Calling all Cheesehead's, Uper's, Spartan's and Wolverine's
#1
08-11-2009, 03:11 PM
Calling all Cheesehead's, Uper's, Spartan's and Wolverine's
Looking for routes, destinations and lodging advice.
Living in 10 days for a trip from the Twin Cities across nothern WI, through the U.P., down the east coast of Lake Michigan to one of the ferry's, and then to Milwaukee for a Museum tour.
I know about the "Tunnel of Trees", but what other destinations (sites) or roads are a must? Good places to stay? We are too old and lazy to camp so any mom and pop motel is good for us.
Any help will be appreciated!
Dan
Living in 10 days for a trip from the Twin Cities across nothern WI, through the U.P., down the east coast of Lake Michigan to one of the ferry's, and then to Milwaukee for a Museum tour.
I know about the "Tunnel of Trees", but what other destinations (sites) or roads are a must? Good places to stay? We are too old and lazy to camp so any mom and pop motel is good for us.
Any help will be appreciated!
Dan
#2
08-11-2009, 03:35 PM
I would definitely take US-28 through Ishpeming, Marquette, and Munising as you go across the U.P. There are absolutely spectacular views as you follow along Lake Superior. If you have time taking a ride up to Copper Harbor is great too. Maybe shoot down M-77 to US-2 and follow that to St. Ignace. You can follow the Lake Michigan shoreline which is nothing but sandy beaches. Cut River Bridge is a pretty cool stop too which is about a half hour or so from St. Ignace.
As far as the Lower Peninsula goes I'm a big fan of the Traverse City/Petosky area. Lots of great places to see up there not to mention some great wineries if you like that kind of stuff.
Enjoy your ride.
I didnt' see you mention riding down the east side of the lower peninsula. I live in Port Huron and you can get some great views of the lake freighters come down the St. Clair River in Port Huron. There is a nice park to watch them from at the mouth of Lake Huron. You can walk under the Blue Water Bridge (connects Port Huron to Sarnia, Ontario) which is kind of cool as well. The freighters are only a couple hundred yards away as they pass by.
As far as the Lower Peninsula goes I'm a big fan of the Traverse City/Petosky area. Lots of great places to see up there not to mention some great wineries if you like that kind of stuff.
Enjoy your ride.
I didnt' see you mention riding down the east side of the lower peninsula. I live in Port Huron and you can get some great views of the lake freighters come down the St. Clair River in Port Huron. There is a nice park to watch them from at the mouth of Lake Huron. You can walk under the Blue Water Bridge (connects Port Huron to Sarnia, Ontario) which is kind of cool as well. The freighters are only a couple hundred yards away as they pass by.
Last edited by BigBrad; 08-11-2009 at 03:41 PM. Reason: Forgot to mention
#3
08-11-2009, 03:56 PM
I would shoot up to Duluth and head east on 13 all the way around the point of Bayfield to Ashland. Then hook up with Hwy 2 and head east into the UP. I did the Lake Superior circle tour last year during the 4th week of August and had no problem finding lodging on the fly. Plenty of mom and pop places along the way too.
#4
08-11-2009, 07:19 PM
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Follow US 31 out south out of Traverse city over to Frankfort and take M22(?) down to Manistee,continue on US31 S. to Ludington. SS Badger's port, pick up a schedule. If you have time or continuing to Muskegon ride down to Pentwater and take back roads to Whitehall. There is a road out of Whitehall around the lake down to Muskegon or you can just take US 31S to Muskegon for the Lake EXpress Ferry($$$$) to Milwaukee. Hope this helps.
#5
08-11-2009, 09:15 PM
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Follow US 31 out south out of Traverse city over to Frankfort and take M22(?) down to Manistee,continue on US31 S. to Ludington. SS Badger's port, pick up a schedule. If you have time or continuing to Muskegon ride down to Pentwater and take back roads to Whitehall. There is a road out of Whitehall around the lake down to Muskegon or you can just take US 31S to Muskegon for the Lake EXpress Ferry($$$$) to Milwaukee. Hope this helps.
After you cross the bridge & ride M119 (AKA the "tunnel of trees") take US 31 from Petosky to Traverse City. From there take M22 up & back down the Lelanau Peninsula. There are at least 12 wineries and 1 casino on the peninsula if you're into either of those things. If not, there's plenty of nice riding and awesome scenery. M22 is in pretty good shape, more than I can say for M119 which had a few bad spots in early June.
Anyway, M22 will take you through Frankfort as SeniorSuperglide mentioned, and down to Manistee (and yet another casino). From there it's just a 1/2 hour hop to the car ferry in Ludington or about 1.5 hours to the faster but more expensive ferry in Muskegon. The road from Whitehall to the North side of Muskegon (Scenic Dr.) is in pretty bad repair right now. It's still a nice ride but bumpy as he!!. (I live 1.5 miles from there).
The Petosky to Muskegon leg is right around 300 miles. My wife & I did that last month in a day of easy riding with stops for meals & a couple of wine tastings.
#6
08-12-2009, 01:44 PM
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If you need a nice place to stay Blaney Lodge is a great place. It is on M-77 just one mile north of US-2. If your coming down from Lake Superior just take m-77. Best Oatmeal in the world. Very hospitable and reasonable prices on both cabins and rooms. Great ride with very little traffic.
#7
08-12-2009, 02:20 PM
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Lucky you'll be up in northern Wisconsin.
There is a major race taking place soon across the mid and lower part part of the state.
The contestants will start in Eau Claire, go up to Rhinelander, down to Oshkosh, then Fond Du Lac, Oconomowoc, over to Prairie Du Chien, up the Mississippi to Onalaska and back to Eau Claire.
Each contestant will be driving a pink Volvo with bumper stickers that read, “I’m gay”, “I Support Obama’s Health Care Plan”, “Outlaw Deer Hunting”, and “I Support Gun Control”.
The first one to make it back to Eau Claire wins.
</SPAN>
There is a major race taking place soon across the mid and lower part part of the state.
The contestants will start in Eau Claire, go up to Rhinelander, down to Oshkosh, then Fond Du Lac, Oconomowoc, over to Prairie Du Chien, up the Mississippi to Onalaska and back to Eau Claire.
Each contestant will be driving a pink Volvo with bumper stickers that read, “I’m gay”, “I Support Obama’s Health Care Plan”, “Outlaw Deer Hunting”, and “I Support Gun Control”.
The first one to make it back to Eau Claire wins.
</SPAN>
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#10
08-17-2009, 01:44 PM
Lucky you'll be up in northern Wisconsin.
There is a major race taking place soon across the mid and lower part part of the state.
The contestants will start in Eau Claire, go up to Rhinelander, down to Oshkosh, then Fond Du Lac, Oconomowoc, over to Prairie Du Chien, up the Mississippi to Onalaska and back to Eau Claire.
Each contestant will be driving a pink Volvo with bumper stickers that read, “I’m gay”, “I Support Obama’s Health Care Plan”, “Outlaw Deer Hunting”, and “I Support Gun Control”.
The first one to make it back to Eau Claire wins.
</SPAN>
There is a major race taking place soon across the mid and lower part part of the state.
The contestants will start in Eau Claire, go up to Rhinelander, down to Oshkosh, then Fond Du Lac, Oconomowoc, over to Prairie Du Chien, up the Mississippi to Onalaska and back to Eau Claire.
Each contestant will be driving a pink Volvo with bumper stickers that read, “I’m gay”, “I Support Obama’s Health Care Plan”, “Outlaw Deer Hunting”, and “I Support Gun Control”.
The first one to make it back to Eau Claire wins.
</SPAN>
Sounds like a Green Bay Packers ride!~