Great memories! If you get a chance, go.
Reminds me of my encounter with Sleeping Bear Dunes. I remember walking up the first time and seeing a mountain of sand towering above me and thinking "Damn." I started scaling it and my heels were sinking back down at an uncomfortable angle as the sloped sand gave way under the ball of my heel. With some effort, I crested the top with a feeling of satisfaction... ...and then looked at the horizon and saw more dunes stretching for miles. I had to remember the shire many times over to make it to the lake shore where they ended.
ecib, you seem like the kind of guy that's likely been all over the place. Any favorites ouside of MI? There's a lot of beauty to be had in Michigan though, no doubt about it. Anyone that thinks otherwise has never been to the UP or even Mackinac Island. I love Michigan.