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After picking up a rented Chrysler Town and Country, giving my Jeep a much needed rest, we set out for our first stop: Frankenmuth. We've been there a few times in the past, so it was very familiar to us. However, we made a point to visit a museum that we had not seen in the past, Michigan's Own Military and Space Museum. Among the exhibits in this museum, the one that I primarily wanted to see was the Medal of Honor exhibit. While that was very impressive, it was an honor to meet the man that created all of the model boats and dioramas that are found throughout the museum. One ship took him 3-1/2 years to complete. Not only was he rightfully proud of his work, he took the time to explain the significance of the ships and how he created them. A little Black Forest beer, some Zehnder's chicken, a stroll through Bronner's, and a night at the Bavarian Inn completed the visit.
Bright and early, we struck out for Mackinac Island. On the way, we passed the 45th parallel. Geeky cool to see the signs telling you that you are midway between the Equator and the North Pole. To get to the island, you have to take a ferry. We take a ferry to reach the islands in Lake Erie. However, those ferries (the fastest ones, in particular) require that you pay for parking and require that you carry your own bags on and off the boat. Not so with the catamaran to Mackinac Island. Parking is free. There are valets to assist you with your luggage. And they tag the luggage so that it goes directly to your hotel. Amazing.
We stayed at The Island House, which I found on the internet. Turns out that it is the oldest hotel on the island (but it does have modern amenities like wi-fi, air conditioning, and in-room refrigerators). A very nice place to stay. Took in all of the sights, a bike ride around the island, Arch Rock, Fort Mackinac, and a couple of fudge shops. A very relaxing, enjoyable time.
Since we were so far north in Michigan, I figured that a couple of quick side trips would be in order, so we travelled over the Mackinac Bridge and visited Sault Ste. Marie to see the locks. After spending about 2 hours in Sault Ste. Marie, I turned the van west and headed to Whitefish Point. In the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, is the bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald. We toured the museum and the other buildings on-site then headed south to Traverse City.
I don't think that I have ever seen so many cherry trees or vineyards in my life. Especially cherry trees.
Staying at the Cherry Tree Condo Hotel was a great decision. Located right on Grand Traverse Bay, it had stunning views of the water. Since we lost a day travelling (my bad), we packed in a lot of sightseeing in a day and a half. We visited Sleeping Bear Dunes. It has to be one of the most amazing things I have ever seen: a dune 450 feet high.
Pardon me for a little anecdote. We are at the top of the dune, on a boardwalk, where I see a man with a Muskingum College sweatshirt (mine was still in the van). Engaging him in conversation, he was on vacation with his family. His two kids graduated from Muskingum a few years earlier (2002 and 2004, I think). To be so far from home, in the middle of a National Park, and to see a sweatshirt from my Alma Mater, a college that has a yearly enrollment of a little more than 1,000 students, and is located in a tiny little town in Southeastern Ohio was really unbelievable. I should have taken a picture of all of us.
After Sleeping Bear Dunes, we headed for the Old Mission Peninsula, famous for its lighthouse and wineries. And it is another place that is on the 45th parallel. :-)
The following day, we looked up Moomer's, voted best ice cream in the US by "Good Morning America." I had read about them a few days earlier in the Detroit Free Press (the only time I read a newspaper while on vacation). I have to say that it is really good ice cream. Located on a dairy farm, it is about as fresh as ice cream can possibly get.
Not having a location in mind for Friday, the family "voted" to head home. So, we got home a day early. But with great memories of a wonderful vacation in Michigan.
Some random thoughts:
- Gas, in Michigan, cost me no less than $4.17 per gallon. The highest price I saw was in Paradise, MI: $4.44.
- We saw three Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, and Huron.
- Didn't see too much wildlife, even in the Upper Peninsula. But we did see a "Moose Crossing" sign. Don't see those every day.
- The locks at Sault Ste. Marie were worth the drive north.
- Seeing the artifacts from the Edmund Fitzgerald was a sad and solemn event.
- If you want privacy, be a lighthouse keeper.
- If you ask me, right now, where do you want to retire, I would have to answer "Traverse City."
- Completing a comment card at Fort Mackinac, suggesting live fire cannon demonstrations, gets you a form letter thanking you for your suggestion. I figured that Homeland Security would be knocking on my door. I hope that someone got a nice laugh from that. I know I did.
- An island with no cars makes for a very relaxing vacation spot. Next time, we will be bringing our own bikes.
All of the pictures have been uploaded to Flickr.
Technorati tag: Michigan Mackinac Island Whitefish Point Traverse City Frankenmuth
Comment posted by Andy Donaldson07/08/2008 07:18:52 AM
Homepage: http://blog.macian.net
You know, Michigan is a really nice state once you get away from the cluttered mess that is the metro-Detroit area. Holland on the west coast is our favorite vacation spot
Comment posted by Gregg Eldred07/08/2008 08:35:37 AM
Homepage: http://www.ns-tech.com/blog/geldred.nsf
@Andy: I didn't mention the construction on I-75 south of Detroit that required a major detour. There was more in Saginaw, but that was a rather painless detour. I knew I should have taken 23 south when I had the chance.
Holland was supposed to be on the itinerary, but we were looking at a good drive home on Saturday. Plus, you have to leave something for the next time. While the Dutch flavor will be nice, I am looking forward to visiting the New Holland brewery.
http://www.newhollandbrew.com/
Comment posted by Jerry Carter07/08/2008 11:19:30 AM
Homepage: http://datatribesoftwerks.com
My home state! Glad you enjoyed yourself. I've been to all the places you mentioned except the ice cream stop. I'm not a wine drinker but I heard the Traverse city Cherry wine is very good. We always take 23 unless it's under construction too, then I take Dixie Hwy - looks like you took that or Telegraph? Frankenmuth is one of our favorite family vacation spots - the kids love the indoor pool at the Bavarian Inn. Great times. Thanks for sharing as I don't get to spend as much time going to these places now that I live and work in Columbus.
Comment posted by Gregg Eldred07/08/2008 12:01:38 PM
Homepage: http://www.ns-tech.com/blog/geldred.nsf
@Jerry: I almost always take 23. This time, I thought: "Why not just keep following 75 south?" Bad idea. The detour around Saginaw had you using 675, which, other than a little out of the way, gave you a nice look at downtown Saginaw. But around Detroit it was a major pain.
Speaking of the Bavarian Inn, if I am not mistaken, one of our peers in the Detroit area spun up their original site on Domino. There is enough to do in that hotel that it keeps the kids (and the adults) busy. It's where you should stay, when in the area.
I saw that you can now buy cherry vodka from a distillery in Traverse City. I suppose that there is also a cherry beer (in addition to your comment on cherry wine). We left before the start of their Cherry Festival, but from what we did see, it is a major event in the area.
Thanks for the comment.
Comment posted by Eric Murphy05/15/2015 10:21:03 AM
Homepage: http://www.marketgrandrapids.com
Great route! Nothing beats northern Michigan. Sounds like you tackled a lot. Next time you go up to Traverse City you should try some of the wine tours they offer. Here's on of my favorites: http://www.traversecity.com/spring/wineries/wine-tours/
I recommend the west coast too! Holland State Park and Grand Haven pier are musts over that way.
If you want reccomendations on wineries and restaurants, I found this map. Helped me out coming over from the east side.
http://marketgrandrapids.com/blog/grand-rapids-brewery-map-reviews
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