Indiana Dunes National Park

My trip officially began last night when I left Wellington and headed west a little after 9pm.

About an hour and a half into the drive, I reached the point where I knew continuing wouldn't be safe. I pulled into a Walmart parking lot and had my first night sleeping in the car on this journey. Surprisingly, I slept great, I thought maybe excitement and anticipation would keep me up but no. Well... right up until I woke up 15 minutes before Walmart opened and desperately needed a restroom.

After a quick stop inside, a new battery for my car remote, and a few more hours on the road, I arrived at Indiana Dunes National Park.

The drive itself was part of the experience. I stayed off the turnpike and took the slower roads. It was peaceful, quiet, and exactly the kind of start I wanted. I listened to an audiobook, sang along to some music, and enjoyed the rare gift of having nowhere to be except where I was going.

At the park, I bought an annual National Parks pass. Admission here was $25, and with all the places I hope to visit over the next few weeks, the $80 pass seemed like an easy decision.

My first stops were West Beach and the Dune Succession Trail.

When I saw that the trail was only one mile long, I thought, "Perfect. Easy start."

It turns out one mile of soft dune sand is very different from one mile anywhere else.

The sand was incredibly fine and deep. Every step sank. Every uphill section felt like climbing a staircase made of powder. By the end, my feet were cramping, my legs were shaking, and I was reminded that taking a two-month break from my regular long walks may not have been my best idea.

There was a longer trail I desperately wanted to tackle, but sometimes the wiser choice is knowing when to stop. This trip is nearly three weeks long, and I don't need to destroy my legs on Day One.

Instead, I spent the rest of the morning wandering more slowly and simply enjoying the landscape.

I found myself thinking about my dad. This area is so close to where he once lived, and I wondered if he had ever visited these dunes and what he might have thought of them.

One story in particular stuck with me. The park tells the story of Diana of the Dunes, a woman who left Chicago in the early 1900s because city life, corporate expectations, and conventional living weren't for her. She came here to live among the dunes instead.

Something about that resonated deeply.

In my own way, I feel like I'm doing something similar right now. Stepping away from the routines and expectations of everyday life. Trading schedules and obligations for open roads, wild places, and a little more connection with nature, with God, with the universe—whatever name you prefer for that quiet thing that reminds us we're part of something bigger.

For now, I'm enjoying a packed lunch courtesy of my sister before getting back on the road. Next stop: the North Shore. First, though, anoother stretch on the road, a refuel, and a Planet Fitness break for a light workout, a shower, and maybe even a massage chair.

Day One is off to a good start.Read more