I'm heading to the northwest corner of Michigan's lower peninsula for a fall getaway and I couldn't wait to share how I plan a trip like this. I plan just enough to get there and leave the rest wide open.
Start With the Drive
Part of the fun is the drive itself. I can't wait for the rolling hills, the little towns, the lake views, and all of that beautiful changing fall color. When I plan a getaway like this, I choose a region instead of a long list of must-see stops, and then I let the road do some of the planning for me. A drive through the northwest corner of the state, with Lake Michigan nearby and the leaves changing, is plenty of itinerary all by itself. The goal isn't to see everything. It is to be somewhere beautiful with enough time to actually notice it, and a loose plan makes that possible.
Say Yes to the Small Signs
My one real rule is that I stop whenever I see even the slightest interesting sign for even the smallest business. Antiques in a barn? Yes please! Interesting gardens? Absolutely. A local winery or a little artist shop? Count me in. Those small places are usually where a trip gets its personality, and you will never find them on a list of top ten attractions, so I make a point of leaving enough time in the day to say yes. Let curiosity lead, and plan on the day taking a little longer than you expected.
Plan for Any Weather
The other thing I plan for is the weather, whatever it turns out to be. Be prepared to seek out an adventure no matter what the sky is doing, and if it's going to rain, plan for it and plan to enjoy it. A rainy day can easily become a cozy day, and I like to think the best trips have room built in for exactly that kind of slow, comfortable stretch in between the exploring.
Where Would You Go?
If you're planning your own fall getaway, I hope you'll give yourself permission to wander a little, to pull over when something catches your eye, and to let the weather be part of the story instead of a problem to solve.
I would love to know where your favorite fall drive takes you. Is it a stretch of road you return to every year, a town you stumbled into by accident, or a little shop you still think about? Leave a comment and tell me about it, even if it's only a tiny town with one good shop, because I'm always looking for the next place worth pulling over for!
