MACKINAC ISLAND

We are enjoying our Huron lakefront campsites - one at Mill Creek for two nights and now at TeePee Campground just a mile further north, especially the sunrises.  

Campground owners have a great sense of humor!

We stayed here longer so we could make the day trip over to Mackinac Island via a walk-on ferry.  We have learned is never pronounced like it is spelled, but always pronounced Mackinaw.  Their shuttle picked us up at the campground for the 1 mile ride to the dock for the ferry.  Jack, Beau and I boarded and 16 minutes later, we arrived at Mackinac Island.  

The lines were long, but moved quickly as the boat holds over 200 people and runs every 1/2 hour

We headed straight for the carriage ride ticket window two blocks away (no advance reservations or ticketing) and luckily got seats on a carriage within 5 minutes!  Mackinac Island has no motorized vehicles, even for residents, with the only exception being an ambulance that is kept behind closed gates.  And although the streets are motorized vehicle free, there are bikes and horses and horse-drawn carriages everywhere, so still need to stick to the sidewalks.

Lots of shops in the small downtown

Our "ride"

Flowers and bikes everywhere

We spent almost two hours, touring the Island, including the large state park that includes Arch Rock.  We got a glimpse of the famous Grand Hotel with the longest front porch in the world.  No pets allowed, so we skipped paying $12 each to explore the hotel lobby, multiple bars and restaurants and sit on the porch.  The flowers were beautiful and it only costs about $500/night for the cheapest rooms.

We switched to a much larger carriage with three horses for the ride through the large State Park

Arch Rock, high above Lake Huron

Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel with Loooonnnnggggg Front Porch

We returned to our campsite on Lake Huron, enjoyed our happy hour watching the water lapping on shore and the famous Mackinac bridge.

I bought this fabulous piece of art from a 7 year old entrepreneur at the campground

Happy Hour spent lakeside.

Leaving Mackinaw City, we drove over the "Mighty Mac" bridge and stopped at a small park with views of the Bridge from the other side - St. Ignace on the Upper Peninsula.  The bridge is 5 miles long connecting Michigan's Lower Peninsula with the Upper Peninsula.

This bell and its mate were attached to the towers and worked like a fog horn warning.  Replaced with actual fog horns in the 60's.

This tower emits radio waves to determine surface currents!

Will be exploring the Upper Peninsula for the next week.