Traverse City to Mackinac Island - Day 7
Today we left Traverse City and moved to Mackinac Island. For the drive north, we hugged the east side of Traverse Bay and went through a few nice towns, like Charlevoix, where there was a big mid-day farmers market and Petoskey which had nice golf courses, etc. Just past Petoskey, we visited Wequetonsing where beautiful homes on the lake had mostly sidewalks for streets. Most of the houses faced each other across a sidewalk. We heard that the early Detroit auto families would summer in this neighborhood. (Thanks Chuck for the tip on this. We couldn't find anyone up in MI who was familiar with this place.) We caught the Mackinac Ferry at St. Ignace (in the Upper Peninsula or UP), across the Straight of Mackinac. Getting us and luggage to the island & hotel was way easier than I was expecting. No vehicles are allowed on the island. You get around by walking or via horse drawn carriage or bike. Mackinac is in Lake Huron, so this was our second great lake. I wasn't really sure what to expect of Mackinac, and the first impression was that it was very touristy, but after being there feel it is really cool with all of the horse drawn wagons and the many bikes - and no cars. It kind of had a Disney, fantasy feel to it that trumped the busy, touristy parts.
Not really sure what this was. On roadside on Traverse Bay.
Charlevoix
Charlevoix
Charlevoix
Wequetonsing, MI, Where titans of the auto industry spent summers. This one faces Lake Michigan.
Wequetonsing, MI. With sidewalks as "streets".
Wequetonsing, MI
Northwest Michigan.
Mackinac Bridge. Opened late 1950s.
Mackinac Bridge. As seen from moon roof. Skies like this for days.
People, bike & luggage ferry boat to Mackinac.
Island info on ferry.
Grand hotel and returning ferry.
Following are all from Mackinac Island.
Waiting for return ferry.
Grand hotel.
In front of our hotel.
Famous for fudge on the island.
Front porch of Grand Hotel.Can ride bikes around island. 8.2 miles.Lake Huron from circle road.
Front porch of Grand Hotel.
Can ride bikes around island. 8.2 miles.
Lake Huron from circle road. We rode bikes around the island.
