Day 3 | Indiana Dunes National Park: Lessons Along the Trail

The world doesn't always reveal its best stories all at once. Sometimes they are tucked beneath a milkweed leaf, buzzing quietly through a patch of wildflowers, or carried on the wind across a lake. Our morning at Miller Woods was spent looking closely. Really closely.

With Sea Grant intern Kayleigh, we searched milkweed plants for monarch eggs and tiny caterpillars, learning how scientists monitor one of North America's most recognizable migrations. Every discovery was photographed and uploaded to iNaturalist, where our small observations become part of a much larger picture. It's comforting to know that paying attention still matters.

Just down the trail, Bethany from the USGS introduced us to another group of often-overlooked heroes—the bumblebees. We walked the pollinator gardens learning about their surprising strength, their remarkable ability to buzz pollinate flowers, and the quiet work they do every day without anyone stopping to applaud. Nature has a way of reminding us that some of the most important work is also the least noticed.

By afternoon we found ourselves standing along the shore of Lake Michigan. Neysa led us through a Wave Break activity, inviting us to simply breathe, listen, and let the rhythm of the water do what it has done for thousands of years. It was peaceful...for us, anyway.

To everyone walking by, it probably looked a little different.

Imagine twenty-four educators dressed head-to-toe in matching pink shirts, standing silently in a line facing the lake with our eyes closed. Hands in the air, waving up and down with each crashing wave. Parents began gathering their children just a little closer as they hurried past. We couldn't have planned a funnier scene if we had tried. Sometimes the best laughs come from seeing yourself through someone else's eyes.

Ranger Erin took us from the shoreline into the story of the dunes themselves. We talked about waves that build and reshape beaches, examined rocks that have traveled farther than most of us ever will, and then set off on the Ecological Succession Trail. The word "trail" doesn't fully prepare you for the sandy climbs, winding hills, and those famous 272 steps waiting at the end. Fortunately, someone understood exactly what tired hikers need because ice cream was waiting for us at the finish.

The rain arrived just as we made it back to camp, creating the perfect excuse for comfort food, dry clothes, and an evening of karaoke. There is something wonderfully freeing about a room full of educators who are completely willing to sing off-key, clap loudly, laugh at themselves, and cheer everyone else on.

Tomorrow we trade hiking shoes for life jackets as we head out onto Lake Michigan. Here's hoping for calm water, blue skies, and another day filled with things we never would have noticed if we hadn't gone looking.