A surreal camping trip

All winter long I have been looking forward to our first camping trip. This year we made it in the Memorial Day weekend and we decided we wanted to try something that was not North West Michigan, which we often choose. Kristian booked a campsite by silver lake. Right here:

What’s not to like? Lake Michigan sunsets, beautiful dunes, and a large campground with a private beach by the lake. That’s why people come up here, right?

Wrong!Wrong!Wrong!Everybody else up here only have one thing on their mind: dune racing. In giant off road vehicles! Here’s the kind of car people drive to the toilets in:

We were “lucky” to have our campsite right next this lovely parking. When one of our tents had been inches from being run over by crazy 4 wheel drive cars several times we had to move it. And when we got to our favorite part of camping - cooking on a bonfire - it was right in the prime time of big-ass cars returning from the dunes. We had more engine noise than at home where we live quite close to the freeway. Oh - and the smell of gasoline........ We were not exactly thrilled that first night.But then we went out to the light house to watch the sunset:

And the mood was instantly restored. Sunday we went back:

We visited Frode in Pentwater, who has a House right down to the water:

(Teresa was very keen on going swimming. Until she spotted the 12 pound carps in the water. Then she stayed on the dock. LOL)

And then we finally ventured into the dunes. And if I should rate my top surreal traveling experiences this had to be one of them. Picture this: you climb a hilly forest hill, where sand comes down the stairs. Once you exit the trees you are in a moonlike landscape with dead trees and sand as far as the eye can see. At the end of all this is Lake Michigan with a beautiful sunset.

But it is not quiet and peaceful. The roar of engines rules the dunes as endless herds of dune buggies, motor cross bikes, and off road vehicles in general race up and down. Completely nutcase crazy! And as much as I hate to admit it I actually think I understand why people come up here for this

Bailey however did not like these dunes. Our poor chubby badly out of shape retriever mix almost didn’t make it

He took breaks every few yards. And he refused to get out of the car when we got back.I think he is more than ready to go home today❤️