Cresting the dune, Lake Michigan was barely visible. A powerful prevailing northwest wind blew a brew of fallen leaves, sand and snow. I so wish I could have snapped a photo. It was a spectacular momentary image. But I was driving. When the cold November winds blow in our little town, it seems everyone heads to the beaches… mostly in their cars.
The views are just fine in your car. So most stay there as they drive along the coast. Much better than getting sand blasted and frozen. Sand drifts a half foot deep or so were rapidly accumulating in spots along the beach road. The snow was sparse… today.
Without an ice barrier along the shore, these wind storms are damaging. Waves crash relentlessly. More erosion on tops of last year’s. Is this the year we lose the big shade tree almost at the water’s edge at North Beach? Will the imperiled picnic shelter be lost? How much beach at the state park will be lost?
Countless people watch and wonder. Yet they also delight at the fury of Lake Michigan.
Any day at the beach is a good day.