I think my grumpy neighbour from home has followed us all the way to the US. This morning in Chicago 2014 – Day Five when I got to the car, I’d got a $20 for parking outside of my cousin’s house! It appears that there is a mysterious hidden byelaw that doesn’t allow you to park in the cul-de-sac between 02:00 and 06:00. Or one of Julie’s neighbours is as grumpy as ours is as it’s not a road the police would be expected to drive down!
The Drive for the day out
Ah well off to Portage Lakefront for today’s activity. A day at the beach on Lake Michigan. Only Michele, Joshua and I went as Lewis wanted to just chill.
First stop though was the town of Gary. We had been told by several people not to go as it was a deprived area. It didn’t look too bad though. We didn’t stop the car though but just got some photos as we drive through.
The drive from Lisle to Portage is sixty miles which took an hour down the freeway from Lisle where Julie lives.
There was ample free parking at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Centre only 2 minutes’ walk to the beach and sand dunes.
The beach at Indiana Dunes
The beach was exceptionally clean and there was not too much overcrowding. A mixture of families and couples on the beach. The view across Lake Michigan towards Chicago was hazy, you could make out the skyline of the city thirty-five miles away.
I had a swim in Lake Michigan. It was cool to start with but like all water you get used to it. The waves were fun as well but strange as there is no tide as it’s a lake!
Joshua and I went exploring the dunes at the back of the beach. Along the waterfront there were several private houses decorating the shoreline.
The only downside to this place of tranquillity is it’s surrounded by heavy industry belching out fumes into the atmosphere.
After the drive back to Lisle we caught up with Lewis before he headed out with Chris for the evening.
Another wonderful day with an unusual view of Chicago from the base of Lake Michigan for Chicago 2014 – Day Five.
