TwinCities.com - Fri Jun 26

ATLANTA, Mich. - Sometime around 1970, a geography club marked a route across Michigan called the Polar-Equator Trail.

Detroit Free Press - Sun May 10

There is no simple route on Michigan's 45th Parallel -- unless you don't mind bypassing some of it.

Detroit Free Press - Sun May 10

<b> 45th Parallel acknowledgement</b>: Michigan Dept. of Transportation sign on M-23 just south of town at Squaw Bay. The town's Latitudes Bar is a reference to the 45th degree latitude of the city. <b> Attraction</b>: The National Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is a splendid museum containing artifacts of sunken ships and a history of Great Lakes shipping. More than 200 sunken ships are in or near Thunder Bay near Alpena. (Free, 500 W. Fletcher, www.thunderbay.noaa.gov, 989-356-8805) <b> Dining:</b> John A. Lau Saloon, circa 1893. Steaks, fish, good deep-fried green beans, Michigan beer. Reputed to be haunted by a ghost, but I didn't see her. (414 N. Second, 989-354-6898) <b> Lodging</b>: Many small mom-and-pop spots like the 40 Winks Motel (1021 State, 989-354-5622), plus chains like Holiday Inn (1000 Hwy 23 N, www.holiday-inn.com, 989-358-6732). <b>Tourist information</b>: www.alpenacvb.com, 989-354-4181 <b>45th Parallel acknowledgement:</b> The only Michigan town whose downtown intersection, State Street (M-32), is virtually on the 45th Parallel. A few of the Polar-Equator Trail signs still stand on country roads nearby. <b>Attraction</b>: Known as the elk capital of Michigan, the town holds an Elk Festival every year, this year Sept. 25-27. <b>Dining</b>: Betty and Bucky's Family Dining (12545 State, 989-785-2695). <b>Lodging:</b> The Atlanta Motel is just down the street from the fishing pier (12520 State, www.theatlantamotel.com, 989-785-4509) <b> Tourist information</b>: www.atlantamichigan.com, 989-785-3400 <b> 45th Parallel acknowledgement:</b> The south part of town near McCoy Road is on the 45th Parallel. Plus, everyone going Up North on I-75 passes the parallel sign just before the Gaylord exit. Also, there's a 45th Parallel wooden sign on Hayes-Tower Road west of town. <b> Attraction:</b> The city has its own elk herd in Elk Park, less than a mile from the 45th Parallel. You can best see it from the DPW lot or the Elks Club. (Seriously. It's true.) <b>Dining</b>: The Sugar Bowl, celebrating 90 years, is a town institution. Good whitefish and a cozy Up North ambiance (216 W. Main, 989-732-5524) <b>Lodging</b>: Many chain hotels near freeway, or the Royal Crest Motel (803 S. Otsego, www.royalcrestgaylord.com, 888-854-9252). <b>Tourist information</b>: www.gaylordmichigan.net, 800-345-8621 <b>45th Parallel acknowledgement</b>: The parallel marker is about half a mile north of the city limits. <b>Attraction</b>: Just northwest of town is the Forty-Five North Vineyard and Winery, which sits exactly on the parallel: 'Experience the Latitude,' its ads proclaim, 'Located distinctly on the 45th Parallel' (8580 East Horn Road, www.fortyfivenorth.com, 231-271-1188). Dining: The 45th Parallel Cafe for breakfast or lunch (104 W. Broadway, www.45thfudge.com, 231-271-2233). <b> Lodging:</b> The Vineyard Inn that faces West Bay is just a few yards north of the parallel sign (1338 N. Pebble Beach, www.vininn.com, 231-941-7060). <b>Tourist information</b>: www.suttonsbayarea.com, 231-271-5077