Sand dunes? In Michigan? Yes, and lots more to see

Summer's coming, time to dip a baited hook in a lake, play on a sandy beach or sand dune, hike in the woods or just do some leisurely exploring. You can find it all in northwest Michigan -- even the sand dunes.

A 34-mile stretch of sand dunes along the shore of Lake Michigan is preserved in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore -- www.nps.gov/slbe/ -- where you can play in the sand, hike, fish and look for wildlife.

Be sure to click on "Nature & Science" to learn about how the dunes were formed, and "inDepth" for information on fishing, camping and history.

Before the days of radio, radar and GPS, safe navigation on the Great Lakes required a network of lighthouses. One of the survivors that has been restored for visitors is the Grand Traverse Lighthouse -- www.grandtraverselighthouse.com -- at Northport on the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula.

If you're looking for a base of operations for your sightseeing in the region, try Traverse City -- www.mytraversecity.com -- where you can learn about everything from golf to food to wineries and cherry orchards. Click on "Summer Recreation" for information on beaches, biking, scuba diving, sailing and canoeing. And when you need a break from the outdoors, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians operates a pair of casinos in the area.

You could also center some of your travels at the northern end of the region in Mackinaw City -- www.mackinawcity.com -- where "Activities & Attractions" hides links to fishing information and to the ferries that will take you to historic Mackinac Island.

Before you catch one of the ferries, check out the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau -- www.mackinacisland.org -- for details on the things to do and see. Leave your wheels at Mackinaw City; cars are not allowed on the island.

If you plan to camp out, "Recreation & Camping" at the state's Department of Natural Resources -- www.michigan.gov/dnr -- has information on state campgrounds, along with hiking, boating, fishing and hunting.

It's also the place to look for details on state parks, forests and trails.