Planning a ride to Michigan

[Spirit_Rider]

My wife and I are planning on riding up into Wisconsin across the ferry (SS Badger) to Michigan, over the bridge to the UP and down through Wisconsin.

We are going Sept. 20th and have 4 days.
Is there anything really great to see close to our route?

[Patric]

Well , If time permits you in Michigan . You might want to go up M119 from Petoskey to Cross Village . Then either from Mackinaw City , or St.Ignace take a ferry ride over to Mackinaw island . They do not have any car there , so you will be on foot . But you can rent a bicycle , or get a horse drawn carriage ride , or even rent a horse & buggy that you drive your self . There are a lot of tourist on the island , but most of them are in town . There is the Grand Hotel ( My Wife I & had our Honey Moon there 20 years ago...Big $$$) a Fort to see , and Fudge shop on top of fudge shop . The road around the island is 6 miles , & once you are out of town you are almost alone . I like to rent the horse & buggy , it is a little like stepping back in time . I think the livery that rents the horse & buggy is named Jack's livery ???

Also in the UP , take US 41 & / or a little of M26 up to Copper Harbor . Then on your way to Wisconsin go to the Porcupine Mt. Wilderness State park ,& the Lake of the Clouds . I saw two of the biggest black bear I have seen in my life on the way out to the Lake of the Clouds . You can see the Iron Mt. Sky Jump 20 miles away near Bessemer from Lake of the Clouds.

You can take the Boundary Rd. around Porcupine Mt. Wilderness State park to get to Bessemer , then You can go up to the Sky jump . Then If you go there when they are open , I think it is on weekends , but ??? . You can go up it . You take a Sky lift up to the tower , then an elevator up around 300' , then the last 100' or so you go up stairs. You can see a long , long way from up there ... Once you get use to the tower moving around in the wind .
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[Matt]

Let's see.......The peninsulas around Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes, M119, Cross Village (great restaurant), Hartwick Pines, The Bridge, Mackinaw Island, lighthouse ride, Tahquamenom Falls, Whitefish Point and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Seney Wildlife Refuge, Pictured Rocks, the Keweenaw, the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Lake of the Clouds, the Porkies, Isle Royale, but whatever you decide to see, DO NOT miss the Mystery Spot on US2 west of the Bridge.

[Spirit_Rider]

Thanks for all the info, sounds like I need another 2 weeks to get it all but I will hit what I can. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum sounds like a must though.

How do you tie the bike on the ferry? I have 4 soft ties and straps but not sure where to attach them.

[lurch102]

but whatever you decide to see, DO NOT miss the Mystery Spot on US2 west of the Bridge.

Mystery Spot maybe, but the Fudge Jerky Pasties, Fish Cheese Pasties, and <shudder> Paul Bunyan Pasties.... keep riding as fast as you can!!!

(just kidding, I've heard they're good, but the descriptions on the roadsigns give me the heebie-jeebies!!!)

[SilverBuffalo]

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum sounds like a must though.
If you're into maritime history (like I am) you'll love the U.P. and the museum(s).

How do you tie the bike on the ferry? I have 4 soft ties and straps but not sure where to attach them

Use the sidestand and first gear, or the center stand, (your call)
tie a strap from either to the front wheel to secure it.
There's a good article on how to tie down an LT in the FAQ's.
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/faq.php?faq=k1200lt_faq_general#faq_k1200lt_faq_tiedown

And last (but not least) since you're going to be in the U.P.
bring good rain gear.

[BallsCasten]

We’re headed the same way next week except we are on the Lake express.
A couple links we found …
Grand Traverse Lighthouse,
http://www.grandtraverselighthouse.com/
Pierce Stocking Scenic Dr,
http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/psscenicdrive.htm