Cruise Around Lake Michigan - July 30 - August 5, 2006

[OldVMer]

OldVMer, GoldBowTie,

I will put  your names on the attending list.

Let me know how long it takes to you guys to get to my place to give me an idea of how far we can get the first day. I will look at the route, but I am thinking that the will make it all the way up to MDZ66's place on the first day.

I'll be headed your way Saturday evening as soon as the baby shower is wrapped up here.  We may not make it all the way Saturday night, but should easily be in your area by 9:00 or 10:00.  Earlier if needed. 

  --OldVMer

 

[NorthFace-of-NW-IN]

I'll be headed your way Saturday evening as soon as the baby shower is wrapped up here. We may not make it all the way Saturday night, but should easily be in your area by 9:00 or 10:00. Earlier if needed.

--OldVMer

That sounds good. If we leave around 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. (after breakfast) we can make it up to MDZ66's area by late afternoon early evening.

Then we can go to the locks on Monday. That should take care of the second day. We can probably spend the night by the locks area Monday night.

I will look into the third day of our adventure later today.

David

 

[Mdz66]

I can get phone numbers,websites and whatever else for the hotel but I need to know about pets because only a few allow them.  Flint4X4 is right  on the travel time but I think it maybe better to stay the night in St Ignace.

 

[GoldBowTie]

OldVMer, GoldBowTie,

I will put ?your names on the attending list.

Let me know how long it takes to you guys to get to my place to give me an idea of how far we can get the first day. I will look at the route, but I am thinking that the will make it all the way up to MDZ66's place on the first day.

There are a couple of places that we have stayed at while visiting MDZ66 for the Pipeline evens. Maybe he can try to get us a discount rate again.

I will try to get a list of hotels and camgrounds that are close to each other and are nearby our estimated rest times.

Looking forward to this GTG.

Later,

David

That sounds good to me.

I can get phone numbers,websites and whatever else for the hotel but I need to know about pets because only a few allow them. Flint4X4 is right on the travel time but I think it maybe better to stay the night in St Ignace.

Sunday night or Monday night?
All the way to St Ignace on the first day (Sunday) seems a bit far from Dyer/Chicago.?

Is there anything worth seeing in Wisconsin

 

[Intimidatoruag]

I'm out for this one as work has canceled all PTO for July, August, and Sept for the system upgrade we are doing ....

you might want to consider a day on the dunes at silver Lake ...... it is just west of Hart, Michigan ... Family and I where just there a few w/e's ago and we had a blast ....

cost is 16.50 for the ORV sticker and $8 a day (out-of-state Residents - $6 in state) or $29 for the year for state park sticker ..... need more info just email me .....

enjoy ... sounds like it will be a fun trip .....

 

[GoldBowTie]

Any and all ideas/suggestions are welcomed?

David

OK, here goes.

I have been looking at an Atlas and if I was doing this trip by myself, this is what I might do:

Saturday, drive to Chicago.
Spend Saturday afternoon/evening and Sunday morning touring Chicago.

Sunday, drive through Milwaukee and Veterans Park on Lake Michigan, through Sheboygan, through Green Bay - check out Lambeau Field.
Spend Sunday night near Menominee.

Monday, drive through the Hiawatha National Forest and spend the day on the south shore of Lake Superior on Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Spend Monday night near there.

Tuesday, visit Sault Ste. Marie and Soo Locks.
Drive to St. Ignace.? Stay Tuesday night in St. Ignace.

Wednesday, check out the Mackinaw Bridge, Mackinac Island and anything else in the area.
Drive to Traverse City.? Stay Wednesday night in Traverse City.

Thursday, Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, drive through Manistee National Forest and maybe visit Muskegon.
Spend Thursday night in Muskegon or Grand Rapids.

Friday, drive home through Lansing.
Lansing is a State Capital - we generally try to visit Capitol buildings when nearby.

This is based solely on looking at an Atlas.
I am in no way familiar with these areas.
I would need to do some research and surely make some revisions.

FWIW, that's my opinion.
Again, this is if I was doing this trip by myself.
But, we are going as a group, so obviously I am flexible.


edit: typ[o err, I mean, typo 

 

[jnspur]

Hi All!? I got notice this morning that my vacation has been approved for July 31 - Aug 4, so I will definitely be attending!?

Yes, it's really me posting.? Concentrate, you'll remember who I am.? ?

I may try to camp a few nights rather than hotel it every night, plus that works better with the dog.? Getting a campsite during the week should be pretty easy.? I will explore that angle.

If there are some places in WI that you would like to stop at, let me know and I can help with the planning.

 

[NorthFace-of-NW-IN]

Hi All!? I got notice this morning that my vacation has been approved for July 31 - Aug 4, so I will definitely be attending!?

Yes, it's really me posting.? Concentrate, you'll remember who I am.? ?

I may try to camp a few nights rather than hotel it every night, plus that works better with the dog.? Getting a campsite during the week should be pretty easy.? I will explore that angle.

If there are some places in WI that you would like to stop at, let me know and I can help with the planning.

This is starting to look better already, I will add? you to the list.

Later,

David

 

[Biggie_hayward]

Aww Jenny Is Coming Out To Play  haha jk

anyways if you guys need any information for the 49858 and can't get ahold of my dad (MDZ66) feel free to email me im sure i can be of help

Power.acoustik@hotmail.com

Jeremy

if it runs on a weekend i might take along to take pictures pending on the date!!

Hi All!? I got notice this morning that my vacation has been approved for July 31 - Aug 4, so I will definitely be attending!?

Yes, it's really me posting.? Concentrate, you'll remember who I am.? ?

I may try to camp a few nights rather than hotel it every night, plus that works better with the dog.? Getting a campsite during the week should be pretty easy.? I will explore that angle.

If there are some places in WI that you would like to stop at, let me know and I can help with the planning.

 

[FLINTaVa]

I can't make it but if you're stopping along Lake Michigan Sat. Aug. 5th for the night on your way south maybe we could get a few Michigan AVs there. Let me know what your Sat. Aug 5 plans are.

Loren

 

[sorel]

Hi All!? I got notice this morning that my vacation has been approved for July 31 - Aug 4, so I will definitely be attending!?

Yes, it's really me posting.? Concentrate, you'll remember who I am.? ?

I may try to camp a few nights rather than hotel it every night, plus that works better with the dog.? Getting a campsite during the week should be pretty easy.? I will explore that angle.

If there are some places in WI that you would like to stop at, let me know and I can help with the planning.

? ? ? ? ? ?I know i? ..................but? ? Jnspur...... it's so good to see ya back on the site postin. ? Welcome Back!!!

? ? ? ? ? Avia

 

[GoldBowTie]

Can someone post where we expect to end each day?
I really want to get my hotel reservations nailed down soon. 

 

[Mongos_Wife]

Still checking to see if we can get the time off.  I'm kind of like Intimidatoruag, as we are going through a computer upgrade at work. 

Hopefully I can get the time off, but one important question to blackchev -- are you going to bring the sausage?  Or how about bringing Spidy so he can navigate?

 

[Mdz66]

The Pictured Rock boat tour is awesome.  http://www.picturedrocks.com/index1.html    should get you to their website

 

[FLINTaVa]

Check out live web cams, linked to mostly beach cams around the state.

Mackque's Michigan "Live" Webcam Sampler Page

 

[NorthFace-of-NW-IN]

OK everyone,

Check back on the first page.

I finalized the route for the cruise.

I followed GoldBowTie's route for the first few days, then I changed the last couple days to include some off-road adventure.

Anyone is welcome to join any or all parts of the cruise.

Hope to see a few more members sign up by the time we head out.

Later,

David.

 

[GoldBowTie]

Nice.

Looks like I need to get busy finding hotels. 

We already got the vacation time approved and the kennel reservation made.

 

[NorthFace-of-NW-IN]

Nice.

Looks like I need to get busy finding hotels.

We already got the vacation time approved and the kennel reservation made.

GoldBowTie,

Are you using Travelocity or a similar web-base travel agency to book you hotel?

We use Travelocity all the time, and seem to get pretty good deals on a regular basis.

Maybe the person who makes their reservations first can post their hotel info so other members can see if they want to stay at the same hotels?

I like hotels with pools for the kids. My older son doesn't consider it a vacation if the hotel doesn't have a pool.

Getting closer and closer.

Later,

David

 

[NorthFace-of-NW-IN]

These are the reservations I made so far:

Check-in: Sun, Jul 30, 2006
Check-out: Mon, Jul 31, 2006
AmericInn Menominee
2330 10TH STREET
Menominee, MI 49858

Check-in: Mon, Jul 31, 2006
Check-out: Tue, Aug 1, 2006
Best Western Of Munising
M-28 EAST
MUNISING, MI 49895

Check-in: Tue, Aug 1, 2006
Check-out: Wed, Aug 2, 2006
Comfort Inn Beachside
927 N STATE ST
St Ignace, MI 49781

Check-in: Wed, Aug 2, 2006
Check-out: Thu, Aug 3, 2006
Quality Inn By the Bay
1492 US 31 N
Traverse City, MI 49686

Check-in: Thu, Aug 3, 2006
Check-out: Fri, Aug 4, 2006
Comfort Inn Hart
2248 COMFORT DRIVE
Hart, MI 49420


I am leaving Friday night open. I may stay around the Indiana Dunes, or I may decide to just go home that night.

I have copied this information on the first page aslo.

Later,

David

 

[Biggie_hayward]

Ok... This Trip Isnt Happening...!!!






UNLESS I GET SOME FUDGE!!!!

im sure i'll see you guys sunday...

 

[GoldBowTie]

GoldBowTie,

Are you using Travelocity or a similar web-base travel agency to book you hotel?

I search for hotels on the net and then generally call them direct to make the reservation.
I prefer to talk to a person when making a reservation in case there are any questions.

I found these phone numbers for the hotels NorthFace-no more mentioned:
AmericInn, Menominee 906-863-8368
Best Western, Munising 906-387-4864
Comfort Inn, St. Ignace 906-643-7733
Quality Inn, Traverse City - could not find a listing.

I will be making some calls this evening after I get home from work.

Also, my planned visit to Chicago is postponed.
I'll be staying somewhere in Indiana Saturday night (the 29th) and catch up with the group Sunday morning.

 

[pktwatch]

I search for hotels on the net and then generally call them direct to make the reservation.
I prefer to talk to a person when making a reservation in case there are any questions.

I found these phone numbers for the hotels NorthFace-no more mentioned:
AmericInn, Menominee 906-863-8368
Best Western, Munising 906-387-4864
Comfort Inn, St. Ignace 906-643-7733
Quality Inn, Traverse City - could not find a listing.

I will be making some calls this evening after I get home from work.

Also, my planned visit to Chicago is postponed.
I'll be staying somewhere in Indiana Saturday night (the 29th) and catch up with the group Sunday morning.

We cannot make this tour but if you do as GBT suggest make sure that you get the same rate that is available on the website. I have been told before that rate is ONLY available online!

Have fun guys & gals!
Butch

 

[Mongos_Wife]

How about this?  It is in Boyne near Traverse city.....

It is a waterpark...

http://www.avalanchebay.com/

 

[Biggie_hayward]

We cannot make this tour but if you do as GBT suggest make sure that you get the same rate that is available on the website. I have been told before that rate is ONLY available online!

Have fun guys & gals!
Butch

why butch why

 

[GoldBowTie]

I'll be staying somewhere in Indiana Saturday night (the 29th) and catch up with the group Sunday morning.

Any idea where we'll meet Sunday morning to head out?
I am thinking it is probably a good idea to get as close as possible to there on Saturday and be well rested come Sunday morning.