2006 Chicago IL. Ludington Reunion part 2

2006 Reunion Chicago Hotel has been selected! Yes, The winner is the Cass Hotel 640 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. For any questions please call them at toll free at 1-800-799-4030. We will be staying just two blocks off Michigan Avenue, Chicago's "Magnificent Mile" and surrounded by the finest restaurants, shops and attractions. We're downtown Chicago without the downtown price! The cheapest why to book this hotel is on it website for 74.00 per night. http://www.casshotel.com I would reserve early as everything else in the area is well over 100.00 per night.************************************************************************ More information on Ludington, MI************************************** Ludington is around 240 miles or about 4 hours Chicago. Besides veg out, you're probably wondering what there is to see and do in Ludington. First you have to understand why there's a Ludington. Ludington from the beginning was a ferry port. Before automobiles it served to carry trains and passengers across Lake Michigan, which was cheaper and faster than going around Chicago. When cars came along the ships transported them also--and still do. In fact, U.S. Highway 10 ends in Ludington and picks up across the lake in Wisconsin. Because of its position as a port and the major shopping center for the surrounding area, it has many amenities, hotels and shops that towns it size don't often have. Along the main street are fine old Victorian-era mansions in a stretch known as "Captains Row," a self-explanatory term. Back in history Ludington was also a lumber port and a port for shipping salt. Although fewer these days, commercial ships still visit Ludington. A car ferry company is based there. The ferries leave several times a day. Like most Lake Michigan towns, there's a large marina. The Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse is a local landmark. Along the lakeshore and five miles north of the harbor is Ludington State Park. It's popular and deservedly so. Starting out, it has about seven miles of fine Lake Michigan beach with swimming. It's a great place to watch the usually spectacular Lake Michigan sunsets. And, if anyone's wondering, no you can't see across Lake Michigan. It looks just like the ocean, except it's not salty and generally has less dead things floating in it. Since the five Great Lakes comprise 20 percent of all the surface fresh water in the world, you'll be looking at a good chunk of all the lake water on Earth. Oh. Nothing in the lake will bite or sting you. Also on the beach is the Big Sable Lighthouse. Due to the prevailing winds, Lake Michigan has towering sand dunes along the lakeshore. Dunes without vegetation are still moving inland, but those with trees are stable--and often gorgeous. The modern campgrounds are nestled between the dune valleys. There are miles of hiking trails. East of the campgrounds is the large--and warmer--inland lake named Hamlin Lake. There's a swimming beach there with boats of several types available for rent. Fishing is big here. On the other side of the lake, outside the state park, are numerous cottages for rent. But reserve now. Ludington is a popular place in August. If modern camping isn't for you, on the north border of the state park is the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness. Sometimes called a "pocket" wilderness, since it's not large, it has unmarked hiking trails and backpackers and hikers love it. There are no marked campsites. You can camp in any appropriate place, provided it's far enough from Lake Michigan. Although it abuts Ludington State Park, by car the trip is about 20 miles between the two. A long 20 miles. Nordhouse is part of the sprawling Manistee National Forest. A National Forest campground on Lake Michigan is on the border of Nordhouse. There are many other campgrounds inland, mostly primitive to semi-modern, though in some areas you can camp wherever you want, again, if it's appropriate. As mentioned, there are cottages and hotels. If you'd prefer to stay at a private campground check out the chamber of commerce's website. The Ludington Convention and Visitors Bureau web site is: http://www.visitludington.com/ Be aware there are many businesses that are not listed on the site. Such as chain stores, like Wal-Mart and Walgreens, and chain restaurants, like McDonald's and KFC. The web site includes area attractions that are not actually in Ludington, such as the dune buggy rides at Silver Lake State Park to the south. Although most people think of Michigan as Detroit, in actuality it's half forest with more miles of shoreline than the entire Atlantic coast. There are more lighthouses here than anywhere else. Because of this, Ludington can also be used as a launching pad for other adventures.******************************* Come and enjoy! -- Grace Smith