| Author | Message | ||
     Bomber |
All My wife and I are spending next weekend on the West Coast of Michigan (taking the ferry from Wisconsin to Luddington, then likely North from there) . . . . . any suggestions of "must see" places, roads, eateries? We've never spent any time there at all, and would love some data from informed sources . . . . thanks | ||
| Spiderman |
DUHHHHHHHH  I can tell ya all about eastern Michigan. All I know is there is a Hooters over there somewhere.  | ||
| Bomber |
I just KNEW I could count on ya, brother! | ||
| Kinger |
Bomber, Where exactly are you headed/ staying? Are you going on the bike or in your car? If you are headed north from Ludington, you would go through Traverse City, Charlevoix and Petosky. Highway 119 out of Petosky is a very scenic road. It heads up along the coast on the lake with great views. If you go to Traverse City, the brew pub downtown (can't think of the nameNorth Peak Brewing Company) has good food and beer! edited by kinger on July 07, 2003 edited by kinger on July 07, 2003 | ||
| Darthane |
Depends on what you want to do. There are plenty of dunes very close to Ludington, a light house within walking distance of the campground there, and lots of rivers to go canoeing on (AVOID THE BIG SABLE AT ALL COSTS). Any local, or better yet, a campground manager/ranger should be able to give you a list of things to do in the area. Makinac City and Makinac Island isn't too far away, at the northern tip of the lower peninsula. Historic fort there, beautiful place to bike/walk (no motor vehicles allowed on the island). Shopping to be had in the city proper, if you like that kind of thing. Up in the UP, there are plenty of lighthouses to go see, Taqhuamenon Falls (sp?) is beautiful, Whitefish Point, Sault Ste. Marie (the locks and an old freighter that's been converted to a museum can be found here). Hope this gives you some ideas! Bryan | ||
| Tripper |
WESTERN MI MUST DO's: Head south from Ludington to Mears, MI. Silver Lake sand dunes. One of the few places where you can take a sand buggy/4-wheeler of any type onto the dunes. Spend an hour at the entrance where the machines have to climb a substantial hill and you will see some wild machines. If you can find a friend with a 4 wheeler to get you up on the dunes spend the entire day. It's the sand equivelant to a cruise night at Sonic and open night drag racing and bar brawling all rolled into one. Then go on the public ride in the oversized buggies. Sleeping Bear sand dunes: climb the dune, convince your heart you are a sadist and attempting to kill it. Swim in Lake Michigan, try to find your testicles afterward. Try to catch an evening concert at Interlochen (if you can stand an evening of classical). Cross the Mighty Mac, listen to the You-pers talk. Stick a toe in Lake Superior, no one has ever attempted to swim in that one, have they? Western Michigan is the original and true Gods Country. | ||
| Darthane |
"Stick a toe in Lake Superior, no one has ever attempted to swim in that one, have they?" <~~Tripper Ha! We used to go swimming in that every year. 40 degrees year round, baby! Had to take baths in it, too, since the campsite we went to had AN outhouse and A pump to its credit. If it's possible, I even found a stream near the lake that was COLDER than it was. Spent an entire day backtracking it...found several beaver dams (never did see the beavers - insert lewd comment here), deer, and even a black bear. Scared the piss out of my parents, I didn't tell them where I was going. There's only one way to get into one of the Great Lakes (and Lake Michigan isn't much warmer than Superior!). Jump. None of this sissy wade around bullshit - you'll chicken out and go running for the beach. Get a good long run in, hit the water and belly flop into it. You'll swear your testicles screamed in shock and you heart skips ten or twelve beats, but after that the water's fine. | ||
| Racerx1 |
My Western michigan experience: - Gingerman is awesome! right off of Phoenix road exit off of 196. - Grattan is even Awesomer (sp?) - Grand Rapids emergency room has a hot ER physician Unfortuneately, thats the extent of my Michigan knowledge, probably due to genetic hatred of Michigan since I am a proud Ohio state grad... Seriously though, everytime I drive through there i wish i had more time to explore....just a beautiful part of the country. I want a full report when you return! | ||
| Tripper |
There's only one way to get into one of the Great Lakes (and Lake Michigan isn't much warmer than Superior!). Jump. GOOD advice. Start 40 yards back and get a full head of steam headed toward the water. When the water gets too deep it will tripp ya up and you'll flop in. Frantically wave arms as if you are attempting to swim, and in a few seconds you'll be feeling like a local. OHHOWIHATEOHIOSTATE! WOODIE IS A PECKER! A BUCKEYE IS SOME KIND OF NUT.  | ||
| Bomber |
All thanks for the insights, gents . . .. . I shall do my darnedest NOT to perform further research in the areas RacerX1 has already covered . . . . Bear and me and spending just the weekend, and will likely get as far north as Traverse City, just poking around . . . having swum in both, I can tell ya that Superior is MUCH colder than Michigan (lakes, that is) . . . southern Lake Michigan gets damn-near swimmable during the later part of the summer, Superior always remains a test of character/stupidity, depending on yer point of view . . .. I had a herd of Uppers (pronounces you-pers) working with me at my last gig . . . . . it was fun to listen to them when they got excited/angry, as they became more unintelligible the more excited/angry they got <grin> . . . one of the ladies brought me pasties (not that kind, Char/Spidey) regularly . . . .. mmmmmmmmgood! | ||
| Tripper |
Uppers are good folk. | ||
| Bomber |
Trip agreed . . . can think of few groups I'd rather have covering my 6 | ||
| Darthane |
Let's all go have fun with da yoopers, eh? | ||
| Tripper |
yahh eh... |
