Experiencing America > 2025 > UP Side of Life, Vol. 4.2 > Day 1
Day ONE...
Sunday, October 31st, 2025
Just about one month later and we are on the road back up north to Michigan's Upper Pennisula. This is a slightly shorter trip up; with the purpose of doing the Labor Day Bridge Walk on the Mackinac Bridge for a second time. On this trip we headed north from the Chicagoland Area through Michigan's Lower Pennisula. Like aways we were on the road before daylight to get around the southern part of Lake Michigan and Northwest Indiana.
Now to State #2...Indiana!!
The Indiana Welcome Sign on EB I-80/94; U.S. 6.
Now to State #3...Michigan!!
The Michigan Welcome Sign on EB I-94.
The goal was to get to Grand Rapids for a great Michigan breakfast at a Big Boy. Once a mid-morning breakwast was down it was time to get on the road. Including going international...sorta...and seeing the Paris of the Great Lakes; Paris, Michigan.
A message signs across Michigan gave plenty of warning. This was located on EB -94, near New Buffalo, MI.
The eifel tower at Paris, MI.
Since the day was sitll young we headed across U.S. 10 to the Lake Huron side of the state, and explore a new part of the state we have not been to. So we ended up in the "Tri-City" area (Midland-Saginaw-Bay City). Along the way there was some interesting statues in the City of Claire. At Saginaw there were great murals on the grain elevators in town, and at Bay City we learned that this is where Madonna was from.
A Leprechaun statue in Claire.
At the train station in Claire their is a statue of a train conductor.
The grain elevators at Saginaw.
A mural for Madonna in Bay City.
After the tour around the Tri-City Area it was time to head north up Interstate 75 towards the "Mighty Mac". The goal for the night was our prefered place in Sault Ste Marie. Timing was great for dinner along the beach in Mackinaw City just as the sun was going to set over Lake Michigan.
A large beer bottle along I-75.
Looking north at the bridge from Mackinaw City around sunset.
The sunset over Lake Michigan at Mackinaw City.
Once the sun set...it was time to get some rest. The next day starts very early.
The UP welcome sign on NB I-75.
Day TWO