Storm clouds

Despite living only an hour from the Indiana Dunes, I never bothered to go there until today.

Even though I went with several great friends, I wasn't at all impressed with this place. San Francisco has turned me into a snob. I'm too used to the breezy dry air and the astounding views of the bay, the mountains, the Pacific Ocean, the bridges, and many other things California has to offer.

At the Indiana Dunes, the mounds of sand too hot to walk on, the sweet view of factories in the distance, the dirty lake water, and the unbearable humidity sent me walking to an air conditioned pizza joint a few blocks away.

I sat there and ate pizza while my friends splashed around in the lake. They had a lot of fun, and I don't blame them, because this place was in fact a nice getaway from the city. Leaving the beach was really my fault, as I didn't bring a swimsuit (because I wasn't in the mood to swim and to get covered in sand). I figured I could hike in the trails nearby, but the "trails" I saw weren't even real trails. They were just little sidewalks going through a bunch of trees and people's backyards.

I came with high expectations. I thought the Indiana Dunes would be something like Land's End, sans the mountains. Oh, boy, was I way off! San Francisco has spoiled me, that's for sure.

Still, I'm glad I went. Now I can finally say I've been there.