As far as the Dearborn/Plymouth caravan, I think driving up 96 to Lansing and then down 69 is kind of out of the way, especially when M-14 turns into 94 west in Ann Arbor. I went to WMU and have made the trip a million times. But I don't know... if guys want to meet up that are in other areas, just make a designated "bathroom break" stop before you get out of the metro area.
