Invite

So believe it. Addie & Jason are finally going to celebrate and make official this crazy pardnership we've had going on for the last five years or so.

Here be the details:

Saturday, September 5, 2009 | 4 o'clock pm

Cabin in the Dunes

RSVP in any of the usual methods (face, phone, e-mail, txt)

pies | sunset | sand | celebration

About the day

We will be getting married at the cabin, not on the beach. It will be a slightly tight squeeze but we thinking everyone will fit. There will be introductory social time followed by a brief ceremony. Then we'll dig into a casual meal off the grill (picnic style) and PIES. A little after 7 p.m., we’d like everyone to head up to the top of the dune to watch the sun set over the lake. Folks are welcome to stay as long as they like for walks on the beach or dancing barefoot in the sand into the wee hours.

Dress is casual (seriously...think sundresses and khakis or jeans). Sandals are appropriate…heels are not. Be comfortable, and depending on the weather, bring layers. Please bring your cameras, as we hope you will share your photos of the day with us. We will supply: bug spray, cortaid, sunscreen, and a helpful picture describing the key features of the poison ivy plant.

We are doing our wedding in a simple manner because we want the day to be entirely about our friends and our family and our commitment to one another, not about how much money we spend or how impressive and polished everything looks. The cabin is old and kind of falling down and there will be bugs and sand and a lot of imperfection and almost no formality and that's exactly how we want it to be. We just want everyone to relax and have a good time. We can't wait to get all of our loved ones together and enjoy our time together.

Directions

(See "Getting There" for directions!!!)

The cabin doesn't really have an address. But this will get you close:
Chesterton, IN 46304


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Getting There

Parking is very limited at the cabin and we still haven't entirely figured out our parking situation. We may encourage car pooling from the hotel area in downtown Chesterton, and we can help coordinate this. But for the sake of ease, here are directions to the cabin from all points. For those of you staying in Chesterton, you will most likely exit 94 at Exit 26A and head south on Rt. 49 to reach your hotel. We've also provided directions from downtown Chesterton to the cabin.

From Chicago (By Car):
Take 94/90 E (Dan Ryan) and stay on 94E out of the city and into Indiana. Or take the toll road if you prefer.

Stay on 94 E until you reach exit 22B for Porter, and exit.

This will spit you out on 20 East (if you see truck stops & fireworks, you're in the right spot). Take 20 about 2 mi until you come to the stoplight at the water park (Waverly Road). Take a left at the light and stay on Waverly (cross 12, cross RR tracks, take some very sharp corners as Waverly turns into Wabash). Keep driving until you see the lake.

Take a right at the stop sign (Duneland Drive) and follow the curve of the drive to the left.

From Chicago (By Train):
Pick up the South Shore Line at Millenium Station or another downtown station and take it to the Dune Park stop. This stop is very close to the cabin (though not easily walkable) and you’ll likely be able to hitch a ride from someone. Just let us know in advance if you plan to come or go by train.

From Indianapolis:
Take 65 as if to Chicago until you come to the exit for 94 E toward Detroit.

Take 94 E until you reach exit 22B for Porter, and exit.

This will spit you out on 20 East (if you see truck stops & fireworks, you're in the right spot). Take 20 about 2 mi until you come to the stoplight at the water park (Waverly Road). Take a left at the light and stay on Waverly (cross 12, cross RR tracks, take some very sharp corners as Waverly turns into Wabash). Keep driving until you see the lake.

Take a right at the stop sign (Duneland Drive) and follow the curve of the drive to the left.

From South Bend:
Take 80/90 W to exit 31 (Rt 49). Take 49 N. about 3 miles (past the 94 exchange) and make a left onto Rt 12. At the bottom of the ramp turn left. Waverly Road is the first road on your right.

Turn right onto Waverly (you will cross RR tracks and take some very sharp corners as Waverly turns into Wabash). Keep driving until you see the lake. Take a right at the stop sign (Duneland Drive) and follow the curve of the drive to the left.

Flying In?
We can help you get to the cabin. In Chicago, the closest airport is Midway (about 45 – 60 mins from the cabin). O’Hare is about 1.5 hours from the cabin, depending on traffic.

Directions from the Chesterton "strip":
Take 49 N. and cross over the exits for Hwy 94. Take the exit for Rte 12 on your left (about 1 mi from Indian Boundary Road intersection).

Turn left on 12. After about 1/16 mile, take your first right on Waverly Road. At this point you will cross RR tracks and take some very sharp corners as Waverly turns into Wabash. Keep driving until you see the lake. Take a right at the stop sign (Duneland Drive) and follow the curve of the drive to the left.

Where to stay

These four hotels are all near the intersection of 49 and Indian Boundary Road on the commercial strip of Chesterton, about a 10 minute drive from the cabin. Also conveniently located in a radius from the White Castle, should you crave a case:

Waterbird Inn

Best Western Indian Oak


Hilton Garden Inn

Econolodge Chesterton

The Chesterton/Porter area also offers numerous B&Bs if you want to spend a vacation weekend in the dunes.

Weekends Away

We plan on being at the cabin through Sunday and Sunday night, and invite anyone who would like to, to join us at the cabin on Sunday for such activities as:
  • Devouring of leftovers
  • Lolling in hammocks
  • Long walks on the beach
  • Swimming in the lake
  • Late summer sunburns
  • Watching newlyweds smooch

There are lots of interesting places to go in and around Chesterton if you’re of a mind to make a weekend of it. Here are a few of our favorites:

Bailey House and Chelburg Farm Very mild, beautiful hikes through these historic settlements

Cowles Bog Trail Where you might stumble upon our friend here:

Michigan City Factory Outlets

Stop 50 Pizza If you’re in the mood for a bit of a drive and want a taste of wood-fired pizza that tops Spaca Napoli, this is your spot.

Gifts and Whatnot

In case you are curious, we are not registering for gifts for our wedding. We have everything a married couple could ever need at this point in our lives (except a washer-dryer and a place to put them in).

If you would like to give a gift to us, we welcome anything thoughtful and/or meaningful that you think we will like. Some of you are already gifting us with your talents during the big day. We also welcome donations to our Washer-dryer Fund (also know as "buying a place." Changing our renter status is something we would like to do someday).