Cave Point County Park

As mentioned in my previous post, Monday's windy, overcast day called for a trek to Cave Point County Park. Being a county park, admission was free and, the best thing of all, no one could develop the area!!

I found an unassuming parking area and put on my tennis shoes so I could climb around. The first sign I encountered, which I forgot to photograph, stated, "No unattended children. Hazardous conditions exist." I remembered Rita warning me not to jump in, but hazardous conditions?

The first sound I heard was a "whomp." As I was exploring the park, I struggled to find the right words to describe the sound. The only thing I could come up with was the most resonant bass drum ever created. Initially, I was convinced it was human generated. I got the impression of something being thrown with incredible force against a gargantuan hollow surface. The closer I got to the edge of the bluff, the louder the sound became and nary a human was around.

Further investigation revealed Lake Michigan waters plowing into the concave limestone bluff. Over the years, the water chiseled out an amphitheater that projected the double slam of the liquid. It would first hit the limestone at water level and then ricochet off the cave for a second strike. Impressive! I couldn't stop staring.

Then I turned around to see more of the bluff, dropping my jaw! There was so much to view and hear.

As far as the eye could see, Lake Michigan was on the horizon, disappearing into the fog. The sky was freckled with graceful kites of white, gliding on the thermals. The plane of water was dotted with white buoys bobbing like tethered boats. The horizon was speckled with kamikaze dive bombers plunging into the lake.

I had become privy to the natural survival practices of seagulls. None were hovering next to boats or restaurants scavenging for their sustenance. Not one called, complained or argued about another's good fortune. They just took flight, watched the water and dove towards an imperceptible tidbit of dinner, sometimes emerging empty beaked. Others would spread their wings while bobbing on the waves to get just enough loft. This to power a hurtling of their heads under water at the exact second a fish crossed the path of the plunging beak. It was incredible to see them harness the wind like sailboats. Every once in a while, I'd see a hint of celebration as a gull happened to benefit from lucky placement and timing as their prey lept into their beaks. No matter the level of success, all shook their heads emulating a dog after an unwanted bath. Could the bird possibly gain enough calories with their tiny prey to compensate for the amount of energy the process cost?

As I further explored the park and bluff, I eventually happened upon a colony of seagulls stationed on a sandbar. My ears made me aware of their presence long before my eyes did. Though defying another to land on the sandbar through vociferous nagging, the naysaying sounded like an audience for a talented comedian. I had to join the laughter.

Climbing down to the beach was a joy. Those before me explored the nooks and crannies and built structures that would not stand the test of time. The crests of waves on a windy day or another creative biped would see to that. Hunkering down on a rock ledge, I soaked it all in and He came.

Looking out at the vaporous horizon, He clearly told me, "I am bigger than this! I see to the nourishment of the gulls, why would I not see to your every need?" Tears and chills ensued. I just never know when to expect such a visit.

In an attempt to capture the feel by camera, I noticed the playful competition of the waves. The swells were racing each other. They tried and tried again to make the biggest splash like teenagers one upping with cannonballs. The waves dug deeper and deeper until the water level was about three feet below the top of the limestone ledge. Then they pushed as if their coach had told them to leave their all out on the field. The rhythm was irregular but constant, each little molecule striving to jump higher than the one before. All in all, I was the winner in this exhibition.

Cave Point County Park, a veritable feast for the eyes, ears and soul!