I need some help from the wisdom of Barth owners. Y'all have provided some great insites on travels. We are looking to take a week long trip in August to Michigan and thinking of stopping at Greenfield village and want to make it to Mackinaw Island. Surely a few Barthers have done something like this. We are looking for any suggestions on things to do and places to go. Any Barthers have ideas? Just as important, are there any places to avoid or things to not do?

If you like classic cars or interesting old barns, the Gilmore Museum at Hickory Corners is a must. They also have the best collection of hood ornaments in the world.

http://www.gilmorecarmuseum.org/

Depending on the time you have, out of Detroit you will be taking 75 north. Frankenmuth, MI. right off I-75 is a must visit with super family style meals. Very neat town, super clean, and I understand the RV park is nice. Going up towards the bridge you could stray off 75 approx. 20-30 miles to Higgins Lake one if the clearest lakes in the country. I have been told you can see down 60 feet, but haven't been there for 40 years. The ferry over to the Island is fun, and can be wet depending where you sit, but if it is hot then DO IT. The Island offers plenty to do either walking, horse carriage, or rent a bike. No cars of course allowed. The Grand Hotel is very nice but sometimes hard to get into. My brother stayed at a RV park near the bridge and enjoyed same. If you are coming back thru Michigan then if you have time check out the west coast as the beaches are as good as Florida. Sand dunes are neat too. Don't drive out on one though, hehehe.

Have fun,

Dale

P.S. check out www.michigan.org

[This message has been edited by Smith Brother (edited July 12, 2005).]

[This message has been edited by Smith Brother (edited July 12, 2005).]

Being a Michigan native, and living in metro
Detroit, I would strongly recommend spending
2 days at the Henry Ford, as they now call it.
One day for Greenfield Village and one day for
the Museum. Stop at Zenders or Bavarian Inn at
Frankenmuth. Shop Bronners there for Xmas
decorations, if you like. At Mackinac City, I
recommend Mill Creek Campground. They have a
free shuttle to the ferry to Mackinac Island.
Try to have lunch at the Grand Hotel on the island. If you have time, go to Sault St.
Marie and take the boat thru the Locks, if they still are operating, and take a short
trip to Tahquamanin Falls. It's the U.P.'s
substitute for the Niagara Falls. Also, if you have enough time, come back down on the
Lake Michigan shoreline thru Petosky, Charlevoix, Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Ludington, Silver Lake Dune rides,
and Holland. How's that for an itinerary.

Enjoy Michigan, Jake Jacobson

Mike,

As a native & long time resident of Southwestern Michigan (St. Joseph), I'd highly recommend coming from KY and up the west coast of MI.(Rte 31) Lots to see from New Buffalo to the Big Mac bridge. Warren Dunes State Park in Bridgman, MI is world class and right on Lake MI, as are many other state parks going up the coast.

If you go to the locks at the Soo, you'll see the Valley Forge lake freighter/museum docked...directly across the street is a nice independent motel...he has 1-2 unadvertised RV w/hookup spots on the premises...Great view, & walking distance to all the sights. You MUST eat dinner at the Antlers Restaurant!..ask any local for directions.......

If you like gaming, there's the Kewadin Casino....Beware of the first backjack on the left as you walk in....it's a Black Hole!!

St. Ignace & Mac Island are fun, but August means hoards of humanity in the area.....

Winds on the Big Mac bridge claim a couple of RV's every year....SLOW is the key! (If winds get "dangerous", they won't let you cross, so don't worry 'bout that....)

Coming back out of north country, you can interstate your way through the boring stuff and right on into Greenfield Village, etc.

Regardless, you'll enjoy Michigan....I know I miss it.....

I remember "Eddies" restrauant just north of Flint by a outlet mall on the west side of I-75. Order one meal,two plates. Big Big servings.

Anyone coming to Michigan could easily spend two weeks or more and not see everything. All the areas listed above are well worth the time. Also at Greenfield Village is the The Ford Rouge Tour which take you on a five part tour,a movie on Ford history, the Living Roof, and the Ford Truck assembly line. If interested call ahead to reserve tickets.
The place listed above as "Eddies' I think he meant "Tony's" bring an extra stomach.

Tony's it is, and it is across the street from the OUTLET maul at the Birch Run exit which also takes you into Frankenmuth. One can not normally eat all they give you. Like a PILE OF FRIES that you will not believe. Not to pick on any other State, but Michigan is a must place to visit.

Tell us what all you enjoyed after your return, FOR SURE.

Dale

New site in the works, but open is www.michiganrvtravel.com

Dale

Sorry I got the name wrong.Its been 10 or 12 years. I see some others has been there too. I remember I ordered a taco salad the first time there and it came in a 12 inch bowl about 10 inches deep and piled to the sky.

Wow! Y’all have given us a lot to think about. Now, I’m thinking that 9 days may not be enough. Even our daughter (who is a sophomore in college) is hyped and wants to go. I’ve considered making this a three lake trip, you know, putting our toes into lakes Huron, Superior, and Michigan. That means traveling to the UP for a day or two. I am especially looking forward to seeing some of the beaches on Lake MI. Since my time is limited, are there any recommended campsites on the west coast? Jake has mentioned enough places that could fill a few weeks (if I stayed a few nights at each one). Lee you mentioned Warren Dunes; I’ll have to look that one up. It was not one on the list so far. But, with a recommendation like that, I’ll have to look at the information. Any other thoughts are welcomed.

Jakeofmi, have you stayed at Mill Creek Camp ground? The site looks like it would be a good place. However, a few “comment” sites have stated that the camp sites were too small or crowded. My coach is only 25’. So, we don’t need a lot of space. But, any information is appreciated.

Lee, I appreciate the heads up about winds over the crossing. I know what you mean about winds. In June we went to Jekyll Island, Ga. We drove over a VERY tall suspension bridge during the winds of the first tropical storm of the season. Not sure how hard these gusted but, it was enough that I needed both lanes of the bridge. They would never build a bridge like this up North. Every winter, everyone would slide backwards down the up-ramps, if you know what I mean about the approaches.

My daughter is majoring in Industrial Design, so the automotive places are really interesting to her. I’m guessing that we will nee to make the tour a “must see” part of the adventure.

I’ll post my proposed itinerary in a later post and open it to critiques. Thanks.

We stayed at Oak Grove Resort in Holland. 1 616 399-9230. $38.00 full hook up 30/50 amp and almost total shade. Just blocks from the Holland State Park where the beach is SUPER, and the SUNSET is great over the Lake.

Dale

Well, after taking into account all of the really great information, here is the initial agenda.
Sat – Arrive in Ann Arbor & go directly to Henry Ford. Camp at KOA in Detroit
Sun – Day 2 at Henry Ford (are plant tours on Sunday?)
Mon – Drive to Frankenmuth shop – lunch – shop till 2 or so. Drive to Mackinaw City campground
Tues - Mackinac Island
Wed - Mac Island
Thurs - Visit Sault St Marie & SOO lock (or is there something better for a one day visit to UP???)
Fri - drive down west coast. Stay in Holland
Sat in Holland
Sun return to home base

Wow, that just seems way too short. Any thoughts from the Michigan Natives & travelers?

The Grand Hotel could and should be a destination, for everyone. Don't be put off by the price, as what I have gathered, from thier website, that it is all inclusive, as meals are included, and gratuites, and two days equal three, providing you make reservations.
The experience is unique, but you must dress for dinner. (Formal)
After six, suit and tie and formal dinner attire for the ladies.

It is not RV,ing but the experiance is wonderfuly unique, as you watch from the 1800 foot front porch, or the cupulo bar, which I prefer.

I talked of the grand hotel at mackinaw, and compleatly forgoten about the NASCAR race at MIS, in August. We are infield inhabitants for both races, since they sold the infield off in spots.
I'm sure there are spots available, but if you should wish to attend, you should call right away.
The infield used to be quite wild, which has been toned down, quite a bit.
We inhabit 1-A-40 if anyone wants to see our Barth regencey, don't come too early, as we have a good time wherever we go.