In the second part of our road trip through the American Midwest, we continued north into Michigan. Our destination for the day was the Sleeping Bear Dunes, located near the "Cherry Capital," Traverse City. This place holds special significance for me. You can read more about it in our blog post.
Our day began with a simple breakfast at the Hampton Inn Cadillac (bookable at Hilton*) We left the hotel around 10 a.m., a little later than planned, and drove north on the M-115. After about an hour, we reached the tranquil town of Frankfort and thus our first destination, the Point Betsie Lighthouse.
Point Betsie Lighthouse
The Point Betsie lighthouse, built in 1858, was for many years one of the most important signaling stations on the Great Lakes. Unfortunately, maintenance work was being carried out, so we weren't allowed to enter the grounds. Instead, we took our son to the beach before continuing our journey.
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Our actual destination for the day was the Sleeping Bear Dunes. This is a 288 km² nature reserve on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in the US state of Michigan.
We stopped at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in the town of Empire and bought an entrance pass. It cost $20 and was valid for the entire vehicle, including all passengers, for seven days. In addition to a ticket, which we had to place behind the windshield, we also received a map with hiking recommendations and a brochure. You can find out more about the Sleeping Bear Dunes here. on-line.
Sleeping Bear Dunes: Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
We decided to drive the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive first. This 7.5-mile (approximately 12 km) one-way road runs along the coast, and there are several parking areas with picnic facilities along the route. Our first stop was the Dune Overlook. As the name suggests, we had a fantastic view of the dunes from there.
After a leisurely lunch break, we drove along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive to the 10th stop. At this stop, we unpacked the stroller and walked with our son along the paved path to the rugged shoreline of Lake Michigan. The sight of the deep blue water stretching to the horizon was simply beautiful. You completely forget that Lake Michigan isn't an ocean, but an inland body of water.
Sleeping Bear Dunes: Dune Climb
The highlight for our son was the so-called "Dune Climb." The approximately 130-meter-high sand dune was so impressive that we absolutely had to climb it. Our two-year-old son raced up almost without stopping. About halfway up, we took a short break and then decided to walk, run, or roll back down. A great family outing!
After we had all gotten rid of the sand, we got into our black Dodge Charger and drove to Traverse City. This city has a very special meaning for me, because it's where my USA chapter began in 2006.
Camp Maplehurst
Having just finished my military service with the German Armed Forces, I first worked as a counselor at the "Camp Maplehurst" summer camp north of Traverse City in 2006. I spent the entire summer in Michigan and not only made good friends there, but also discovered my love for the USA as a travel destination.
After checking into our hotel, a Hampton Inn on Traverse City's main street, for the next two nights, the camp was our first destination. Unfortunately, the facility closed in 2011, so we found the remaining buildings in a very poor state. Furthermore, the main entrance was blocked by a gate, and several signs prohibited entry.
However, we found a side street where there was no "No Entry" sign and the barrier was open. So we followed the sandy path and, after several bends, arrived at the former camp site. Here we understood why the access road was open: demolition work was underway. The former stage, where we used to organize various shows with the children, was being razed to the ground. The former accommodations for the girls and the huts for the boys had been torn down some time ago. The badly damaged main building was specially fenced off. All in all, a sad sight!
Dinner at Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen
For dinner, we drove to the town of Elk Rapids and ate at Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen. We'd eaten at this restaurant quite often during our time at camp. The interior, a bit kitschy and colorful, was still the same as it had been 12 years ago. We had crayfish croquettes as an appetizer and chicken or beef po'boy (a kind of sandwich) as our main course.
After a hearty dinner, we needed to stretch our legs again and strolled through the charming city of Elk Rapids. Here, the world is still alright.
USA Road Trip (Midwest) – Route Details
| day | In total | |
| Kilometers: | 165.7 mi (266.67 km) | 509.5 mi (819.96 km) |
| Travel time: | 04:20:36 | 13:23:26 |
| Consumption: | 30.0 mpg | 29.4 mpg |
| Travel expenses: | – | $42.03 |
| Accommodation: | Hampton Inn Traverse City – $200 for two nights (bookable at Hilton*) | |
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