On Thursday 6 September we spent a day on Mackinac Island. What an amazing day! We traveled over to the island by ferry on the Mighty Mac trip which goes under the Mackinac Bridge, the third longest suspension bridge in the world and the longest in the western hemisphere. The total length of the Mackinac bridge is 26,372 feet (yes that's more than 5 miles) and the length of the suspension part of the bridge is 8,921 feet. The length of the main span between the 2 towers is 3,800 feet. The bridge spans the Straits of Mackinac where Lakes Michigan and Huron meet.
We haven't been to Mackinaw City yet - that is to come when we drive across the bridge on Friday.
I put that in the title to explain that all 4 names are pronounced 'Mackinaw'. The names come from Michilimackinac, the name the Native Americans gave to the hump-backed island in the waters joining Lakes Michigan and Huron meaning 'place of the great turtle'. First applied to the island, the name Michilimackinac was eventually given to the entire Straits of Mackinac region. In time it was shortened to Mackinac. Probably Mackinaw City was so spelled to distinguish it from Mackinac Island?? Enough of that ...!
Our day on Mackinac island was just beautiful - wonderful weather, fantastic
scenery, amazing island. For me the day started with a walk and a brilliant sunrise. I then stuffed things up a bit by 'dragging the chain.' Trevor wanted us to be at the ferry at 9.00am for the 9.30 ferry in case there were loads of people. We were there right on 9 but by that time Trevor was shitty. There were a few people already waiting but not the hordes, which made matters worse!Thankfully he got over things - you couldn't not in that setting - and enjoyed it as much as I did.
And what a wonderful place. The island covers 6 sq miles; 16 sq kms. There are no cars on the island, not even service vehicles- all travel is on foot, by bicycle or horse. We couldn't help thinking of Rottnest and the regulations that attach to everything you want to do. We took our bikes and spent the entire day there. Cost $64.00 total, including tax. Amazing!
We found lovely coffee and pastries; then rode around the island, approx 8-9 miles. We did it leisurely stopping for photos, for every corner you turned produced a great vista. We even saw a snake!
I can't believe how clean the island was. Cleaners were continuously shoveling up after the horse drawn carriages. They used carts attached to push bikes. There are 300 horses and 70 carriages in use - just like the surrey with the fringe on top. Everyone was smiling and saying hello - you couldn't help it in such a beautiful place!!
A lot of history attaches to the island including that of Native Americans, Jesuits, French and British.
Fort Mackinac commemorates the island's 18th century past as a French, British and American military
outpost.
The main street is lined with beautiful old buildings - mainly shops and hotels. Grand houses, B&B's and hotels abound. The smell of fudge almost overpowers the smell of the horses' ...
All is topped by the Grand Hotel, the principal landmark since 1887. The hotel has the world's longest front porch - 660 feet or 201 metres!
We had lunch in town and caught the 4.00pm ferry back to St Ignace. We then explored the Indian Museum, did some laundry, had a meal and bed. This travelling can be exhausting!!
It was so fun to meet you on the boat. I see you have a photo of my grandmother's home, the home where my father grew up.
ReplyDeleteKathy Chambers McBride