Michigan bound

If nothing gets in the way, my best friend and I are taking to the highway in July. The idea of a road trip built up quickly, much like a summer storm where sprinkles begin to fall from sunny skies and within minutes all hell is breaking loose. She mentioned taking a vacation together one day then brought it up again the next day and again and again until I realized that not going on a road trip this summer wasn't an option.

The first idea was to go see the cave dwellings in southwestern Colorado, but we lost interest after doing some research. Tammy suggested Tucson. "In July?" I asked. The next day she said, "What about Canada?" While she worked to narrow that down a bit, I sat at my desk at home and visualized the middle part of this country. Every area I Googled boasted camping, fishing, hiking and boating and didn't offer many, if any, alternatives. We're more the sightseeing, photographing, casual dining, wine tasting sort.

There is a place in northern Michigan that I have long wanted to visit, but I've looked into that trip before and knew it wasn't feasible, not for a five- or six-day trip. I clicked into a Michigan tourism site anyway and started reading about the beach towns along the Lake Michigan side of the state. Water and sand, lighthouses, boat cruises, vineyards, park concerts, historical homes, water, water, water.  A week ago I had no idea all this was only a (long) day's drive away. Now I'm so excited to go, I've started ordering beach-appropriate footwear and writing out a packing list. I Google every day hoping to discover more information about the area, but other than the cities' official websites, I found anything. Have YOU been there? Have any suggestions, recommendations or warnings for me?