we are headed to the UP, northern WI and MN for a 3 week road trip, both tent camping and staying in motels.
I posted a few months ago and got some great advice, (which I have printed out) on places to check out. We plan on some hiking and are bringing the mountain bikes.
we will hit the beaches west of St. Ignace, Sault St. Marie for the locks, Pictured Rocks, Copper Harbor, Bayfield WI and on to Duluth. Then up the north shore through Two Harbors, and maybe up to Thunder Bay Ontario; with a side trip up the Ely (boundary waters) and hike MN's high point also near Ely.
Not sure how Minn.'s government shutdown will affect us but hopefully they will get the state parks up and running by the time we are there.
We are also considering the area around Traverse City (sleeping bear dunes) before jumping up to the UP.??
If you are a rock hound you are headed to a cool area. Look for some Petoskey Stones.
DJ
> If you are a rock hound you are headed to a cool area. Look for some Petoskey Stones.
I'll keep my eyes open that 6 sided pattern. I already was planning on some agate hunting. This will give me something else to look for.
Looks like another reason to take a side trip over to the Traverse Cite area, then up alond Lake Michigan instead of blasting up I-75 straight to the UP.
DJ
SWMBO is from Michigan.
We went to some public beach near Traverse City, can't remember where exactly, but we found a bunch of stones. Usually it is easier to see the pattern when the stone is wet, so we found most of them in about 1 to 2 feet of water.
SWMBO loves rocks, so if I am working out of town she would rather get some local rock over a store bought item. I am a very lucky man!
DJ
Yeah, to heck with I-75.
Much of Michigan is wide open land, and once outside of the cities and towns the roads are nice and open. The shore area along Lake Michigan has alot to offer tourists that like to get off the beaten path.
I'm jealous. I haven't been back to 'da UP in 2 yrs now, but I'm sure it hasn't changed much from the other thousands of time I've been there, and lived there. You'll have a great time.
Traverse City & the dunes are really cool and worth the trip. From there just take US 31 North to the bridge. It goes along Lake MI through a bunch of picturesque towns, including Charlevoix & Petoskey. Nice drive.
Mackinaw Island is a big tourist trap, so if you go - remember your wallet. Better off just waving as you cross the bridge.
Sault Ste Marie is an old town. The Soo locks are pretty interesting, especially considering the traffic through them. But you pretty much have to go there to go there. Not much else around there.
One "must stop" for me is in the town of Brevort, about 10 miles West of St Ignace. There is a smoked fish/jerky place that is incredible. I forget the name, but it's on the South side of US 2 - can't miss it. Before you get to Brevort, there are numerous turnoffs to take pictures of the bridge. Pretty cool stuff.
That drive along US 2 is beautiful, right along the shore of Lake MI. From there, head North to Munising & Pictured Rocks area. Great day hike trips!
Copper Harbor area will remind you of home, except for the 270 deg view of Lake Superior you get from atop Brockway Mountain. Take US 41 there, and US 28 back (or is it vice versa) Doesn't really matter because you end up in Houghton regardless. The lift bridge between Houghton & Hancock was the first of its kind, designed by Tech students. It only takes some crazy light amount of weight (50 lbs or so) to operate it.
Some old trivia - circa 1860's there were over 200,000 people living in the Keweenaw Penninsula for copper mining. There was talk of making Calumet the state capital.... so I've been told during my time at 'da Tech. And there is a sign on US 41 just South of Copper Harbor "Miami, FL 1,??? miles" - it's the same US 41, only 1,700 miles (I think) away. You could spend 2 weeks in the area and still not see it all & digest all the history.
The Porcupine Mountains are a must see also. Ontonagon is a cool little town. About 20 miles West is the mouth of the Black River. There is a series of waterfalls that make a real nice day trip. Pick up a brochure for specifics.
Have a great trip and drive safe! You've got a lot to pack in over 3 weeks.
DJ
Forget the Petoskey Stones, go for the agates.
have you considered looking up Christie Othching?
Don
DJ
> Forget the Petoskey Stones, go for the agates.
I don't have anything against them either...
😉
Perry, While in Duluth you may want to visit the maritime museum.
They have an iron ore carrier and a Coast Guard ice breaker/buouy tender you can tour. Also, and I may have previously posted this, on the old highway between Duluth and Two Harbors be sure to stop at Betty's Pies. Closest to home-made I've had other than at Grandma's Cafe in Charm, Ohio.
Scott
You want to be careful with plans in Minnesota. The state parks within the state are closed. Also you cannot purchase fishing licenses within MN. However the DNR are still doing enforcement. Local city and county systems are still at work
Scott
Yes you did post it before but thanks for reminding me. Love the pictures!
here's a couple of mine
duluth
Caffeine Pirate
> You want to be careful with plans in Minnesota. The state parks within the state are closed. Also you cannot purchase fishing licenses within MN. However the DNR are still doing enforcement. Local city and county systems are still at work
If figures! No money to open the state parks but enough money to kick us out (and fine us) when we park on the road and hike in.
Also, my theory is, if they won't sell me a fishing license, then fishing is free.
> You want to be careful with plans in Minnesota. The state parks within the state are closed. Also you cannot purchase fishing licenses within MN. However the DNR are still doing enforcement. Local city and county systems are still at work
I just drove through the UP from picking up my oldest from school near Detroit, Mi. With the Minnesota lockout I'd avoid Minnehaha and stick to Michigan or Wisconsin for camping, hiking and biking. Plenty to do in both those states. Lake Michigan along Hwy 2 in Mich. and the Lake Superior shore in Wisc was really beautiful. We had some homebrew in Escanaba, good stuff. Forgot the name of the place but it was downtown, looked like a remodeled hotel of some sort.
Caffeine Pirate
Lots of luck on that, had one of the local yokals try to fine me for having rods in the truck and no fishing license. I think he realized he was stretching things just a bit and didn't ticket me.
Get a license for an adjoining state, showing you made the best effort possible to comply with the law gives you some legal legs if challanged.
