On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene and producer Nikki Galteland hit the road in Michigan and find epic adventures, gorgeous waterways—and a new way to connect.

Join them as they follow Michigan's mitten counterclockwise, exploring the state's many waterways. They paddle the Au Sable River, flying over the Lake Huron shipwrecks of Thunder Bay, ferry over to the car-free Mackinac Island, savor, the deep quiet of Drummond Island—and the sparkling-wine country of the Leelanau Peninsula.

It's a Great Lakes road trip built on short drives, Up North history, and the kindness of strangers, and it turns into a case for why traveling this way might be one of the best ways to build a friendship.

Meet this week's guests (aka our new Michigan friends)

Adam Hume runs Oscoda Canoe Rental on the Au Sable River.

Kathy Erickson helps put on the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon, the 120-mile overnight race she lovingly calls the world's toughest spectator sport.

Stephanie Gandulla is a maritime archaeologist at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Captain Richard Biffle pilots the glass-bottom Lady Michigan for Alpena Shipwreck Tours.

Patrick Conlon is the general manager of The Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island and one of roughly 500 people who live on the island year round.

Emily is the wine club manager at MAWBY on the Leelanau Peninsula.

You'll also hear from Jared, the pilot who flew Aislyn and Nikki over the wrecks in a 1975 Cessna, and Sarah, the guide who showed them around Alpena for the afternoon.

This summer (or next fall...or spring...) plan your own Michigan road trip, hitting the spots featured in the episode

• Detroit: Start in the Motor City with Afar's Detroit guide.
• Oscoda and the Sunrise Coast: Paddle the Au Sable River with Oscoda Canoe Rental and sleep on Lake Huron at the Sweetwater Sea Bed & Breakfast. Time your visit to the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon if you can; this year's race starts July 25.
• Alpena and Thunder Bay: Start at the free Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, then ride the glass-bottom Lady Michigan with Alpena Shipwreck Tours over the wrecks of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and climb the New and Old Presque Isle lighthouses.
• Mackinac Island: Stay at The Inn at Stonecliffe (a humanitarian hotel), bike the 8-mile car-free loop on M-185, and sample your way through the island's famous fudge shops.
• Drummond Island: Base at Drummond Island Resort and walk the Maxton Plains, one of the world's rare alvar grasslands.
• Leelanau Peninsula: Taste sparkling wine at MAWBY, the oldest winery on the peninsula.

The stops that didn't make the episode but are worth a visit!

• The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie
• Traverse City, home to delicious restaurants, fantastic cider, tall-ship sails, the annual cherry festival, and so much more
• Saugatuck, where Nikki and Aislyn stayed at the retro Pines Motor Lodge
• And Dablon winery in Baroda, which is part of the Lake Michigan Shore AVA (find more wineries to explore in the region)

Plan the whole route with Afar's Michigan guide and Afar's guide to road trips.

Stay connected

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And explore our second podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠View From Afar⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, where we spotlight the people and ideas shaping the future of travel.

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