So here’s the deal. From 27th August to about 30th or 31st, I’d like to get out of the city (and out of my friends hair, most of whom will be working that week) and do some walking. The problem is, having barely left the city (Chicago btw) while I worked there, I have no idea where to go.
So I take a look at some maps and think I’ll either head south into Southern Illinois, maybe on down to KY (got a pal in Louisville…worth visiting? The place, not him:)) or head north through Wisconsin on to Green Bay, then into the Upper Peninsula (Marquette?). These are just places I see on the map and are just thoughts, so any ideas for alternative destinations?
Points to bear in mind:
I shall be taking the bus. Hey, I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m not a snob;).
I might hitchhike a bit too if I get bored somewhere.
I have no great desire to see particular tourist sites. A day long 30 mile yomp through beautiful countryside is infinitely preferable to me, though obviously I’ll be visiting any bars I might come across, all in the name of research of course.
Any hostels would be good, although I’ll pretty much sleep anywhere so I’ll take a tent.
I’m in no rush. If it takes a week and I miss some parties, well, that’s the way it goes.
I’d consider a flight somwhere as long as it’s less than, say, $150.
Well, thinksnow and I both live in Louisville, so I’m sure that at least one of us would be able to at least break bread with you if you ventured down this way.
No, no, no, no, no! Don’t listen to Superdude; he’s deceiving you into following the dark side!
Come north, eh!
Michigan has got TONS of state and national parks, plus the Kal-Haven Trail would be a sweet walk or bike ride. South Haven is a really nice beach town with many State parks and private campgrounds near by, not to mention the ubiquitous mom-n-pop motels.
BG,I’ll be heading that way anyway, but when I get back from my little trip part I. Unless I’m totally mental and that’s nowhere near Warren Dunes NP. My fave beach:)
Think of this: you could ride back to Louisville with Super and I on the 26th and save yourself 50% on travel. I’ve got a 1-BR place, but food is free (thanks to UPS) and as long as you don’t mind cats, the couch is yours.
Kentucky’s Red River Gorge is BEAUTIFUL. Absolutely incredible rock formations. It’s all easy to hike, well worth the trip. If it was a weekend other than from now until October I’d meet up with you. And you have to get some AL81 there (some sort of native Kentuckian soft drink who’s name my friend and I repeatedly repeated whilst drunk on cinimmon schnopps and Jack whilst camping under Gray’s Arch).
Not that you’re allowed to camp under the Arch. That area’s restricted for campers. Fortunately, the campers before us tore down the sign, which we found when we broke camp the next day.
Andy, the UP is gorgeous, but it would be incredibly far. (Now that I think about it, my suggestion of Kentucky is probably farther.) If you’d like to see mosquitoes as big as a La Bamba burrito - as big as your head - then head on up to the UP.
Munch, I know it ain’t close, but I think I’m gonna head up there anyway. About 10 hours on the bus to Marquette, then head over to PRNL as suggested by BG. Munising seems to be the place to head for there and I think that there’s a bus (although who knows when it runs) as 45 miles is a long days walk.
And if the mosquitoes are that big, I’ll have no need to buy breakfast. Either that or they’ll have a free breakfast:)
I second the UP - I just got back from a week backpacking there in the Porcupine mountains (Find Bunnygirl’s link above) and loved it. I was with a group of Boy Scouts, and we did 30 miles in 5 days. It wasn’t easy, but it was fun. I’ll scan some pictures and send them, if you send me an address.
PS: If you go, bring a water filter and some iodine tablets to treat the water. There’s water available in many areas, but you’ll want to treat it or filter it to be safe. And don’t wade into Lake of the Clouds to filter - I had 10 leaches on my legs in about 3 minutes - yech!
