As you'll recall, in my June newsletter I asked readers "where do you go to renew?" Craig Clark, a talented writer and owner of Clark Communications, submitted this response:
My personal Great Lakes refuge location is a place I simply call "The Spot". It's a place that I used to hike out to after work when I first moved to G.R. It was (still is, actually) a peaceful location for me to unwind and enjoy nature; over time it became a destination spot for me to really hear God and follow His direction in life (job changes, marriage, etc.).
The actual location of "The Spot" is in the Rosy Mound County Park just south of Grand Haven off of Lakeshore Drive. I'd hike to the very top of the highest dune to soak in the views of the dunes, beach and water. What a peaceful place. I believe the DNR prohibits any off trail hiking now (endangered plants). I've been hiking out to this 'spot' for well over 15 years. It used to be a rugged, 1/4-1/2 mile hike up sandy dunes, but now it's a paved/raised trail marked system to get to the Lake Michigan beach. I can understand the need to make this trail more accessible to a non-hiker, but I used to value the challenge Rosy Mound presented to me every time I visited. The end of the journey was always worth it, though. The end of the trail would crest at the highest point of the dunes just before the beachhead. You were awarded with a breathtaking view of the natural dunes landscape (think smaller version of Nordhouse), and the marvelous specter that is Lake Michigan.
Thanks for reading about my not-so-secret (anymore) 'spot'!
The view of Nordhouse Dunes at the top of this post was Craig's choice for a free 5x7 print had his entry been selected in the random drawing.
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