I can help you with Michigan, Wisconsin maybe not so much unless you're into airplanes. If you are into airplanes don't miss the Oshkosh air show. I don't know exactly when it is but it's in the summer. I also don't know what you like to do, fishing, museums, hiking, cultural activities so I'll try and hit the highlights.

First you should probably visit www.puremichigan.org. It's the web site run by the State of Michigan for tourism. It's actually pretty good. Starting in Coldwater, take US-12 East to Allen Michigan, somewhere around 30-50 miles, maybe less but they have lots of antique stores. Then head east some more and you'll get to Michigan International Speedway (MIS) or whatever they're calling it this year and maybe take in NASCAR race. It's sometime around Father's day, check the schedule. After that you can continue east to Dearborn where you can find Ford world headquarters. It's OK but really don't miss Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. While you're in the Detroit area you can stay at the Wayne County Fairground campground. It's not fancy, in fact last I knew it was pretty plain but it's probably the closest campground to Detroit. Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum are musts. They aren't as stuffy as some museums with a paddlewheeler in Greenfield Village, "living" history displays and so forth. I believe it is a requirement that you buy a horseshoe nail ring for a souvenir. While you're in the Detroit area you might also want to check you the Detroit Institute of Arts. It is apparently one of the great art museums in the world. That's what I'm told 'cause I'm really not onto art. If you like aquariums Detroit has the oldest aquarium in the western hemisphere on Belle Ilse. I also heard they have a new aquarium somewhere around Detroit but a quick web search couldn't find it. You might also want to rent a canoe/kayak. I don't know about dragging your 5er to the park but the TV should be no problem.

One of the other things you might want to take in is the Davison Freeway. It's not really anything special but it was the first urban freeway in the country. Just a little tidbit. After all of the above you could travel east on Interstate 94 to Port Huron and visit the "sunrise side" of the state. Port Huron has a light ship docked on the St. Clair River that might interest you. This side of the state isn't nearly as busy as the west shore, although you shouldn't overlook it. From Port Huron you can travel north along the lake shore to Pinconning which is famous for "Pinconning Cheese". On your way to Pinconning you may want to stop in Grindstone City which was famous for making grindstones. Imagine! You might also want to star gaze in Headlands Dark Sky Park. Apparently this is a very dark spot from which by you can see lots of stars. Who knew? From Pinconning north you can travel the Lake Huron shore to the Big Mac aka the Mackinac Bridge. I'm sure there are plenty of campgrounds in the area although I've never stayed in one. While in the area you may want to take in Fort Michillimackinac (sp?). It's on the south side of the straights and is a replica of, I believe, a French fort from the pre-revolution era.

Now having you go up the east side of the state I have completely ignored the center and the west side of the state. The center of the state has a great deal of state/national forest land. Many times there is primitive camping available for not too much money. It's been a while since I've been camping in the area but State Forest campgrounds are pretty cheap although generally without any amenities. I'm thinking these might be good for overnight stops.

If you're into fishing Michigan has some of the best fishing in the world. Large and small mouth bass, pike, muskie and of course trout. Lake St. Clair just north of Detroit is one of the best muskie lakes in the world. If you want to fish for them I believe you should go before July 15th or so. For trout fishing the hexagenia lambata, one of the largest may flies in the world, hatches in the last couple weeks of June and early July. It's night fishing on the AuSable river but huge brown trout can be had on topwater. There is an Orvis shop on M-72 just (meaning 2-20 miles) east of Grayling that should be able to hook you up with the proper flies. I don't know when the hatch is on other rivers but it shouldn't be too hard to find out.

For the west side of the state there is, starting from the south, South Haven, Grand Haven, Hollland, Muskegon, Manistee and then Traverse City area. This side of the state isn't my favorite as it gets a lot on influence from Chicago and is very, very developed. You should probably see the Big Bear Dunes and some of the other sites. Pure Michigan should be awash with information on this. Once you cross the Mackinac Bridge things change a lot. The upper peninsula is very, very rural. You should probably take in some of the Copper Country and the Keweenaw Peninsula (again sp?). Most of the UP (Michigan slang for the Upper Peninsula) was mined at one point. I believe there are some older mines you may be able to take a tour of. Once again Pure Michigan is probably your friend here. There are also the Tahquamenon Falls, both upper a lower, the pictured rock and other stuff I can't think of right now. Somewhere in the UP there is a bridge that is lower than the level of the river and it works on, I believe, Bernoulli's principle. I believe it's in Munising but I can't find it on the Internet but it's in some town in the UP that starts with an M I'm pretty sure.

Anyway I'm about Michiganed out. When you get to Wisconsin you may want to check out the Dells and the Harley-Davison Museum in Milwaukee.

Safe Travels

One thing I forgot, make your reservations early, especially for holiday weekends. I have heard that folks will make reservations for the entire week before a holiday weekend just to get the holiday weekend. I'm pretty sure you can make these reservations online.

We did Wisconsin and Michigan in 2017, way to much to type out but if you care to click on our blog link then on the side bar for month search go to July of 2017 and start with the Mustard Museum tour and it will go from there to a HD museum tour, Door County Lambou Field tour and on up into the UP and back down to our Mackinaw Island tour and out through the bottom of the state. We loved that trip.

Well you all have been a big help. So far we are booked for Coldwater,Belleville,mt pleasant,travers city and Mackinaw city. This take us thru August 5. Now to figure out the UP and Wisconsin. Plan to be back in Florida November 1.

We should be out of the area by the end of September.

X2 on Picture Rocks

We did the package last week. We both loved it. Place is very well done.
We are in Mount Pleasant Mi this week and we did Frankenmuth Mi. From here. Pretty interesting place.
Off to Travis City Mi.for next week.