07/04 to 07/06 - Mackinaw/Mackinac Island KOA

 07/04 to 07/06

Mackinaw/Mackinac Island KOA

Driving north on M31 with Old Mission Peninsula in the distance

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

Today's ride qualifies as another in the top ten of my memorable travels. The drive north along M31 followed the coastline of  Grand Traverse Bay. That empties into Lake Michigan, so the scenery was awesome. But what made it even more an outstanding scenic trip was driving through the towns and villages that are fortunate to be situated along the route. The standout was passing through Charlevoix (Shar-le-voy). I was lucky to drive through mid-day on July 4th.  Slowing down to the town's speed limit of 35, I was amazed to see sidewalks lined with craft and food booths and the throngs of people walking leisurely along. Fourth of July crowds in rural America. It has to be the best. I had to stop and wait for a drawbridge to go through its cycle and watched as tall masted sailboats and other smaller pleasure crafts make their way from Lake Michigan into Round Lake then into the larger Lake Charlevoix.  

From above

From the street. Taking about 10 minutes, waiting for the drawbridge gave me plenty of time to soak in the sights and "feel" of the celebratory activities going on all around me. I wish I took more photos but from within the RV they wouldn't have been good ones.

And to put icing on the cake, I was able to capture this colorful sight. From the time I entered the town until I left its limits, at the intervals you see above, there were colorful, overflowing, radiant hanging pots of flowering petunias. Just a "WOW" experience.

A typical home on the "out skirts" of town...a town of just two square miles.

Yippee, site 13 for my two night stay

A level site with just water and 30-amp service.

Located just a few miles south of the Mighty Mac Bridge, (also referred to as the Mackinac Bridge, Big Mac, The Mac or The Mackinac Straits Bridge), we're still in the land of the "Trolls." Residents of the Upper Peninsula are known as "Yoopers," derived from "UPers," and they have a distinct culture and dialect compared to the Lower Peninsula residents, often called "Trolls" by Yoopers because they live "under" (south of) the Mackinac Bridge. We will cross over on Saturday. But it's July 4th and we will head into town for the fireworks. 

We left at 7:00ish so as to get a good parking spot somewhere. We saw some vehicles parked on the grassy area so we followed suit.

Fireworks, we were told will start after "dusk." Dusk usually occurs about 30 to 60 minutes after sunset. Well, with sunset in our location at 9:30 pm, fireworks will be between 10:00 and 10:30 pm. So, with about three hours to spare, we walked further down S. Huron Avenue toward the shops, marinas and docks. 

Alice's Kandy & Korn was  a poplar and busy place. Popcorn, ice cream and fudge is all you see.

Okay, so I had some. Oh, and some popcorn also.

By the time we returned, our area was quite crowded. This one group brought their own fireworks.

Finally, sunset (at 9:31 pm). It won't be long now. Well, it was about 10:20 when they began.

And about 20 minutes later, the finale.

On our last day, Friday, we took the opportunity to take the ferry to Mackinac Island in the morning hoping to beat the rainy weather forecast for that afternoon.

This Mayfly may hitch a ride.

Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry has been operating since 1945, founded by William H. Shepler.

Mackinac Island in Lake Huron bans almost all
motor vehicles, maintaining a nostalgic atmosphere with horse-drawn carriages and bicycles as the primary means of transportation. As there are only 470 year round residents on the island, the population of 600 horses outnumber the residents on this 3.8 square mile island. However, to walk the streets like we did, the throngs of from 800,000 to a million tourists a year keeps their economy afloat for the winter. The ferry/water taxi transport about 10,000 visitors and island commuters each day.

Usually a 16-minutes trip with high speed water taxis, we opted for and paid a little more to take the trip that went under the Big Mac into the Straits of Mackinac. To the left is Lake Michigan, to our right, Lake Huron and Mackinac Island.

The "Mighty Mac" spans a total length of 26,372 feet (5 miles), making it one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.

The bridge's two towers rise 552 feet above the water and are anchored in 210 feet of bedrock beneath the surface. The two main suspension cables are each 24.5 inches in diameter and contain 42,000 miles of wire.

The bridge's design was influenced by the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Both bridges were designed by engineer Joseph Strauss. It took approximately 48 months to complete the bridge, from May 7, 1954, to November 1, 1957. And...

...they completed the job a year earlier and one million dollars under budget.

The Bridge is painted in a unique shade called "Mackinac Bridge Green," which was specifically chosen to complement the surrounding natural environment. The bridge held the record for the longest suspension bridge in the world between anchorages until the completion of the Humber Bridge in the UK in 1981.

A dedicated team of around 35 workers is responsible for the bridge's maintenance, including painting, inspections, and structural repairs. The bridge is illuminated with over 1,000 lights, ensuring visibility and safety for nighttime travelers. Its been designed to sway in high winds, with movements of up to 35 feet. Wind speeds over 20 mph can lead to temporary closures.

In no time we docked on the island and once on the street immediately impressed with the scene. One quickly learns that although motor vehicles have been banned since 1898, the dangers of being struck by bicycles driven by inexperienced foreign tourists is greatly increased.

First glimpse reminds you of the many New England coastal villages.

The island holds great cultural and spiritual significance for the Anishinaabe people. "Mackinac" derives from the Ojibwe word "Mitchimakinak," meaning "big turtle," reflecting the island's shape.

Shops lining both sides of the street are beautifully presented to the tourist and have their usual array of gifts and souvenirs. Fudge shops everywhere. The island is renowned for its fudge, with numerous shops offering a variety of flavors. The production of fudge has become a major tourist attraction, leading to visitors being affectionately called "fudgies."

Not a fan of fudge, I tried a "creamsicle" fudge. At $12.00/pound, a half slab was fine.

From the ferry, a short distance outside the "business district", you can see the Grand Hotel. Opened in 1887, it's famous for having the world's longest porch, stretching 660 feet. It has hosted numerous notable guests, including five U.S. presidents and many famous entertainers.

While Dan and Melanie strolled the streets and shops, I stopped at The Pancake House that serves breakfast all day. To give you an idea of the crowds, I gave my name and waited an hour before entering the small eatery. After another half hour I enjoyed my buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and a side of bacon. 

With the number of horses outnumbering the inhabitants on the island, I researched more about them. The island primarily uses draft horses, such as Percherons, Belgians, and Clydesdales, for their strength and endurance. These breeds are well-suited to the heavy work of pulling carriages and freight wagons. During the peak tourist season, there are approximately 500 horses on the island. This number decreases in the off-season when many horses are transported to the mainland for rest and care.

Horses on Mackinac Island typically work in pairs and have a structured work schedule. They usually work about four to six hours a day and have regular days off to ensure they are not overworked. The horses are well-cared for, with regular veterinary check-ups, proper nutrition, and adequate rest. There are several stables on the island that provide shelter, food, and care for the horses. During the winter, many horses are transported to the mainland to rest. Those that remain on the island continue to work and are provided with necessary shelter and care to withstand the cold weather.

Horses used on Mackinac Island undergo extensive training to become accustomed to the island's unique environment, including the noise of crowds and the presence of bicycles and other horses. Horses on the island are used for various purposes, including taxi services, carriage tours, freight transport, and even garbage collection. They are integral to the island's transportation infrastructure. Here you see one of the many young men bicycling all the luggage from the ferry to the area hotels where arriving tourists find them waiting.

And with that number of horses clip-clopping along the main street, sometimes having to stop and wait for the "traffic jam" ahead, there is also a service that keeps the streets clean. After collecting and placing the droppings into a container....

...he continues his job cycling up and down the street. Result? Streets are clean and odor free. Note the crowded streets, sidewalks and the number of parked bikes.

This is one of about a dozen bike rental shops on the island that visitors can choose from. Choices include tandem bikes, mountain bikes, cruisers, and even electric bikes.

Some other sights I captured.

A casual native observer probably bored with the sight of tourists.

Caught a glimpse of a solitary pansy thriving in the crack between brick and concrete offering a refreshing contrast of color for anyone who took notice.

One of the three police officers keeping eye on things, one as young as the other.

The trip back to Mackinaw City was as quick but the threatening weather decided to unleash its downpour...on our umbrellas. Many, many  others were not so lucky. The shuttle back to the campground was waiting for us and by the time we arrived, the rain had stopped. 

For our last dining experience here in Mackinaw City, we went to Nonna Lisa's

Wood, wood and more wood.

A very popular place with almost every table full, the acoustics didn't lend to quiet conversations.

No, that's not soup with a cinnamon crueler. It's my favorite gnocchi with more mozzarella than sauce on it. Yes, gnocchi was tender but...it was overkill. The portion was large so I had three meals from it. And so, my two previous gnocchi dishes maintain their first and second places.

The amount of carved wood throughout the restaurant was amazing.

The attached gift shop.

.

Knowing I was going to visit Mackinaw City when planning my itinerary, I saved this from last November.

When leaving Nonna Lisa's and heading back to the campground, there it was.

And so, my first state of nine is history as I prepare to journey to Wisconsin. Once again, thanks to Dan and Melanie, what we squeezed into our short stay was truly incredible and memorable. Michigan is quite a state. Charles Brady King drove the first automobile in Detroit on March 6, 1896, predating Henry Ford's famous Model T. Vernors Ginger Ale, one of the oldest sodas in America, was created in Detroit by pharmacist James Vernor in the 1860s.

I hope you've enjoyed the trip so far. See you in Wisconsin.

"There is no place like Michigan for a trip in summer." ~ Walt Whitman