Well, we are back in the Greatest Country in the World.... USA!!
Today would be a rather long day as far as mileage is concerned, 47 miles but unlike some days where we spent 5-7 hours traveling and only covering 13 miles, today, once away from the dock, it's up to cruise speed and Mackinaw City here we come.
The weather was overcast but dry and with good visibility. Our run would take us about 3 1/2 hours. Once we left Drummond Island we ran down the St. Mary's Shipping Channel that connects Lake Superior with Lake Huron. We'll follow the main shipping channel south to the northern tip of Lake Huron and make a right turn for a straight shot to Mackinaw City, MI. Except for one mid size freighter we passed on the Hudson River back in May, this would be our first experience to share the waterway with these very large ships. Never really that close but never the less you need to keep an eye on these big boys.
Once we made our right turn heading for Lake Michigan the visibility dropped down to maybe 100 yards. Good thing for radar except it's been 10 plus years since we have had to depend on radar to see what was in front or on either side of us. Fortunately, we used the radar in good weather to become more familiar with this new piece of electronic equipment. Turned out the fog was short lived, only 10-15 minutes and back out in the open.
Our route today would take us through the Straits of Mackinac, passing directly in front of Mackinac Island. However, based on a forecast of high winds for the next few days we cruised past the island to Mackinaw City and the city marina. Plan was to spend four nights here and take the high speed ferry to Mackinac Island and spend the next night in a hotel and do the tourist thing. Being as it was my birthday, Lou Ann made dinner reservations at a wonderful waterfront restaurant to celebrate my special day.We walked the streets and checked out the fudge shoppes, 16 in all so we were told, and so many other shops to visit.
Birthday dinner.
he island is truly unique as there are no motor vehicles. The only means of transportation is to walk, bike, or take a horse drawn carriage. Even the building supply's are delivered by carriage as well as all the food and goods for the shops and restaurants. Truly an interesting island. And, yes the busiest man in town is the street sweeper, by the way there is more than one!
The next day we truly enjoyed a delightful horse drawn carriage tour of the island with a very knowledgeable driver before taking the ferry back to the main land.
Nice birthday pic! What a graet place to have celebrated.
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