Most Michiganders are at least a little bit familiar with the S.S. Badger carferry.  It’s the boat that carries cars and people across Lake Michigan from Ludington to Manitowoc and back.  And most people have a gut feeling that it would be cool to take that trip one day.  And I would agree totally.  I have previously blogged about the Badger.  Click on that link below.

http://www.blogsmonroe.com/expatriate/?p=203

Of course, the question then arises: What should I do when I get to Wisconsin?  Well, here’s an idea.  How about riding a bike along the Lake Michigan shore for 10 or 12 miles on a nice path between two neat little cities with lighthouses, hotels, endless beaches and several wonderful parks?

If you like that idea, then you’d probably like the combined Mariners and Rawley Point Trails that connect the cities of Manitowoc and Two Rivers, WI with Point Beach State Forest.

The trail begins not too far from the Badger docks in the center of Manitowoc.  Manitowoc is not the prettiest town around, but it does have some nice shops and restaurants.  The city also boasts a submarine and maritime museum.

North of the town, a biker or walker will see miles of beach and crashing waves along the Mariners Trail.  This is not a wilderness bike trail.  The trail sits quite close to state highway 42 and businesses line the roadside across the street from the beaches.  However, this is pleasant development, not unlike what one might see in Tawas City or other pleasant shorefront towns.

At this point, it is probably important to say that the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan is less dramatic than the Michigan side.  Although many of the beaches are sandy, there are few dramatic dunes to climb.  That should not, however, be a deterrant to a visit.  The Wisconsin shoreline has its own charms.

Two Rivers, Wisconsin is the second town on the Mariners Trail.  It is supposedly the place where the ice cream sundae was invented.  I have my doubts, but I really like Two Rivers.  Locals call it “Trivers” and it has a windswept, sleepy quality.  The area has a pleasant downtown, a nice hotel - the Lighthouse Inn - and a state forest.

I will blog about Point Beach State Forest in the future, but I do have to mention that the Rawley Point Trail follows the park boundary for its entire five mile length.  Trail users have several opportunities to jump off the bike and hike several miles of natural-surfaced park trail along some dune areas.  The end point is a beautiful set of beaches on the north end of the park.

Here are some links with trail information and maps:

http://www.tworiverseconomicdevelopment.org/images/bike%20trails.jpg

http://www.tworiverseconomicdevelopment.org/bike.htm

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