No guns.

Or scary "flick knives", etc.

quote:

Originally posted by CoolRich59:

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
Don't use the Interstates. ... On that drive I drove across Michigan and took the SS Badger ferry from Ludington, MI to Manitowoc, WI, then drove down to Chicago: https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157627875271122/.

flashguy

Great photos, thanks for posting the links. I especially liked the pictures of the Badger. A few years back we took the Badger the other way, from Manitowoc to Ludington. It was a great time and I think I'm going to have to do that again.

You're welcome. Glad to be of help.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

86E to 13N at Horseheads, NY

13N to 81N at Cortland, NY

Great little drive there through Ithaca and on up to Syracuse. I always avoided 81 unless I was in a hurry and chose the side roads (281 to 11) up instead.

Unless they've done a lot of work on 86 in the past few years, I'd avoid it. Bumpy as all get out, particularly around the western side around Salamanca.

Regarding Watertown to Albany, my choice would be 12 south through Lowville and Boonville to Alder Creek. Then on to 28 up through Old Forge to Blue Mountain Lake. From there, hang a right on 28/30 down to Speculator (used to be a great little ice cream shop there right before you cross over the bridge). From there stay on 30 through Wells, Sacandaga, Amsterdam, and on into Albany.

Yeah, it takes longer than 81S to the Thruway and then over, but it is a really nice drive and it'll give you a whole lot different feel for NY than what you hear here or on the news.

You could always head east out of Blue Mountain Lake on 28 and connect up with the Northway at Lake George and head south from there as well. Perhaps stop and rub elbows with the rich folk in Saratoga. You'll probably be a little early for the ponies to be running, but racing season there is always a good time.

Thanks guys. The potential waits at the border crossings are a show stopper. We are on a schedule and need to be in Albany on time; I can't take the risk we'll get hung up with a long wait at one (or both) crossing. So, we'll be taking the "southern" route.

We should be able to take our time coming back. Thanks bald1 and gustofer for your route suggestions. I appreciate it!

quote:

Originally posted by CoolRich59:
Thanks guys. The potential waits at the border crossings are a show stopper. We are on a schedule and need to be in Albany on time; I can't take the risk we'll get hung up with a long wait at one (or both) crossing. So, we'll be taking the "southern" route.

We should be able to take our time coming back. Thanks bald1 and gustofer for your route suggestions. I appreciate it!

I fully understand. In 2011 my church choir took a cruise from Montreal, QC to Boston, MA and I decided to drive instead of fly from Dallas to do the trip. Since the cruise had a start date, my time to Montreal was limited, and I drove through the US to a crossing into Canada at Ogdensburg, NY. At the tour hotel I parked my car and took the cruise. I had kinfolk in the Boston area and spent a couple of days with them, then took a bus back to Montreal, picked up my car and drove home, going back through Canada, entering the US again at Port Huron, MI. My return to Dallas was unhurried, so I could afford to take a longer, more leisurely route home. However, even though the drive to Montreal had to meet a schedule, I planned the route to include some scenic highways. I hope you are able to do the same.

flashguy

CoolRich, I've always enjoyed the road less traveled. It may take a little while longer, but I've found it well worth it. My $.02? Go one way, come back the other.

I was on the Badger years ago, when I was a kid. It's on the "Things to Do " list with my kids. Probably end of this summer, maybe end of next summer.

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:
CoolRich, I've always enjoyed the road less traveled. It may take a little while longer, but I've found it well worth it. My $.02? Go one way, come back the other.

You and me both.

My *challenge* is my beloved but sternly practical (Chicago Polish) spouse whose view can be summed up as: "Why would we waste time driving these alternate routes when there is a perfectly good interstate that can get us there much faster?"

I was spending some time this afternoon looking at my road atlas and mapping some scenic routes when she looked over my shoulder and asked what I was doing. I told her and her comment was: "Is that a short cut?"

CoolRich12, the proper answer to your wife's questions about alternate routes is "Because Interstates are BORING!"

flashguy

Another option if you are going to cross the Lake is the Lake Express. It docks in Milwaukee Wisc. and Muskegon Michigan. It's a newer high speed express ferry.I used it last year and found it to be an enjoyable experience.