Yeah, this is pretty early. But things need to be planned. I'm wondering if there might be some interest in some of the Michigan HAMB'ers crusin across Lake Michigan to the Shakedown next August. The SS Badger is a 400 foot car ferry that runs from Ludington, MI to Manitowoc, WI. It's a four hour cruise across Gitchigumee... it can be a real hoot. Pretty good food... lots of stuff to do including taking a good snooze. I've spoken with the group sales office. There would have to be 25 people in the group to save any $$$. The cost is $70.00 one way for each car and $49.00 per person. For Michigan GMB's that means no driving thru Chicago... a welcome relief for many, no doubt. How about a little input.... www.ssbadger.com
Way too steep for me but it's a great idea perhaps for someone short on time and who lives closer to mid-Michigan. At the current gas prices I'd get round trip from Detroit to the Shakedown for approx $100.00 total roundtrip. I am really looking forward to the event next year.
remember the Edmund Fitzgerald...THAT was Gitchigumee...Lake Superior. Lake Michigan is like a banger compared to the roaring straight eight of Superior. Just a point. I think that is a wonderful idea! Wish I lived in Michigan. I would pay $100 to NOT drive through Chitown, even if gas were FREE! Looking forward to your deal. Will monitor this forum and plan to participate
The Badger rocks. I encourage everyone to do it if at all possible, it's a great trip, especially at night. You have never seen stars like in the middle of Lake Michigan. -Dave
re: yeah, Superior is Gitchegumee according to Longfellow & Hiawatha. But we know what you mean. I'm planning to attend but will drive around the horn. Brother lives in Happy Rock (Gladstone) Mi so I'll do da U.P. over, then thru Chitown via LaCrosse (have business friends at Ft McCoy) on the way back.
As an old retired guy I have more time than money, I'll drive. Besides I can go over the top one way and Chicago the other. Chicago doesn't bother me as much as it does some others. Besides I've been through there every which way. Car, hot rod, truck, truck w/horse, car, cargo trailers on behind.
Something to consider. The wife and I have talked about doing the ferry crossing ever since we moved to Michigan, just never made the decision to actually do it. Frank
The high speed ferry from Muskegon to Milwakee is/was in 08 $150 for a car and 1 p***enger. It takes only a little more than a couple of hours. Maybe BobK will chime in as he's taken it a couple of times.
I have crossed the lake on the Badger and it was fun. Slow but fun. One word of caution however. There was some rust that dripped on my truck from the inside of the old ship and those stains never did go away completely. At least I wasn't driving a new car or a hot rod. Not every car got "rustified" but my pickup must have been parked in an unlucky place.
The Jalopy Journal
