Around Lake Michigan in May

[Rushy]

Live here and enjoy our two seasons snow and bugs. Fall is a definite excellent time to travel, leafs turning colours, bugs tapered off, cooled weather saves you from running AC 24/7.
That said the bugs do have prime and lesser times. May its the black flies, they hatch in cool running water and love crawling along hair lines and clothing to chew on you a bit, some repellents work but you still inhale a few and they don't mind hot sunny times or wet and cool. After a few warmer weeks the water warms and mosquito take over tapping you like a maple in spring but at least they prefer no wind, cloud and damp weather so some reprieve at times. A few no-see-ums show up but only early morning and dead calm times, any breeze and they are gone, be careful they don't even slow down flying though window screen. July and August, open areas with a breeze almost enjoyable if the deer and horse flies don't show up, they just pop in grab a chunk and leave on sunny days, they consider repellents a tasty marinade. Mid august on you are blessed with a mix of critters but not in the numbers to keep you inside. It is funny how they will attack one person and barely bother the other, (if you are the 'other ' person)

[Air Conditioned Gypsy]

Originally Posted by Rushy

Live here and enjoy our two seasons snow and bugs. Fall is a definite excellent time to travel, leafs turning colours, bugs tapered off, cooled weather saves you from running AC 24/7.
That said the bugs do have prime and lesser times. May its the black flies, they hatch in cool running water and love crawling along hair lines and clothing to chew on you a bit, some repellents work but you still inhale a few and they don't mind hot sunny times or wet and cool. After a few warmer weeks the water warms and mosquito take over tapping you like a maple in spring but at least they prefer no wind, cloud and damp weather so some reprieve at times. A few no-see-ums show up but only early morning and dead calm times, any breeze and they are gone, be careful they don't even slow down flying though window screen. July and August, open areas with a breeze almost enjoyable if the deer and horse flies don't show up, they just pop in grab a chunk and leave on sunny days, they consider repellents a tasty marinade. Mid august on you are blessed with a mix of critters but not in the numbers to keep you inside. It is funny how they will attack one person and barely bother the other, (if you are the 'other ' person)

OUCH!!!!!

[Bigd9]

Our countries are so beautiful, but all States and Providences have what some consider less than desirable attributes from abundance of snow to heat hot enough to melt asphalt. However, I still enjoy visiting them and making adjustments where necessary to be comfortable. Just "plan accordingly", as my Dad used to always say.

[Air Conditioned Gypsy]

Originally Posted by X-OEM

You will not need much reverence, maybe just a tip of the hat, and a "thanks Pilgrim" for blazing the trail.


Thanks for everyone's feedback here. I think I have decided to postpone the trip until the fall as suggested. I suspected that might be the case but expert opinions are better by far.

Not seeing my DW in one of those "net hats" would add quite a few years to my life expectancy

Well, we are going as scheduled, bugs or no bugs! Instead of getting a bug report from you, I will leave a bug report for you, post trip. And if the bugs suck me dry, then you can tip your hat in reverence when you pass by. I am really looking forward to this trip.

Regards.

Chuck

[Bigd9]

Originally Posted by Air Conditioned Gypsy

Well, we are going as scheduled, bugs or no bugs! Instead of getting a bug report from you, I will leave a bug report for you, post trip. And if the bugs suck me dry, then you can tip your hat in reverence when you pass by. I am really looking forward to this trip.

Regards.

Chuck

For sale: Two slightly used Michigan "Bug Hats". Make an offer.

[Super Thirty]

I live in northern Saskatchewan. I have heard rumours of mosquitos with twin engines. [emoji849] One item that goes camping, fishing or other outdoor activity is called a Thermacell. Works wonders.

[Superslif]

I guess it means my Alaska Mosquito Arsenal can be used in the upper UP.

[Super Thirty]

Originally Posted by Superslif

I guess it means my Alaska Mosquito Arsenal can be used in the upper UP.

That’s quite the arsenal. No bug is safe. [emoji2]

[FL420]

DW and I toured around the lake in mid-may two years ago. I am not interested in spreading toxic chemicals (Deet) on my very absorbent skin. In one campground in the UP the skeeters were thicker than I have ever seen in my life. Even fully covered with thick clothing from head to toe my DW was being eaten alive so stayed inside the coach the whole time there.
I couldn't stay inside as I had work to do on the coach. I had to go into town where I bought a full body suit of mosquito netting. I looked ridiculous but it did the job. Michigan is a beautiful state with plenty of nice people but I am not particularly anxious to return any time soon.

[Air Conditioned Gypsy]

Originally Posted by Super Thirty

I live in northern Saskatchewan. I have heard rumours of mosquitos with twin engines. [emoji849] One item that goes camping, fishing or other outdoor activity is called a Thermacell. Works wonders.

I have heard that evil Canadian scientists have perfected the mosquito/hornet hybrid. And that its territory has been expanding southward......

I guess I've gotta see for myself!

Regards.

Chuck

[Super Thirty]

Originally Posted by Air Conditioned Gypsy

I have heard that evil Canadian scientists have perfected the mosquito/hornet hybrid. And that its territory has been expanding southward......



I guess I've gotta see for myself!



Regards.



Chuck

That would be quite a combo. [emoji23]

[Air Conditioned Gypsy]

UPDATE:

Well it has been a couple of months since our exchange about bugs and the north country. Figgered I would give an update.

We started our swing in Door County WI in the second half of May. Bugs weren't too bad, except in a couple of places right on the water. Black fly hatches were beginning. This part of the country is really nice and we really enjoyed it.

We moved on to the UP of Michigan, staying first in Manistique, then moving up to Munising. Manistique wasn't too bad, but there were quite a few mosquitos. A quick spray of OFF! before heading out worked ok. We stayed at the new city owned campground which is right on the shore of Lake Michigan. Great place - the nicest municipal campground we have stayed in. Highly recommend it.

But the black fly hatches were in full force while we were in Munising. We stayed in the city owned Munising Tourist Park. The campground is basic, no real amenities, other than a fairly new bathhouse. Only a few FHU sites (we didn't get one). Views are stunning from the campground. Lake Superior is wonderful, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is amazing. Can't say enough good things about how wonderful that area is. Everybody needs to go there. BUT - the bugs won that round. Swarms of flies everywhere you looked. OFF! was not much of a deterrent.

On to Mackinaw City and Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground. Another really great place. Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island, Lots of wonderful things to do and see. BUT the black flies were on steroids. Hard to describe how bad they were. I wouldn't let them deter me from enjoying the place, but you have to cover your skin (jeans and sweatshirt) or be eaten everywhere except on Mackinaw Island - no flies or mosquitos on the island.....

From there we moved on to Lake Leelanau and Suttons Bay. A wonderful thing happened. NO MORE BUGS!!!!! A few mosquitos in the evening, but no more than you find anywhere else in the US. And another awesome place to visit. Vineyards and cherry orchards everywhere, the huge sand dunes, the clear water of Grand Traverse Bay. Wonderful, Wonderful Place.

We moved south to Ludington and Poncho's Pond. The absolute best private campground/resort we have ever been to. And again no bugs! Beautiful beaches and parks on the shore of Lake Michigan.

We are currently in Muskegon at Duck Creek. Another wonderful resort. And bug-free. Lots to do in Muskegon and the nice little towns just north of Muskegon (whitehall, montague, etc).

Heading to Detroit next week to end our trip with a week with Greenfield Village and all the Ford stuff around it plus Motown Records. Hope to find a good Independence Day celebration somewhere around there.

So, Bottom Line: Bugs are weaponized in the UP and in the very northern end of the Mitten. I don't know if the date or the latitude change ended the bugs, but either way, I was glad to be out of the black flies. The UP is stupendous - don't let the bugs keep you away. Everybody needs to spend some time in that beautiful part of our country.

Regards.

Chuck

[Bigd9]

Very funny! And accurate! But No BUG HATS? (see post #2)

[twogypsies]

Thanks for returning with your awesome trip report! Wish more folks would do so.