Itinerary for Michigan tour

esorcc

esorcc

Filing Flight Plan
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C. Rose
I’m thinking of taking a tour up along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan crossing over to the upper peninsula, then down the western shore through Wisconsin.
Dates will be late May or early June with 4-5 days planned. The only thing I have for sure on my plan right now is to spend a day and maybe a night at Mackinac Island.
My home base is in Georgia.
Any recommendations for great stops are welcomed.

thanks.
 
Consider Put-in-bay on the way from GA to MI. We’ve flown into Mackinac island several times and enjoyed it.
 
Harbor Springs (KMGN) is nice if you aren’t too proud to pay a ramp fee and an overnight fee (even for piston singles). Harbor is one of my favorite towns up there. I hear Charlevoix (KCVX) is nice, but I’ve never been.

Mackinac Island is fantastic. If you’re lucky winds will be from the east. Landing runway 8 (over the cliffs) is a real hoot. If you’re staying overnight, Chuckwagon for breakfast. I use KSLH for fuel since Mackinac has none.

On the Wisconsin side… sometimes the credit card reader doesn’t work at KSUE, so I use KMNM as the alternative. Both are nice airports.

On your return down the western shore, hang a right at the Sears tower and follow I-290 below 1900’ to Schaumburg (06C). Stop by Pilot Pete’s and send us Chicago area pilots an invite!

Enjoy the trip!
 
And for cheap fuel on your return flight, 3TR.
 
kaiser said:
On the Wisconsin side… sometimes the credit card reader doesn’t work at KSUE, so I use KMNM as the alternative. Both are nice airports.
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if you do stop at KMNM, look me up as I’m based there. Would be happy to help out any way I can.
 
OneCharlieTango said:
Solitude from people, but more snakes and mosquitoes than you’ve seen in the rest of your life combined!
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The mosquitos pale in comparison to the Upper Peninsula. Also depends how much rain there has been. Second to the last time I was there for three days and didn't see a single snake. Last time I saw a couple in the woodpile, but that was it.
 
Really? That’s encouraging. The one and only time I was there, there were so many snakes the runway seemed to undulate from their squirming. Maybe I’ll try again, some other time of year. When is mosquito and snake season? More importantly, when are they NOT there?!
 
OneCharlieTango said:
Really? That’s encouraging. The one and only time I was there, there were so many snakes the runway seemed to undulate from their squirming. Maybe I’ll try again, some other time of year. When is mosquito and snake season? More importantly, when are they NOT there?!
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Since the runway gets maintained regularly now the only place I've seen snakes is in the wood pile, and out at the old fireplace they sun themselves. I do hear them when I've walked the edge of the mowed area, but don't see them. Mosquitos...well, just bring some DEET. They will be out when it's warm. Depends on moisture content. I've walked the trails and got nothin', and walked the trails and noped right out of there.
 
I like your plan. I did the East shore of Lake MI a few years ago with the son. We stopped in MI City, IN for fuel, cheaper at the time.

I’ve been to Grand Haven, MI a few times for visiting, a beach town, no reason for special stop though. The MI side is mostly open airspace, easy few 1000’ over the beach most of the way. Lots of sand in the Big Bear dunes area.

I’ve done Beaver Island a few times, big airport, nice but getting into town can take some doing. Most airports near Traverse City have attractions. The biggie for a stop is of course Mackinac Island, don’t have to stay there. Check out the mighty Mac(bridge) as you fly by, not under. Try to time it so the weather is favorable for walking/biking in Mackinac Island.

On that trip we’re we’re heading to CMX, so we went to Grand Marais, MI then along the Pictured Rocks Shoreline. That may not be worth the detour for your flight.

Not sure who’s on the trip & interests, in the N Central ARV & EGV have things of interest. Minocqua, WI area, near ARV is about the most festive place in the area.
 
Stop in at Kalamazoo, MI to go to the museum (Air Zoo). Check out the Sagatuck/Holland area for nice beaches, shops and I think Holland has a tulip festival in May.

On the way down the western shore stop in at the EAA museum at Oshkosh, or check out a WW2 submarine at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowac, WI. You could also see a Milwaukee Brewers game or check out the Milwaukee lakefront (art museum and an aquarium) or have dinner at the SafeHouse. Next stop is Chicago and there are too many things there to list. I would recommend if you just want to stop for some food hit up Pilot Pete's at the Schaumberg airport. The Chicago lakefront is also a fun flyby. You can be just outside of the Chicago Bravo at around 3000 along the lakeshore. ATC is use to it so just stay on with them.
 
Schoolcraft County airport, KISQ, has a very close hotel, about 450 feet across highway 2, from the airport parking. It now has new owners, but last time I was there it is nice, quaint, AND cheap, three things that aren't usually found together...except in the U.P. of Michigan, of course. If you stay, you can call up the casino down the road, and they will send a shuttle bus and come get you. The casino isn't much, but it isn't bad.
 
I’d suggest Beaver Island and 5d5 if you want some mainland solitude- it’s just north of TVC. It’s got an amazing story behind the field and a short walk to scenic overlooks of Lake MI and a natural beach.

Mackinaw island is neat but it is tourist trappy, beaver island is a flight back to Mayberry.
 
Huckster79 said:
I’d suggest Beaver Island and 5d5 if you want some mainland solitude- it’s just north of TVC. It’s got an amazing story behind the field and a short walk to scenic overlooks of Lake MI and a natural beach.

Mackinaw island is neat but it is tourist trappy, beaver island is a flight back to Mayberry.
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I read about 5d5 in AOPA magazine. It sounds worth a stop but I shy away from grass strips. The Cirrus has small wheels and only 7” of prop clearance. It’s a great XC plane but not versatile for off pavement.
I have flown in to Triple Tree SC00 but they call that field the Augusta National of grass strips. It is near perfect.
 
esorcc said:
I read about 5d5 in AOPA magazine. It sounds worth a stop but I shy away from grass strips. The Cirrus has small wheels and only 7” of prop clearance. It’s a great XC plane but not versatile for off pavement.
I have flown in to Triple Tree SC00 but they call that field the Augusta National of grass strips. It is near perfect.
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yea I get ya, I know lots of nose draggers use it, but I get ya. There was a Bo there last time we camped, my friend came n camped in his Grumman- but I get ya.

I have opposite issue my old Cessna 140 will go cross country with time an patience but rather be on a rough ol strip than pavement.

heluva a nice infield restaurant at Pellston as ya get to Northern MI.
 
So much depends of who’s along. If it’s the spousal unit, maybe hang in the better areas near TVC & for sure Mackinac Island. If it’s the fellow military history buff, yeah, the submarine is fine. One needs to tailor the stops with the needs of the many in mind.

Me, I like to entertain the micro-brew aficionado.
 
sourdough44 said:
So much depends of who’s along. If it’s the spousal unit, maybe hang in the better areas near TVC & for sure Mackinac Island. If it’s the fellow military history buff, yeah, the submarine is fine. One needs to tailor the stops with the needs of the many in mind.

Me, I like to entertain the micro-brew aficionado.
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My wife and teenage daughter will be along. They both like nature so the State Parks and Picture Rocks will be on the itinerary for sure.
 
I’d probably drop into Beaver Island, if nothing else, to say you’ve been there.

Sleeping Bear Dunes area gets great reviews as an outdoorsy getaway. Yeah, even if you don’t go on the ground, a fly-by of Pictured Rocks works, 2001’ above the water or land of course.
 
Petoskey is one of my favorite towns, right around the corner from Harbor Springs on Little Traverse Bay.
 
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