We were slow getting started yesterday morning; but once we did, we drove for hours as we left Ohio and entered Indiana. Fields of corn and other grains stretched as far as the eye can see in both directions for miles and miles. It was a beautiful summer day and the large irrigation structures looked like huge metal insects hovering above the crops. I remembered that the Midwest has always been the “bread basket” of the US.
Our first stop was Indiana Dunes National Park. Once we left the highway, the road followed along Lake Michigan. I was shocked to see massive steel mills and other heavy manufacturing. The factories were billowing smoke, and the scene was one of constant movement. It must have been a change of shifts because traffic was streaming into and out of the main gates. I didn’t know we still produce steel in this country, so I googled it. Apparently there are 247 iron and steel manufacturing factories in the US ({down 3.9% since 2022). We are the world’s 4th largest producer. The map on the left shows the industrial complex we passed through on our was to the park.
We had a picnic lunch after we arrived. Instead of the earlier chaos, it was absolutely quiet. We listened to the wind rustling the leaves in the trees above us. Bernard and I followed the path that lead through the dunes to the sandy beach.
There is nothing like being at the beach after Labor Day….the crowds magically subside. I wish we had the time for a swim, but the scenic trail loop was a great hike. I am used to living close to the coast, but I swear Lake Michigan seems as vast as the Atlantic Ocean. The National Park Service is actively working to prevent erosion and preserve the incredible natural beauty of the dunes and its delicate ecosystem.
So, here’s my takeaway. In this age of technology, AI, and the “post-industrial economy, ” I was reminded of the crucial roles that agriculture and manufacturing have played in making the US economy the strongest in the world. The fact that the dunes lie in the immediate vicinity of a huge industrial complex also reassured me that there are ways to continue our economic activities while still preserving our beautiful and unique open spaces for generations to come.
Thanks for tuning in!
Margaret
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