Lake Michigan Circle Tour 2010

From August 6-9, 2010, I led a small group of motorcycles around Lake Michigan (and part of Lake Superior.  The trip was a success and those who went enjoyed it a great deal. Approximately 1200 miles, 95% in the daylight, and about 75% on the shoreline, following gorgeous, scenic, curvy and hilly roads. The first 2 days were about 350 miles each, the 3^rd was about 250, and the last day was just under 200. Here is a pictoral of the ride taken from 2 cameras – the first image shows our route.

Heading towards Milwaukee on 94




We then broke off from 43 on the north side of Milwaukee and went along part of the lake between Sheboygan and Manitowoc. Then back on 43 until we stopped for lunch and a picture at Lambeau Field in Green Bay




Then crossed Tower Drive Bridge over the Fox River in Green Bay on 43/41




In Menominee at 41 and M-35 we saw what is necessary for 4-wheelers to run in the snow in northern WI and MI






Lake Michigan shoreline in Escanaba






Stopped by the planes at KI Sawyer AFB on M-94 – here is the nose of the B-52 G




ADM-20 “Qauil” Decoy/Radar Drone




Cole shooting the F-101 Voodoo




And the results of that shot




Panorama shot of the B-52, typical 500lb bomb in front. You may need to scroll your window over to see it all.




And of all the planes – right to left: B-52, F-106 Delta Dart, F-101 Voodoo, F-111 Aardvark




F-111 Aardvark, wings swept back




Nose-on with the Delta Dart




Me with the Voodoo




Sung walking around




And at the tail of the Aardvark




Tailgunners spot on the B-52




Under the tail and down the fuselage




What’s this pointy thing do?




And then checked into the hotel at KI for the first night, had a drink and bite to eat with my dad at the attached bar






Early the next morning we stopped by my dad’s, then set out along M-35 towards Marquette, getting some images at Goose Lake












Stopping for breakfast at Big Boy in Marquette (neither of them had ever seen one)




Then saw more sights in Marquette along the Lake Superior shoreline – such as a giant ore boat docked at Presque Isle




The northern bay of Presque Isle




The Superior Dome at Northern Michigan University (aka: The Yooper Dome), which is the worlds largest self-supporting wooden dome structure (no vertical walls along the permiter)






Then we continued on M-28 along the Superior shoreline to Munising to see Pictured Rocks and Miners Castle
















Leaving Pictured Rocks




From there we headed south on M-94 through the Hiawatha National Forest to get on to US2 along the Lake Michigan shoreline again














We continued on US2 to the Mackinac Bridge










Which we then crossed over – 4 miles long, 200 feet in the air




Stopped for dinner in Mackinaw City and then headed west to the Legs Inn at the top of Hwy 119 and ride south along the Lake Michigan shoreline through the Tunnel Of Trees






We continued south from there on US31 along the shoreline going through Charlevoix and Torch Lake to arrive for our 2nd night in Traverse City just after dark. When we woke up – we had a nice sight from the balconies of our room of Grand Traverse Bay












The condo we rented (middle, top 2 floors)




View along the shore




We then took M-22 north into Northport, then turned south through Leland where we stopped for breakfast along the Lake Leelanau River












We then followed 22 and 109 to the enormous Sleeping Bear Dunes, which we decided to climb. Well… I only climbed halfway :)


























Continuing south along M-22




Near Empire










Ludington airport on US31










Hydroelectric plant just south of Ludington on Lakeshore Drive












Shoreline just south of Whitehall
















Finally arriving in Holland for some amazing steak at Logan’s. This steak is better than even $50 or $100 steaks at Ruth’s Chris, Wildfire or Weber Grill here in Chicagoland






After spending the night in Holland we woke up to ride through about 30 minutes of rain before splitting up in Michigan City




And that’s it. Videos to come!

srobak@robak.net


Powered by