Experiencing America > UP Side of Life, Vol. 3 > Day 1
Day ONE...
Wednesday, July 19th, 2023
Just like the years past...to clear Metro-Chicago we are on the road before the sun comes up. This year the journey was going to start with exploring the Upper-Lower Peninsula of Michigan. On day trips we have been as far north as Muskegon on Michigans "Sunset" Coast. The destination from the day was Traverse City. So this was going to open up new experiences and places for us.
Now to State #2!!!...Indiana...
The Indiana Welcome Sign on EB I-80/94; U.S. 6.
By the time we made it to Indiana it was almost sunrise. So a little detour off of the expressway up to Lake Michigan; for what would be the first of many times seeing this inland sea this trip.
Now to State #3!!!...Michigan...
The Michigan Welcome Sign on EB I-94.
Now that we were in Pure Michigan, the plan was to have a true Michigan eat, and do breakfast at a Big Boy. The plan was for the Big Boy in South Haven...which ended up being closed. So a quick run through a Mc Donald's, and continue up U.S. 31 and the Lake Michigan coast. Yet, like all other trips it will be follwing a corridor of a highway, but not staying exactly on said highway. Meandering along the U.S. 31 corridor we ended up passing what is said to be the world's largest weather vane. This is in Montague, Michigan.
The weather vane in Montague.
Contining further up the U.S. 31 corridor, we came to Ludington. This is where the expressway ends. Ludington is a busy, port, and tourist community. This is home to Ludington State Park; which has dunes, hiking trails, beaches, and a very distant lighthouse. It is also home to where the S.S. Badger docks when not on the Wisconsin side. Plus, as of July, 2023, it is home to a KFC with a bucket on the sign.
The KFC in Ludington.
The S.S. Spartan in Ludington.
A mural in Ludington.
A mural in Ludington.
The breakwall lighthouse in Ludington.
The dunes at the Ludington State Park.
The Big Sable Lighthouse.
After spending time in Ludington it was time to keep working north. For one of the other websites we hit some backroads of Western Michigan, and came across a sculpture to the Mason County Lumber Heritage Trail names "Out of the Forest", at the town of Free Soil. Next up was lunch in Manistee at the local A&W, then a swing by to see the Manistee Lighthouse. Further up the road was a pull off along the famed M-22 (Michigan State Route 22) north of Arcadia. This roadside pulloff has views of Lake Michigan that are stunning, and breathtaking. Next up was a quick stop at the Point Betsie Lighthouse.
The "Out of the Forest" sculpture in Free Soil.
The lighthouse at Manistee.
Looking south toward the town of Arcadia along M-22.
Looking north from the Arcadia lookout.
The Point Betsie Lighthouse.
Looking north at Lake Michigan at the Point Betsie Lighthouse.
Next of the famed M-22 was Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Simply out in the sticks, amazing views, very very touristy for being in the Upper-Lower... While in Sleeping Bear Dunes we ventured up to the Maritime Museum and walked the beach; then to the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive for some views of the lakeshore.
A sign along M-22 for the national lakeshore.
A sign about the dangers and cost of going down the side of the dune.
Looking north along the dunes.
Looking south along the dunes.
Continuing north along M-22 up to Northport; then back down to Traverse City, M-22 crosses the 45th Parallel twice. Once on the westside of Leelanau County, and once on the eastside of the county. North of Northport, is the Leelanau State Park. This state park is home o the Grand Traverse Lighthouse.
NB M-22 at the 45th on the westside.
The sign for the Leelanau State Park.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse.
Looking along Lake Michigan at the Grant Traverse Lighthouse.
SB M-22 at the 45th on the eastside.
Now it was time to sail into Traverse City for the night. M-22 follows the western shore of the West Arm of the Grand Traverse Bay. This was yet another breathtaking view and soothing drive. As we followed along the bay we got some great views and were able to see some interesting ships. After checking in at our hotel for the night, it was off to find dinner. In doing so we came across a big piece of fudge.
Looking out over the west arm of the Grand Traverse Bay.
A ship on the Grand Traverse Bay.
A giant piece of fudge along U.S. 31 in Traverse City.
Day TWO