We’re wrapping up a most excellent stop at the EAA Airventure aviation celebration in Oshkosh, WI (we’ll of course have a post with pictures and video on that coming up).
But right now we’re trying to contemplate where to go next? Our general trajectory is to get to Florida by early-ish September. And we’re kinda contemplating making Dragon*Con in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend (a sci-fi/pop-culture event I used to attend annually before Chris got me hooked on Burning Man) before we hit Florida. And on the way there, we want to make a stop in Chattanooga for several days to take care of some bus upgrades and annual maintenance at Choo Choo Express Garage.
So, that’s the general plan. Which gives us several weeks to figure out some interesting routing. As we hardly ever get this far north, we want to take advantage of that and explore new territory to us.
Here are some of the routing option we’ve been playing around with:
Option 1
We have a couple of invitations in Sault Ste. Marie for both bus parking on private land and a meet-up for coffee (always things that tempt us!). We were then thinking of (finally!) popping our international RVing cherry and dipping in Canada to get to Niagara Falls. We’d probably then loop down into Cleveland to visit some family, and perhaps over to Penn Wood Airstream Park above Pittsburg, where we have some nomadic friends who are hosting for the summer.
Our concern with this route is keeping online while in Canada over the multiple days it would take, as we’re totally unprepared with international cell service. We also haven’t gotten so far into investigating campground options along the route, but have heard there may be limited options? Any advice or experience would be most appreciated.
Option 2
We have an invite in the Detroit area from a fellow 4106 bus owner, as well as a friend based out of Windsor Canada – both would be fun stop ins. From there we could do a shorter jaunt through Canada that could probably be done as a day drive – thus eliminating the concern about connectivity.
Option 3
We’ve had several recommendations to explore the west coast of Michigan (which we have done the bottom portion of before). We’d also be able to stop in Elkhart, IN and check out the RV capital of the country – and perhaps do some surplus shopping for new captains chairs for the bus (items we really need to replace).
So, that’s what we’re contemplating. We’re open to any recommendations for places to stop or route by, campgrounds, scenic lunch stops, etc. And as always – we love nomadic rendezvouses and invites to stop in!
Just came through Nashville a few weeks ago…beware. Part of I24 is closed right downtown and going through both ways we lost an hour. TRAFFIC unreal so I think we went North on way back Hwy 41alt to Clarksville and missed some of it. HOT town though…love Nashville. Check out the Pancake House by Vanderbilt for stand in line breakfast…get there early.
PS…A native of South Bend…we really enjoyed the RV Museum in Elkhart. And Sleepy Dunes or South Haven, any of those W. MI coastal towns are wonderful!
See, I have a totally different opinion about the trip from Detroit to Niagara. I made the trip about 10 years ago with a friend from London and I found it really really interesting. First off, you get a sense that Canada really is a different country. The terrain was very flat, so the drive isn’t that interesting until you get to the Niagara area.
I completely disagree about the area outside the Falls being depressed. One of the most memorable meals my hubby and I have ever had was at the restaurant at the ‘state’ park at Niagara on the Lake. It looked out over the river and it was just exquisite and the lamb was cooked to perfection. The website talks about hiking and picnicking so I have no idea if the place is still there. BUT I know ya’ll are hikers.
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/on/queenston/activ/activ1.aspx
Plus that whole Niagara Peninsula is where the world’s best ice wines are made. They’ll hold up to any made in Europe.
http://www.niagarawinetrail.org/
I will also tell you about my experience with DC last year. I’m sorry to say it was HORRIBLE! It has gotten way too big for location. It’s in 5 hotels now and it was nothing but getting pushed from place to place by the mob. Now I only went on Saturday, but the parade spectators were lined up 10 deep and afterward (which I’m sure was part of the problem) the line to PICK UP your ticket circled around the block and looked to be 2-3 hours. I’ve never doing that again – 9:45 pm pick ups for me! Because it was so crazed, we only made one session. It was an exceptional session, one of the best I’ve ever attended, but everything else really makes me question going back – or at least questioning my strategy and timing.
If it were me, I’d choose more wine and less crowd
I am an afficiando of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. If you get as close as you will be to the Pictured Rocks National Park and don’t visit, you will be missing a treat. I endorse time spent along the southern shore of Lake Superior.
I’ve done the big drive through Ontario to Niagara Falls by way of Sudbury and would not do it again. Were I in your shoes, I’d do Pictured Rocks, then go south across the straits and see much of the west coast of lower Michigan. Then I’d drive east, perhaps through Port Huron into Canada and over by the Falls.
Good luck.
Rob
lots of campgrounds and RV parks in Ontario with WIFI. The Good Sam website list many of them. many (most) Libraries and community centers offer free WIFI as well. Check with your broadband provider about roaming charges in Canada, it might not be as expensive as you think if it is only for a couple of days.
Welcome to Canada, eh?
Hi guys.
Great visiting with you at Oshkosh.
I vote for Options 2 or 3 with a twist. However, you have to go up to Sault St Marie at least to grab a gallon of water.
I live in Michigan, near the Mackinaw Bridge. I recently took the drive from Sault Ste. Marie to Montreal. Very boring and desolate drive. I was expecting some beautiful scenery, but in reality there was very little that was nice. A whole lot of nothing.
Mackinaw Island is great. Plan at least one full day.
Also, M-119 along the north shore of Lake Michigan between Mackinw City and Harbor Springs / Petoskey. In my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful drives in America.
Once you get as far as Petoskey, I would suggest going to Traverse City (wine country). Excellent drive, great town, very beautiful drive.
Enjoy your trip. Feel free to let us know when you’re crossing the bridge… we’ll meet you for coffee.
Dave
I have no knowledge except that if you have time to spare and haven’t been there before, visit House on the Rock which is a bit south of you. Either plan for the whole day for a full pass, or do just 2 of the 3 parts and return for the third – it’s pretty tiring to do the whole thing but worth it!
(and then read “American Gods” by Neil Gaiman if you haven’t already! :P)
Also we enjoyed Alana Springs Lodge & Campground in Richland Center if you want somewhere closer to House on the Rock. But be careful, it’s a tight campground with lots of trees! (aka the place where us newbies damaged our roof… you should be fine we just were stupid :P)
Cool.. we’ll have to catch that on our next visit to Madison, WI. I think we’re pretty set on heading north from here this time around.
Yestersay’s Free press, M22 best sightseeing route thru Michigan
Sheesh! I missed you two at AirVenture as well! ‘Gotta watch the computer more and airplanes less. Perhaps there’s a chance to meet in Elkhart.
Hahaha… I think the airplanes should win in this case! Hope to catch you on down the road.
Can’t really comment on the northern route (although I’ll be interested to hear all the suggestions), but we love Nashville & really enjoyed our stay at Seven Points COE campground (J.Percy Priest Lake). Only 7 miles from downtown and very relaxing. If you can nab a water-front site there they are awesome!
Nina
Love our waterfront spots, for sure! Thanks, we haven’t had nearly enough time visiting Nashville yet. That could be a good stop.
The Wynn’s just visited parts of Canada over near Niagara. Might be worth checking out their post. I guess taking expensive tech stuff can be an issue.
http://www.gonewiththewynns.net/?p=2864
Thanks… sounds like overall they didn’t have too much difficulty, and that presenting a list of stuff onboard might be overkill. Will for sure keep that in mind.
If you do option 3 and you are interested in architecture.there is a wonderful Frank Lloyd Wright home open t the public as well as sever blocks of homes in many different style there….south of Indianapolis is a city called Columbus that is the home of Cummins (sp) which is a dream of a city for architecture enthusiasts…the owner of the company wanted to give back to his adoptive city for making him rich that he paid for the best architect of the times (every year) to come and design a city building for many many years…
and I second, third or fourth Sleeping Bear Dunes as a great place to visit and stay…
and if you choose the route that takes you to Cleveland…I highly recommend shopping at the East Side Market…and if you need a place to stay near there we stayed at the county fairgrounds about 20 min. away….
Thanks for the recommendations!
Sleeping Bear Dunes keeps getting mentioned, will have to check it out!
Houghton Lake MI south if Mackinaw was a nice small town stop.
In Lexington KY the KY horse park campground is beautiful
With lots of fun stuff to do in the park
Thanks! The southward part seems so far away, hard to be thinking about stops there yet 🙂
We went from Ottawa to Calgary and stayed at one campground. We always found Walmarts or other places to stay. I do not think you will have any problems. Look up Canadian Walmart site for list of Walmarts and plan your travel. Did Michigan and was very nice. The Island was interesting but touristy (prices). Fudge was interesting but they generally use corn syrup. Check ingrediants first then choose. The main drag has multiple fudge stores and some stores are the same. We found Canada to be very interesting to travel. Really enjoyed the remoteness (nature) between towns.
EAA next door neighbors. Have safe travels.
Bob & Jo-An
Yeah… we’re not fans of corn syrup either, and try to avoid it. And fudge isn’t really a high draw anyway.
Been great being neighbors at EAA guys.. hope your adventures ahead are amazing. Catch you on down the road.
I too suggest Route 3. We did almost that exact route in 2008 (Elkhart->South Bend-> Michigan) and all the details are in our blog (www.debandjoeontheroad.blogspot.com). Seconding the suggestions for Mackinac Island (fudge and bicycles, indeed!), Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Munising (Pictured Rocks). The RV Museum is really fun. And no one mentioned Tahquamenon Falls, which are not as astounding as Niagara, but are beautiful nonetheless. Another highlight of our trip: the Soo Locks! But no offense to Sarah, the pasties were disappointing . Otherwise…. a fantastic route.
Thanks for the suggestions of places to stop along Option 3. Sounds like it could be a fun adventure.
I’ve taken all 3 routes and am hands-down, no questions asked a fan of option 3.
It’s really too bad you can’t do the Superior shore of the UP, as it’s far more scenic than the Lake Michigan shore (not that Lake Michigan is bad by any stretch, but the UP is so far out of the way to begin with that it’s tough to be that close and not head up a bit further north).
Others have noted Mackinac and I agree, it’s a nice tourist detour for a day.
The west side of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan is great! If you want a great little bar and restaurant in a nice little town, check out Short’s Brewing in Bellaire, south of Petoskey and north of Traverse City. (My cousin lives in Bellaire so I’ve been there a few times.)
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a must-stop spot on the trip.
There are many other spots along the way.
As for option 1, I just don’t see anything appealing about driving through that stretch of Ontario. Niagara is certainly an impressive waterfall (to say the least), but the surrounding area is depressing. There’s nothing very scenic about the area. Stop, take a picture of the falls, and keep going. I don’t think that’s worth going very far out of your way for, especially given what the Lake Michigan shoreline has to offer in Michigan.
Thanks, Joey, for your recommendations. While disappointing – it good to hear now (instead of later) that Option 1 might be lackluster in scenery.
Is there a reason that the Superior shore of the UP is inaccessible? Or are you going off of that we just didn’t include it any options? We were kinda thinking of finding a campground on the Michigan shoreline and doing at least some motoring around up to the north shore in the MINI.
Oh, I just assumed you weren’t heading up that way due to the route you had laid out. Plus, some of my favorite places up there (Porcupine Mountains, Bond Falls) are in the very western part of the UP, which is probably too far out of range for where you’ll be. But you should still be able to take a jaunt up to Pictured Rock National Lakeshore (a place I actually haven’t spent time before but really want to) and Sault Ste. Marie.
If you do go with option 1, I look forward to hearing if it winds up being better than I remember.
I can’t see the options maps on my phone but the UP has a ton of great places to explore.
Copper Harbor is way north and out of the way of just about anything, but it’s a cool small town that often has fun things like car shows or taking a ferry to Isle Royale National Park which is one of those remote areas like Big Bend in TX where of you’re in the area, it’s worth checkin out as you’ll probably never have an excuse to get up there again.
Note that pasties in the UP have nothing to do with strip bars.
Pictured Rocks in Munising is also a grand ol’ beautiful place (even more so) and you can rent a pontoon from a place called Seaburg at a decent price… Which instead of doing a planned cruise by one of the big companies you can explore the rocks and beaches and shipwrecks on your own time.
Out of the UP and back into the thumb we loved Leland & Lake Leelanau, plus Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, all on the west coast / Lake Michigan.
If you’re doing the east coast and you make it into the thumb ( if you picture Michigan as a mitten), St Claire was cool (as opposed to St Claire Shores which is closer to Detroit).
Love to hear what else you discover.
Thanks Nathan.. love the recommendations. And looking forward to seeing how the adventure shapes up!
Option 3 with a twist! Take a 1-day road trip into Canada crossing at SSM and driving north along the shores of Lake Superior for about an hour or two. That stretch is amazing, and much more scenic than the Option 1 route– it honestly is completely different north of SSM than the flat eastern half of the UP and looks a lot like B.C.
Option 3 along the lakeshore of Michigan is a way prettier/more interesting drive thru MI than Option 2– more CGs and fewer bugs/humidity too!
Niagara Falls is great and one-of-a-kind, but August will be pretty crowded w/vacationing families, so might hold that for another time when you’re exploring the northeast.
Hmm.. almost sounds like going north of SSM might a good motoring tour in the MINI, instead of burning the diesel to take the bus up there for a diversion. Might have to give that some thought.
Thanks for the first hand recommendations!
The main thing to be aware of is that you can get bounced to a Canadian tower without actually crossing into Canada. If you do, contact your provider quickly to get those charges cancelled.
That said we took option 3 and loved it.
Just left the airshow ourselves, did take a gander for you guys, to no avail, just a few RVs there–heh. We are at your future short term destination–Amish Country–in Bristol, IN. right outside Elkhart. RV Museum looks intriguing, $9 a head. This will be our stop longer than a week in the past 7K miles. We’ll leave a light on for you.
Bummer we missed you guys here at EAA! Wow, the number of RVs here has been amazing.
If we get down to Elkhart in time, perhaps we’ll see ya there!
Having grown up in Michigan, I highly recommend option 3.
First – be sure to stop and get a pasty (pronounced pass-tee, not pace-tee) before you cross the bridge heading south. It’s basically a hand held pot pie.
Second – Lots of fruit and wine country in the Northern Lower Peninsula if you do a quick swing into Traverse City.
Third – I also agree with Barak about making the trip to Mackinac Island for a day. Because it’s all about the fudge and renting bikes on the Island. The ferry ride and the horse drawn carriages are nice too.
Thanks.. sounding like Mackinac Island is a definite stop. I know I was there briefly many many years ago, but don’t think Chris has been.
A self-centered vote for option 1. Affordable Canadian cell-based internet is a key question for our Alaska trip next year. I’d love to have you figure it out for us! 🙂
Hahaha.. sorry, even if we selected that route, we’d only be in Canada for a couple days. We’d be scheduling our time there to be over a weekend when we can be more out of touch and/or making sure our clients are covered by other options. Getting cell-based data for that short of time wouldn’t be a consideration for us 🙂
Looks like all 3 options take you right by Mackinack (mac-in-aw) Island. Well worth the stop in my opinion. My wife and I visited there years ago and actually rented a tandem bike to ride around the entire island. Also, if you choose option 1 or 2 you’ll come right by Xenia OH (the bicycle capitol of the midwest) and our current home. Would love to have you stop by if it fits your route/schedule.
Agree with Barak, you have to stop at Mackinac Island. You’ll need to park the bus at the Mackinaw City port and take the ferry, but definitely worth the time. It looks like the temps there have been in the mid 70’s so you should be ok leaving Kiki in the bus with the windows open.
Had never heard of Xenia, OH, never mind it being the bicycle capital of the midwest! Very cool. We are on the prowl for folding bikes… hmmm. We’ll let ya know if we pull in that way!
I’ve been told, but haven’t researched it, that in order to bring a toad into Canada you’re required to have a towing brake on the toad.
Thanks for the heads up on this. Just checked several sources, and seems Ontario does not have any rules requiring supplemental breaking – so we should be good.
It might have been BC only that I heard this about since Vancouver and Victoria is what we were thinking of. I thought it was all of Canada. My bad.