WALKING THE GREAT LAKES STATES –
THE FAREWELL TOUR!

Day 1

ARRIVE MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Your odyssey through the Great Lakes States and across the Mackinac Bridge on the famed annual Labor Day trek begins today in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Since travelers will be arriving throughout the day, the only group activity is this evening’s Welcome Reception.

Day 2

MINNEAPOLIS – ASHLAND, WI (B,D)
St. Croix, Wisconsin River Walk – 10 km, rated 3

After a scenic drive along the Wisconsin border, we’ll enjoy a beautiful nature walk along the winding St. Croix River, a National Scenic Riverway. From St. Croix, we’ll continue east through Wisconsin logging country. Tales of Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox come to mind as we make our way north to Ashland, on the shores of Lake Superior.

Day 3

ASHLAND – IRON MOUNTAIN, MI (B)
Madeline Island, Lake Superior Walk – 10 km, rated 2

Our day begins with a ferry ride on Lake Superior to Madeline Island, largest of the Apostle Islands, and one of the earliest places in the North American interior to feel the influence of French explorers and missionaries. Once on the island, we’ll enjoy a guided walk through the historic district to a Native American cemetery and along a shoreline trail that offers far-reaching vistas of Lake Superior, greatest of the Great Lakes!

Day 4

IRON MOUNTAIN – MARQUETTE, MI (B)
Fumee Lake Natural Area Walk – 11 km, rated 1/2

This morning’s nature walk takes us through the lovely Fumee Lake Natural Area, home to bald eagles, loons, five species of orchid, and the rare walking fern. Following the walk, we’ll investigate the heritage of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP to the locals) with an iron ore mine tour in the little town of Iron Mountain. From Iron Mountain, we’ll cross to the north side of the Upper Peninsula for another night on the shores of Lake Superior at Marquette.

Day 5

MARQUETTE – MACKINAW CITY, MI (B)
Marquette, Michigan Lake Superior Walk – 10 km, rated 2

Named for the French missionary and explorer, Father Jacques Marquette, the 19th century Lake Superior town of Marquette offers a pleasant lakeside stroll along a pedestrian/bike path to Presque Isle and back. Our afternoon route will take us through Hiawatha National Forest and south across the Upper Peninsula for a delightful shoreline drive along Lake Michigan and a two-night stay in Mackinaw City.

Day 6

ACTIVITIES IN MACKINAW CITY (B,D)
Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Walk – 10 km, rated 1

The premiere walking event of the Adventure begins early today as we join thousands of walkers, and the governor of Michigan, on the annual Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Walk. At 5 miles long, Mighty Mac is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. The balance of the day is free to explore Historic Mill Creek, an 18th century sawmill complex believed to be the oldest in the Great Lakes region; and Colonial Michilimackinac, a living history settlement originally fortified by the French in 1715 (admissions not included).

Day 7

MACKINAW CITY – TRAVERSE CITY, MI (B)
Mackinac Island Walk – 13 km, rated 1

After a short ferry ride, our morning will be spent on Mackinac Island, a picturesque limestone outcropping in the Straits of Mackinac between Lakes Michigan and Huron. Transportation on the island, first settled by the English in the 18th century, is limited to horse, carriage, bicycle, or walking — our mode of choice! The walk of the day features all the island highlights, including Fort Mackinac, the Indian Dormitory, and the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop (admissions not included).

Day 8

TRAVERSE CITY – SOUTH HAVEN, MI (B)
Manistee, Michigan Lighthouse Walk – 10 km, rated 2+

Today’s route continues south along the shores of Lake Michigan for the walk of the day in Manistee, a 19th century logging town originally settled by Swedes and Norwegians. From Manistee, we’ll continue to the Dutch town of Holland for a visit to the charming Windmill Island Gardens and their 240-year-old Dutch windmill.

Day 9

SOUTH HAVEN – CHICAGO, IL (B)
Notre Dame University Walk – 10 km, rated 2

Notre Dame University, the venerable institution linked with football greats like Knute Rockne, the Four Horsemen, George Gipp (the Gipper), and Joe Montana, is the focus of today’s walk. After exploring this special college campus, we’ll leave Indiana along the shores of Lake Michigan and continue toward Chicago. Before checking into our hotel for a two-night stay, we’ll enjoy a coach tour of this fascinating metropolis, the biggest city in America’s heartland, and one-time railroad capital of the world!

Day 10

ACTIVITIES IN CHICAGO (B)
Chicago, Illinois Windy City Walk – 11 km, rated 1+

All day is devoted to exploring the Windy City on a walk that passes many of Chicago’s highlights, including notable architectural (Sears Tower) and business (Board of Trade) landmarks, as well as Northwestern University, Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile, a stretch of old Route 66, and a plethora of art, history, and science museums. A second walk is available for those with a yen to see even more of the Windy City.

Day 11

CHICAGO – BARABOO, WI (B,D)

We’ll leave Illinois this morning, heading north into the logging, lake, and dairy state of Wisconsin. Our destination is the state’s foremost scenic attraction — Wisconsin Dells, a serpentine channel cut by the Wisconsin River into soft sandstone. We’ll join an afternoon cruise that explores the sandstone cliffs and rock formations of this geological phenomenon before checking in for another two-night stay in nearby Baraboo.

Day 12

ACTIVITIES FROM BARABOO (B)
Madison State Capital Walk – 10 km, rated 1+

The capital of Wisconsin offers a lovely walk that features the state capitol, the University of Wisconsin campus, and placid panoramas of the Madison Lakes. Architecture and eclectic collections are the afternoon topics during an intriguing visit to the remarkable House on the Rock, an indescribable mixture of architectural innovation, collectibles, museums, gardens, and flowing water!

Day 13

BARABOO – RED WING, MI (B)
Baraboo Devil’s Lake Walk – 12 km, rated 3+

A challenging morning nature walk takes us through coniferous forests, into an extinct glacial lakebed, along Devil’s Lake, and up a 500-foot bluff for spectacular views. After lunch, we’ll continue west across the state, then north for a scenic stretch along the mighty Mississippi to the town of Red Wing.

Day 14

RED WING – ST. PAUL, MI (B,D)
St. Paul, Minnesota Capital Walk – 10 km, rated 1

The Adventure offers one more walk this morning in Minnesota’s capital city of St. Paul. Two walk routes are available from the same starting point, one that features the capitol and cathedral, and another featuring the Mississippi River and the campuses of three colleges. Later this evening, we’ll enjoy a Fun Farewell Dinner cruise on beautiful Lake Minnetonka, one of the largest lakes in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.”

Day 15

RETURN HOME FROM ST. PAUL (B)

We head to the airport this morning, returning home with new walking friends and fond memories of the history, culture, and scenery of the Great Lakes States!