In 2011, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was voted as America’s most beautiful place on ABC’s Good Morning America winning out with over 100,000 votes.

As a Michigan native (David), the beauty of this region seemingly stirs my soul at the cellular level.  In fact, prior to moving to Scottsdale, we owned a condo looking out on the Manitou Islands from atop a 200′ bluff, and spent nearly every summer weekend exploring the area.

I  shot the photograph above from a vantage point atop a massive sand dune 450′ above the blue and turquoise waters of the cool waters of Lake Michigan.

Besides the great beauty afforded at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the massive 450′ sand dunes offers great fun and adventure as people gleefully run down the massive slope to the sandy beach below.  The only problem with this bit of great joy, is the very challenging climb back up!

Formed by ancient continental ice sheets, the area offers 65 miles of pristine lakeshore, numerous inland lakes, hardwood and conifer forests to hike, water sports of every kind, the ancient Manitou Islands to explore, crystal clear rivers to lazily float, and wonderful small towns filled with boutique shopping, restaurants, harbors, marinas, and the best of small-town Americana.

A visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will never be forgotten and we highly recommend it.

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