Update (July 14th, 2017, 3:16 PM CDT)

Clouds are on the decline. Weather looks just as it did this time yesterday – which is great! Because last night was awesome. See you there!

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For a few days in June and July each year, viewed from the Indiana Dunes, the Sun sets within the Chicago skyline (between the John Hancock Center and Sears Tower)

Join me to view/photograph this incredible solar alignment!

What do I need?

To photograph the skyline up close (like the feature photo of this post above), you’ll need a DSLR (Canon, Nikon, or similar) and a lens that can zoom to 200 – 300mm at least.

A DSLR/lens combo with a minimum of 100mm will work as well, you just won’t be able to be as tight in on the skyline as you would with a longer zoom.

Here is what a photo at 100mm looks like:

I have a 75-300mm Canon lens someone can use while at the Dunes if they don’t have a longer zoom. Shoot me an email!

When is it?

July 10th – July 14th, 2017 from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM!

Where do I park?

2 options! Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore or Porter Beach.

Porter Beach (orange) is free, but spots are very limited. (less than 50 spots)

For guaranteed parking, go to the Dunes parking lot. (red)

Meet in the green!

Map:

How much does it cost?

The entrance fee for the Dunes Nat’l Lakeshore is $7 for in-state vehicles, $12 for out-out-state vehicles.

If you are able to find a spot at Porter Beach – free!

Directions:

If you use Google Maps for iOS/Android:

Click/tap here for directions to the Indiana Dunes parking lot. (red)

Click/tap here for directions to the Porter Beach parking lots. (orange)

Written Directions:

Indiana Dunes Lot:

1. Take Indiana 49 north all the way to the Indiana Dunes Nat’l Lakeshore entrance gate.

2. When you reach the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit (left turn) The parking lot will be on your left – hooray!!

Porter Beach Lots:

1. Take IN-49 north

2. Turn left onto IN-12 West

3. Take your first right onto Waverly Road

4. The road will snake left, then right, you will go up a hill and at the bottom again the two parking lots will be on your right.

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Some things to note/think about:

• Weather can always change and affect the visibility of this event – some nights it may not be visible. It is one of the reasons I am spreading it over 5 days!
• It is the beach and sand gets everywhere. Whatever cameras/lenses you bring to the beach – I would leave them attached until you get back in the car.
• Once the sun sets, the breeze can make it a bit chilly – bring a light jacket just in case.

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Join the discussion on the event page I created here on Facebook!

See you there!

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Update (July 13th, 2017, 4:02 PM CDT)

See you at the beach around 6:30!

Update (July 13th, 2017, 10:05 AM CDT)

Update (July 12th, 2017, 3:15 PM CDT)

Tonight is a wash, nothing but clouds and rain forecasted through midnight tonight.

Update (July 11th, 2017, 5:33 PM CDT)

More rain and clouds this evening means no sunset at the Dunes again tonight. /:

Update (July 10th, 2017, 4:45 PM CDT)

Unfortunately, weather forecast of clouds for tonight has held so will have to cancel tonight’s meetup at the Dunes to catch the sunset. Friday is still looking promising – so stay tuned!

Update (July 9th, 2017, 8:15 PM CDT)

Unfortunately, weather forecasts for this week are calling for a good amount of clouds and storms.

If you were planning to come Friday it is currently looking like the best opportunity but as always, it can and will change as the week progresses.

I will post subsequent weather updates each afternoon this week. Stay tuned!