Fulltime RVing, Michigan

Concert at the Dune Climb

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If there is one iconic image of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, it would probably have to be the Dune Climb.  For those who have not been to Sleeping Bear, the Dune Climb is the place where visitors are allowed to crawl up the sand dune and run or tumble back down.  Viewers of the sitcom ‘Home Improvement’ may remember the episode when Tim the Toolman Taylor and his family came running down the dune on a family vacation.  It’s great fun, especially for children.  🙂

Once every summer for the past 18 years, the National Park Service and the Glen Arbor Art Association turn the sand hill and park below it into a concert venue, as part of the association’s Manitou Music Festival.  This year’s free concert featured an eclectic folk-Americana group out of Chicago, of all places, called the Way Down Wanderers.  While they were true to traditional bluegrass with their choice of instruments, their style was much more diverse…ranging from Merle Haggard to their own pop/folk-infused songs.  They had a lot of energy and put on a spirited show.  We were their with several friends, and with a delicious spread of food and drink, we settled in for an evening of entertainment, people watching and conversation.  I pulled out the Nikon and turned the lens loose on the crowd for a plethora of candid photos.  Enjoy!

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Partway through the show, Diana checked her Facebook account, as one of our college friends was in the area and she wanted to see if he was at the event.  He wasn’t, but she did notice that our friend Camilla had posted that she was there.  She had ridden her bike from D.H. Day campground, where she was spending the weekend.  

I spotted her high up on the dune…without any wine.  Diana dispatched me with a Solo cup of Pinot Grigio.  Remember, I said children like climbing the dune..hoo-boy, tough climb!  I did an end-around, came up behind her and said “it sucks when you forget your wine.” After a hug, she headed down the hill with me and joined us!

She took one of her famous selfies before the end of the show.  🙂

It was another great evening in Leelanau with friends and the folks who are spending their summer up here in the northwest lower peninsula of Michigan.  Stay tuned for more fun!

12 thoughts on “Concert at the Dune Climb”

    1. Those were quite the candles, Pam. Some folks bring their “A” game to these events. The Music In The Park series in Northport every Friday night is a great place to see how creative people can get. 🙂

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  4. That was a very special “glass” of wine to make it up all that sand! Great candids of the event – people are so fun. Love the “hippie” and the ranger, and of course the candles with the guy who doesn’t seem too thrilled yet 🙂 Looks like a great time!

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    1. Yeah, his candles kept blowing out. Notice he brought the hard stuff, as I’m thinking wine wasn’t his beverage of choice, Jodee. :). The cool thing…and this is true throughout the peninsula…is that the adult beverage consumption is tolerated, and people don’t (for the most part) abuse it. The authorities have to somewhat look the other way, as so much of the economy here revolves around it. We are over 25 wineries in the county, plus several cider houses and distilleries. Add to that a healthy slice of cherry pie, and the moods are extremely positive….except for Mr. Grumpycandles. 🙂

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