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Published: August 20th 2013
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Mackinac Bridge
The five mile long bridge connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. August 14-- Before I left Petoskey, I called the Methodist Church in Mackinaw (pronounced Mackinac) City and arranged to spend the night in their parking lot. Mackinaw City is on the tip of the peninsula of lower half of Michigan and is, in fact the jumping off place to get to the Upper Peninsula. Visitors can also take a ferry to Mackinac Island from there, but I wanted to take one from the Upper Peninsula.
After setting the RV up, I walked around the city admiring the specialty shops, the view of the Bridge and Straits of Mackinac, and watching the ferry boats coming and going from the Island. Later that afternoon a wonderful church member named Janet also took me to supper at the Senior Center, then toured me around the city and two lighthouses. Both lighthouses are now museums. One features the living quarters of a lighthouse keeper and his family. I found it very interesting. Downtown Mackinaw City has been remodeled to attract more visitors and they did a great job on it. Its location is absolutely beautiful.
There is some confusion about the pronunciation of the names Mackinaw and Mackinac. Both are pronounced Mackinac. Both
Downtown Mackinaw City
Part of the updated look of downtown. names are a shortened version of the original name, Michilimackinac, which is an Indian name meaning "place of the great turtle". Aren't we glad it's the shorter version now?
August 15-- I got up early and drove across the huge bridge connecting the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. I found the ferry place and bought my ticket to the Island. We had to wait about a half hour, but the weather was beautiful and cool and the scenery wonderful. The ferry ride itself took a little less than a half hour. I sat on the top deck because I didn't want to miss a thing!
Going to Mackinaw Island is to go back into time--somewhere in time--to the 17th century up to the early 20th century. There are remnants of the Native American artifacts, replicas of the work of the French missionaries and fur traders, the attraction of the Fort and most certainly the opulence of the Victorian Era.
Mackinac Island may be the most romantic place in all of the US. It is located in the clear, blue waters of Lake Huron, just off the Straits of Mackinac which separate the upper peninsula
from the lower peninsula of the state of Michigan. All motor vehicles are banned from the island. Transportation is limited to horse-drawn carriages, bicycles or foot. Since the Island is only 8.2 miles in circumference, walking just about anywhere is not a large problem.
Native Americans first discovered the island and were summer residents as early as 1000 BC. Father Jacques Marquette established a mission while his fellow Frenchmen built a fort and opened businesses in 1671. The British took control of the Island and the Fort after defeating the French in the French and Indian War. After the Revolution, Island and Fort ownership transferred to the Americans until 1812.
The only battle ever fought on the Island was during the War of 1812 when the British surprised the American soldiers and retook the Island. America, however, regained the Island in 1814 in the peace treaty settling the war.
In 1875, the Island became America's second National Park, after Yellowstone. In 1887 the luxurious Grand Hotel opened. Other, opulent Victorian mansions followed. In 1885, the Feds transferred the Island to the state and it became a state park. It has since retained its Victorian atmosphere.
Old Mackinaw Point Lighthouse
Note the Mackinac Bridge in background While several movies were filmed on the Island, the most famous is probably
Somewhere in Time, a love story featuring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. The story is set in 1912, which made the scenery and the Grand Hotel the perfect backdrop. This place—both the Island and the Hotel have been on my bucket list for a long time. Seeing the movie moved it up on the list. After visiting the place, I now want to see the movie again.
The hotel and grounds are simply spectacular. Non-guests must pay to enter the hotel, but it is worth it. I never saw such lavish décor. Everything was lush. I explored all I could of the hotel interior. I had planned to eat there, but the lunch buffet was $35. I couldn't eat that much! A peanut butter sandwich at the cafe was $12. I don't like peanut butter
that much! I really wanted to splurge on a meal, but just couldn't bring myself to do it. I went up in the turret bar at the top of the hotel and bought a drink for $11 instead!!
I sipped my drink slowly and enjoyed the vistas from the
Up Close and Personal
Closer view of the Mackinac Bridge. turret window and admired a creative glass chandelier. Then I went back downstairs to the outside porch/verandah and sat for a while in one of the porch rockers, feeling like a multimillionaire.
I walked around the village and finally ate lunch in a waterfront restaurant for a much more reasonable price. I explored another hotel I thought was charming and bought some genuine Mackinac fudge (supposed to be the best in the world.) I hiked up to the Governor's summer residence and took pictures of Fort Mackinac. (I didn't go in for the sake of time and the entrance fee.)
Anyone who visits the Island really must take a carriage ride. Mine came in two parts, one of the downtown area and the other the interior of the Island. The high point of the latter was the Arch Rock. A natural bridge on the east side of the Island, it rises 146 feet above the water, giving some spectacular views of the lake and the Straits. It is 50 feet wide. We were not permitted to walk on top, which was fine with me!
I spent only one day on the Island, but was enchanted every moment.
MacGulpin Lighthouse
Now a museum of lighthouse keepers' living areas One day was not enough. There were so many things I missed. Museums, art galleries, the Fort and the activities there, not to mention getting to the north side of the Island. I have to say to any travelers that this is one place no one should miss. I will even say I won't ever marry again unless I can come here for a prolonged honeymoon! I think Mackinac Island would be much, much better than any Caribbean destination!!
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Vesta
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Island
Oh shucks! Now I want to go there. You are giving me wanderlust, Marty!