
Boats are always a happy place.
Departing Sleeping Bear Natl Seashore, Platt River Campground to Mackinaw City to stay at a KOA.
While we were here at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, our Granddaughter Rose Elizabeth is with her daddy and mommy in their Airstream experiencing the great outdoors.
In 1853 pioneers built a sawmill and docks and a fishing fleet began. 
