Dusty's Work Avoidance Tour, day 9

"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures) 10/22/2018 at 14:20 • Filed to: Dusty's work avoidance tour, BRZ Road Trip

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I may never drive I-75 in Michigan again.

Yesterday I began the trek back home, traversing most of Michigan. The morning started with a scenic drive along Lake Superior before turning inland to cross to the south side of the Upper Peninsula. This led me to my first stop, the old Cliffs Shaft Mine. The retired mine is now a museum, which was closed for the season. All the same I was able to check out the crumbling cement monolith that houses one of the old hoists.

A little further along the peninsula drive was the decommissioned K. I. Sawyer Air Base. Part of Strategic Air Command during the Cold War, the site still operates as a lightly trafficked municipal/commercial airport. Across the road are static displays of some of the iconic aircraft that were stationed there over the years.

Finishing the trek south I made it to the south side of the peninsula, driving along the shore until reaching the famous (and famously sketch) Mackinac Bridge, the land crossing between the two sections of Michigan. Once across I stopped in Mackinaw City to check out the old lighthouse.

I knew from the beginning I wasn’t going to be taking the standard blast down I-75 through Michigan, instead choosing the longer, slower, but more scenic US-23 coastal road. This was a great decision. The two lane road brought some fantastic scenery and roadside stops, and between the plentiful passing zones and numerous full passing lanes getting stuck behind slower traffic was never a problem. Along the way I stopped in Cheboygan, a few random roadside scenic points, and the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse in Rogers City (which comes with the bonus of a shipwreck on the beach) before stopping in Alpena for dinner. My one regret was not mapping out the other lighthouses in advance so I could have seen more of them.

Shortly after dinner the sun went down, limiting my ability to sightsee, but the drive was still enjoyable. Finally, down by Saginaw Bay US-23 joins I-75 and I was forced onto the interstate. I took it down to my last tourist stop, the quasi-Bavarian town of Frankenmuth. Due to the late hour pretty much everything was closed, but it was still fun walking the main road. I look forward to stopping next time I’m in the area for one of those “world famous chicken dinners.”

Today marks the end of the journey, starting in Imlay City, crossing through Canada, a quick stop at Niagara Falls, and on home to Massachusetts. It’s been a blast, but one can’t avoid work forever.

For Sweden > Dusty Ventures 10/22/2018 at 14:28

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That’s an amazing aircraft collection .

I should travel to the UP

Chariotoflove > Dusty Ventures 10/22/2018 at 14:30

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Yep, looks like Michigan in Fall.

Frankenmuth is definitely interesting in its own way. Too bad you couldn’t stop in to Bronner’s. Even if you’re not into that kind of thing , it’s still a sight to see. I loved the electric train layouts.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Dusty Ventures 10/22/2018 at 14:30

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Are you going to Kalamazoo to look at the SR71?

thejustache > Dusty Ventures 10/22/2018 at 14:49

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Nice list of stops. I was up that way in August, my wife is originally from Flint and has family between there and the UP. I drove some sections of 23 (And I remember Cheboygan because she made a point of saying ‘Hey it’s y a boy again’) , but we did mostly take 75 up to St. Ignace. I’ll have to see if we can take 23 the whole way next time.

She also pointed out Frankenmuth and said it was a fun place to visit as a kid.

Dusty Ventures > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 10/22/2018 at 14:57

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Wrong side of the state

diplodicus > Dusty Ventures 10/22/2018 at 15:01

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Crossing at the Ambassador or the blue water bridge?

vondon302 > Dusty Ventures 10/22/2018 at 15:16

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You missed the great lakes ship wreck museum in  the U P. The chicken dinners in Frankenmuth ain’t what it used to be. 75 is so boring 23 is the way to go.

brianbrannon > Dusty Ventures 10/22/2018 at 15:18

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Tony's I75 restaurant. A pound of bacon on one sandwich

Dusty Ventures > vondon302 10/22/2018 at 15:44

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I did the shipwreck museum (and the lighthouse tour) in 2016

Dusty Ventures > diplodicus 10/22/2018 at 15:45

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Haven’t decided. Might go rainbow

wafflesnfalafel > Dusty Ventures 10/22/2018 at 15:54

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that shipwreck is cool

diplodicus > Dusty Ventures 10/22/2018 at 16:11

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Well it’s clear today. And if you’re in I mlay C ity also closer.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Dusty Ventures 10/22/2018 at 17:54

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How are you feeling g after the crash?

Dusty Ventures > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 10/22/2018 at 19:37

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I’m fine. There weren't any hard hits

Roundbadge > vondon302 10/22/2018 at 22:29

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Last year we did a brief eastern Michigan tour, which included a stop in Frankenmuth for dinner.  I really didn’t see what all the fuss was about.  The in-laws wouldn’t stop raving about how wonderful the food was, and I was just reminiscing on my grandmother (full-blooded German) and the fried chicken dinners she used to make.  I’d be okay with never having one of those world-famous chicken dinners again.

Dusty Ventures > diplodicus 10/23/2018 at 01:18

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Just realized you meant the Michigan/Canada bridge, not the New York/Canada bridge. By the time I’d seen (and responded to) your comment I was already in Canada. I took the Blue Water, after hanging out at Boat Nerds for a bit

vondon302 > Roundbadge 10/23/2018 at 06:33

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Yeah I hear ya. Born and bred and Michigan and I don't understand it either. The German dinner isn't bad though.

Stef Schrader > Dusty Ventures 10/23/2018 at 13:57

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CHEESE HAUS