so...why the great lakes?

Let me preface this with some facts about the Great Lakes, (all taken from Great-Lakes.net by the way)

VOLUME
6 quadrillion gallons of fresh water; one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water (only the polar ice caps and Lake Baikal in Siberia contain more); 95 percent of the U.S. supply; 84 percent of the surface water supply in North America. Spread evenly across the continental U.S., the Great Lakes would submerge the country under about 9.5 feet of water. 
 
TOTAL AREA
More than 94,000 square miles/244,000 square kilometres of water (larger than the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire combined, or about 23 percent of the province of Ontario). About 295,000 square miles/767,000 square kilometres in the watershed (the area where all the rivers and streams drain into the lakes). 
 
TOTAL COASTLINE
United States and Canada -- 10,900 mi/17,549 km (including connecting channels, mainland and islands). The Great Lakes shoreline is equal to almost 44 percent of the circumference of the earth, and Michigan's Great Lakes coast totals 3,288 mi/5,294 km, more coastline than any state but Alaska. 

The Great Lakes are possibly the best place to be when you are faced with an unplanned zombie apocalypse. The giant bodies of water make for great barriers against land-locked zombies who cannot swim, or at least not very fast. The islands which populate the Great Lakes provide safe havens for temporary shelter, or even permanent residence where zombies will be easily spotted and can be dealt with properly with plenty of preparation.

The lakes are one of the world’s largest supply of natural freshwater, which is an invaluable commodity for long term survival. With this plethora of fresh water, you never need to worry about dehydration, and can even start growing crops for survival if need be. The bounty of pine trees will allow structures to be built to help protect you from rogue zombies that may happen to wander in your direction.

The Great Lakes are a great way to travel, going from Wisconsion to as far as New York by travelling safely on the water. You will have to watch out for the weather however, because storms ar