We so enjoyed our visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  The facilities were excellent, the hosts and rangers were professional and very friendly. The stories behind all the different properties was amazing.  Speaking of the stories, I want to put the story of the sleeping bear dune here.  It is both touching and interesting. From the oral tradition of the native Anishinaabe (Odawa/Ottawa, Ojibway/Chippewa and Potawatomi tribes). The large Sleeping Bear dune was used as a landmark for navigation and was held as sacred.

Once, long ago, in the land called Wisconsin across the great lake, there was terrible forest fire causing hunger and many people died. A bear and two little cubs were trying to leave that place and come around the lake where there would be more food.

They walked for many days on the beach together, but after a while the two little cubs began to whimper with hunger, and so the bear decided to swim across the rest of the lake.

They waded into the water, one cub on each side of the bear, and they swam off into the lake a long way. After a while the cubs began to get very tired, and so the bear said, “Try hard, the land is not very far.” And very soon they did come in sight of land.

But gradually the cubs got weaker, and only ten miles away, one cub sank into the water. Soon after, the other also sank and drowned.

The momma bear’s heart was broken, but she could do nothing. She waded ashore and lay down, exhausted. Looking out on the water where her cubs had died. Eventually,  the Great Spirit, feeling sorry for the bear,  returned them to the surface, but as two little islands.  And so the bear still lies there atop the dunes, looking out after her children while the Great Spirit keeps her covered in sand.

The Park Service has photos from early in the 20th century that shows the largest dune truly resembling a sleeping bear.  The wind and shifting sand has erased a bit of the details, but the place it was is still easily recognized from the water. 

The Sleeping bear dune is just one stop on the “Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive”.  Its about 3/4 of the way around the drive.  Don’t miss all the information and sights along the way if you go.  Stop and take your time.  It is very interesting how the property went through so many owners/developers and historic things to finally be saved as a National Lakeshore Park.  

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was first a Michigan State Park. Many older campers I spoke to commented about how when they used to come as children, they camped at the “Developed” DH Day Campground” At the Northern end of the State park. It had “Toilets” (Outhouses).  Today the Platte River Campground is the  wonderful modern campground with electricity, modern shower houses and flush bathrooms.  DH Day has remained a primitive campground with vault toilets and seasonal water availability.  Platte River Campground is a model for other National parks to strive for.   My “Neighborhood” National Park, the most popular national park, The Great Smoky Mountains does not have such nice facilities.  To them I say. “Get with the 21st century and provide camping facilities and services to keep people healthy and happy”.

The other great things I think we will HAVE to do, next time we visit (and it won’t be long) is to float the Platte River.  Canoe or Kayak, Akela is checking them out.  But that just seems like an awesome day trip. Also I would like to bike part of the Heritage Trail which runs 26miles along the park.  Anyway, there is a lot more to see and do here.  I might even come up in the winter!! 

More to write and edit. It’s been a busy Sept/Oct.   Thanks for stopping by.  Leave me a comment to just say “Hi” or tell me what you think of this subject.  And I hope to meet you on the road !

Rick & Akela
GoingNoWhereFast
Donate Link at the Top of the Page or Click HERE