Mackinac/Mackinaw

By Thursday (July 24) the winds had diminished enough for us to leave De Tour Village and head into Lake Huron toward the Straits of Mackinac (pronounced mak-in-aw; between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas). Although we didn't have a reservation, we were fortunate to be able to get a slip for the evening at the Mackinac Island State Harbor marina. We could have stayed at one of the mainland marinas and taken a ferry over to the island for the day, but--despite some wake from the ferries--staying in the midst of the island atmosphere was special.

De Tour Passage lighthouse

Mackinac Island Harbor waterfront

Fort Mackinac overlooking Mackinac Island Harbor

Mackinac Island is one of those places that, if the tourist crowds can be ignored, truly has a "frozen in time" feel to it. The entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark. Only 8 miles in circumference, 80% of Mackinac Island is a state park. With a few exceptions, automotive traffic has been banned from the island since 1898. This leaves walking, bicycling, and horses as the modes of transportation. The smell of exhaust has thus been traded for the aroma of equine droppings. There are an incredible number of architectural gems. And there are fudge shops everywhere.

Downtown crowds

Horse carriage taxis and tours

Collecting garbage and recyclables

We weren't too crazy about the tourist hordes in the downtown area, so we hopped on our bikes and cycled the perimeter road in the direction opposite most of the other bicycle traffic.

Lon on the perimeter road--dodging Mackinac Island
land mines (horse droppings)

Site of British Landing in War of 1812

Cutting inland and climbing the
stairs to Fort Holmes

Uh oh--another cemetery for Pat
to explore. This was the Fort Mackinac
Post Cemetery. Most of the headstones are marked
"unknown"

Gravestone of Susie,
a 14-year old wife
(1885)

The Grand Hotel purportedly has the longest porch in the world.
The hotel was built with railroad and steamship company funds.
It costs $10 for non-guests to enjoy the view from the porch.

Ice cream in Mackinac Island; we passed
on the fudge

On Friday (July 25) we left for Mackinaw City on the Lower Peninsula to fill up our fuel tanks and do some preventive maintenance on the boat. Mackinaw City is definitely a tourist town, with lots of modern hotels/motels, mini-golf, a mini-zip line, and shopping (including--of course--fudge). Three ferry companies transport lots of people to Mackinac Island for day trips. We are close to restaurants and a movie theater--and last night we were "treated" to the less-than-dulcet tones of "Whispers of the North", a Gordon Lightfoot Tribute Band, in a free concert in the park adjacent to the marina.