Mackinaw City/Mackinac Island

Mackinaw City

September 2-5

We arrived at Straits State Harbor September 2. Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island are both tourist towns, much of which are closed for six months out of the year. If you like fudge, this is the place to be! You can't walk more than a few feet without reaching a fudge store. Ice cream and t-shirt stores run close seconds. The town is really cute, with tourist-based retail stores and live music in public areas. Beaches are lined with hotels, and most restaurants are casual, yet good. While our vision may have been walking barefoot in the sand, our reality was layered clothing and hats. Not only did it get cold, but the winds picked up and waves were as high as 10 feet, hence the four-night stay.

The only way to get to Mackinac Island is via ferry, since no cars or motorized vehicles are permitted. You get around by walking, bicycling or by horse and carriage. The weather wasn't good on our first trip to the island, and we got there late in the day, so we walked around downtown for a bit then headed back to the mainland. Our second trip, although chilly, was much nicer. We took a horse and carriage ride around the island, stopping at Surry Hills Museum, Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory, Arch Rock and the Grand Hotel, which is the world's largest summer hotel. Eighty percent of the island is parks, and the Musser family owns half of the remaining property, including the Grand Hotel. We briefly met some loopers from Canada who I'm sure we'll meet again along the way.

For clarification, Mackinac is spelled two ways (Mackinaw when referring to the city). Why the confusion? Blame the French. And the British. When Europeans got here (the French first), they picked up on all of the words spoken by the local people, and when trying to write them down in their own language, the spellings differed. Both are pronounced Mackinaw.

The Mackinac Bridge, spanning 26,372 feet, is the third longest suspension bridge in the world, behind the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan and the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark. All suspension bridges are designed to move to accommodate wind, change in temperature, and weight. At center span, the deck can move as much as 35 feet east or west due to high winds. The bridge does not sway, but moves slowly in one direction. After the wind subsides, it moves back into center position.

What we learned: When the waves roll in, the boat stays put!

A Traveling Buddy on Lake Huron

Pretty as a Picture

Mackinaw at North Tip. Now Heading South.

Lady Royal in Front of Windmill City.
Windmills Generate 60% of Power at Straits State Marina.

One of Three Ferry Stops

Mackinaw Bridge

Mackinac Island

Grand Hotel

Mackinaw Butterfly Conservatory

Arch Rock