Warren Dunes State Park

Finny stole Cloud's favorite bed in the van

Sammies' last stop was Warren Dunes State Park.  As you may have guessed, it is known for its giant sand dunes.  Not as big as Sleeping Bear dunes, but still big by Wisconsin standards.

We pulled in as usual without a reservation.  Of course they have a site available for our trailer. Because that's just the way it works in my man's world! 

All was going well, backing in and getting set up, when suddenly I spotted a giant bee flying underneath our trailer.  Obviously we had just parked on top of a bee hive and the queen was mad!!  Staff said, and I agreed, that we needed to change sites immediately.  It could be problematic for sammies, who spend much of their time lounging around outside.  We wouldn't want our furry little babies getting stung.

The park ranger said, "Are you sure it isn't a killer cicada wasp?"  A what?  It turns out this type of wasp is only dangerous if you are a cicada.  In fact, no one has ever been stung there.  One park ranger allegedly said he just swats them away and has never had a problem.  I asked her what would happen if a dog or human got stung by accident, like if the wasp had a memory lapse, like I have sometimes, and mistook one of us for a giant cicada.  She looked at me as if I wasn't listening to her and said a little more slowly, "Well, I don't know.  No one has ever been stung."  Um, OK.  Not exactly the scientific evidence I was looking for.

Killer Cicada Wasp
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We decided we would just spend the rest of the day at the beach, then take a long nap, and go home in the middle of the night, hopefully avoiding traffic around Chicago.  

After walking the hounds, Staff and I rode our bikes to the beach.  I was too pooped to hike, but Staff hiked up the almost vertical dunes.

Don't worry, that water was clean, but  just the idea of spraying water anywhere near the "dump" station is unsettling.  I always stand ready with hand soap and Purell for my Stafford when he finishes the job.

We had originally planned to stay the night in Warren Dunes; however, after the "bee" incident, we decided enough was enough.  Our travels in the UP and LP of Michigan had come to an end.  Although we generally don't have a set date for the return home on these sammy trailer trips, it always becomes clear to both of us when it's time to wrap it up.

I feel that my little bloggy-blog does not do the UP justice.  It is truly a beautiful and serene place -  God showing off, as one of my favorite author says.  As a city dweller, I feel blessed to carry the memory of that peace and beauty with me.  

I wonder where sammies will take us next?