Saint Ignace, MI

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We entered the Upper Peninsula driving over Mackinac Bridge, an exciting experience. In Saint Ignace, we climbed 170 steps up Castle Rock which afforded a beautiful overlook view of the area. The local Ojibwa Museum gave us great insight into early Indian culture. Of course, Mackinac Island was a highlight, especially Fort Mackinac, Arch Rock and the Grand Hotel. We paid to walk inside the hotel. Mike posed on the front veranda in homage to one of his favorite movies, Somewhere in Time, which was filmed there.

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Photos

Castle Rock
At the base of the stairs sit Paul and Babe.

Castle Rock
Ready to climb the 178 steps to the top.

View
You can see Mackinac Island from Castle Rock platform.

Ojibwa Museum
On the grounds that used to house a French Jesuit Mission is now the Museum of Ojibwa Culture. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits.

Longhouse
On the museum grounds is a replica of a Huron Indian longhouse.

Wawatam Lighthouse
We walked out to the lighthouse in downtown St. Ignace. It is not open to tour but was a nice view of the Lake Huron.

Mackinac Bridge
A view of the bridge from our campground.

Mackinac Bridge
Opened to traffic on 11/1/1957, the Mackinac Bridge is the longest suspension span in the world at 8,614 feet. By comparison, the Golden Gate Bridge is 6,450'. The main towers are 552 feet above the Straits of Mackinac. If the wires used to make the support cables were laid end to end, they would circle the earth 1.7 times.

Mackinac Island
The only way to get to the island is by boat. We took a ferry across from St. Ignace. It drops you off near the main street of the town. There are a number of fudge shops, bike rentals, restaurants, and merchants. No motorized vehicles on the island, so there are bicycles and horse drawn wagons and carriages. We opted to walk the island.

Fort Mackinac
The fort is open for tours and demonstrations. There are 14 restored buildings on site that are open to the public.

Walking to Fort Mackinac
Lovely view of the marina as you walk to the fort.

Soldier Jack
We enjoyed a rifle demonstration and tour on how Fort Mackinac has changed over the years.

Arch Rock
A rare photo of us together, thanks to another tourist (we took their photo first).

Arch Rock
A beautiful natural structure. It was a bit of a hike, but there is an easy trail to follow from the fort to get here. Definitely got our 10,000 steps in today.

Grand Hotel
A National Historic Landmark. You step back in time to a bygone era when you enter the hotel. Enjoy afternoon tea, sitting on the rocking chairs on the porch (claimed to be the world's longest), dress for dinner, or dance to the Grand Hotel Orchestra. Just a few of the activities to enjoy here.

Grand Hotel
Hard to capture the entire hotel. It is beautiful!

Front porch
Lined with rocking chairs to sit and enjoy a view of the Mackinac Bridge, it is claimed to be the longest porch in the world.

Grand Hotel Shops
There are a number of shops in the front of the Grand Hotel- beauty salon, clothing, food/snack shop, ...

Terrace Room, Grand Hotel
There is nightly music and dancing in the Terrace Room; one does not need to be a quest of the hotel to attend.

Grand Hotel Gardens
The gardens are lovely. This is the garden on the way to the pool, right off the main veranda.

Somewhere In Time
Mike replaying the scene where Richard Collier (Chirstopher Reeve) thinks Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour) has left the island. Mike loves a movie with time travel.

Grand Hotel Garden
Topiary of horses and cart. Amazing!

Grand Hotel
Capturing the hotel and the island mode of transportation. We enjoyed our day on the island and hope to come back and stay at the Grand Hotel. Perhaps during the Somewhere In Time weekend they hold annually.