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Michigan


Independent Travel Show Notes: Michigan

Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest’s Independent Travel Guide. This is for women who travel, who want to travel, and especially for those who want to travel independently.

In this episode: FAQ When is the best time to plan a trip? Destination: Michigan, Mistake: spinning around off the highway on ice, and tip on making copies of your passport.

FAQ- When is the best time to plan a trip?
I like to plan my trip on the way home from the last one. It just makes sense when you can do that. You’ve got that last bit of energy and excitement from where you’ve just been. Take a few minutes to put together a plan, and then start researching why you’d want to go there and when. From there, it’s up to you on getting the plan moving forward. You don’t always need someone to plan with you. You can just plan your own trip, you  know! It will be fun once you get going and start believing that you’re really going.


Today’s Independent Destination- Michigan

Lake Michigan is a paradise, especially in the summer.
Places to remember forever, like the dunes, sand dunes, sailing and Macinac Island.
You can visit the island, stay at the Victorian Grand Hotel, like from the movie, Somewhere in Time and imagine you are on the front porch with Christopher Reeve. https://www.grandhotel.com/about-grand-hotel/somewhere-in-time/
The island has only 500 residents year round, but plenty of travelers in the summer. Almost no cars on the island, which is mostly a nature preserve.

 the motor city has a lot of great things to explore. I remember visiting the Renaissance Center https://gmrencen.com/   when it first opened. Seven interconnected buildings. Free tours most days. GM is headquartered here.

It’s motor city, where cars are really the stars. The auto shows are exceptional. It’s also Motown City, with great music. Last year, I went through Detroit’s airport and found it to be really easy to get around, too. Walking through the tunnels was a very colorful experience. Murals moved and so did I!
Windsor, Canada is right across the border, and yes you can cross easily, for free.
Skiing is great in Michigan if you happen to be there in winter, but be sure you’re protected from the elements.
Fall colors are so special here, with plenty of views.
Living in Chicago, I visited Michigan often. It’s not too far of a drive, and the people in Michigan are really very lovely to know. There’s a lot to do from Manistee in the north, to Grand Rapids, down further south.
Traverse City, one of the most resort-like towns is great to vacation in the summer. I’ve been there in the winter, too, and it’s much different. The skiing is not too bad at Iron Mountain, in the UP.
If in Flint, don’t drink the water.
U of M Ann Arbor has some great football games, or just visit the university and say “GO BLUE”

Today’s Mistake-

We got stuck in the middle of the road in Indiana in a snowstorm, twisted around and helpless. It was scary as we did not know how we would get out. I think we eventually got a tow and then stayed in a lousy motel that night nearby.
Thanksgiving Vacation. Listening to “miracles” song by Jefferson Starship
Maribeth Meersman, Maureen Dowdle and right off highway 70.
It was a miracle that we were safe and drove out of there. Don’t drive on ice.

Today’s Travel Advice-

Make copies of your travel documents, especially your passport and your credit cards. What would happen if you lose these? So don’t make the mistake of being lost with no resources. Leave one set of copies home and bring the other one with you, as a picture on your phone.

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