Mackinac Island

In the Pink on Mackinac Island

With a little more than six months on the trip, Julia has resisted the call of the t-shirt siren. On Mackinac she capitulated and purchased a shirt from the Pink Pony Patio Lounge. This establishment not only made a delicious Pain Killer, but provided us with live music most afternoons as it is located a few steps down the dock from our slip. Oh yes, the shirts are PINK!

Besides this major purchase we have found Mackinac Island a delightful place as promised.  It would be hard to oversell an island that has outlawed motorized vehicles and where bikes and horses rule the roads. We took a carriage tour and biked around the island – between thunder storms – and also dodged showers to climb the hill for a tour of the historic fort.  This island was the site of the first, thankfully bloodless, battle in the war of 1812. The British invaded with a far superior force so the American commander – not realizing that war had been declared – surrendered without a shot being fired. Today most of the island is a state park preserving its historic and scenic beauty and the Victorian charm that has made this a popular resort since the Civil War. Our stay on the dock coincided with several days of unsettled weather which produced bouts of severe storms and high winds. This was one time we were happy to not be swinging on the anchor. Thankfully the storms blew in and out and between we had time to visit the main sights and shops along the main street.  Approaching the island the dominate feature is the long, long white façade of the Grand Hotel which is famous for having the longest covered porch in the world. It was worth the $10 cover charge to view it and its blue painted ceiling up close.

 

Girl Scouts work as attendants at historic sites

 

 

 

We also learned about the islands two main exports – fudge and manure. It is vital to not get those two mixed up, we were told!

 

One of the most entertain features of sitting in Mackinac harbor is ferry boat watching! There are as many as six every thirty minutes. They mostly leave on the hour and half hour and arrive about 10 minutes beforehand.  Our dock provided a pilothouse view of these arrivals and departures which may not sound like entertainment, but considering the size, speed and limited operating space is full of thrills and rocking wake. Particularly fun are the smaller ferries which sport rooster tails longer than the boat as they leave the harbor and get up to cruising speed. These commercial vessels are supposed to respect the no wake rules of the harbor, but occasionally (OK, frequently) the pressures of schedules make them push the no wake limits. Fortunately the ferry service does not run 24/7. However, after the ferries in New York Harbor, we found the gentle roll here almost soothing. During our stay we also enjoyed watching the arrival of a BIG cruise ship – we missed the departure in the dark of night. He eased up to the dock like a gentle giant ignoring the pesky ferries running around him. All of these were dwarfed by the lake freighters that passed the harbor regularly – even from a distance these guys made everyone else look tiny. Our stay came between the two major sailing races held here every summer.  The first this year from Chicago to Mackinac Island finished before we arrived and the second from Port Huron to the island will arrive as we depart.  However, between these two major races (upwards of 200 vessels in each) we were able to see some local races – the around island race was just finishing as we arrived. Sailors have our deepest respect as they are much more exposed to the elements than we are in our cozy pilothouse; their antics are fun to watch as they dance across the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On a looper note, we have finally crossed paths with several other boaters doing the loop. The last time we talked to other loopers was in Brewerton back in early June.  With the Erie Canal being closed for a month a lot of the travelers were bottled up back in NY. So, finally we could enjoy sharing experience and ideas again with others who are plotting or have completed the same journey we are on.  The friendliness of boaters in general never ceases to amaze us. Two of the boats we met on Lake Huron arrived here and greeted us warmly by name.  Both are experienced on these waters and generously offered ideas and cautions. Even the frequent cannon fire from the fort does not detract from this lovely harbor! It is not a hard place to sit an extra day and wait for good weather.  When the winds die out and the waves calm down we will be heading to a Lake Michigan Island with a Mormon history.