Leaving tomorrow morning from Oshkosh, WI. Heading up to Mackinaw City, MI and staying overnight there. Then I may take a variation on that trip back to Oshkosh or go about half way down the western Michigan lakeshore and take the ferry across the lake back to Wisconsin. Don't really want to do the southern half of the lake around Chicago. Did Door County last month.

 

do the western shore of Lake Michigan and take the ferry from either Ludington Mi to Manitowoc Wi (slow boat) or Muskegon Mi to Milwaukee Wi (fast boat) I prefer the fast boat. Either way you'll get to ride M119 and M22 on your way down the western shore of Mi. The only bad part of this ride is thru Traverse City and it's increased traffic in the summer months. But it's just a few miles and you're on M22 and a nice section of scenic road on the way to Manistee. From there it's US31 south to where you decide to cross the lake. Lot's a nice places to stop along the entire way. Go west on Gill Rd from Carp Lake(US31 south of Mac City) to catch Lakeshore Dr from northernmost paved point to Cross Village and the beginning of M119 (tunnel of trees) watch for deer and sand on M119 as there's plenty of both.

 

When on Gill Rd, don't ride too fast. There are spots with some sizable heaves and dips that could make things go from awesome to hairy in 0.161 seconds.

 

Oh, yeah...after Traverse City if you head north on M-22 you'll go around the Leelenau Peninsula. That's a nice little stretch of road that follows Grand Traverse Bay on the east and then Lake Michigan on the west. When coming down the west side of the peninsula, watch for a little town called Glen Arbor. There will be an open-air restaurant/bar on your right just as you turn left to stay on M-22 (going straight takes you around Glen Lake on M-109. I recommend M-22 as you take a bridge that splits the lake, quite picturesque). Good food and beer, prices are a tinge high, but the open air part is pretty nice in the summer. Last time I was there, the bartender was very, VERY nice too look at I think it's called Boone Dock's?

Traverse City to Glen Arbor via M-22

 

Sounds like a fun trip. Post photos when you get back!

 

Have a safe ride... take some pictures going across the Mighty MAC......