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Outdoor topics => Travel Guide => Topic started by: Machinebuilder on June 01, 2025, 11:49:01 AM

Title: UP Michigan
Post by: Machinebuilder on June 01, 2025, 11:49:01 AM
I am almost ready to take another trip, it will only be a week or so this time.

I will probably leave Maryville TN on Thursday 6/5 and head up I75 till I have driven enough for the day or decide to explore.

My plan is to head towards Lake Michigan north of Muskegon, follow the lake north and cross the Mackinac bridge.
Ill then probably follow lake Superior to Copper harbor and then down to Lake Michigan back to the bridge.
I have to be back home for a 6/24 Dr. visit and to take care of some other things.

I am open to ideas and will be traveling with my dogs so am somewhat limited with them.
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Resonator on June 01, 2025, 01:30:09 PM
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/47685/IMG_20240804_085045094.jpg) (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=354949)
Good spot to view the big bridge is a on the south end. I've seen some nice pictures taken there at sunset, and lit up at night. There is public parking and you can walk on the beach, also they have a museum in the old lighthouse. Museum wasn't open for the day yet when I stopped, but I might check out next time I go that way. Another attraction is the Icebreaker ship set up as a museum in the harbor, along with the usual tourist shops and restaurants in town.
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Magicman on June 01, 2025, 05:08:04 PM
You will enjoy that trip.   move_it
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: NewYankeeSawmill on June 02, 2025, 05:06:32 AM
Bring a fishing pole!
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: jb616 on June 02, 2025, 09:00:48 AM
@Machinebuilder I live just north of Muskegon and would be happy to show you some of the local sites along lake Michigan or even take a boat ride out there if the lake allows. I would also be interested in picking your brain on the Alaska trip. Feel free to message me and I can give you my phone #. 
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Machinebuilder on June 03, 2025, 01:39:58 PM
Well I am having to postpone my departure.

Yesterday on my way to get new tires, my truck decided to develop a misfire.

I made an appt for Thursday AM, I hope its something quickly fixed and that the extended warranty covers it.
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Old Greenhorn on June 03, 2025, 02:13:30 PM
Better now than 200 miles down the road. Good luck!
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Machinebuilder on June 04, 2025, 07:31:03 AM
Absolutely It is a big inconvenience now but if I was on the road it would be much worse.
The bad part is the dealer I bought it at (the put the extended warranty on) is 40mi away. There has been several dealers close since 2008 in this area.
There are not many independant mechanics that have the diagnostic ability either.

I did make the check engine light stay on instead of blinking and going off. I hope it helps the troubleshooting.
I always hated intermittent problems
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Magicman on June 04, 2025, 01:42:20 PM
Each cylinder has it's own ignition coil which is probably what your problem is.  It's common to also replace the plug (s) and plug wire (s) while you are there.  At least that was my experience with the F250.
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Resonator on June 04, 2025, 02:53:38 PM
Waiting a couple days may not be a bad thing. Last couple days have had a nasty haze in the air in parts of Wisconsin and the UP, from wildfire smoke in Canada carried on the wind.
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: barbender on June 04, 2025, 03:01:50 PM
Yes, the smoke haze up here was heavy the one day. Other days it was high up so it just appeared cloudy, but you couldn't smell it. Then the one day, it dropped to ground level and it was as heavy as anything I've experienced out West. It would burn your throat after a bit.
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Machinebuilder on June 05, 2025, 11:53:46 AM
I only sat at the dealer for 1 1/2 hours.

It is the coil, wire and plug for #2 cylinder, of course they don't have parts.
They did give me a loaner and should have the parts tommorow.

The haze was really bad here yesterday, I didn't realize until I was driving to Marvville and couldn't see the mountains.

Maybe I can get things together and leave by Sunday.

It's nice being retired and not having a schedule.
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Magicman on June 05, 2025, 01:42:17 PM
:thumbsup:  Sounds good.   ffwave
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Machinebuilder on June 08, 2025, 07:18:40 AM
I got my truck back Thursday, it is running good again.

With yet another delay I am leaving Monday morning.

I had another call from my Vet. Gabby was due for some blood work, 
I took her Monday and a tech drew blood. 
Thursday I got a call and was told the sample was compromised between our office and UT Vet school, so I took her for another blood draw.
Friday @4:00pm I got another call and that sample was also no good.
So Monday I will be loaded up, stop at the Vet again and then head north.

Apparently this blood work is rarely done and the stuff to do it is expensive and short life, so my vet does not do it in the office.
its some kind of platelet/coagulation test.
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Machinebuilder on June 14, 2025, 06:23:09 PM
I got on the road Monday. In the afternoon I got a call from my vet. The blood sample was messed up again. We are not trying another time. 

I mad it to Cicero IN. And found a nice county park for the night. 
Tuesday I made it to Jacks place just north of Muskegon and spent the time discussing Alaska and other things. Thanks Jack
I spent 2 days around Sleeping Bear Dunes NP. Very nice place and BIG sand dunes
It rained the next day so I drove to the Mackinaw bridge and stopped at a fishing pier for the night 
Today I went to whitefish point and the ship wreck museum. They allow dogs in the buildings. 
Tonight I'm at Muskallonge state park. I am lucky they are closing tomorrow for a big paving project. 

I'll post pictures at a later time. I had to walk to the entrance to use the public WiFi 
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Jeff on June 14, 2025, 07:00:20 PM
You are more than welcome to come visit cedar and I if you would like. Detour Village is a nice place.
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Machinebuilder on June 15, 2025, 07:09:42 AM
I will try to. I think I am not going to see as much as I would like to. 

That means another trip
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: thecfarm on June 15, 2025, 07:26:57 AM
I always say, I have to go some place twice, so I know where to go and not to go the second time.
Title: Re: UP Michigan
Post by: Jeff on June 15, 2025, 07:29:39 AM
The google map address is in my profile just in case. ffsmiley