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 near Traverse City, also known as the "Cherry Capital." This leg of our journey was very special to us, as we have very personal memories associated with this region.
Our day began with a relaxed breakfast at the Hampton Inn Cadillac. A little later than planned, we left the hotel around 10 a.m. and set off north in our black Dodge Charger. The drive along the M-115 was quiet and scenic – typical for a road trip through Michigan. After about an hour, we reached the small town of Frankfort, our first stop for the day.
Point Betsie Lighthouse near Frankfort
Frankfort greeted us with maritime charm and a palpable sense of calm. The Point Betsie Lighthouse, built in 1858, is one of the most famous lighthouses on the Great Lakes and served as an important navigational aid on Lake Michigan for many decades. Unfortunately, maintenance work was underway, so we weren't allowed to enter the grounds. However, this didn't dampen our spirits.
Instead, we took the opportunity for a short detour to the beach. While our son played in the sand, we enjoyed the view of the lake and experienced for the first time that day that special tranquility that makes Lake Michigan so unique. Afterwards, we continued our drive towards Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Our main destination for the day was Sleeping Bear Dunes, a nature reserve of approximately 288 square kilometers on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. The combination of enormous sand dunes, dense forests, and deep blue water makes this one of the most beautiful national parks in the Midwestern United States.
At the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in the small town of Empire, we bought our park passes. For $20, they were valid for seven days for the entire vehicle, including all passengers. In addition to the ticket for the windshield, we received a map with hiking trails and helpful information about the park. This was especially useful since we were traveling with a child. You can also find out more about Sleeping Bear Dunes here. on-line.
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
We decided to start with the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This roughly 12-kilometer-long one-way road is one of the highlights of the Sleeping Bear Dunes and offers numerous viewpoints and picnic areas along the way.
Our first stop was the famous Dune Overlook. The view across the expansive dune landscape all the way to Lake Michigan was breathtaking. After a leisurely lunch break, we continued our drive and later stopped at the tenth viewpoint. There, we unpacked the stroller and walked with our son along the paved path to the cliff edge.
The view of the deep blue water of Lake Michigan, stretching seemingly endlessly to the horizon, was mesmerizing. In moments like these, we completely forgot that we weren't at the ocean, but rather at one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world.
Dune Climb – the highlight for children
For our son, the famous Dune Climb was the absolute highlight. The approximately 130-meter-high sand dune looked even more impressive up close than in photos. Our then two-year-old son ran almost non-stop to the top, while we followed him in amazement.
We took a short break about halfway down. Then we decided to make the return trip a bit more playful. Walking, running, rolling – the descent turned into real family fun. Sand everywhere, smiling faces and tired legs included.
Arrival in Traverse City and personal memories
After the dune climb, we continued on to Traverse City. This city held a very special meaning for me, because it was here that my personal chapter in the USA began in 2006. After completing my military service, I worked for a summer as a counselor at Camp Maplehurst, a summer camp located north of Traverse City. That summer had a lasting impact on me. I made lifelong friends and discovered my love for the USA as a travel destination, a love that continues to this day.
After checking into the Hampton Inn Traverse City, which was located right on the main road, we made our way to the former site of Camp Maplehurst. Unfortunately, Camp Maplehurst closed back in 2011. Access was mostly blocked, and many buildings were in poor condition. However, we managed to reach the site via a side road and experienced a very emotional moment.
Parts of the camp were being demolished, including the stage where we used to organize shows with the children. The former accommodations were already gone, and the badly damaged and fenced-off main building only vaguely resembled what it had once been. The sight was sad, but at the same time, it marked an important farewell to a formative period of our lives.
Dinner at Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen in Elk Rapids
To end the day, we drove to Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen in Elk Rapids for dinner. We remembered this restaurant from my time at camp. The colorful, slightly kitschy decor was almost unchanged. We ordered crayfish croquettes as an appetizer and chicken and beef po'boys as main courses, and immediately felt transported back in time.
After dinner, we strolled through the charming little downtown of Elk Rapids. Here, the world still seemed to be in order: everything was quiet, friendly, and pleasantly relaxed. The perfect end to an intense and emotional day of road trips in the American 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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