Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

 On our third day at Traverse City State Park, we got up early and drove forty-five minutes south to Sleeping Bear Dunes.  A National Parks pass or daily admission is required here.  I nonchalantly placed my recently acquired senior lifetime pass on the dashboard upon our arrival at the Alligator Hill trailhead parking lot.  

We've been to Sleeping Bear Dunes once before with the kids.  Justin  could still walk a few steps back then, but wasn't able to climb a hill. I carried him piggyback to what I thought was the top of the dunes.  As it turned out, that was a false summit. Looking at the mile or so of up and down dunes ahead, I admitted defeat and headed back down with Justin hanging on to my neck.  

This time, I wasn't interested in climbing sand dunes, so we opted for the Alligator Hill Trail, which climbs through forests to some of the nicest views from the plateau above Lake Michigan.

First, we took the Easy Loop up to the Islands Lookout.

Next was the purple in and out trail to Big Glen Lookout.

Then it was downhill to Marker 3 (intermediate) and Marker 4 (advanced).  We followed the advanced trail through beautiful forest.  I'm not sure how they rate the trail.  We didn't find the advanced to be much more difficult than the easy trail, especially since most of the easy trail was uphill, and the advanced trail was downhill--at least the way we took it.

Before leaving the national lakeshore, Julia felt compelled to climb a dune.  I stayed with Callie because it was too hot to leave her in the truck.

Not a problem for Julia

We went to nearby Cherryland Brewing after our hike for burgers and beer.

Mine:  Reserve Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout

I'm not a big fan of cherry beer or bourbon barrel stout, but the two together were well-balanced.  Very enjoyable on a beautiful day outside.