Spirit Song of A Michigan Ghost Forest

All photos by Jonathan Schechter at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore


Walk silently through the haunting landscape of the ghost forest of Sleeping Bear Point Trail and 
 wind spirits whisper to you and chatter among the skeletons of long dead cedars.
If you do not hear them you are not listening. 
I am sure the Anishinaabek knew the song in their day on Sleeping Bear.

The ghost forest is stark evidence of shifting sand dunes and endless winds that writes new pages
 daily in the story of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, an ever changing masterpiece 
created by the last glacial retreat and now protected by our National Park Service. 

Sand and wind in concert is powerful.

 Although each grain of sand is just the tiniest of specks, in 1931 the U.S. Coast Guard buildings
 now in the town of Glen Haven had to be moved from Sleeping Bear Point before the
 migrating dunes buried them.

The story of sand dunes and ghost forests is without end, but to feel the earth moving forces of
ice, wind and water that sing nature's song you must walk the sands.
And I will walk there again in a land that is full of mystery and  wonder, and home to
black bears, bobcats and perhaps a few cougars.

NOTE:  Final photo by Shaina O'Dwyer, Environmental Management System Management Representive of
 the Grand Traverse Resort And Spa.

 During this most recent exploration of Sleeping Bear I was a particapant in an environmental writers ecology
tour  sponsored by the Grand Traverse Resort And Spa www.grandtraverseresort.com  with assistance and logistical 
support  from the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Traverse City www.visittraversecity.com and the staff of the
National Park Service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore  www.nps.gov/slbe.