WHY THIS TRIP

Fall has always been my favorite season, and this journey was planned around experiencing it at its best. Traveling in October, near peak color, gave me the opportunity to explore parts of Michigan and Wisconsin I had never seen before. I was especially looking forward to experiencing the Great Lakes for the first time in this region—the scale of the water, the shorelines and small communities along the way. And, of course, there was the fall itself: brilliant foliage, crisp air and the kind of cool weather that makes a road trip especially enjoyable. It was a chance to discover a new part of the country at one of the most beautiful times of year.

THE ROUTE

Chicago > Sheboygan > Door County > Munising > Sault Ste Marie > Traverse City > Chicago

SETTING OUT