I just returned from a summer road trip where – thanks to the S.S. Badger – my family visited Michigan and Wisconsin without driving through Chicago, and enjoyed long, sandy beaches and massive water parks during the same vacation. For me, vacation = reading so I can also recommend two books today while reminiscing about my fun travels.
Summer Road trip – First stops and first book
While enjoying the beautiful beaches of Lake Michigan I was finishing up The Lost Summers of Newport .
Told from three perspectives in three different time periods, the book spins a family mystery based around a Newport summer mansion. This book was good for a “beach read” in that it kept my attention but didn’t require me to think much beyond that.
Camping at Ludington State Park
After several summers of stopping at more southern Michigan beaches, we made it up to Ludington, Michigan this year.
Ludington State Park is a beautiful area set between the shoreline and an inland lake which so much to do (swimming, hiking to lighthouse, tubing, lots more). It has so much appeal but also so many campers, and we were also VERY close to our neighbors.
I had high expectations because it was the most difficult to secure camping reservation ever. The sites open up 6 months in advance but it was impossible to book one on any of the days I tried. Like getting concert tickets, the sites were “sold out” in seconds. So I just waited until 30 days later when people are allowed to cancel some of the 2 weeks they had to reserve to get the days they wanted. Monday-Wednesdays are then the easiest to get. The park has cabins too for those without a camper.
Ferry across Lake Michigan
To get across Lake Michigan to Wisconsin, we took the S.S. Badger, with our motorhome, tow vehicle, and our dog. It took 4 hours but the time passed quickly with nice views, good food, drinks, and time to read. This was about the time I started my second book which I am wholeheartedly recommending:
I am a Hamilton nut so that may be (is!) the reason I picked out this book. Told from the perspective of a slave and later secret wife to Aaron Burr, this book was full of historical perspective on the Revolutionary War time period and beyond. I loved this book! Next I will be reading her book on Eliza Hamilton.
Wisconsin Dells
After landing in Manitowac, Wisconsin, we drove further to Wisconsin Dells – aka Vegas for Kids – where we hadn’t taken the kids since 2016. But even after 6 years we still had our favorite places to revisit. These include Buffalo Phils (food delivered to kids by train) and Pirates Cove mini golf. A new favorite restaurant is Paul Bunyan’s All You Can Eat Lumberjack breakfast. We stayed at the KOA but recommend Wilderness if you are looking for a hotel/waterpark. The Dells is a completely different sensory experience than the beaches of Michigan and I do prefer our beach stops (if forced to choose) but I still love the Dells and the fun it offers.
After a great summer that included many sunny days at our local lake capped off with this special road trip, I am back home and ready for my kids to get back to school. Look for a fall reading preview coming soon!