Fellows, I am trying to sort out some travel plans for a trip to France in May and am looking for some local input from you guys. Briefly, we land in LA for a few days, fly to Detroit to see the Henry Ford, tour through Wisconsin and Michigan, then to Toronto to fly over to France for a sheep breeders conference and tour.
I have a few Questions.
Is the weather in April in Wisconsin and Michigan something someone from a climate like southern California could tolerate? Alternatively, we could do this in June, by reversing the above itinerary.
How many days should we put aside for the visit to the Henry Ford?
Where is the best place to book good value accommodation without breaking the bank?
What T related activities are on around Mid June in the Milwaukie area?
I have had difficulty getting reliable info from car rental companies. Is there a problem travelling from the USA into Canada or vice versa?
In New Zealand between the North Island and the Mainland, one car stays on shore and you pick up another on the other side. Is this how it works over the border?
Hope you can help.
Allan from down under.
I can't answer all the questions, but I can tell you that April in the upper midwest is mud season. Snow is melting, but nighttime temperatures can still approach freezing. For example, April's average low in central Wisconsin is 34º F (1º C), and the average high is 55º (13º C). The averages for June there are 55º and 76º (24º C) Of course, late April is a little warmer than early April, and the same hold true for June.
Among the least costly motel chains are Motel Six and Super 8, but there are others too. I think you can find them online. Those names come from the original prices, $6 a night and $8 a night, but that was a LONG time ago.
Allen,
I just drove from South Carolina to Wyoming and back to SC. I took my laptop to have internet access anywhere. When I would find an area I wanted to spend the night, I would check "Priceline.com" to get the prices in the area, and stop at the one I liked and go in and ask for the "priceline" rate. I didn't know where I would be when I would want to spend the night, also, you can't really tell the motel's exact proximity to your travel route and the
"type" of neighborhood from looking on the internet. I like to avoid lodging in the larger cities--just the country boy in me!
I would recommend June instead of April. Like Steve said, it can be very wet and cold. Not California weather.
Motel 6 is a cheap motel. That's where a lot of construction workers and migrants stay. I prefer Fairfield Inn and similar hotels when I travel.
Milwaukie is in Oregon. Milwaukee is in Wisconsin. Need the correct spelling when looking things up. Would not want to see you book something in the wrong state.
If we know you are coming to Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Model T club will find some way of entertaining you. We usually have something going on every week.
Allan,
Have you considered a motorhome for part of your travels in the Detroit, Wisconsin leg of your tour? That way you have wheels and accommodation! Our 2008 trip from Chicago to Richmond via Detroit was a blast. We camped in some RV parks and some roadside truck stops and it worked out really well.
How's Nancy enjoying the Tudor?
Warwick.
Allan,
Being a life-long resident of the upper Midwest, I can tell you that April is one of those supremely unpredictable months in the weather department. There's a distinct break in the climate north of a line from Lacrosse, WI to Wis. Dells, as opposed to south of it. We call that "the Hard Winter Line". North of that line is some beautiful country, but it stays cold much longer than points south. Whatever you do, travel as late in April as possible. You might also want to consider a more southernly route just to avoid the traffic headache that is the Chicago metro area.
Allan,
PM Sent
march we say"comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb". how ever, some years the lamb is late. april can be nice, but it can still snow. and lets not forget" april showers bring may flowers" americans are silly aren't they!
If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?
Pilgrims....
Allen ; In France there is every year an International Tour of Model T's ,80-100. This time it is in SARLAT-LA-CANEDA. 27-28 & 29 of June 2014
We will see you there !!!!
Toon
Dick, yard work.
May flowers bring June Mosquito's
Alan, a couple of answers based on experience. The first visit 3 days the second 6 days the third this year 8 days. The best value accommodation is the Dearborn Inn you don't need a renta as they drive you to most Dearborn attractions and the Inn is a fabulous attraction itself. Get a cab to the Edsel & Eleanor house about 50 bucks.In and out of Canada is no problem at all we drove through Canada and out to Niagra then to Boston to fly to the UK. Don't miss the Wayside Inn near Boston pure Henry Ford. Renting a Ford is the only difficulty I have ever had.
Give me a call if I can help.
Ditto on the Dearborn Inn Alan. With my military discount, I think it was $120 a night. But theres a HUGE portrait of Henry hanging above the fireplace in a large living room looking place when you first walk in. And they even had a fire going last August. Rooms are great and it only a few blocks from Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford. Do see both - I allotted a day to each - but don't forget the Piquette Avenue plant. . .very worthwhile.
Allan
Right across the Detroit-Windsor bridge is the University of Windsor. Their Ford Canada Archives include the 1925-27 Australian Ledgers.
Monthly Statements
Accession Number 97-002
Dates of Creation: 1925-1927. - Extent of Descriptive Unit: Textual Material. -Scope and Content: The file contains the ledgers of the monthly statements of the Ford Motor Company of Australia.
Monthly Statements (Australia) 1925-1927 Box 6 File 61