STORM2K

Hi ya'll. I am planning a trip with my grandparents up to the north... likely in Minnesota/Wisconsin/Michigan area. The problem I am having is simply trying to find things to do with them since my grandfather has emphysema and is unable to do a lot of walking. Does anyone have suggestions? I would appreciate it.

Here's a link that might help.
http://www.accessminnesota.org/
http://www.michigan.org/travel/detail.a ... NAodWAswTA

Miss Mary could probably tell you some things about Door County, WI as she and her family went there a year or two ago for a vacation.

Skywatch_NC wrote:Miss Mary could probably tell you some things about Door County, WI as she and her family went there a year or two ago for a vacation.

Good memory Eric. I was indeed thinking about Door County. Lovely area and you could see many sights while in the car. There is a Maritime Museum and if he could use a wheelchair that would be an option. There is a neat lighthouse you can tour but there are steps involved. Basically, my impression of Door County and their numerous lighthouses, beautiful rocky shoreline looks as if it could be in Maine or along the east coast. The arcitecture is the same - New England style too.

http://www.doorcounty.com/
http://www.door-county.com/

We also vacationed in Traverse City, Michigan. Another beautiful area.
http://www.mytraversecity.com/

Mary

My grandparents all died when I was pretty young. I never had a chance to just sit with them and talk. I think that they were the 2nd or 3rd generation in this country. I would love to hear the stories about their lives and what it was like back then.

It could be an opportunity to explore your roots.

Thank you for your links and advice. I truly appreciate it! If anyone else has any suggestions, please feel free to keep them coming. Right now I am looking at Traverse City.

Garrett - another nice town along the water in MI is Petoskey, MI. We didn't stay there but drove thru on our way up to Mackinac Island.

http://www.petoskey.com/

We didn't stay on the island but across from it, in Mackinaw City. Another nice area. You can take a ferry over to the island and just spend the day there. That's what we ended up doing.

http://www.mackinac.com/
http://www.mackinawcity.com/

One more thing, we stayed a wonderful small hotel in Traverse City, called the Cherry Tree Inn. They offered a nice breakfast each morning. I'd highly recommend this hotel. It looks like a B & B on the outside. We had a basic, 2 queen bed room. Very spacious. It came with 2 TV's and a small kitchenette (along with a table for 4). I don't think we've ever stayed at a nicer hotel for the price, accommodations, etc.
http://www.cherrytreeinn.com/

Mary

Can you RENT those scooter things? I'll bet that there is some way for someone who has limited mobility to rent one in Minnesota/Wisconsin/Michigan area.

If you can maage it so it will go in your car/van whatever, that might be the solution...

It would not have the same psychological effect as a wheelchair on your grandfather, but would allow you to do stuff that requires a lot of "walking around."

Perhaps someone out there has a relative, etc. with knowledge of the scooter thingies... (I'll have to pay attention to the TV ads--the ones I'm thinking of seem to be battery powered seats with wheels and some sort of steering and speed controls (design varies) They are, of course, "wheelchairs" but don't look like traditional wheelchairs...

Persepone wrote:Can you RENT those scooter things? I'll bet that there is some way for someone who has limited mobility to rent one in Minnesota/Wisconsin/Michigan area.

If you can maage it so it will go in your car/van whatever, that might be the solution...

It would not have the same psychological effect as a wheelchair on your grandfather, but would allow you to do stuff that requires a lot of "walking around."

Perhaps someone out there has a relative, etc. with knowledge of the scooter thingies... (I'll have to pay attention to the TV ads--the ones I'm thinking of seem to be battery powered seats with wheels and some sort of steering and speed controls (design varies) They are, of course, "wheelchairs" but don't look like traditional wheelchairs...

Like the "Little Rascal" or "Hoveround"

Persepone...it isn't an option for him. We have suggested one, but he claims he doesn't need one yet. My goal is to make this trip as relaxing for him as possible... ultimately more stressful for me, but this is likely the last major trip he will get to take. I want it to be enjoyable. Thank you for the suggestion!

dude... I live here in Wisconsin!

Things to see........
Lambeau Field/Packers Pro Shop.... (Green Bay) Packers are in training camp right now.... become a rail bird! Green Bay Blizzard Arena League football games (right next store!)
Class A Baseball (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) game at Timber Rattlers Stadium (Appleton)
Door County (careful around Ellison Bay... still picking up after the explosions 3 weeks ago)....... (Sister Bay, Washington Island, Sturgeon Bay, Egg Harbor, etc)
Wequiock Falls State Park, Red River State Park (just north of Green Bay... in Dyckesville) You can actually go down into the Falls and look up!
Milwaukee Art Museum, Mitchell Domes (Botanical Gardens), Miller Park (Brewers Stadium) Milwaukee
Cave of the Mounds near Madison (walking tours only)
Wisconsin Dells
Bluffs out by La Crosse WI/Winona MN (best in Fall)
SS Badger carferry (Manitowoc, WI over to Ludington, MI)

Door County is A LOT of walking....The others aren't that bad.

Try and catch a Tigers Game at Ford Field! The Tigers are kicking butt this year and Ford Field is a great place to watch a baseball game!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and ideas. They have been great. I am finalizing plans this week and we will be leaving Sunday afternoon. I appreciate everyone!!

Looks like we will be gone from Sunday afternoon until Thursday night. I will be taking the laptop along with me and will likely be checking in nightly.