Michigan trip

[mhonn2002]

Planning a trip to Michigan from North Texas. Plans right now is to go up through Oklahoma on US 69 to US 60 then to Missouri. Planning at least one night in Sikeston to eat at Lamberts. From there up Interstate 57 to US 24 into Indiana. Going to take a couple days in and around Rensselear, Ind. then heading for US 31 north for Michigan's UP. Any comments on US 60 and US 31 would be welcomed.

[tbear]

Planning a trip to Michigan from North Texas. Plans right now is to go up through Oklahoma on US 69 to US 60 then to Missouri. Planning at least one night in Sikeston to eat at Lamberts. From there up Interstate 57 to US 24 into Indiana. Going to take a couple days in and around Rensselear, Ind. then heading for US 31 north for Michigan's UP. Any comments on US 60 and US 31 would be welcomed.

60 will be alittle busy and 31 should be nice and layed back. Alot nicer than 60.

Get gas when you can, especially the farther north on 31 and definately once

you get into the UP. Good luck on the Mack Bridge. Usually super windy crossing it.

You may have to ride next to a truck while going over on it. Good luck and God Bless.

[ISP-FL]

US 24 in Illinois and Indiana will be fine. It is a decent mostly 2 lane roadway. As you make your way up US 31 in Michigan there are some really nice small towns to see along there, South Haven, Saugatuck, Holland, Muskegon, Ludington to name a few. A person could spend just a week touring all those little towns and their sights. You won't have any issues finding fuel all through that area. After you cross the big bridge don't get in the habit of running your tank down to reserve though.

We will take a trip from central Illinois to at least as far as Muskegon this year. Probably in late August. We really like the Michigan costal areas in the summer months.

[Ed Hobgood]

Highway 60 across southern Missouri is not bad at all. Most of it is four lane and you don't have any major cities to worry about. I live in Dexter which is about 25 miles west of Sikeston. It depends on the time of day you get to Lambert's but be prepared to wait in line to get in (but it's worth it).

[mhonn2002]

US 24 in Illinois and Indiana will be fine. It is a decent mostly 2 lane roadway. As you make your way up US 31 in Michigan there are some really nice small towns to see along there, South Haven, Saugatuck, Holland, Muskegon, Ludington to name a few. A person could spend just a week touring all those little towns and their sights. You won't have any issues finding fuel all through that area. After you cross the big bridge don't get in the habit of running your tank down to reserve though.

We will take a trip from central Illinois to at least as far as Muskegon this year. Probably in late August. We really like the Michigan costal areas in the summer months.

Thanks for the reply. I grew up in Brook/ Goodland In area. Drove 24 many times. I am looking forward to seeing a part of Michigan that I have never seen. And I will keep an eye on my fuel. Trip is planned for late August or early September.

[mhonn2002]

Highway 60 across southern Missouri is not bad at all. Most of it is four lane and you don't have any major cities to worry about. I live in Dexter which is about 25 miles west of Sikeston. It depends on the time of day you get to Lambert's but be prepared to wait in line to get in (but it's worth it).

Thanks for the info. We have been to Lamberts a couple of times and you are right it is worth the wait. Usually we are in a cage and come up thru Arkansas on 55. This will be first time on 60.

[mhonn2002]

US 24 in Illinois and Indiana will be fine. It is a decent mostly 2 lane roadway. As you make your way up US 31 in Michigan there are some really nice small towns to see along there, South Haven, Saugatuck, Holland, Muskegon, Ludington to name a few. A person could spend just a week touring all those little towns and their sights. You won't have any issues finding fuel all through that area. After you cross the big bridge don't get in the habit of running your tank down to reserve though.

We will take a trip from central Illinois to at least as far as Muskegon this year. Probably in late August. We really like the Michigan costal areas in the summer months.

Thanks for the reply. Grew up driving 24 in Illinois and Indiana. This will be first time going up 31. Back in the 70's I was stationed at Kincheloe AFB and loved it there. Even during the winter. LOL

[jjvw]

We just got back to MI from TX. Weekends at Lamberts have a 1-2 hour wait. 4pm last Sunday, the line was halfway around the building.

Taking 24 has a few bottlenecks but far better than going thru Chicago. 31 is the most scenic but will be clogged at Holland, Grand Haven and Muskegon. If you have the time, there is a route along the shoreline from Michigan City all the way to the Bridge. If you are a AAA member, they have free local maps covering the whole state.

Depending on your timing, we could meet up and show you the way.

Jan & John

[mhonn2002]

We just got back to MI from TX. Weekends at Lamberts have a 1-2 hour wait. 4pm last Sunday, the line was halfway around the building.

Taking 24 has a few bottlenecks but far better than going thru Chicago. 31 is the most scenic but will be clogged at Holland, Grand Haven and Muskegon. If you have the time, there is a route along the shoreline from Michigan City all the way to the Bridge. If you are a AAA member, they have free local maps covering the whole state.

Depending on your timing, we could meet up and show you the way.

Jan & John

We are not sure of the timing yet. It will either be in June or last part of August/ first of September. I prefer the later date as school will have started and hopefully not as much traffic.

[jjvw]

We are not sure of the timing yet. It will either be in June or last part of August/ first of September. I prefer the later date as school will have started and hopefully not as much traffic.

we plan on being at the maggie valley event 8/30-9/8

[Wheeler]

Here in Michigan the schools get out in early June. They start back September 5, after Labor Day weekend. If you are going to be here near the end of August. We also would be interested in meeting up and showing you some of the sites in the Great Lake State. You can pm me if you would like.

Bob

[Wingdesigner]

MI notes: Crossing Mighty Mac--watch out for the grated lanes (one each way), not friendly to tires. Think grooves only metal instead of concrete. Pick paved lane. Going up 31, try to time it for a Thurs/Sat/Sun/Mon, to avoid the "rush-hour" of Up North weekenders. Going against the flow is much more fun. Plan to spend some time in/around Mackinaw City--International Dark Sky Park (especially for Perseid meteor shower or the occasional aurora). Take a day trip to Mackinaw Island and walk on the veranda of the Grand Hotel. Buy fudge. Even though the Mackinac Bridge and Mackinaw City/Island are spelled differently, they are pronounced the same (MACK-in-awe, not MACK-in-ack). Do not trust GPS in da UP, you may end up on a sand logging trail through the Hiawatha Nat'l Forest. Do go to Tahquamenon Falls via the Toonerville Trolley--be sure to do both Upper and Lower Falls (but don't drink the water--it gets its colour from hemlock, among other things). Bring bug spray w/deet you'll need it for da UP. Go to Drummond Island if you have time, toodle around and wave to Canada. See the Pictured Rocks from the water and perhaps get awe-struck by Superior. See the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie (It's the same name on both sides of the St. Mary's River--you'll need a passport if you want to go to the Canadian side). Head up the Keeweenaw Peninsula to Houghton/Hancock and do a mine tour, buy a kitschy copper souvenir. If time and gear, overnight on Isle Royale (no m/c), or just ride the ferry there and back. Check out the Norway spring, Porcupine Mtns., Bond Falls. The UP has a strong Finnish heritage (eat a pastie {past-ee, not paste-ee}), mining and logging history, and you won't believe the Milky Way as it's reflected on a sleeping Lake Superior.

The West Coast of MI from Ludington northward has much to offer. There are two ferries, one from Ludington is the S.S. Badger, the last coal-fired ferry, across to WI. There is a super-fast one that leaves from Charlevoix, I think. Around Beulah/Benzonia/Empire/Onekama/Frankfort there are lots of dunes and bluffs along Lk. Michigan, and a hang-gliding/soaring festival every year (but there will be hang-gliders on the bluffs any time). In Frankfort, stop to see the store/workshop of Gwen Frostic. Her work is amazing. She is no longer alive, but her work is timeless. Traverse City & Bay is kinda touristy, but if you're into vineyards, this is the place. Oh, and a little party they call the Cherry Festival. From T/C through Harbor Springs/Charlevoix/Chain O' Lakes area it will be crowded on weekends and during festival times. Around Charlevoix there is an artist, Billie Crain, who is very much alive and does some awesome work, also. Say Wingdesigner sent you.

There will always be some construction in MI on any road that will make it a challenge to get from here to there. Our website for construction updates is: http://mdotnetpublic.state.mi.us/drive/Default.aspx

And here is a gasoline price website we use:

http://www.michigangasprices.com/GasPriceSearch.aspx

There are probably dozens of other places we've missed; so if you have particular interests, let us know.

Happy Trails!

[mhonn2002]

Thanks to all who replied. Due to a health problem, we had to pospone our trip untill next year.

[paws]

Mike..sorry your trip to Michigan was delayed.

Maybe you can make the Kerrville TX TrikeTalk gathering the first week of October.

See the link below. No cost to register, no prizes, just ride, eat, greet.

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threa...-Register-Here