Think I can see some time to “breathe” in the not too distant future. Daughter #2 wants a trip to Michigan, #1 son and dad would like to include some fishing. Wasn’t able to make the PA fish-in but foresee the possibility for MI… All that to ask for directions. Could ya please? Would be heading from the “right coast”- running I80 across the top of Ohio. What routes from Toledo? A PM would be fine, don’t need to inundate the board. Thanks, MPK
MPK;
I imagine that everyone has suggested US 23 north to I 75 at Flint (I 75 from Toledo to Detroit adds about 25 miles to the trip north). The Flint area is normally “Under Construction” and depending on the time of day can be a real pain to get through.
An option is to take I 96 west to Lansing and US 27 north.
27 and 75 join just below Grayling and the next exit (#254) is to the left and will take you into Grayling and M 72 east.
I plan to do a Google search for road construction and try to keep everyone up to date.
Jack,
Michigan has only 2 seasons Winter and Construction.
Bill
Thnx guys - can’t put things in stone just yet, but trying. My non-fishing wife was wondering if there would be anything that would be of interest to her. Don’t know about MI, but do know that at the PA fish-in last year there was always plenty to eat :lol: . Appreciate the directions, will work on accomodations as soon as I know about “loose ends”. Mike K. (MPK)
Best fried perch in the state!
Gaylord, the next good sized town North of Grayling, has several well known golf resorts. I have heard that these have attracted some nice shopping and dining venues. A few miles beyond that is the pigeon river state game area where you can sometimes view elk right in your tent if your unlucky. It may be a little late for the nesting season but Grayling is famous among bird watchers for the opportunity to see a Kirkland’s warbler. Other wildlife viewing is available throughout Northern lower Michigan
There is tons to do in the area. What does your wife like to do?
If she likes to shop, she would more than likely love the nearby (within an hours drive) towns of Traverse City, Charlevoix, Petosky, Boyne City, and Bay Harbor. A word of warning though, these are resort towns and the shopping and dining is upscale and quite nice, but it can also carry a sporty price tag. My wife is more of a bargain shopper, but even then she loves to go window shopping around in these towns. They are really neat. And besides, if you pull a 20+ inch brown out of the river, you may think that the stuff she buys is money well spent. 8)
Hey there JC,
So you must have finally got some of the famous Gates Lodge perch. I tried three times and they were always OUT ( go figger). Hopefully we’ll be there again this year and get to sample some of this legendary fare, till then I’ll have to sate myself on Sand Dabs and Halibut here in California.
I say “hopefully"cause my clients are calling me on my cell and the FIRST question is " are you on vacation?”).
Mark
We haven’t signed on yet onaccounta a very tentative schedule. Just might have to work. And, there’s always room at the Wyandotte Inn anyway.
Aw come on Marco, it wouldn’t be the same without you guys! (I had perch five evenings… go figure…) just got lucky, and in early for dinner)
Lucky?!? HA!! JC put his name on a reservation list waaaay in advance of the fish-in!! Call 'em up, Marco! Get your name on the list for at least one perch dinner, before JC gets 'em all!! :roll: 
MPK if your wife is into Quilting like Jean is ,in Grayling and just down the road are 2 of the “Best” (according to Jean anyhoo) Quilt Shops in Michigan.
Bill
Last year on our way to the fish in we stayed at a motel in Howard City, Mi. Its a ways off the freeway into town - just follow the signs to the only motel in town.
The motel is straight out of the 40’s, small but well kept, very clean and nice. The rates were more than reasonable.
The night we stayed there the owner was out of town and a friend was keeping the motel. The keepers husband played in a band. They and some friends had a cookout in a gazebo in the center of the motel. After they ate they sat around the gazebo playing songs and singing…they were quite good. We sat in chairs in front of our room listening, they invited us over for burgers and beer but we had just eaten. There were only 2-3 rooms filled in a perhaps 15 unit motel.
It was one of those experiences you come across in life that brings back fond memories.
I’m ready, got the 'boo ready, got the truck ready, got the boy ready, got to figure out what to do with the dog, but other than that - I need some stream “therapy” time. Hope it works out and we can make it out.
Mike K.