Photo from NWI Times You have probably seen, or seen pictures of, the giant metal propeller located at Indiana Dunes State Park. Did you know that it is from a sunken ship located in the bottom of Lake Michigan, that is also the first underwater nature preserve in Indiana? Now you do…
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Tucked within the northwest quadrant of America’s Hoosier State exists a terrific array of must-see attractions, everything from world-class art to adrenaline-inducing thrill to awe-inspiring natural majesty. From Jasper County to the borders of Lake Michigan, enjoy a portfolio of attractions that deservingly tugs on the heart of every true adventurer. Immerse yourself in authentic midwestern American culture, with an assemblage of location-specific sights and sounds you can only experience in Northwestern Indiana…
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As you move further from the bright lights of the big city of Chicago you’ll be able to gaze into the celestial landscapes and bright stars along the South Shore of Lake Michigan. If you’re from a small rural town, you may be familiar with the dark vast night sky; but if you’re a city dweller you’ll take solace in the quiet and wonder you’ll find in here, in northwest Indiana…
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When I was little each summer we would always plan a fun family trip and more often than not, it would be a road trip. At the time, I was not the biggest fan of being in the car for hours, but today I appreciate the experience. I am excited to share the fun with my children! When we planned to visit Fort Wayne, Indiana this summer I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to plan some fun stops along the way…
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If you’re interested in seeing one of Indiana’s most unique natural areas - over 14,000 years in the making - then Pinhook Bog near Michigan City is the place for you. For those unfamiliar with the term, a Bog is a unique ecosystem that forms when a wetland only takes in water from rain or snow. Pinhook Bog is even more distinctive for being a “Quaking Bog,” where moss has grown into a semi-solid mat floating above the water. Bogs tend to be very fragile ecosystems and Pinhook Bog is no exception: usually a gate closes off the trail leading over the Quaking Bog to protect the landscape…
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Getting my crew outside and active is one of my goals every day of every trip. Indiana Dunes is breathtaking, really something to see. We visited Indiana Dunes West Beach trails as a part of a familiarization trip with Visit the South Shore…
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Photos from the Indiana Dunes National Park. View more on their Flickr account. If you’re looking for a hidden gem in Northwest Indiana or if you’re a history buff you may want to visit the Century of Progress Homes at the Indiana Dunes National Park. These five homes were originally built for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, showing off the modern architectural design of the time. The homes are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and once a year there is a ranger-led tour of the five homes…
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My discovery of Indiana Dunes National Park started with a tour by Ranger Jeff Manuszak who is an artist himself and knows what places to show other artists. He took me to see various beaches, trails, and dunes I might find interesting to paint. Here he is standing on Mount Baldy…
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This year, the first day of summer coincided with my first day of my artist residency at the Indiana Dunes National Park. I woke to this beautiful sight of the crescent moon and Venus. The day was off to a great start! I knew I wanted to paint the colorful prairie grasses I had seen during the tour of the park provided by Ranger Jeff Manuszak the previous day. The Chellberg barn peeking above the field was a "morning painting" with long tree shadows creating drama and the morning sun bringing out the many colors of the grasses…
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The National Park Service has been working diligently to make the Dunes beaches and surrounding areas family friendly. One of the most popular beach spots, Mount Baldy, reopened on July 14, 2017. This living dune has been closed since 2013 after hazards were discovered and after extensive testing, the beach has been deemed safe and the trail will reopen later in 2017…
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