UP Suggestions...

[Shuboxlover 481]

My wife and I are taking a trip in mid October.....don't really know where we want to go yet....MAYBE.....the UP of Michigan.

 

Do any of you guys from Michigan....Wisconsin...etc have any recommendations that would sway our vote?  Don't really have set plans, so anything is possible.

 

Hit me with your best shot...
 

Thanks in advance.

[Lane Ranger 11,602]

The round the Lake Michigan Tour has always been one of the great vacation's in the Midwest.  Lots to see and do !

[GlenPettit 1,718]

The Upper Peninsula is really a unique place, "Five of the Seven Wonders of Michigan" are up there.  All of the most interesting things are kinda tucked out-of-the-way; to "get lost" is when you really discover the UP.  Best bet is to just keep googling the UP and find the things you like (Rocks, Mines, Water, Woods, Trees, and most important, the people), the economy has been very poor up there for most of the last 60 years, but in the 20's it was great, lost of beautiful buildings and homes were built then (mines– copper, iron, and timber).   We have 3,000 miles of coastline too.  Consider circling the UP, East to West, and the North and South coasts.  Good Luck (and there are still a few older Wheel Horses left up there, keep your eyes open).

          http://www.exploringthenorth.com/mich/mich.html

          http://www.backroadstraveler.net/ScenicTrips/GreatLakes/UPPERPENINSULA.html

          http://www.uptravel.com/plan-your-trip-19/

 

 

"Yoopers" are a very unique & proud people and consider themselves very independent:

 

 

Michigan Yoopers Declare War on the U.S.A

The President was in the Oval Office when his telephone rang.

"Hello, Mr. President?" a heavily accented Yooper voice said. "This is Sven, up here at Ole's Bar and Steak House in Bruce Crossing, Michigan .

I am callin' to tell ya'll that we are officially declaring war on ya!"

"Well Sven," The President replied, "this is indeed important news!

How big is your army?"

"Right now," said Sven, after a moments calculation, "there is myself, my cousin Lars, my next-door-neighbor Randy, and the whole dart team from Pine's Bar. That makes eight!"

The President paused. "I must tell you Sven that I have one million men in my army waiting to move on my command."  

"Wow," said Sven. "I'll have to call ya back !"

Sure enough, the next day, Sven called again. "Mr. President, the war is still on! We have managed to acquire some infantry equipment!"

"And what equipment would that be Sven?" The President asked.

"Well sir, we have two 4-wheelers, a snowmobile, and Harry's trail grooming machine."   

The President sighed. "I have to tell you Sven, that I have 16,000 tanks and 14,000 armored personnel carriers. Also, I've increased my army to one and a half million since we last spoke" 

"Lord above", said Sven. "I'll be getting back to ya."

Sure enough, Sven rang again the next day. "Mr. President, the war is still on! We have managed to git ourselves airborne! We up an' modified Ole's ultra-light with a couple of shotguns in the cockpit, and four boys from the coffee shop have joined us as well!"

The President was silent for a minute then cleared his throat. "I must tell you, Sven, that I have 10,000 bombers and 20,000 fighter planes.  My military complex is surrounded by laser-guided, surface-to-air missile sites. And since we last spoke, I've increased my army to TWO MILLION!"

"Oh Lord," said Sven. "I'll have to call you back."

Sure enough, Sven called again the next day. "Mr.President! I am sorry to have to tell you that we have had to call off this here war.."

"I'm sorry to hear that" said The President. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

Well, sir," said Sven, "we've all sat ourselves down and had a long chat over a few beers and come to realize that there's just no way we can feed two million prisoners.."

 

MICHIGAN UP CONFIDENCE CANNOT BE SHAKEN! 

 

 

GOD BLESS MICHIGAN !

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 5, 2013 by GlenPettit

[Shuboxlover 481]

Thanks Glen....do you suggest just a standard hotel, or try and find a B&B or cabin etc. to stay in???  And is mid-October a good time to visit??

Edited September 6, 2013 by Shuboxlover

[stevasaurus 23,448]

The UP is a magical place.  We have vacationed up there for the past 30 years.  Mid October, if you hit the fall colors is beautiful...expect some nice days...but expect some cool weather also.  The weather can change real quick up there.  Things to see...in no particular order...the Pictured Rocks Boat trip, the seven waterfalls along the Black River and the Copper Peak Ski Flying Hill North of Bessemer, Lake in the Clouds just west of Ontonagon, Lake Goegibic (Goegibic Lodge for cabins and food...Fisherman's Inn for cabins and food...The Root Cellar for cabins and food...great hiking trails...pontoon boat rental), The trip to Copper Harbor and Copper Harbor itself is fantastic.  Manistique is a great place to stay also (motel right across from the beach on Lake Michigan and some great food places...check out the Spring on the west side of Indian Lake). I would guess that you already have checked out Mackinaw and Mackinac Bridge. One thing to remember...after Labor Day is kind of off season...the ski flying hill and the Pictured Rocks boat trip may be closed.  The roads are great and scenic to drive.  You have to check out the Pasties (a meat, potato, carrot hand held pie), great Finish food.  Great Lighthouses along Lakes Superior and Michigan.  Once you go up there...you will go again.  Did I say that the fishing is excellent? 

Edited September 8, 2013 by stevasaurus

[squonk 44,503]

I kept hearing the food was excellent

Edited September 6, 2013 by squonk

[GlenPettit 1,718]

Frank:

Stay where ever you can, experience everything;  for the most part things are very conservative up there, BB's have very local flavor.

Keep an open mind, as Stevasaurus said, October is a little off-season but everyone will appreciate you.

At every restaurant, ask what food they "are known for", and ask what to see locally, lots of unique experiences will come.

Roads are very good, weather will be cold at night, casinos are waiting for your money, and lots of drinking at night.

All the local people are great, try to meet them.

I recommend to always carry a dozen photos of "your life" (my family, my farm, my workplace, Wheel Horses, local sites), it's a great "ice breaker".

Food is always good & safe, (turnips are common in pasties, and good) as is their unique toast.

I was very lucky and married a Yooper (Wakefield), Great women up there.  Her home is a 13 hour drive from Lansing.

Glen

[stevasaurus 23,448]

Glenn, I married a Finnish girl, whose family settled in Ontonagon when they came over...sounds like we both did OK.   BTW...there is a great tavern in Wakefield on RT# 2...it is just east of the lake on the south side of the road.    Ha Ha Glen...I can make it there in 7 1/2 hours.  One other thing...don't order Pizza (they have no clue there)...you have to come to Chicago for that.

Edited September 7, 2013 by stevasaurus

[Shuboxlover 481]

Those are ALL great ideas guys...THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

 

BTW....who the heck is Frank????? 

[perry 82]

A good friend of mine his  dad owns the Big Bay getaway Motel in the UP off U.S 2.  I have never been there but if you happen to stop in drop my name. he may even have a old garden tractor or two laying around out back .

 

http://www.exploringthenorth.com/bbaygetaway/motel.html

Edited September 8, 2013 by perry

[stevasaurus 23,448]

Sorry Shubox...I was thinking that was your name.

[Shuboxlover 481]

I know...just givin you some guff....believe me, I've been called A LOT worse

[shallowwatersailor 3,216]

As a former Midwesterner (just had a fellow from PA think that I was from Minnesota with my ahkcent!), this is one of the best trips in the area. All of the above plus take a day to go to Mackinac Island for fudge, and make sure that you drive across the Mackinac Bridge. The Agawa Canyon Tour Train runs until October 14 out of Sault Ste. Marie into the Canadian Shield. Mid October is a great time as the unofficial state bird (mosquito) should be about done. Watch out for deer, and black bears.

 

You Betcha!

[Pullstart 68,041]

pictured rocks boat tour!  water falls and wilderness galore anywhere you are.  have fun, eh!