that one time I said I would never hike the dunes again...

This past summer I hiked the dunes with my friend Sarah, and I vowed that I would never, ever hike them again, as said here.  

But Emily came up on Thursday and we had originally planned to go Chicago and then those plans didn't go through and we still wanted an adventure, so the promise I made to myself was broken (for an English major, that sure was a terribly long run-on sentence).  And that is how I ended up at the Dunes today.  

But somehow, this time around it wasn't as bad.  Em and I had decided ahead of time that we were not going to take the same trails that Sarah and I had taken last time, as they entailed three large mountains.  And yet, half way through we changed our minds (whatever possessed us to do that) and did the same trails.  It was a bunch of fun and there was hardly anyone out as it is the off season.  Not to mention the water was absolutely freezing.  But we had an absolute blast both during the car ride as well as actually hiking and playing on the beach.  I cannot believe I am saying this, but I can't wait to do it again this summer with all four of us kids...

not a happy camper about the steep, sandy "hill"

What we get for setting a self-timer on the camera...a photo that auto focused on the grass...

My confession: I am so blessed that I have a sister who loves going on adventures just as much as I do. Love you, Em, and thanks for these awesome three days!