Through the Eyes of a Ranger -----------Traverse City CVB-----------2006
The cultural history of Sleeping Bear complements its natural history. Many
historic homesteads flourished in the region that was eventually incor-
porated into the park. A blacksmith shop, a general store, and a life saving
station bring the "ghost port" of Glen Haven back to life and give
a bit of insight into its glorious and perilous maritime past. Another area
of particular interest is Port Oneida, settled by German immigrants in the 19th
century. Today their homesteads are undergoing restoration, and the cultural
legacy of those settlers is commemorated each summer with a weekend historical
fair. Even when the farm buildings no longer exist, the rangers suggest one
easy way to find the places where they once stood. Lilac trees, a favorite with
those long-ago farmers, are still growing around the crumbled foundations of
the homes where they were planted generations ago.
Although the ranger force at Sleeping Bear does what it can to maintain and
protect the park, volunteers play an increasingly important role these days.
Volunteers may spend anywhere from a day to several months working within the
park. They might be eradicating invasive plants like baby's breath, or perhaps
helping restore a barn in one of the old homesteads.
Much of that volunteer force leaves when the summer season conies to an end,
as autumn winds begin to stir and the park continues its constant cycle of change.
The light changes, the stars change. The fading sunlight still paints dramatic
sunsets, but these have become fall sunsets. Animals prepare for the winter's
cold and outdoors people get in their final hikes before the snow flies. The
tranquil waters of the smaller lakes lure fishermen out in hopes of a final
catch for the season.
But the rangers are still busy - there are guided Beach Patrol Walks on Saturdays
in October, and displays at the Glen Haven Rescue Station reminding visitors
of the treacherous fall storms that drove many an unlucky vessel aground. Hiking
through the forests offers crisp air and
a totally different view of the park, as brilliant colors emerge from the maples,
poplars and other trees.
Nor is winter the end of life within the national lakeshore. The first snows
toss their powdering of fluffy white sparkle over the park, while skiers and
snowshoers take to the snow-covered trails to explore a white wonderland that's
quite different from the summer landscape. Sounds become more defined. The shore
becomes a sculpture shaped into multiple swirling patterns by the power of the
wind. Animal tracking becomes simple.
Ice fishermen take to the lakes, while sledders head to the dune climb. Illuminated
by a full moon and the masses of brilliant stars, the snow-blanketed landscape
resembles a Van Gogh painting.
And then, at long last, there is spring! Wildflowers carpet the forest floor
and add bursts of color to the slowly greening forest of black cherry, aspen
and ash. The multitude of habitats attracts a large variety of bird and butterfly
species, while hardy smelt-dippers armed with nets and fishing licenses make
their way to the mouths of small chilly streams to fill their buckets with hundreds
of tasty little fish.
Venturing into the park at any time of the year opens a new world of forests
and lakes, dunes and rivers, and a shoreline as beautiful, mysterious and rich
in natural spirit as any place on earth. So exotic, so lovely, and yet so close
at hand -but made even more interesting when seen through the eyes of a ranger.
Theresa Russell first visited the Sleeping Bear Dunes when she was a camper
at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. She immediately fell in love with the
area and featured area cycling routes in her book, Bed, Breakfast and Bike Midwest.