This series of photos I call “Going to the Beach”. I took them at Saugatuck State Park on Lake Michigan, where I will again be visiting next week. Access to this isolated beach is by a half-mile-long path through wooded sand dunes. One travel guide that I read refers to this beach as one of the most beautiful fresh water beaches in the world. There are no sharks here, folks, and on a windy day the waves are much larger than in the photo.
Ooooh! It looks so nice! Cool and shady! Mmmm!
Sigh. Some of my neighbors from Paris are here for their annual summer vacation. Last night, they were marching over to the beach just before dark. It’s the only way they can survive their vacation without crisping.
I love the way those trees are on slanted land like that. What a fascinating concept. And they still grow pointing up! Are those hills?
OT: Who remembers Mrs. Naugatuck?
Well, I would call those hills myself. Small hills. “Eminences smaller than mountains”. 
See below for tree explanation. It just explains the observed phemomena, not the actual mechanisms.
Plant Growth Regulation and Responses
Tropisms
A tropism is a growth response of a plant to an external stimulus.
A tropism can be positive or negative.
Positive: the growth response is in the direction of the stimulus.
Negative: the growth response is away from the stimulus.
Light intensity, day length, gravity and temperature are major factors that influence plant growth.Phototropism is the growth response of a plant in response to light direction.
Geotropism is the growth response of a plant in response to gravity.
Thigmotropism is the growth response of a plant to physical contact (touch).
Chemotropism is the growth response of a plant to a particular chemical.
Hydrotropism is the growth response of a plant to water.Tropisms are adaptive responses; they increase the plant’s chance of survival and reproduction.
Significance of Phototropism and Geotropism
Stems
Positive phototropism and negative geotropism of stems.
The stems will grow towards the light and up away from gravity.
This places the leaves in better light with increase in photosynthesis.
More food means better growth and reproduction.Roots
Negative phototropism and positive geotropism of roots.
The roots grow away from light and down in the gravity of direction.
The roots are more likely to find ‘soil’ in this direction.
Soil is important for plants for anchorage, water and mineral nutrients.
Oh, just noticed that Doug called them wooded sand dunes. “dune n. A hill or ridge of wind-blown sand.”
I am fascinated by the idea that the stuff of palpable reality
prompts conceptual fascination for you.
There are many biological phenomena that point upward regardless of slant.
In the Queen’s English, a little wooded hill is called a hurst.
Hehe. No need to make a mountain out of a hurst, here. Lambchop’s jest refers to the stunningly flat sandspit that forms much of the Florida peninsula where she resides (and where I grew up); if one has been there long enough, the mere sight of any elevation over 10 feet prompts nosebleeds and calls for supplemental oxygen. 
In the Queen’s English, a little wooded hill is called a hurst.
My uncle from Somerset would call it a “bit of a tump.”
So your uncle’s not a queen then? 
djm
(sorry. my bad) 
that is just so reassuring! 
hrrrump… 
Nope. My aunt prefers it that way.
Not sure how I morphed into Cynth in djm’s quote; quoting can sure get confusing sometimes. I don’t mind being mistaken for her, though… I aspire to be more like Cynth when I grow up.
Better start bolding things.
Yup. Any non-flat land formation fascinates me. I can sit for hours trying to figure out how they got that way.
Doug,
I love Saugatuck. I haven’t been there yet this summer. The dunes are fun to climb and one often makes contact with wildlife.
Having grown up within 40 miles of Lake Michigan it’s easy to take for granted.
Don’t forget to check out the nude beach while your there!!! 
I have an uncle in Somerset? That’s news to me. Someone has some explaining to do! 
I always thought you showed good sense. Just follow the Bloomster’s advice.
That should finish the cascading corrections…
'cept this one, saved for, eh, oh, whatever! 