doc,
there is a really nice hotel a couple of hundred yards away from where your car was damaged. it is the crown plaza on the corner as you come up off of i-75. some of us stay there every year. last year ....it was great that we were there.......no car damage.....no red-necks.you can still party in the parking lot....then park your car at the crown plaza and sleep in peace it has lots more parking than having to share with the hotel across the way. it may be $10.00-15.00 more. i'll bet we could get a similiar deal if a larger group went there. gryfan

 

Nick, I like this idea a lot. Maybe we should think about this, especially if they would do a group rate...

 

boiler,
the crowne plaza is 200 yards away from the traditional "host hotel".
address....1500 opdyke rd. (200 yards north of host hotel)
auburn hills
1-248-373-4550

the amenities are a bit nicer ....ie a 24 hot-tub and pool...so the adults can have a few beverages after the traditional 10 or 11 o'clock closing of other pools.
seems a bit quieter and one can still party with the x-fire owners....but sleep soundly knowing that you car is safe.
it is up to each individual where they want to sleep.
cheers,
gryfan

 

I know this is the for the trip after Woodward. I just want to let everyone know, since the Impala guys keep getting brought up, that I have gotten over that incident and moved on. The very Impala guys that were "having fun" were for the most part the very guys that were helping me with leads to try and track down the person that hit my car. I wouldn't have a problem meeting up with those guys at all. They won't be back, at least not all will be back, because as I just posted up on another thread, that was their national meet, much like our CAA. They will have their National somewhere else this year. There certainly will be Impalas there, and I hope to shake the hand of those who tried to help me. I wouldn't have a problem staying in that area again, or even at the host hotel. Just need to chose a better parking space. Time heals and it all worked out, but it was an expensive adventure...one that I hope will never be repeated...so get used to my unusual parking configurations...lol...

 

singerron,
there is parking right at the corner of woodward and 13 at the little strip mall. you can get in and out anytime and it is close to the rest of the crossfires. you can still come and socialize. i parked there last year ...and it was great!

gryfan

 

Judi and James... Bruce, I and possibly one of my sons will be coming up to Woodward and would be interested in extending our trip. Not very familiar with places to go in Michigan, so we're open to any suggestions you might have. Keep me posted....

Any ideas of how many additional days? I'm on a high priority project at work and they are requiring everyone on the project to get approval for all time off. I'd like to put in my request as soon as possible.
Annette

 

We take off Sunday morning and head up north along Lake Mi....we might take a little different route this year and head up toward the bridge but more on the east side of the state..still want to check that out...since most folks have different schedules they can just break off when they need to and head home. Although we were thinking of having a base location up north and do day drives but nothing is firmed up yet. Stay tuned!! We always have a great group and wonderful scenery. Judi

 

Sorry I should have given you a time frame...usually by Wednesday I am ready for my own bed...that is like a week of hotel rooms and it can get tiring. Well for me anyway...Judi

 

Judi,
Thanks for the reply. There will be three of us tagging along (Bruce, my son Jon (in his mustang) and myself). I loved the pictures James posted from last year and wish we had gone with you guys. Don't want to miss out this year. I'll put in my vacation request tomorrow...
Annette

 

That sounds great Annette, we are glad to have you all join us....if there is anything in particular that you want to see let us know...we can always add it to our tirp...Judi

 

Well just checking to see if anyone else is planning to travel with us up north after the cruise...so far it is James and Tammy, Bruce and Annette and son Jon and myself and Tj.....ANYONE ELSE CONTEMPLATING???

We all seem to enjoy the view of Lake Mi so much I am thinking of doing the same trip up on the westside of the state and come down around Cheboygan and maybe around the thumb...what are your thoughts about that??? Are you tired of that trip and Goodrich??? LOL Have to stop in and have another piece of that great pie....

 

Judi, I think you miss your friend Mr. Goodhart! I enjoy that trip up the coast and the Traverse City area and Mackinaw. I am up for anything you guys plan. I just like being up there even if we have been there before.

James

 

Just got vac req approved - I'm in!

 

So are you saying Karen said you can go.

 

Yep, that's pretty much it.
Hey - Happy belated Birthday!

 

Judi ~ Just wanted to give you an update. It looks like my son Jon will not be joining us. He was assaulted on July 3rd and had to miss a whole week from work, so now he won't be able to take the time off to go to Woodward.We've had a string of bad luck lately, so I'm really looking forward to getting away to relax.....

 

Aschrager will be joining the tour group, and as of now, the weather forecast for Sat-Wed is sunshine with temps in the mid/upper 70s.

 

Just rolled in after a smooth drive from Mackinaw City to Midland to Roch Hills.

7 Xfires cruised western/northern Mich and we had a great time. Looking forward to seeing everyone's pics.

This post - Dream Cruise tour is so successful, we're already planning next year's trip. Join us if you can!

 

Finally had some time to put together some pics of the trip. Had to rest up after the BEST Dream Cruise ever!

A big thanks to TJ for his guidance on this trip, EXCELLENT! Saw some places we need to check out next year. Always up for new ideas.

Take a look and plan to join along next year...

Lake Michigan Cruise 2012 Page 1

James

 

James - Spectacular pics. Thanks for sharing. I keep saying that you, Annette, Valky & Jean-Marc need to open up a photography school. Dang you guys are good!

On a separate note, thanks to TJ for coordinating perfect weather for our trip . My sister just called from Petoskey and it's cloudy and raining there. She actually had to cancel her tee time today (tragedy!)