Day Trip to the Dunes at Silver Lake, MI

[The PIG Smith]

I scored a new recored Radiator from a member on the GreatLakes4X4 forum, "BigTony".
Tony is from Twin Lake, MI, a super nice fellow and FSJ enthusiast, but is not a member here.
He currently has a fairly nice (for a MI rig) 1984 Wagoneer Brougham that is he is parting out.
Tony told me he had several FSJ that he has parted out and claimed to buy all the ones he can in his little part of western Michigan.
He tells me there are many Jeeps in the area, including FSJ.
Nathan and I saw a late 60's Wagoneer for sale on the way home.

So, isn't Twin Lake, MI a little far to drive for a radiator?
Yes, it way too far...about 4 hours each way.
However, Nathan and I have been wanting to get out of town and this was a great excuse.

First, we stopped in Grand Haven and checked out the Pere Marquette 1223
http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/47916/2637682110049713712S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2637682110049713712HJSegT)

http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/19564/2684328180049713712S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2684328180049713712CNdsgE)

Next Stop, we checked out the Sub in Muskegon, MI
http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/19177/2222056820049713712S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2222056820049713712RFEpQj)

http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/25566/2308198820049713712S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2308198820049713712KuUyWH)

Next we checked out the Dunes at Silver Lake.
I have only been there once with MillerLuck, RicBee and some others that I do not remember, but Nathan has never been there.
We walked to the top of Test Hill from the back side.
OH MY...I am ever outta shape...I was huffing and puffing walking through that sand and up that steep hill.

Looking up Test Hill from the south or the backside
http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/47918/2556203590049713712S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2556203590049713712VqGlZU)

Top of Test Hill
http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/44853/2116060780049713712S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2116060780049713712MyPhMs)

While the temperature was near 40, the wind chillfactor must have been 40 below....very windy and cold at the top of Test Hill
http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/20104/2928728720049713712S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2928728720049713712TBLrvG)

Looking down Test Hill. Not the best picture to show high and steep Test Hill really is. While it does not look it, trust me when I tell you it is steep and a long ways down.
http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/7319/2934062760049713712S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2934062760049713712IzEREb)

Looking out at the Lake from the Top of Test Hill
http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/11846/2628931170049713712S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2628931170049713712fFwWQI)

Ice on the shores of Silver Lake
http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/8552/2642436690049713712S500x500Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2642436690049713712kjKxGd)

[Tonka J200]

Nice pics, Bryan!
Any excuse to cruise Michigan's West Coast is a good excuse!

I've never been out on the Silver Lake dunes in the off season. I can, however, attest to how cold that wind coming off the lake can be. It blows right down to your bones...

[cincyjeeprs]

LOL. I agree. Why does Test Hill just look like a little pile of sand? I have only taken the Scrambler to the Dunes and don't even attempt Test Hill with my little 115 HP 6 banger, 31s and 2.73 gears. Yeah, the lake looks a little cool for swimming.

Looks like you had a terrific trip. Next time you need a part, search the Sault Ste. Marie area. They have an awesome Maritime Museum up there somewhere. :thumbsup:

[JeepBountyHunter]

That's nice Bryan, have you ever seen the USS COD on the lakefront in Cleveland? I slept over on it one night 10 years ago, pretty awesome original WWII Gato class sub.
What can you tell me about the 60's Wagoneer?
Aaron

[The PIG Smith]

That's nice Bryan, have you ever seen the USS COD on the lakefront in Cleveland? I slept over on it one night 10 years ago, pretty awesome original WWII Gato class sub. No, I have not, but sounds like something I would like to see.

The one reason we wanted to see the USS Silverfish in Muskegon, was that Nathan spent a weekend onboard with the Boy Scouts.
He had not been back and I thought it would be nice revisit.
It was a very cold Sunday it was all closed.
I promised him that we get the J10 completed in time to take it to Silver Lake this summer, that we would take some time to go through the Museum.

http://glnmmorg000.web151.discountasp.net/apps/dnn/mydnn/

What can you tell me about the 60's Wagoneer? I do not know much about.
As we left Twin Lake and "BigTony", it was not far from his place.
It was lime green with a razor grill and badge.
Large for sale sign on the windshield.

It was about 4PM or a little later when when left, we were tired (from walking up Test Hill) and had a longs ways to go, so I did not stop.

Tony told us there were a lot of Jeeps in western Michigan.
I'll drop "BigTony" on GreatLakes4x4.com a PM and ask him about it for you.
It was not far from his place on Route 120/Holton Road

[JeepBountyHunter]

Sounds kewl, I kinda like the idea of a 63-71 Wagoneer...lol :thumbsup:

The USS Cod, is similar to the sub you went to, you can go through it from Memorial day to Labor Day, and at Labor Day is the huge military air show at Burke Lakefront airport, and a WWII re-inactment at the sub, it's pretty kewl, sub is cheap to visit the air show is I think over 20 bucks a person, not including parking.
Aaron

[Millerluck]

Hey wow. How did I miss this thread?

Looks like you had a great time.

Did you drive your Grand Cherokee in the dunes?

Larry

[green 76]

glad you guys had a great time in western michigan i love the dunes get out there quite often i have a buggy plan on going out there this summer with the wagoneer!!!!