What a great sounding trip! I am familiar with the area, can you be more specific about the route you took? I wasn't aware you could take Red Arrow all the way back to Chicago... I love the regional antique malls of the midwest, which each offer such different fare depending on the surrounding area's population. Also where did you camp?

Are cattle skulls EVERYWHERE? Seriously, are they?

pinkuschi:
we took Red Arrow to South Blvd ( i think?!), which turns into Rt 41, then LSD. it twists and turns a bit, but was much more interesting looking out the window than at other cars on 94!

we camped just outside of South Haven.

it was a gorgeous weekend!

dunes antique center is one of my favorites! we used to live in sw-mich and found an amazing wood, leather-top desk for just $175. it's probably the best in that area for lots of good stuff in a variety of price ranges. there was a post a little while back where i left a comment on more places i'd recommend: http://chicago.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/midwest/retro-modern-025360#comments

just an fyi, i've heard glen arbor is also a great place to camp, which is a few more hours north but also a several coast towns in that area that are worth a weekend exploring. hot, hot florida summer is making me miss the beautiful summers in sw-michigan!

i love the michigan-indiana-illinois coast. some of the best antiques around. the dunes is one of my favorite places. it is so unassuming from the outside one wouldn't know what great finds await inside.

Your post lists the address as Sawyer IL, but it's really Sawyer Michigan.

oops!! thanks KatGamer. you are so right.