INFORMATION NEEDED FOR TRIP

[CoinCrusader42]

My wife and I plan a low budget car trip back east, primarily to see the changing of the colors, and perhaps Niagara Fall.  We have heard that Wells, Maine is a beautiful destination, and we would love to make it from that great a distance frim out home in Delta of western Colorado.

We have saved up travel money and will divide it imto two even parts.  When we run out of half of out money, we will head back to Colorado.

Now the favor.  We have heard that the changing leaf colors in the mid West and the New England states are truly beautiful.

When would you suggest we start our trek to the east in order to see the beauty of changing fall folaige.

Would there be any members who live in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, up-state New York or the New England states who could suggest the best dates to come through your state.

We are sincere about asking for help, and hope some memebers will reply to our questions.  We look forward to the adventure, but need some guidance.

Thanks very very much.

 

[Templar]

    I HEARD THAT THE TREES ARE BEGINNING TO CHANGE IN THE WESSTERN UPPER PART OF MICHIGAN--IT WAS IN THE 30'S THIS MORNING AND WE HAVE HAD SUCH A COOL SUMMER THAT IT IS GOING TO CHANGE EARLY--PERHAPS BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER--IF YOU GO ON LINE OR ASK AAA--THEY MAY HAVE BETTER INORMATION.

      CAUTION: THERE IS A WINDOW BETWEEN THE END OF SUMMER AND THE BEGINNING OF COLOR CHANGE WHEN THE HOTEL PRICES DROP SHORTLY AND THEN BOUNCE UP AGAIN--WE GO IN A FEW YEARS AGO JUST BEFORE THE PRICES WENT BACK UP--GOOD LUCK

                 JUST COME TO UPPER MICHIGAN AND CIRCLE LAKE SUPERIOR--THE VIEW IS JUST AS GOOD!
                            YOUR MICHIGAN AMBASSADOR--THE TEMPLAR!

[Goose]

CC, The Templar really hit the high note......travel through the U P (Upper Peninsula) in Michigan. I had just recently returned from Michigan to Minnesota after traveling around the southern end of Lk Michigan (through Chicago) TO Michigan. Instead of going south around Lk Michigan again for my return trip, I decided to go north around the northern end of Lk Michigan.

From Muskegon, Mich. I headed north to go over the Mackinac Bridge into the U P. The drive around the N end and the N W area of Lk Michigan (Rt 2) was one of the most beautiful areas I've ever traveled through. Of course, on Rt 2 I saw businesses advertising "Pasties"....hmmm, could they be real businesses? (Find out for yourselves.)

Also, when going over the Mackinac Bridge, you might be 70 stories high (600 ft-?) and you can see for miles in any distance. My guess is that the leaves will be changing in that area around the 3rd week in September. Have fun!!

[Nighthawk]

Gary, I'm going to say mid-to-late October for peak colors here in SE Michigan, although we've had a goofy summer with fluctuating temps and all that. It's been a weird summer here weather-wise. What about the chance of you and the Mrs stopping in to see Mr & Mrs Nighthawk? That would be fun, huh?  

[CoinCrusader42]

We have both thought of the possibility of meeting some KOTCT members on our trip.  However, the trip will be pretty random -- that means no definite route or destinations.  We are just headed east until half our savings are gone, and then we'll turn around and head for home.

As far as meeting some of the great KOTCT members, that would be great!!  I hope it happens.

 

[Muckeye]

Gary, if you happen to find yourselves in southerb central Queensland on your tour,call in .There will always be a bed for you. Sir Humpybong just lives around the corner, I'll invite him to.
Enjoy your trip, sounds like it will be a good one, however no foreign currency.
regards.

[Templar]

   GARY--IF YOU DO END UP IN S.E.MICHIGAN--MY WIFE AND I LIVE FAIRLY CLOSE TO THE NIGHTHAWK CLAN AND WE COULD MEET SOMEWHERE CONVENIENT TO ALL--PLEASE KEEP IT IN MIND---WE CAN MATCH OUR COLORS WITH ANY OTHER PLACE--JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT
            YOUR SERVANT--THE TEMPLAR
    P.S. OUR DRAWBRIDGE IS ALWAYS OPEN-(IT WAS STOLEN LAST WINTER FOR FIREWOOD)

[CoinCrusader42]

Thanks for the invitation.  If we are within 100 miles of any member, we will try and make contact.

 

[TwoShadows]

Mid-October in Brown County State Park (Indiana) if the weather does not turn cold to quickly. If it does the date could be earlier. Nashville, Indiana is a GREAT tourist attraction that Pat would get a kick out of seeing. Small quaint shops filled with item you can't get anywhere else and a favorite destination for Indiana artists with crafts to sell. AND, a small sandwich shop that is ALL ABOUT Indiana University and Bobby Knight and I mean ALL about. Wall to Wall a sports writers dream. The owner has amassed a fortune in photos, basketballs and signature. I might add he used to fish with Bobby Knight a lot!!! Brown County State Park is Indiana's largest and would be a great place to picnic with midwestern Kotct members? Nashville, and the park, are not far from Interstate 65 and the City of Columbus which is known as the Athens of the Prairie. Outstanding architecture and home of Cummins Engine? And of course, just up the road a bit, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Speedway Museum. I think we could make a day or two out of it!!!  Have a look at your map and lets watch the weather!!!

[CoinCrusader42]

Thanks Terry!!

 

[Templar]

 JUST TO PLUG MICHIGAN IN THE FALL--YOU CAN'T BEAT THE APPLE CIDAR AND THE DEARBORN HENRY FORD MUSEUM IS A TRUE MUST TO SEE---I CAN TAKE A COUPLE IN ON MY PASS--THE MUSEUM IS PRICEY BUT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET THE EXPERIENCE AND IT GENERALLY TAKES TWO DAYS TO REALLY SEE MOST OF WHAT IT OFFERS---I WOULD GLADLY OFFER MY TIME TO ESCORT YOU AROUND--MY LOVE OF HISTORY TAKES ME BACK TO THE MUSEUM A FEW TIMES A YEAR--AND THE TWO HUNDRED TON BIG BOY ENGINE INSIDE THE BUILDING HUMBLES YOU DUE TO ITS SHEAR SIZE--ENOUGH WIND--YOU GET THE IDEA!

               YOUR SERVANT AND I HOPE GUIDE--THE TEMPLAR?

[TwoShadows]

I can't believe I forgot to mention our world famous Greensburg Tree on the Courthouse Tower!

[AdamL]

We have beautifull leaves in the fall in Missouri too. However, the way the weather has been the last few years it is kind of hard to predict when they will be the best.

[CoinCrusader42]

What wonderful offers from our members.

We are so appreciative.

A big part of our trip will be random.  We have always thought it would be interesting not to have a destination, but just explore.

Rest assured, if we come close to a fellow Knight's territory, we will certainly make contact.

Thanks to all!!!!

 

[scottishmoney]

If you come to Michigan early enough by the end of September but after labour day, nice time to see Mackinaw Island and the UP.  Very pretty, and by then not busy at all.  The trees here are just starting to turn, we have had a cool summer, only 30 days with the temp past 80, and none past 90'.  We have already had lows in the high 30's, including the other night when I was out on a sailboat in Lake Huron:



The lake freighter, a 1000 footer the Walter McCarthy on Lake Huron:



Here is a lighthouse in Big Bay, near Marquette that you can stay in, it was built in the 1880's and is a very very nice B&B in a lovely part of the UP:



Another member suggested the Henry Ford museum and Greenfield Village, here is an image of a working 1914 Industrial Brownhoist crane that was built in Bay City:

[Muckeye]

Sounds like you are going to have a good time Gary, regardless of where you end up.
regards, muckeye.