Zoey's Adventure: Northern Michigan

August 28-29, 2018

On the move again. This time we have decided to leave the boat for a quick trip up to Sault Ste Marie, Canada. That's right we just left Canada a few days ago and now we are once again heading back.

Once we returned from Mackinac Island, we picked up our rental car and drove north to the shores of Lake Superior where we again crossed the border into Sault Ste Marie, Canada. The trip took only about an hour as the speed limit was 75. The plan was to spend the night in a hotel in Canada so as to be ready for a 8:00 am departure on the Agawa Canyon Railroad.

The next morning up early and breakfast at the hotel, the Holiday Inn Express. The train station is

conveniently located across the street in the mall parking lot. This special train departs daily bound for the scenic Agawa Canyon, 114 miles north of Sault Ste Marie. I was very surprised and pleased to see this was a real Amtrak style train with at least 10 passenger and dining cars and a diesel electric engine at either end. We were seated in car number 2 and had the enjoyment of 2 double seats, two seats facing each other, so we could stretch out, relax and enjoy the four plus hour ride to the Canyon.

The Agawa Canyon is only accessible by rail. Once we arrived the train stopped to let all the passengers off to walk the trails for the 1 1/2 hour stop. Unfortunately, the weather today was not that good, a bit of rain and clouds. We purchased a box lunch from the snack car with the intention of eating at the picnic area, however all the tables and benches were wet so back to our seat on the train to eat, then off to walk the trails and look at the waterfalls.

One and a quarter hours from the time we arrived at the canyon floor the train whistle sounds that the train departs in 15 minutes.... All Aboard. Must say I love trains and knew about this train for years and always wanted to ride it. In the end it was only OK. Had the weather been better or maybe during foliage time the scenery could have added that little something that was missing. Who knows? Not saying the day was a loss but it could have been better. We did meet an interesting couple seated next to us that were returning to Ottawa after a 2 plus month camper trip to Alaska. Their adventure took them all the way to the northern coast of Alaska to Prudhoe Bay. That's some ride in a pickup truck with a camper in the bed. The train pulled out of the station at 8:00 am and returned at 5:00 pm, a long day.