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agesilaus's avatar
agesilaus
Explorer III
Feb 08, 2019

Wisconsin or Michigan

OK plotting a draft route for this summer. We are going to follow US 2 from Bonner's Ferry in far northern Idaho across to Duluth MN. Then which way? Go east to Saute St Marie then down into Michigan. And which coast Huron or Lake Michigan. Or south from Duluth and follow the Lake Michigan west shore. My problem with that is south of Green Bay it looks like I-43 follows the shoreline south.

This will be past mid-July or early August. Hopefully past Black Fly season.

Incidentally I think I spotted my very first campsite in Peninsula State Park in WI. I knew it was near Green Bay but didn't know which park it was. It was not a good night, heh. We were ill prepared and tried to sleep in tube tents (if anyone recalls those monstrosities) The mosquitoes were almost as big as the ones in the Everglades.

Michigan also has the good point of putting us near our home Interstate I-75 which we will follow back to Florida,
Roads and Routes

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  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    Feb 08, 2019
    West MI along the Lake Michigan shore has good scenery and sandy beaches. The opposite sides of the great lakes are more stony, if that matters to you. If you have never been across the Mackinaw Bridge, that alone is worth taking the MI route. Be sure to stop in Mackinaw City and get some homestyle cinnamon bread or pecan rolls at the local bakery.
  • kohldad's avatar
    kohldad
    Explorer III
    Feb 08, 2019
    If you go across upper Michigan then down along the Lake Michigan shoreline, you can catch all four of the National Lakeshores in on trip.

    Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
    Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
    Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

    We just did a 3-week past October up from Indiana Dunes to as far as Pictured Rocks. We really enjoyed it but plan on going back in September one year so we can have better weather. If you like state parks, when you get to Michigan, pay the $32 for the annual park pass (exp end of year) as you will get it back if you spend five days in parks. Makes it really easy to stop and visit all the little parks along the coast.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Feb 08, 2019
    Zooming down an 6 lane interstate at 63 mph (pulling TT) would not be the scenic way to go in my mind. I'd rather follow secondary roads and explore as we go, more slowly.
  • romore's avatar
    romore
    Explorer II
    Feb 08, 2019
    Why would you not like I-43? I have not been there but a trip along the lake would be quite scenic. Any of the routes you suggest take you through major metropolitan areas which I really like to avoid. My choice would be the Soo then Michigan to Port Huron, cross into Canada then back into the U.S. at Niagara Falls.

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