04-06-2006, 07:58 PM
I would have to disagree and say driving up through the western shore of the lower peninsula of michigan is much more scenic then through Chicago and up through Wisconsin. I don't remember that much that is scenic on the drive through Wisconsin actually. The UP of Michigan is very scenic off the road, but the main road is mainly a tunnel through tall pines with an occasionally pasty stand. Just a guess but is probably adding 10 hours or more extra driving to Traverse City by going the Wisc/UP route.
Between Missouri and Michigan unfortunately lies Indiana and Illinois, and other than saying it is nice farm country, I am not sure many would say it is scenic.
You don't mention the trip home. I would be inclined to turn east at the Sue and head into Ontario and then down the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. I haven't been all the way through there, but that is very, very scenic and wild country. Killarney is beautiful about half way down (good fish and chips at the dock).
May or June is also a bit imprecise. May may very well be winter in the UP still. Lake Superior could still have ice. Black flies start at the end of May. Early June is still cold, and would start the mosquito season. Isle Royale is in the middle of Lake Superior, with minimum services (I haven't been there though) and involves a float plane or a 6 hour ferry across the lake. So I wouldn't think that as tourist friendly for a day stop, or for limited mobility access. Macinaw Island or Beaver Island or even South Manitou would be much more accessible if you are looking for a trip to an island in the great lakes (Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron is also supposed to be beautiful).
Edit: I haven't been to S. Manitou in at least 15 years, but I doubt they have any paved roads or path.
Between Missouri and Michigan unfortunately lies Indiana and Illinois, and other than saying it is nice farm country, I am not sure many would say it is scenic.
You don't mention the trip home. I would be inclined to turn east at the Sue and head into Ontario and then down the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. I haven't been all the way through there, but that is very, very scenic and wild country. Killarney is beautiful about half way down (good fish and chips at the dock).
May or June is also a bit imprecise. May may very well be winter in the UP still. Lake Superior could still have ice. Black flies start at the end of May. Early June is still cold, and would start the mosquito season. Isle Royale is in the middle of Lake Superior, with minimum services (I haven't been there though) and involves a float plane or a 6 hour ferry across the lake. So I wouldn't think that as tourist friendly for a day stop, or for limited mobility access. Macinaw Island or Beaver Island or even South Manitou would be much more accessible if you are looking for a trip to an island in the great lakes (Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron is also supposed to be beautiful).
Edit: I haven't been to S. Manitou in at least 15 years, but I doubt they have any paved roads or path.