Michigan

[2hams]

Anyone else planning to visit Michigan before the rally?

I have been researching things to see and places to stay. We are leaving around August 7 or 8 and plan to visit the western side of the state, then up to Mackinaw (unfortunately over Labor Day), and a stop at the Henry Ford on the way to Elkhart.

Sounds like there should be lots of good food along the way. Hopefully lots of swimming for the dog so she is ready to sleep a couple of days at the rally.

[INRI]

We are planning the same trip, except in reverse. We are going up the east side of Michigan through Dearborn (and seeing the Henry Ford museum) to the U.P. We are then heading down the western side to the rally.

[2hams]

Steve & Mary,

Your route makes more sense, and I am also considering it. Where are you staying for Labor Day weekend?

We are still debating between taking I64 through WV or going to Winchester then northwest.

[WhittleBurner]

If you haven't made plans for Labor Day WE and plan on a State Park it may be difficult finding a site in the northern part of the lower. The parks fill pretty fast for holiday weekend.
Still bummin we wont be at the rally

[CentralMichBo]

One campground we have had good luck getting into on holidays is Pine Ridge between Birch Run and Frankenmuth. Not much to do for any children but Birch Run has a HUGE outlet mall and if you have never experienced Frankenmuth, it is well worth a visit. Most of the sites at Pine Ridge are pull through with full hook up. Unfortunately, it is in the middle of the State so no big water near by.

[2hams]

Marcy - Thanks. We probably won't do any state park, by the time you add in the cost of the park pass.... Plus if stay more than a few days we really like to have WIFI and sewer. We used to go camping when we were working. Since we have retired, its more that we travel. We very seldom venture out for less than a week. I also dread the crowds on Labor Day -- we can get smokey fires and barking dogs from our neighbors at home.

I decided to switch our route, visit the Henry Ford first then travel up the eastern side of the state, spend some time in Mackinac City, travel down near Traverse City, then down the western side of the state to get the dog some swimming before we head to the rally. We have a reservation at Traverse Bay RV Resort for 9 days including Labor Day weekend. Its expensive but looks nice. I am trying to decide between Mackinaw Mill Creek in Mackinaw City or Lakeshore in St. Ignace for our time at the northern part of the lower. Or said otherwise, I'm trying to decide between the northern part of the lower or the southern part of the upper. It sounds as if we are planning a similar trip to INRI.

Based on our past experiences traveling, it is pretty much weekends you need to worry about reservations. We typically make 'destination' reservations and call ahead on other days, sometimes several days for the weekends. It is great to be flexible.

I have yet to decide whether to head north then take I70 west or to just head west on I64. Anywhere in that direction we must either go through southern PA or through WV.

Kay

[2hams]

Jim and Cecille - Thanks for the info. This might work for a night or two as we are heading north. We have found luck getting into places that don't have much for children, which works fine for us.

[INRI]

Steve & Mary,

Your route makes more sense, and I am also considering it. Where are you staying for Labor Day weekend?

We are still debating between taking I64 through WV or going to Winchester then northwest.

Kay and Dave,

We are planning to stay at the Detroit Greenfield RV park in Ypsilanti from 8/28 to 8/30; River Park in Grayline, MI on 8/31; and then on to Munising Tourist Park in Munising, MI (U. P.) on 9/1 and staying there through 9/5. We will then make our way down to Elkhart.

Steve and Mary

[2hams]

Steve and Mary,

We are planning a longer time and shorter distance. We plan to stay at Detroit Greenfield RV park (but do not yet have a reservation), but are flexible on our dates -- this will be the first part of the trip. We are staying at Lakeshore RV in St Ignace from 8/18 to 8/24 and at Traverse Bay RV Resort near Traverse City from 8/25 to 9/2. We do not yet have any other reservations. I figure the only time I really need to be concerned about is the weekend of 8/15, and we can be pretty flexible on our location.

Hope you have a good trip.

Kay and Dave

[INRI]

Kay and Dave,

Thanks. it is good to be flexible. I hear that Traverse City is beautiful. Hope you have a great trip, too. See you at the rally.

Steve and Mary