driving to Mackinac Island

[bear_mom]

what smells? fish? fudge factories? sweaty tourists? I thought their summer temps were much lower than that (maybe not this year??) was looking forward to getting away from the 95+ we've been having here in Indy.

Was up there for our anniversary over the 4th of July and it was H-O-T, over 90 on the island. On top of that, there is very little air conditioning to help you cool down. We still had fun, but had to find ways to stay out of the hot sun.

Emily

 

[cjnix29]

And have to add... Joann's fudge is the best of all the fudge shops!

 

[DoBug]

And have to add... Joann's fudge is the best of all the fudge shops!

I will remember that ! But may have to do some additional research

Awesome - losing 100 lbs! Congratulations - how did you do it?

 

[cjnix29]

Have to say that between DH and myself we are over 100. I am almost to 60 lost. He's at 75. Been working at it since December. I count every calorie I eat, exercise every day, and have an accountability partner...which is probably the most important! That and not eating Joann's fudge! LOL

There are a ton of fudge shops, but if you ask those that work on the island, they tell you to go to Joann's! It is the closest thing to my mom's fudge (the best in the world) that I have ever had someplace else.

 

[maxiesmom]

And have to add... Joann's fudge is the best of all the fudge shops!

Kilwins!!!

 

[Fire14]

There are a ton of fudge shops, but if you ask those that work on the island, they tell you to go to Joann's! It is the closest thing to my mom's fudge (the best in the world) that I have ever had someplace else.

Kilwins!!!

Both Fudge shops are good but Kilwins I can get in home town no Joanns unless I'm on island

 

[budbeerlady]

thank you for your replies. I am getting very excited about this trip and I have gotten DH on board about the little extra mileage. hmm thinking of our next trip to Michigan already - this may put a dent in our Disney vacation days/funds

We were thinking of hitting the South Haven blueberry festival on the way home. Anyone gone to that?

we will be at Mackinac Is. during the Festival of the Horse so I'm excited about that too. Any must sees? I know we will try to see the carriage parade

should I be prepared for crazy crowds everywhere?

Woo Hooo!!! Come on over for Blueberry Festival! The art in the park is very fun, parking is not! So come early, park, see the festival, walk to the beach, walk the pier and hang out for the day. Its a very nice festival, not as large as Grand Haven's Coast Guard festival but fun! http://www.blueberryfestival.com/events/ And of course like every other town in Michigan we have a Kilwins, there are 2 in Saugatuck.

Just an FYI since I get to make the drive everyday... I-196 exit to Saugatuck is closed when you are heading (Eastbound) up north. Exit one prior at #36 Douglas and take Blue Star Highway in to Saugatuck. Otherwise you are stuck going up to Holland and coming back around.

Heading home (Westbound) the exit is open at Saugatuck. We are all sharing 1 side of the highway all summer for 10 miles and I am so sick of it! (Almost as annoying as driving thru Grand Haven but atleast we generally keep moving.)

 

[DoBug]

Woo Hooo!!! Come on over for Blueberry Festival! The art in the park is very fun, parking is not! So come early, park, see the festival, walk to the beach, walk the pier and hang out for the day. Its a very nice festival, not as large as Grand Haven's Coast Guard festival but fun! http://www.blueberryfestival.com/events/ And of course like every other town in Michigan we have a Kilwins, there are 2 in Saugatuck.

Just an FYI since I get to make the drive everyday... I-196 exit to Saugatuck is closed when you are heading (Eastbound) up north. Exit one prior at #36 Douglas and take Blue Star Highway in to Saugatuck. Otherwise you are stuck going up to Holland and coming back around.

Heading home (Westbound) the exit is open at Saugatuck. We are all sharing 1 side of the highway all summer for 10 miles and I am so sick of it! (Almost as annoying as driving thru Grand Haven but atleast we generally keep moving.)

great info! thank you. Thanks for the heads-up about parking. Also we haven't gotten around to get the AAA triptik so don't know anything about construction on our route (since our route keeps changing . It looks like we could easily spend the whole day at South Haven so hope we can do that. We were looking at the Kal-Haven bike trail but but maybe eating blueberry pie and walking the pier would be more agreeable!

 

[DoBug]

Have to say that between DH and myself we are over 100. I am almost to 60 lost. He's at 75. Been working at it since December. I count every calorie I eat, exercise every day, and have an accountability partner...which is probably the most important! That and not eating Joann's fudge! LOL

There are a ton of fudge shops, but if you ask those that work on the island, they tell you to go to Joann's! It is the closest thing to my mom's fudge (the best in the world) that I have ever had someplace else.

I am very impressed. 60 lbs in less than a year. I am trying to lose some weight and it is rough. I am having some back problems and that is not helping. Congrats again and enjoy your well-earned cruise!

 

[marius97]

what smells? fish? fudge factories? sweaty tourists? I thought their summer temps were much lower than that (maybe not this year??) was looking forward to getting away from the 95+ we've been having here in Indy.

It is rare that it is that hot up there, but you never know. This has been one of those funky years as you know. I would think that Mackinac has hit 90 as often as Indy has hit 100 this year.

 

[mamajo]

Michigander here. Just a caveat about the "scenic" route. Many other visitors are doing the tour too, lots of traffic in these small scenic towns. My in laws live in Charlevoix and it is hellish in the summer trying to get through the town in the summer-- charming though it may be-- just warning you. Lots of these charming towns have no by passes and you're stuck with the other lemmings going through-- it's like Detroit during rush hour seriously. And the peds have the right of way no matter what so herds of them will cross in front of you with no regard to life or limb and that will slow you down too!
Michigan is beautiful but summer folks can be a nightmare.

 

[DoBug]

Michigander here. Just a caveat about the "scenic" route. Many other visitors are doing the tour too, lots of traffic in these small scenic towns. My in laws live in Charlevoix and it is hellish in the summer trying to get through the town in the summer-- charming though it may be-- just warning you. Lots of these charming towns have no by passes and you're stuck with the other lemmings going through-- it's like Detroit during rush hour seriously. And the peds have the right of way no matter what so herds of them will cross in front of you with no regard to life or limb and that will slow you down too!
Michigan is beautiful but summer folks can be a nightmare.

thanks for the reality check. I don't think we will drive the whole NW route this trip. maybe save sleeping bear and Charlevoix for next time since so much to see there. maybe we'll do a short stretch of 22 before we start to work our way east.

 

[angwill]

We drove the senic route last year and fell in love with Silver Lake Sand Dunes http://www.silverlakesanddunes.net/