Indiana Dunes

“I'm thinking of going there with my girlfriend and do some day hiking or something.

Cant make Kickapoo unfortunately.”

“Even better, go up and do nordhouse dunes in Michiagan....

Indiana dunes arent all that great.”

“If you are talking about Indiana Dunes State Park, then yes. I have dayhiked this with my daughter a bunch of times.

You going this weekend?”

“The state Park is what I'm talking about.

I might go this weekend.....thinking of going somewhere that isnt so far away from me (chicago).”

“I'll have to see how far that is from me Spirit Coyote--thanks for the rec. though”

“Indiana Dunes is a great place for dayhiking IMHO. I live just a couple miles from the SP. Just a heads up, it will be crowded with all the weekend cookouts. But once you get on the trails, the numbers of people you encounter will go down (although you will still see a good number of people as compared to most non-state park trails). It's a good dayhike option for this area as it's the only place you'll find any hills. I understand that pro players go there to work out in the dune hills. Get a map from the person at the gate.

To make it a trip worth your while (and something your gf might enjoy) check out the European Market in downtown Chesterton. It starts at 8 a.m. and runs through the day. There are also a bunch of cute shops and antique stores in town. Here's a link to everything in this area including the state park and the national lakeshore:

www.duneland.com

If you need any more info, let me know.
last edited: 8/29/06 5:29:22 PM”

“You may want to look at Starved Rock State Park--about 90 miles west of Chicago. It too, has tons of people, but if you get there before 10am you can avoid the crouds.

There are some trails that take you into "canyons" and away from the hordes.”

“Thanks for all the info Ruby--I sent you an email with some questions I have.

ChicagoMark--I think all the campgrounds around Starved Rock might be full. Don't you think?”

“Everything will be full this weekend.”

“That's true Wounded knee.....maybe I'll think of something else to do this weekend.”

“Is there anywhere to camp near Starved Rock that may not be full?”

“I'm pretty sure that only a certain number of the campsites at Starved Rock can be reserved ahead of time. You might want to give them a call to check for sure, but I think a number are set aside for first-come-first-serve. They should be able to tell you when you would need to get there to have a pretty good chance of getting a site.”

“The website for Starved Rock camping is below. 100 of the 133 campsites are reservable by mail only. Alcohol is not permited in the campsites. Few years ago we camped there and had wine & beer. No hassle. Probably because the park has not money to patrol. But then we were discrete.


http://dnr.state.il.us/Lands/landmgt/parks/i&m/east/starve/park.htm”

“

Probably because the park has not money to patrol. But then we were discrete.
ChicagoMark

Years ago three women were killed in the Park. One was the mother of a good friend/an ex-classmate/roommate/fraternity brother. It seems to me that they should be spending money for security. But I guess they will be slack until some more killings take place.

I have been there. It is a beautiful place. However, since that event I no longer have any wish to return.

On March 14, 1960,
three women were murdered in St. Louis Canyon. A lodge employee named Chester Weger confessed to robbing and killing the three victims, but later recanted, alleging that his confession had been coerced. He was convicted and is currently serving a life sentence. There has been some movement to try to re-open the case from time to time due to mishandling of evidence. The conviction came largely on the confession, which was taken in the pre-Miranda days.

last edited: 8/30/06 2:14:55 PM”

“A reminder to whomever might read this thread...this weekend is the Gary Air Show. So anything you do along the shore or the dunes will afford you the chance to see all the big birds. It's a pretty cool show they put on, and all free.”