Spent a few days "camping" with friends over Memorial Day Weekend at Burt Lake SP in northern MI. Thursday, Tuesday and Wednesday was great. Friday through Monday the place was packed. We did eat well and did some local things. Rented a pontoon boat for a day and cruised the Chain of Lakes. Went to Mackinaw City, walked around, spent money, toured the ice breaker USCG Mackinaw. Jays Sporting goods in Gaylord, did some hikes, ate and drank more and a couple good fires, decent sunsets. Women liked marshmallows dipped in Baileys. We made the chimney from a tomato cage and stove pipe. Alcohol was involved. An engineering marvel. Our group split and went separate ways. We stayed with my Brother in Law on Long Lake between Rogers City and Alpena, nice areas along Lake Huron. Crossed into the UP of MI via the Mackinaw Bridge. Great drive along Lake MI and Hwy 2. Stayed at Wells SP on Green Bay. Beautiful Park with outstanding sites. Madison WI for a few days with family and back to east TN. Two weeks and about 1800 miles.
Thanks for the props. Northern Michigan has some very beautiful places, including several lighthouses. Too bad you didn't have time to check out the Pictured Rocks lakeshore, but that just gives you a good excuse for a return trip. Thanks again.
We grew up in MI. Me the west wife the east and we met in the middle...East Lansing/MSU. We lived in Traverse City for 12 years. A year ago we did a similar trip, Memorial Day Weekend in the UP. Went to both Tequamenon Falls and took the Pictured Rocks boat trip and later the Porkies. I would like to spend a month in the Summer around TC if I could pry my Wife out of east TN. Suttons Bay, Northport and the Peninsula is one of my favorite areas.
I haven't spent a lot of time in the U.P., but I think I could live there. Dennis, is that your wooden boat? There is a boat building school east of the bridge towards Drummond Island. I have seen their ads in Wooden Boat magazine. There is also a wooden boat show up there each summer. This summer it is August 12, 2017. http://www.lciboatshow.com/
Went to the Hessel Wood Boat show years ago. Would like to attend again some time. There is also a smaller version in Suttons Bay, MI. Here are a few at Howe Marine on the Indian River. They do restorations and we got a tour by John the owner who has two WIP.
That boat was at my Brother in Laws place on Long Lake near Alpena. They used it growing up but apparently he has no desire to take on its restoration. Guess it will rot away.
That would be a real shame since, in the pictures, it looks like it is still in reasonably good condition.