(photo from National Lakeshore Indiana)

The 50 mile-per-hour winds and 25-foot waves brought out sightseers to Lake Michigan Tuesday instead of cleanup crews.

Strong sand-clouded winds forced City of Gary officials to close Lake Street Beach.   Despite the high winds at Marquette Park, spectators lined the lakeshore to get a peek at the only apparent remnant of the once-furious Hurricane Sandy.

"Everybody loves mother nature. It’s like a blizzard without the snow" says Crown Point resident Kathy Gard.

The National Weather Service encouraged residents to stay clear of beach areas until the high wind warnings passed.