Michigan & The Great Lakes bound, July 2019

SteveWoz wrote:
Hi Friends,

I'm planning a 3-week motorhome trip for my family of three from our home in Connecticut to the Great Lakes region. None of us have ever spent time in that area but it looks like Michigan has a lot to offer in terms of beauty within a reasonable driving area. Without knowing that part of the country, I hesitate making advance reservations out of concern that we may limit our flexibility. My question to those who know Michigan and the other Great Lakes states, is it ill-advised to wing it in July? I do understand that finding a campground on weekends would be tough but how about during the week? Also, can you please name some must-see locations? Thank you in advance.

Steve

Steve,

As a refugee from the megopolis (used to live in Mystic/Stonington) I can confirm that Michigan has a lot to offer.

But first, travel advice: Cross the Hudson at Newburgh. Take I-84 to I-81 by Scranton and then drop to I-80. When you get to Akron, you need to do some careful navigating and hook up with I-77 north to I-90. Stay with that until you see signs for SR-2. That is a good and pretty fast road all the way to I-280. It does become 2-lane part of that way, but it still is fast. Run I-280 to I-75. After a couple of miles on I-75 start looking for Alexis Rd. Open GasBuddy and start shopping. Fuel is more expensive in Michigan....

You could make the run here in one day. (Back in the day, we made runs east to visit grands in a single pull regularly.) I don't have an ONP to suggest.

Word of warning. Do not do stupid things in Ohio. the Ohio Air Farce targets out of state plates.

Overnight parking can be an issue in Ohio, at some of the turnpike rest areas (you won't be near) they have RV parking areas that they charge for and we never stay there.

Now questions for you..
Museums? If museums, what is special interests?
Scenery?

The Henry Ford is an amazing museum of the 19th and 20th century. It is attached to Greenfield Village (separate admission) that is kind of a middle America Mystic Seaport. RV parking there is sometimes an issue.

The Yankee Air Museum is still there, but suffered a disastrous fire some years back.

There are other museums all over, but without a hint, and only thing I can do is guess, and

With the exception of Sleeping Bear Dunes, there is not much for scenery in the lower peninsula. The upper has some falls and the Pictured Rocks Lake front.

Campgrounds may be tough to get into, but there are lots of places to ONP if you are self-contained.

Let me know what you think you want to do and I will try to be an effective native guide.

Matt