Trip Overview:

Here is a basic outline of ATL2007.  A Page-Per-Day sheet will be distributed before the trip commences and these pages will contain this information as well as some additional SPoI (Suggested Points of Interest) stops along the way.  The information below is very basic...more details will be included on the page per day sheets.

Day 1 (May 24th, 2007):  Stooges to Traverse City, MI

Traditionally, we have met at Woodfield Mall at 3:30, stands up at 4:00 so that we can beat traffic around the city.  For anyone interested, we will continue this tradition again in 2007.  However, there are always those (that we affectionatly refer to as "cheaters") that head to St. Joseph, Michigan the night before the trip.  There are also some that have met us at the Michigan Welcome Center.  This is all fine and good, but the official meeting place for ATL2007 will be Stooges Restaurant in St. Joseph Michigan.  Please be at Stooges by 8:00AM - Eastern Time.

The basic city by city route for today is St. Joseph --> Grand Rapids --> route 37 north to South Branch --> route 55 west to Manistee  --> route 31 north to route 22 north ---> Arcadia  --> Empire  --> Northport  --> Traverse City. 

The hotel is the Best Western in Traverse City.  Pizza dinner including drinks will be provided in the hotel common room.  Press the ham.

Best Western Four Seasons
305 Munson Ave (US Route 31)
Traverse City, MI  49684
(231) 946-8424

Day 2 (May 25th, 2007): Traverse City, MI to Wawa, Ontario

Leave whatever time you want.  Most people will meet for breakfast at the FlapJack restaurant in Petosky, MI.

The basic city by city route for today is Traverse City --> Petosky --> Mackinaw Bridge --> Sault Ste. Marie --> Wawa

The hotel is the Wawa Motor Inn.   We will be renting out a couple of the cabins (along with hotel rooms) and Brenda and Marcus will be hosting a BBQ for us at the cabins.  Try to get to Wawa by 7:30PM Eastern Time.

Wawa Motor Inn
100 Mission Road
Wawa, ON P0S 1K0
(705) 856-2278

Day 3 (May 26th, 2007): Wawa, Ontario to Grand Marais, MN

Leave whatever time you want.  Some people may eat breakfast at the hotel in Wawa, while others will proceed to White River and eat at the Continental Motel Albert Bazzoni restaurant.  It's just past the Winnie the Pooh statue, but sometimes the door is locked.

The basic city by city route today is Wawa --> White River --> Marathon --> Nipigon --> Thunder Bay --> US Border --> Grand Marais, MN

The hotel is the Best Western in Grand Marais.  No official dinner plans for tonight, but there are multiple restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.

Best Western Superior Inn
US Highway 61 E
Grand Marais, MN  55064, eh?
(218) 387-2240

 

 Day 4 (May 27th, 2007): Grand Marais, MN to Houghton, MI

Today is a good day to get an early start, especially if you want to explore the Copper Peninsula north of Houghton.  Many people will hit the Blue Water Cafe in Grand Marais for breakfast before leaving town...try the blueberry pancakes.

The basic city by city route today is  Grand Marais --> Duluth, MN  --> Superior, WI --> Ashland, WI  --> Wakefield, MI  --> Ontonagon, MI  --> Houghton, MI.  If you get to the hotel with sunlight to spare, a ride up to Copper Harbor and back is highly recommended.

The hotel tonight is the Ramada Inn in Hancock, MI, right next to the Houghton-Hancock bridge.  The sports bar on site only serves food until 9:00PM Eastern Time.

Ramada Inn
99 Navy St.
Hancock, MI 49930
(906) 482-8400

Day 5 (May 28, 2007): Houghton, MI to  Breakfast at Grandma's

Today is the only time on the trip that we will ride as one large group.  We will assemble in the parking lot at 6:30AM - stands up at 7:00.  Chicken Diane will lead us through the U.P. to Breakfast at Grandma's house.  This is about a 2 hour ride, and we'll stop half way there for a break.

After breakfast at Grandma's house, which is near Escanaba, MI, you're on your own to get home.