Just had a nother thought....what about exploring the eastside on the way back down...around the thumb??

 

If we were to head east from ******* towards Alpena on the way home we could follow M-65 south. There are some really places to stop along the Au Sable River in Huron National Forest. From there we could follow 23 south and take the back roads through Bay City to the thumb... just a thought.

 

That was it!

 

If we cut back through the thumb, we have a place in Harbor Beach on Lake Huron. Could stop there for a pit stop, BBQ, whatever.......

Lexington & Caseville are also nice resort towns in the thumb.

 

That sounds great to me....lets see how the others respond...

 

I'm sure you guys know the best places. I will play Follow The Leader. James

 

I'm along to enjoy the sites and spend time with friends. Whatever you come up with will surely be good.

 

Well just wanted to run this by you all.....looks like we would only need about 4 rooms each night so I'm thinking we should just play it by ear and not limit ourselves to anyone location...is everyone comfortable with that or do you want more structure??? I think it is fun to be free and just wing it sometimes but I know everyone does not share that lifestyle so just let me know...Judi

 

We did that last year Judi, OK by us. James

 

Karen used to be a gypsy, so we're OK.

 

I'm good with that.

 

how long does this go on for is it a whole week or

 

RVD - This usually runs through mid-week, but join us for however long your schedule permits. Hey, why not tie this trip into your honeymoon?

 

Do we have a 'rough' itinerary yet??.....I'm really looking forward to this trip and can't stop checking out maps. Just curious what general area we plan on ending up in each day....and I won't hold you to it 'cause I like the freestyle adventure.

Now, if I can just get the car polished beforehand....but it's too blasted hot!!!!

 

Guys, unfortunately, I have to withdraw from the Dream Cruise this coming weekend. Between my house guests and a last minute business meeting in St. Louis, this trip is not only logistically challenging but I may get a frying pan over my head for leaving my wife to deal with a house full of people. So in the spirit of saving my marriage and possibly my life, I will be bowing out.

Hope the weather holds up, it seems to be cooling down. Post lots of pics.

Regrets,
Senna

 

Hey everyone!

This is what I have so far for Sunday and Monday... Let me know if you think we should make any changes:

Day 1:

-Start: Woodward (10:30 AM)
-Lunch in Grand Haven with Gary before he heads back to
Chicago. (1:30 PM - 3 PM)
-End in Manistee (Evening)

Possible stops along the way:
-Silver Lake Sand Dunes (off roading & dune rides)
-Ludington (nice downtown and beach)
-Lighthouses (Whitehall, Sable Point, etc)

From Grand Haven, taking a route that avoids 31 it will take about three hours. This should leave plenty of time to make a stop or two and still make it to Manistee at a decent time.

Day 2:

-Start in Manistee (9 AM)
-Follow M-22 to Empire (Sleeping Bear Dunes)
-$10/car gets us into the National Shoreline loop. I have done
it once before and thought it would offer great views and
possibly some great pictures of the cars.
-Continue on M-22 around Penninsula and into Traverse City
for lunch
(1:00 or 1:30 PM)
-From TC head towards M-119 / Cross Village. (ignore the
crazy loop on the map, google maps wouldn't allow me to
follow 31)
-Leggs Inn in Cross Village for dinner.
-End in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace.

Possible Stops:
-Sleeping bear dunes
-Traverse City (winery, downtown?)
-Torch Lake
-Petoskey
-Good Hart
-Leggs Inn

 

I bet Judi can't wait to meet her old buddy at Goodhart! Here is a picture of the entire town!

James

 

For those of you going on the Michigan cruise after Woodward I thought this would be interesting:

Sleeping Bear Dunes Most Beautiful Spot in America by GMA

 

The Midwest (Illinois) convoy left Woodward this morning and joined Harbor, Danimal, James1549, and msgump and crossed over to the west side of Michigan to South Haven for lunch by lake Michigan.
We then split apart and they continued north along the western side of Michigan and the rest of us headed south down around the lake and back into Illinois.

Have a great trip up north and post up some pics you guys.

 

Had another great time this year after the Woodward event. Thanks to TJ, Jim & Karen, Judi and Dan for making it a great time. Dan traveled quite a distance and I hope we made it worth his time, as we enjoyed having him along with us.

First stop of many to come...