Hi Everyone! We're planning on taking another roadtrip from the Chicagoland area up to the Traverse City area of Michigan over the weekend of September 8th-9th. A small group of us took this trip several years ago and really had a lot of fun! We'll plan on meeting at the Hinsdale Oasis on I-294 southbound around 7:30 a.m. and leave soon afterwards. The route isI-294 south to I-94 eastI-94 east to Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, MI where we join I-196 northI-196 to Holland,where we join U.S. 31 northU.S. 31 north to Manistee (3 miles north of Manistee) where we pick up MI 22MI 22 north to Frankfort, where we pick up MI 115 to Beulah/Benzonia, where we will be stayingThe entire area north and west of Traverse City (to include Beulah) is very scenic and the roads are a lot of fun! A rough itinerary would be that after we checked into our hotel, to rest up briefly and then make the short drive up to Traverse City to grab dinner and then a sunset drive up the Mission Peninsula. The next morning after breakfast we can explore the leelanau peninsula northwest of Traverse City. This includes Suttons Bay, Leland, and the picturesque Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, including the famous Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. If you see the following post that Paul has assured me he will make you can see some of the photographs of the area! The pictures sell the trip better than I! After the drive we will have the option of taking a canoe/rafting trip down the Platte River nearly to Lake Michigan. Clear water, sandy bottom, a great time! Then it will be time to pack up the cars and head home. Expect to arrive in the Chicago area late Sunday evening. The hotels that I have found include the Crystal Lake Resort (primary) and Cold Creek Inn (backup). They are both small, independent no-frills hotels located outside of Traverse City. These were chosen in an attempt to help control the costs (hotels in Traverse City aren't cheap!) and because they have rooms available! Many of the Traverse City hotels have already filled up. I just made my reservation at the Crystal Lake Resort (Phone 231-882-7282) and suggest that anyone interested in this trip do the same. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me either at [email protected] or via this thread or pm.
Last edited:
