How many of you Michiganders went 'up north' during the Summer

[Siwsan]

My family didn't have a cottage or cabin. We did take occasional trips to Mackinaw Island. That, Greenfield Village and the Detroit Zoo were our Michigan destinations.

The family next door owned a part of a 'family compound' in Caseville. They had a mobile home and other family members had cottages. Every summer I'd spend a week with them. I'm no longer in contact with any of them (long story) but often think about those visits. There was an ice cream parlor in Sebewaing that made the most amazing banana splits.

I also had a friend whose family parked a 5th wheel (I think that's what it was called) up by Frankfort. We'd drive up there and go salmon fishing. That's a beautiful part of Michigan.

I'd love to make another trip to Mackinaw Island to see if my memories match reality.

[BComplex]

1. I had occasion to do some work in upstate Michigan. That part of the world, in my opinion, is

one of the best kept secrets as to natural beauty in the USA. It's amazingly beautiful.

[Freethinker65]

2. Me!

Went up the entire summer to Torch Lake (my parents were teachers that had their summers off). Hated going there as a kid as my school friendships suffered. Loved going up as a young adult to get away and relax.

Still own the family house on the lake (we call it a cottage). The area has changed with all new neighbors that built huge houses on lots where modest homes/cottages previously were.

Hope to spend more time there now that my husband (not an educator) has retired and we have more time to enjoy it.

[Siwsan]

3. My Dad worked in education and had his summers off, too

Every other year our big vacations were 3 week long cross country camping trips. Twice to the west coast and twice to Florida. Also took a camping trip to Williamsburg, VA. He would rent one of those Apache pop up and out campers and off we'd go. Saw some amazing things. Since he started out as a history teacher, he'd spend a whole lot of time pre-planning what he wanted us to see.

On our first trip headed west we encountered 3 tornados on the way west and one when we were on our way home and stopped at my aunt and uncle's home in Illinois. I'd say it toughened us up for any other unexpected weather.

[EYESORE 9001]

4. I'm going north this weekend, but only as a mota run

In my case, ‘north’ will be Monroe

I do plan going farther north in a couple of months. Torch Lake area, with a side trip to Mackinaw Island.

[Festivito]

5. I try to get up there every year.

My folks also did not have a "cottage."

Cousins had an inn in Pentwater and much of my youth spend a week each summer along with a long drive. That was a long time ago.

Cross country skiing in Wilderness State Park.

Car camping exploration in the U.P.

Dozens of friends cottages over the years.

My S.O. is on O2, so even an overnight trip up to the thumb to visit her brother is 90% logistics.

I've camped all over the world. There is no place I'd rather be than in Michigan. My house in Detroit has more forest and trees than any of the cottages I visited. But, I'll still try to get away up there. If I can.

[LisaM]

6. Yes, our friends have a cottage in Cheboygan.

They still use it and we were up there last summer. We also spent most of a day on Mackinac Island.

It's charming, though crowded. We rented bikes and if I was going again, I would try to do that as soon as they opened. It's a quick 7 miles ride, but there were a lot of people at 1:00 or so when we went and a good portion of them should not have been let loose on a bike, they didn't have the skills.

Afterwards (it was the 4th) we went to a band concert in Mackinaw City and then watched fireworks. We could see them from Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, and St. Ignace.