Our first drive of the year took us through the backroads of Northwest Indiana to the beach resort town of New Buffalo, Michigan.  We met up in Dyer, Indiana, at the start of the Seedling Mile on historic US 30, also known as the Lincoln Highway.  From there we formed two groups of six cars each and followed a scenic route through horse country, carefully researched and mapped for us by Heather Ingraham.

In New Buffalo we had lunch at New Buffalo Bill’s Wood-Fired BBQ, after which those who had managed to save room for dessert proceeded to Oink’s Ice Cream to chow down some more.

Some of us went home via the Red Arrow Highway through the dunes country, with a stop at the beach at Ogden Dunes, where elaborate plans for converting a luxury beach house into a Midwest 356 Club clubhouse were floated on the surf.

Upon the arrival of Panama Red at our starting point in Dyer, IN, Pamela greets Coco and Julia, while Curt says hi to Al.

photo by Wally Wright

Event organizer Heather Ingraham reviews the route at the drivers' meeting before we set out.

photo by Wally Wright

Mari and Pamela confer over the route notes.

photo by Wally Wright

Off and running.

photo by Wally Wright

Halfway there, we stop at Stoney Run County Park in Hebron, IN.

photo by Wally Wright

A denizen of the stream at Stoney Run.

photo by Jim Hinde

At the Oinks ice cream shop in New Buffalo, where every parking space has a porcine name.

photo by Wally Wright

Wading in the Lake Michigan surf at Ogden Dunes on the way home.

photo by Jim Hinde