May Camp Inn collection trip

[Bazza2154]

We are planning an excursion in May 2011 to pick up our new Camp Inn from Necedah.

Its an epic journey of 6,500 km from Nova Scotia return and I wanted to invite all of the members to contribute and suggest some good site seeing and stop over places on the way. We plan a quick dash to the CI factory through New Brunswick and following the I95 towrds Boston before heading up toward Niagara.

We then plan to follow the shores of lake Erie through Cleavland and onto Chicago before heading up toward Wisconsin and our schedule pick up.

This should take us four to five days with reasonable travel times each day but allow us a few breaks especially at the falls.

We have to cross into Minnesota for the actual pick up to avoid paying local tax which we can't offset as we live in Canada so I thought we would carry on up to Minneapolis as we are that far West.

The trip back will be the camping route and more leisurely option following a similar route back with time for some sideways detours.

I would love to get some recommendations from other members and I have also managed to plan the route around a few ball games so I need some wife time stuff including shopping to soften the blow.

 

[jfocallag]

You might want to think about driving up to Lake Superior, then over to Mackinaw Island, MI and either cross back over to Canada at that point or drop down through Michigan and go through the Niagra again.

Door County in Wisconsin is also very beautiful.

 

[Bazza2154]

Two things to consider

a) we are living in Canada but are still British citizens (at least for another year so every time we cross into the US it takes ages and costs us for border visa.
b) when we pick up the CI I only want to cross the border into Canada once to avoid any complications as we wont be able to register the CI until we get home

 

[Ken & Peggy]

Assuming you'll be coming through Illinois on the way home, I can recommend a few places that we've been to and liked.

In Wisconsin, depending on how late a start you get from Necedah - Mirror Lake State Park or Devil's Lake State Park near Baraboo, WI are both very nice. Devil's Lake can be crowded, but in May shouldn't be too bad. If you have lots of time, you may want to visit Door County near Green Bay, WI. Peninsula State Park is great. Or, along the Mississippi River south of LaCrosse, there's Wyalusing State Park. Beautiful campground on bluffs hundreds of feet above the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers.
In Illinois, there's shopping in Chicago. Michigan Avenue downtown is filled with opportunities to lighten your wallet. Millenium Park is worth a visit as well. There's Starved Rock State Park for camping, about 90 minutes SW of Chicago.
In Indiana, there's Indiana Dunes State Park right on Lake Michigan. Recently redone, it's very nice with dunes, bogs, etc. Also in Indiana is Potato Creek State Park near South Bend.
In Ohio, East Harbor State Park, between Port Clinton and Sandusky, is very nice. We stayed there on our way home after picking up our 550 in Erie, PA.
No familiarity with PA campgrounds, except Presque Isle, which I would avoid. The park is nice, the campground is NOT.
In New York, we have been to Adirondack State Park a few times and love it. Plenty of camping near Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, etc.
Vermont and New Hampshire are beautiful, but we haven't camped in either state - but have stayed in some great lodges
At this point I'd bet you are probably more familiar with the area than I am. But if you haven't been to Acadia Nat'l. Park in Maine, it's a must see.

Sounds like the makings of a great vacation - keep us posted on your itinerary.

 

[jfocallag]

Two things to consider

a) we are living in Canada but are still British citizens (at least for another year so every time we cross into the US it takes ages and costs us for border visa.
b) when we pick up the CI I only want to cross the border into Canada once to avoid any complications as we wont be able to register the CI until we get home

I think you would be able to stay on the US side of the border if you drop down through Michigan into either Indiana or Ohio. My suggestion assumed that if you did cross back into Canada, you would return the rest of the way through Canada. It looks like you can either cross at Sault Ste. Marie or Detroit. If you stay on the US side, I would assume that you would go back the way you came.

Maybe, I am assuming too much.

 

[bcannizzo]

If you stay near Baraboo as Ken suggested and like the circus, plan on a couple of hours at the Ringling Bros museum there. It is there old winter quarters. they have many exhibits, a one ring circus.. Karin and I missed a turn on the way to Nedecah to pick up our 560 and had to call Cary and tell him we would be later than planned! Just a suggestion.

Enjoy!

 

[Jean W]

Since you are picking up the Camp Inn in Minnesota, Frontinac and Beaver Creek are nearby state parks with electricity. Great River BLuffs SP near LaCrosse has average sites, no electricity.

Near Baraboo is a true piece of Amaracana, the Forevertron. Google forevertron. Great place to see. Ask Cary! My ownly must see recomendation when you are in the area.

Return trip home: Minnesota North Shore is fantastic. Numerous state parks. Can cross into Canada. Also recommend Wisconsin North Shore, many state parks and some National Parks Seashores. Door county close by. Michigan UP has many state parks and beautiful scenery.

Minneapolis/St. Paul- being a native, not my first tourist destination at all, the state parks are. Personally I don't have anything to strongly recommend, but that is me. Obviously I prefer less urban areas.

What type of shopping does your wife enjoy?
LaCrosse area: The Treehouse located on I 90 and Hwy 16 interchange in Onalaska. Lindas Bakery in West Salem on Hwy 16, then able to drive to Treehouse on same road.

If you are interested in a free CampSite in Rochester, Mn. the driveway is available.

Driving from LaCrosse provides nice views of the Mississippi on Minnesota or Wisconsin side.

Of course, I would highly recommend Itasca State Park which is the headwater of Mississippi. Beautiful, huge state park. Everyone has to walk across Mississippi Headwater once in a lifetime.

Good luck with your plans.

Jean

 

[Bazza2154]

Wow thats given me some research to do.

Thanks

 

[jfocallag]

Jean,

I think I will need to add Itasca State Park to my itinerary, probably on the way there since we will be coming across North Dakota. The last time I was there, I was a very little girl, too little for my mother to take across the mouth of the river. I can still see her taking my sister across. It is now my turn.

(Looking at the pictures on the web, I am not sure why she didn't have us all wade across. Perhaps it wasn't she who didn't want to take us but a four year old's fear that prevented it.)

 

[pat walsh]

Hi,
If you are coming up the WI side of the river from Lacrosse - Perrot State Park is right on the Missisippi and is a nice place to camp. If you want to go to the Mall of America - or take in some ball games in the Minneapolis area there is a nice park in Apple Valley / Eagan area. It is called Lebonan Hills and would be a quick entry onto I35 into downtown St. Paul or Minneapolis.
We live abou 2 miles from there. It is also a couple of miles at most to the Minnesota Zoo which is very nice. You would want to make reservations early as it is one of the few parks so close to the city and yet is not just a parking lot. Has lots of trees, several lakes and hiking paths.

 

[pat walsh]

Here is the link to Lebonan Hills:http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/LeisureRecreation/CountyParks/Locations/LebanonHills/Campground.htm

We took our 550 into Canada last summer and were concerned about boarder crossing. On the way into Canada the boarder guard asked us all kinds of questions about our trailer - faciated with the design - nothing about security. On the way back the guard asked us to open the trailer hatch and cabin and then admitted they just wanted to see what it was like. The Camp Inn are so interesting to folks that you may have an easier time at the boarder going back to Canada.

 

[ddgraven]

We had the same experience this Fall on a Lake Superior circle tour. Canadian Customs at the Thunder Bay crossing into Canada were very talkative. US Customs at Sault Ste Marie made sure to have us pull aside, open the hatch and lots and lots of questions. It cost us three oranges.

 

[Bazza2154]

So hide all the booty in the TV is what you are really saying as they wont want to look at that closely.

 

[Cary Winch]

For those who have not read Dave and June's Alaska trip story, you should. Here is the link:
http://tinycamper.com/alaska1.htm

Dave comments on the crossing through Canadian customs in a pretty funny way. It's a must read. When reading it though, make sure to read it with a gruff New Hampshire accent, as Dave has. It is much funnier that way, alot of the humor is lost otherwise.

Cary

 

[Hilditch]

There are many places to hide booty in a camper and that is why customs doesn't inspect many of them without reason. After many border crossings and personally knowing a couple of customs agents we never had any issue, or booty.

The agents don't care where you were born. They are looking for body language, lying eyes, accent and tone of voice. Most of them are trained voice lie detectors. Is your wife wiggling her foot? These things decide whether your vehicles will be inspected or not.

So if you want to risk a few hours, loss of you booty, and fines by hiding some booty go for it. You might beat them at their own game and save $50.

Hilditch

 

[Betsey]

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Take in the American Stonehenge.

This was in my back yard growing up...it was originally named Mystery Hill but was renamed America's Stonehenge in order to give more credibility to the site. It is interesting but I have to admit, the locals don't pay it much attention, due to it's controversial history.

If you are traveling through NH on I-95, along the coast is Portsmouth, Strawberry Banke & Odiorne Point State Park. There are lots of quaint towns & historic sites...beautiful architecture, too. If your trek were to take you further inland, I would recommend Franconia & Crawford Notch areas of the White Mountains. Even with the Old Man of the Mountains gone, there are still lots of beautiful hiking trails (many fairly short ones), gorgeous waterfalls, the Flume & the Basin, Mt. Washington/Mt. Washington Auto Road, cog railway (is pricey but well worth it). If you like kitschy, I could go on...My preference for heading toward NY is crossing southern NH & VT, avoiding the Mass Pike at all costs (And believe me, between the Mass Pike, NY Thruway, PA, OH & IN Turnpikes & IL toll roads, your wallet will be quite a bit lighter!

MASSACHUSETTS
Take in the Boston Duck Tours a great exploration of Early American history.

If you are traveling to Boston, the Freedom Trail is a well worth your time - Swan Boats, Paul Revere's home, Old North Church, Bunker Hill & Old Ironsides. Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall has a plethora of food & goods from all walks of life. Durgin Park is the oldest restaurant still in operation & it serves traditional New England food. Also in the area, Minute Man National Historical Park (Battle of Lexington & Concord & the famous "shot heard round the world"). Plymouth is further south - the rock isn't real impressive but hey, it's Plymouth Rock! Also, you can tour a replica of the Mayflower (you think teardrops are small to sleep in? See where the "Pilgrims" slept on the Mayflower!). Plimoth Plantation is also an interesting stop. If you are in the Salem area, there is Nathaniel Hawthorne's House of Seven Gables, as well as some really good historical tours & museums.

NEW YORK
See Niagara Falls from the Canadian side. It takes on a far more majestic view. Also, see the fall at night when it is all lit up with colored strobes.

I agree...been there several times, including the 4th of July with fireworks. We have also done the Maid of the Mist & Cave of the Winds tours...being below the Falls & getting soaking wet while looking up as water is thundering down right next to you is quite an experience! The Welland Canal is also a very interesting piece of engineering if you have the time to cross into Ontario to see it.

WISCONSIN/MINNESOTA
We'll give you lots of things to see & do in our area. If you are picking your teardrop up in Minnesota, then your pick up point will be at the Lock & Dam rest area on the Mississippi River, just off I-90 at the WI/MN state line. There is a nice museum of the history of shipping on the Mississippi & it's free. I would travel north from there on Hwy 61. It takes you along the Mississippi River & through some interesting towns, one of which is Kellogg, where you really should stop at Lark Toy company & see the beautiful wood carvings, toys from all over the world, a huge vintage toy collection & take a ride on the hand carved carousel (the shops are free, the carousel ride is $2.00)...just north of there is Wabasha, lots of bald eagles & the place where "Grumpy Old Men" was filmed...lots of beautiful scenery & quaint towns along the Mighty Mississippi.

 

[Ladymc]

Barry & Annie,
If you'r going through Cleveland, you might have the time to skirt a bit south of Cleveland to Kidron, OH and see this:

http://www.lehmans.com/ - it's where the Amish shop and they have TONS of things that would benefit someone with a CI - all non electric stuff. We went there about 1999 and had a blast - spent all day shopping and mingling with the Amish. Extremely interesting. If you google map Kidron, OH from Necedah, WI you'll see it's just a bit off the path, but oh so worth it!