Took family and dogs up to the dunes for some hiking. One of the trails, a boardwalk trail through a marsh has been closed for over 10 years and reopened last year. I wanted to hike it. Level ground, 3 miles, easy peasy. Do have to hike a little to get to it but it wasn't bad.
So since we weren't exhausted yet we did the 3 dune challenge trail. That ones an ass-kicker on its own. Up 200ft dune in loose sand, then back down, back up, back down etc. It's not just 3 dunes, it's more like 6 but 3 are about 200ft.
Poor milly dog was so tired she was laying down in shade any chance she could. Wife was struggling, I did better than I thought I would. She walks 3 miles nearly every day, I sit my lazy ass on the couch or recliner and drink beer. But I was ahead of her and the boy. Heart rate was around 160 on the big climbs, definitely working hard but never had to pause till the tops.
Total was over 5 miles. Half in sand. If you've never walked in Indiana dunes sand, it's extremely loose and slippery. One step only gets you about 6" forward because you slide half your stride back. Some spots you keep walking but you're not moving until you get to moist sand and get traction.
Afterwards we went to Shoreline Brewery for food and beers. They let us take the dogs on the patio, even brought the dogs a big bowl of water.
It was a great day.
Smoking that undercrown shade I clipped right before getting called into work at 1am Tuesday morning.
