Last Great Lake

Day 9: View of Mackinac Bridge from the water and Lake Michigan in the background.

We could not get a slip at Mackinaw Island because we could not prebook as we were waiting for a cruising permit.  It can take up to a week to get it.  We waited 48 hours so we can't complain.  This will allow us to leave our port and reenter without calling the Customs office everytime.

We had ideal travel conditions for our Day 6 route.  We chose St. Ignace as it is closer to Mackinaw Island.  We were docked in St. Ignace for 3 days because of the inclement weather.  It is in the center of the longest footpath in the USA. The North Country Trail is almost 5000 miles.  

We took a ferry to Mackinaw Island.  It was a fun place to visit. There are no cars allowed on the island.  There are many horses and carriages and cyclist.  We took a tour, and the tour guide said they have 400 horses.  Interesting since there are 492 full-time residents. It is famous for the Grand Hotel which has the longest porch in the USA.  It is beautiful.  The city is also famous for it's fudge shops. We had to taste some and buy some.


Day 8 was another day spent in the marina.  The winds were not favorable.  I think Hurricane Harvey is stirring the water here.  We hired a cab and went to Mackinaw City.  So we got to drive over the Mackinac Bridge.  It was nice to get the 360 view up there.  We visited the Mackinac Bridge Museum.  They honor the ironworkers who built it.  It was great for Yvon who retired from Local 786.  Mackinaw City is quite pretty and more touristy then St. Ignace.  The marina is very central, so if we ever return we will try that marina.











So now Day 9 is our entry into Lake Michigan.  To enter Lake Michigan, we have to travel under the Mackinac Bridge.  It is 5 miles long.  It connects Mackinaw City to St. Ignace.  The lower peninsula to the upper peninsula.

We can now say that we have been on every great lake by boat.  This will be an interesting voyage. Lake Michigan is the only great lake that is surrounded by American soil.  On the East is Michigan State and on the West is the State of Wisconsin.  On the south side is Chicago, Illinois. It is 400 miles long and 60 miles wide.  We will be travelling the length of it and possibly crossing it sometime when the weather permits. The weather has to cooperate when travelling on this lake, so don't be surprised if you don't hear from us.  We may be in a marina waiting for fair weather.

Tonight's stay is in Leland Harbor.  A cute fishing village turned into a tourist area.  The marina is new and very nice.

Here is a map of our journey so far.

We Cannot Direct The Winds, But We Can Adjust Our Sails!