Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve

When our plans changed multiple times in our Wisconsin trip, I did some googling, 

                     

and discovered Lions Den Gorge Nature Preserve.

Nestled directly on the coast of Lake Michigan, only a short drive from my relatives, we drove over to check it out.

I knew the girls would love the boardwalks, since we've adventured on marshy boardwalks before.

We did enjoy the marshy area, but we were completely enthralled with Lake Michigan.

The lakeside breezes were tantalizing and drew us along the coast.

The girls were charmed by the bluffs, which had a just a little Prince Edward Island flair, reminiscent of the Anne of Green Gables movies and books.

Grandma remembered binoculars so we were intrigued by finding boats and ships out on the water.

The serenity of this place was indescribable.

It made me think back to being on the lake as a child with other family members.

Perhaps the lake is in my blood.

We ventured further, in search of the stairs down to the beach.  Thankfully, the promise of the stairs kept the Blossoms from trying to venture down the bluffs.

The forest grew denser and more enchanting.

Aha!  Here's the stairs.  

Grandma counted 112... or something like that.

And now, for the rock picking.  All respectable adventures require some semblance of specimen collection.  

We found plenty for our collection, as we avoided the pounding strength of the surf.  

Lake Michigan was magically memorable.

Dominique