Michigan & The Great Lakes bound, July 2019
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 Michig...
Forum Discussion
I grew up in MI and I try to get back there every summer now that I'm in OK. Every time I go back, I'm struck by the scenery (that I was somewhat immunized to while I lived there). The trees, the nice green lawns, the blue water. I'm currently planning my July trip to the UP (upper peninsula).
MI is the only state where you can visit Hell and Paradise, theoretically in the same day. There are cold days in Hell, but fortunately you're coming in the warm months. Hell is in the LP and Paradise is in da UP... da Yoopers would like you to think that means something. ;)
JCK mentioned Mackinac Island... how did I forget that? From Mackinaw City you can ride the ferry to this no-motorized-vehicles island and see the fort, walk around the shope, take a ride on a horse-drawn conveyance, and rent bikes (or bring your own across) and ride around the perimeter of the island to enjoy the views. I had a summer job on the island during my college years... a memorable experience.
West of St. Ignace on US 2 the drive has some nice views of the lake and one good stretch of beach right off the highway where you can stop and enjoy the lake. But you can hit that on the way back. First, head north on I-75 to the Soo (Sault Ste. Marie) and visit the locks. Nearby Brimley SP is a nice place to camp, my DD tells me. Tahquamenon Falls is a natural choice to visit. Also head north of Paradise to Whitefish Point and see the shipwreck museum. Camping along Superior is good at Woodland Park in Grand Marais, and there's a sand dune bluff to climb just west of town. Continue west to Munising and, if the weather is calm and sunny, consider taking the sunset cruise along Pictured Rocks Natl Lakeshore (expensive, but entertaining). Another good CG at Bay Furnace west of town. There are many small waterfalls within easy driving distance of Munising, if that's something you like.
If you continue west, be sure to drive to the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula; M26 along the lake is scenic and you can stop to buy locally made jam at the monastery near Eagle River, and camp at Ft. Wilkins (see some old buildings and artifacts there too). Or McLain SP is right on Lake Superior, if you can get a site there. Farther west, Ontonagon has a nice municipal CG along the shore. Porcupine Mountains SP has a high overlook you'd like at their east unit, and the west unit has a scenic hiking path along the river with 3 small waterfalls in succession. Folks who are serious about backpack hiking can walk from the east unit to the west (or vice versa) parallel to the shoreline, and stay in a tent or cabin at the halfway point. Plenty of other hiking trails in this SP also.
On the way back, do not miss my favorite waterfall of Michigan: Bond Falls near Paulding. Stop in Escanaba at Sayklly's Candies for some great chocolates. Visit Fayette SP to see the 1800s buildings and artifacts. Don't miss the Big Spring at Palms Book SP, where the water is so clear you can see the (huge) fish near the bottom of the beautiful blue-green pool, 40 feet below you.
Oh by the way, in early July the fresh cherries grown near Traverse City and Leelanau can be found at many roadside stands. If you're in the UP in late July you might find wild blueberries, raspberries and thimbleberries (similar to raspberries but more fragile and more tart). I recommend buying some thimbleberry jam. Be sure to try the smoked fish sold around the UP, and try the pasties (pronounced with a short A, they are like pot pies).
MI is the only state where you can visit Hell and Paradise, theoretically in the same day. There are cold days in Hell, but fortunately you're coming in the warm months. Hell is in the LP and Paradise is in da UP... da Yoopers would like you to think that means something. ;)
JCK mentioned Mackinac Island... how did I forget that? From Mackinaw City you can ride the ferry to this no-motorized-vehicles island and see the fort, walk around the shope, take a ride on a horse-drawn conveyance, and rent bikes (or bring your own across) and ride around the perimeter of the island to enjoy the views. I had a summer job on the island during my college years... a memorable experience.
West of St. Ignace on US 2 the drive has some nice views of the lake and one good stretch of beach right off the highway where you can stop and enjoy the lake. But you can hit that on the way back. First, head north on I-75 to the Soo (Sault Ste. Marie) and visit the locks. Nearby Brimley SP is a nice place to camp, my DD tells me. Tahquamenon Falls is a natural choice to visit. Also head north of Paradise to Whitefish Point and see the shipwreck museum. Camping along Superior is good at Woodland Park in Grand Marais, and there's a sand dune bluff to climb just west of town. Continue west to Munising and, if the weather is calm and sunny, consider taking the sunset cruise along Pictured Rocks Natl Lakeshore (expensive, but entertaining). Another good CG at Bay Furnace west of town. There are many small waterfalls within easy driving distance of Munising, if that's something you like.
If you continue west, be sure to drive to the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula; M26 along the lake is scenic and you can stop to buy locally made jam at the monastery near Eagle River, and camp at Ft. Wilkins (see some old buildings and artifacts there too). Or McLain SP is right on Lake Superior, if you can get a site there. Farther west, Ontonagon has a nice municipal CG along the shore. Porcupine Mountains SP has a high overlook you'd like at their east unit, and the west unit has a scenic hiking path along the river with 3 small waterfalls in succession. Folks who are serious about backpack hiking can walk from the east unit to the west (or vice versa) parallel to the shoreline, and stay in a tent or cabin at the halfway point. Plenty of other hiking trails in this SP also.
On the way back, do not miss my favorite waterfall of Michigan: Bond Falls near Paulding. Stop in Escanaba at Sayklly's Candies for some great chocolates. Visit Fayette SP to see the 1800s buildings and artifacts. Don't miss the Big Spring at Palms Book SP, where the water is so clear you can see the (huge) fish near the bottom of the beautiful blue-green pool, 40 feet below you.
Oh by the way, in early July the fresh cherries grown near Traverse City and Leelanau can be found at many roadside stands. If you're in the UP in late July you might find wild blueberries, raspberries and thimbleberries (similar to raspberries but more fragile and more tart). I recommend buying some thimbleberry jam. Be sure to try the smoked fish sold around the UP, and try the pasties (pronounced with a short A, they are like pot pies).
