Michigan Bound!

October 2025 -- After much consideration, I decided to go to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (and Mackinac Island) for my fall trip with Ty.  It was a long drive, but doable. Mackinaw City is about 740 miles from Clear Spring. The first night we stayed at a Super 8 in Waverly, Michigan. We got an early start the next morning and headed to the UP. 

The Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island

Welcome to the UP

After crossing the Mackinac Bridge, I drove US Route 2 along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. We made several stops along the lakeshore. Ty and I walked and played along the lake. Eventually, we turned inward towards Munising. I had booked a Picture Rocks Cruise for later in the day. Ty stayed in a kennel while I was on my cruise. He didn't seem to mind. Accommodations for the second night were in Munising. The motel wasn't fancy, but it was sufficient. I had pizza for dinner. 

Fall is a great time to travel.

On the second day, we went to Miners' Castle Overlook, Twelvemile Beach, the Log Slide, Tahquamenon Falls, and Soo Locks. We crossed the Mackinac Bridge around 7 pm and stayed at another Super 8 for the final two nights in Mackinaw City.   The motel was a short walk to the beach. There were great views of the beach. Ty enjoyed our walks. Dinners were Subway and KFC.

Three Great Lakes:  Michigan, Superior, and Huron

Peak fall foliage

Leaf colors

Beautiful sky

On the third day, we went to Mackinac Island. Shepler's Ferry Service picked us up and brought us back to the hotel. It was a 15 to 20 minute ferry ride to the island. It was Ty's first ride on a boat. We rode on the top on the way and the bottom on the way back. While on the island, Ty and I took a horse carriage tour (another first for him), toured Fort Mackinac, and hiked to Arch Rock. We took the last ferry of the day (6 pm) to return to Mackinaw City. We left the next day for home, making semi-frequent stops for fueling, food, bathroom, and dog walking.

My travel companion

The UP still had old fashioned gas pumps.