| Michigan Northern Arrow 2010 September 3 – 6, 2010 |
Come Travel with Bluewater Michigan Chapter, NRHS for a unprecedented opportunity to spend Labor Day weekend in the splendor of Michigan’s popular Little Traverse Bay region, without traffic and crowds. Photo by Joe Trepasso & Odalaigh Climb aboard Bluewater Michigan Chapter’s Michigan Northern Arrow, named for a train that once linked Indiana and Ohio with Petoskey, and go “North”in our railroad time machine. Bluewater Michigan Chapter invites you to savor northwest Michigan’s own brand of hospitality and to recall the era when passenger trains carried tens of thousands of resorters to Petoskey and Bay View in style. The 2010 Michigan Northern Arrow package offers unsurpassed value and adventure, Friday through Monday trip includes: There is no better way to reach the fresh air and grand vistas of northwestern Michigan than Bluewater’s Michigan Northern Arrow, with incomparable onboard dining, soft drinks and hors d’oeuvres in the lounge and coach seating. And, there is no better way to enjoy the special hospitality of the region than Bluewater’s unparalleled Michigan Northern Arrow package. Board the Michigan Northern Arrow in Owosso on Friday morning for the day long run across the Lower Peninsula via the Great Lakes Central railroad’s former Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids & Indiana lines to Petoskey. Our arrival in Petoskey will be at the downtown site of the former GR&I (Pennsylvania Railroad) station across the street from the Perry Hotel. Buses will carry passengers to the Holiday Inn, Best Western Inn, and Days Inn. Photo by Eddie Gross We will see a long stretch of Lower Michigan from a brand-new perspective that really is “as old as the railroads that built the state,” sometimes far from the highways that decimated rail passenger service, and sometimes close enough to wave as we pass motorists who wish they could be with us. Spend Saturday relaxing, shopping in downtown Petoskey, including the quaint and popular Gaslight District, or strolling the Little Traverse Wheelway, or take the shuttle bus to the new Odawa Casino in Petoskey. Sunday is yours to do with what you wish: shop, stroll, ponder or join one of the special side trips to Mackinac Island, Sault Ste. Marie or take a boat ride to view the bay. We leave Petoskey early Monday, with an evening return to Owosso. Passenger Ticket Classes: Photo by Matt Murawski Coach Class: Coach passengers will be seated in historically accurate railroad cars from the early 1930’s and 1950’s. In addition, there will be morning snacks available for purchase in a café lounge car with table seating. Visit the baggage car Haverstraw Bay to view the passing scenery through the open baggage doors. Lunch (included) will be served “buffet-style” on the train on Friday and Monday in our buffet car #832 with seating in your coach, the Beaver Valley diner, or the café lounge car. A food voucher will be furnished towards supper from a selection on board the café-lounge car. Coach class passengers will be staying at the Days Inn or Best Western in Petoskey. Pricing for Coach class is only $495.00 per person/double occupancy. Photo by Matt Murawski First Class: Seating in recently remodeled coach cars BMCX 857 and BMCX 829, having access to Bluewater Michigan Chapter’s observation lounge car 6604. Morning snacks will be available in the Silver Lake diner with table seating. Visit the baggage car Haverstraw Bay to view the passing scenery through the open baggage doors. Lunch will be served “buffet-style” in BMCX 899 Silver Lake diner on the train on Friday and Monday. A four-course dinner will be served by our staff in one of two diners on the train, Silver Lake or Beaver Valley on both Friday and Monday. First Class passengers will stay at the new Holiday Inn Express in Petoskey. Pricing for First class is $795.00 per person/double occupancy. Photo by Matt Murawski Ultra Class: Highest class ticketing on this trip. These passengers ride on one of two five- star passenger cars, either the Algonquin Park, dome, observation, lounge and sleeper car, or the Venice, a business car with living room, dining room, kitchen and bed rooms. Morning snacks will be available in each car. Lunch will be served in your car on Friday and Monday. A four-course dinner will be prepared by a Chef on the train and will be served by our staff in your car on both Friday and Monday. Visit the baggage car Haverstraw Bay to view the passing scenery through the open baggage doors. While in Petoskey, Ultra class passengers will stay at the Perry Hotel. Pricing for Ultra class is $995.00 per person double occupancy. For a very special treat, a limited number of Ultra Plus passengers will sleep on board the train. Ultra Plus is only $1,095 per person/double occupancy. Short Itinerary: (times subject to change) Friday September 3, 2010: 8:00 am Buses arrive Owosso 8:00 am Boarding begins 9:00 am Train Departs Owosso 3:30 pm Train arrives Manton, passengers off for Manton Labor Day Festival 4:45 pm Dinner seatings begin 8:00 pm arrival in Petoskey Saturday September 4, 2010 Free Time in Petoskey or join one of our Saturday side trips listed elsewhere. 5:00 P.M. The Petoskey Special train departs Petoskey 8:00 P.M. The Petoskey Special train arrives Petoskey Sunday September 5, 2010 Free Time in Petoskey or join one of our Sunday side trips listed elsewhere. Monday September 6, 2010 6:00 am bus departs for Mackinac Bridge Walk 7:00 am Boarding of Train begins in Petoskey 8:00 am Train Departs Mackinac Bridge walkers rejoin train 11:30 am arrival in Manton 7:00 pm arrival in Owosso 7:45 pm Buses depart Owosso OPTIONAL TRIPS/TOURS: FARE FOR CHILDREN, AGES 6 – 12, IS LISTED ELSEWHERE ON THIS PAGE, AND IS APPLICABLE WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY TWO OR MORE ADULTS. THERE IS ALSO A CHILD’S FARE FOR THE RAIL-ONLY PACKAGE. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR CHILDREN 5 AND UNDER, PROVIDED THEY DO NOT OCCUPY A SEPARATE SEAT. NOTICE: Ticket refunds will be granted less a 10% (minimum 5.00) per ticket service charge when requested in writing and received in the Bluewater office no less than 30 days before excursion departure date. Tickets must be returned with the request for refund. Refunds for tickets at a discount price will be refunded for no more than the discounted price (service charge still applies). Refunds will not be made once a tour begins for non-use of any element of a trip, regardless of the reason. Absolutely no refunds will be granted after any excursion/event. Bluewater Michigan Chapter reserves the right to make changes in dates, schedules, accommodations, routes and transportation mode. Bluewater Michigan Chapter has no control over the various transportation and other companies providing transportation. Persons wishing to travel together must specify this when ordering. Boarding and detraining sites used for this excursion have uneven footing and require walking several hundred feet, and some step climbing. Tickets will be sent to you upon receipt of full payment. A boarding location map, baggage tags and other pertinent information will be mailed to you approximately two weeks before the trip. THIS IS A NON-SMOKING TRAIN. SMOKING IS PERMITTED ONLY AT DESIGNATED STOPS AND ONLY WHEN THE CONDUCTOR OR CAR HOST ANNOUNCES IT AS SUCH. THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IS NOT PERMITTED ON THE TRAIN. Click here for a PDF order form for this trip that can be printed out, mailed, or faxed. |
Pointer boat ride in Bay View.
Saturday, September 4, 2010 and again on
Sunday, September 5, 2010
This boat ride allows viewing of the houses of
the “rich and Famous” of Petoskey and Bay
View from the harbor, with a narrated tour of the
bay.
More information and pricing to follow.
Saturday, September 4, 2010 and again on
Sunday, September 5, 2010
This boat ride allows viewing of the houses of
the “rich and Famous” of Petoskey and Bay
View from the harbor, with a narrated tour of the
bay.
More information and pricing to follow.
Sault Ste. Marie Lock Tour.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Take the bus to the locks and ride a boat
through the locks. See the locks in action
from your boat.
More information and pricing to follow.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Take the bus to the locks and ride a boat
through the locks. See the locks in action
from your boat.
More information and pricing to follow.
Mackinaw Island Side Trip
Sunday, September 5, 2010
9:00 AM - Motor coach departs Petoskey
for ferry dock.
10:00 AM Ferry ride to Mackinaw Island
•Passengers tour Mackinaw Island
•Grand Hotel (reservations for lunch, call
(800-334-7263 - individual settlement).
•Many bars, restaurants and shops
(including the famous fudge shops) in
downtown area just off the dock.
•No cars on island.
•All transportation is by foot, by rental
bicycle, or by horse drawn carriage.
•The carriage drivers to be quite
entertaining and knowledgeable.
5:30 PM - Ferry departs for mainland
6:00 PM Motor coach departs for Petoskey
7:30 PM Arrive back at train.
Price is $ 75.00 per person.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
9:00 AM - Motor coach departs Petoskey
for ferry dock.
10:00 AM Ferry ride to Mackinaw Island
•Passengers tour Mackinaw Island
•Grand Hotel (reservations for lunch, call
(800-334-7263 - individual settlement).
•Many bars, restaurants and shops
(including the famous fudge shops) in
downtown area just off the dock.
•No cars on island.
•All transportation is by foot, by rental
bicycle, or by horse drawn carriage.
•The carriage drivers to be quite
entertaining and knowledgeable.
5:30 PM - Ferry departs for mainland
6:00 PM Motor coach departs for Petoskey
7:30 PM Arrive back at train.
Price is $ 75.00 per person.
Mackinaw Bridge Walk
Monday, September 6, 2010
Ride the bus from Petoskey to the starting
point on the north side of the bridge. Walk the
bridge at your pace. Look for the bus on the
south side of the bridge. It will return you to
the train north of Cadillac.
Price is $25.00 per person.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Ride the bus from Petoskey to the starting
point on the north side of the bridge. Walk the
bridge at your pace. Look for the bus on the
south side of the bridge. It will return you to
the train north of Cadillac.
Price is $25.00 per person.
• Special diesel-powered excursion train from Owosso, Michigan
• Three classes of excellent railroad hospitality, Ultra class, First class,
and Coach service
• Leisure time for shopping, strolling or just sitting, and/or optional side
trips, see below
• On-Board Meals on Friday and Monday
• Weekend accommodations at four fine lodging facilities
• Saturday, Sunday, and Monday breakfasts at your hotel
• Complimentary shuttle bus service between key locations in Petoskey
• Baggage-handling
• Three classes of excellent railroad hospitality, Ultra class, First class,
and Coach service
• Leisure time for shopping, strolling or just sitting, and/or optional side
trips, see below
• On-Board Meals on Friday and Monday
• Weekend accommodations at four fine lodging facilities
• Saturday, Sunday, and Monday breakfasts at your hotel
• Complimentary shuttle bus service between key locations in Petoskey
• Baggage-handling