Road trip. Where?

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux)
12/26/2018 at 14:50 • Filed to: None

I have nowhere to be between this evening and Sunday (or Wednesday if I skip a family gathering) . Considering a road trip.

Lake Erie sunset. Catawba Island State Park.

Snow tourism is high on my ruminations list; I’ve always wanted to make a hop to the UP, which has a fair bit of snow now and probably more on the way.

Unfortunately that’s a fairly long drive for a fairly short vacation, and getting stranded on unfamiliar roads with such a low population density is not a happy prospect.

So, keeping in mind that odds are I won’t take any of your suggestions: any suggestions for a trip within, say, 5-8 hours of Indianapolis? Trips that involve lots of non-i nterstate highway travel are a bonus.

DISCUSSION (13)

Milky > Just Jeepin'
12/26/2018 at 15:09

I just looked and its closed now, but have you been to the Silver Lake Sand dunes (MI) ? I cant recall if you’ve been but I’d say its a must for any off roader in the area.

I also don’ t remember it being seasonally closed a decade ago, weird.

Just Jeepin' > Milky
12/26/2018 at 15:10

It’s on my bucket list. It sounds like getting in can be a challenge due to its popularity, but there’s an annual event there I’d like to try .

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Just Jeepin'
12/26/2018 at 15:15

Nashville looks to be under 5 hours, if you haven’t been to the Lane Motor Museum. You could stop at the Vette Museum along the way, too.

Just Jeepin' > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/26/2018 at 15:17

I do like the area, never been to the museum. Good idea, thanks.

Milky > Just Jeepin'
12/26/2018 at 15:25

I’m from the area and used to go on off days, it was a blast. Spring, fall, or on a summer weekday and you’ll have all the room.

Just Jeepin' > Milky
12/26/2018 at 15:30

That reminds me: there are permits I’d need to have to go on some MI roads/trails, right?

f86sabre > Just Jeepin'
12/26/2018 at 16:20

If you are looking for snow you could hit northern Wisconsin or Minneapolis. They know how to deal with snow on the roads, but there is still stuff to see and do. 15 inches coming in the next day or so.

Milky > Just Jeepin'
12/26/2018 at 16:23

IIRC you need an ORV sticker but you can buy it at Silver Lake. The orange dune flags are at every gas station in the area for like 20 bucks. Then you just need a hole somewhere on your car to bolt it too.

The Mounds (off road park) is the only place I can think of where you’d need an ORV sticker, but I’ve been out of the 4x4 game for a while.

Just Jeepin' > f86sabre
12/26/2018 at 16:23

A little outside my range for just 3 days. Will have to decide whether I want to turn it into a week.

f86sabre > Just Jeepin'
12/26/2018 at 16:41

I think MSP is only 7 hour from IND. Milwaukee would be about the same.

Just Jeepin' > f86sabre
12/26/2018 at 16:44

MSP is over 8 from me. Green Bay would only be 6ish, but a winter storm could change that.

Anyway, just a bit farther than I really want to drive, the more that I look a t my options.

nermal > Just Jeepin'
12/26/2018 at 17:42

Snowshoe WV is right under your 8hr limit according to the internet.

Find a cabin at one of the WV state parks. It’s better than any hotel room you can find. They have electricity and water and a fireplace with fire wood already cut. Great for makin’ sweet love down by the fire, or just drinking some whiskey .

Snowshoe mountain offers rental UTVs . Take one of those for a rip in the snow.

Roads there are awesome, it’s the middle of nowhere.

Just Jeepin' > nermal
12/26/2018 at 17:56

I was definitely looking at WV, but I’ve decided I’m not willing to drive that far for a 3-day trip.

Especially since I have to stop every 2-3 hours for gas. The joys of 12mpg and a 19 gallon tank.

Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll add that to my POI database and try to make a trip next winter.