Today I traveled by ferry roundtrip to Mackinac Island, Michigan from Mackinaw City, Michigan.
I had a very enjoyable Independence Day. I took the 8:30AM Shepler Ferry to Mackinac Island.
Once on the car-free island I journey down Main Street over to Fort Street.
I climbed the steep hill and around to the Bridge of Flags entrance to Fort Mackinac.
Fort Mackinac is a walled cluster of military buildings on a coastal bluff which
provides outstanding views of the island. Next it was back down Fort Street past Trinity Church.
I bear right on Market Street passing City Hall and other historic buildings.
I turn right on Cadotte Avenue passing the Little Stone Church on my way to the Grand Hotel.
Next I make my way over to Lake Shore Drive where I get a view of the lighthouses in the harbor.
Main Street is now bustling with activity as I dodge bikes and horses as I make my way across town.
I stop to admire Marquette Park, the Art Museum, Island House and Saint Anne Church.
Next I make my way over to Arch Rock which is more than a mile away.
I return to Main Street passing the pretty harbor on the way.
At 2:00PM I board my Shepler Ferry for the return trip to Mackinaw City.
My car sat in the hotel parking lot all day as I never had to use it.
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Patriotic Greetings, It was a little warmer today but there still wasn't a cloud in the sky all day. I didn't use the car at all today. I left the hotel shortly before 8:00 this morning on my scooter. I drove to the Shepler Ferry terminal which is about a quarter mile from my hotel.  At 8:30 the ferry departed for the short sixteen minute ride to Mackinac Island. Below you can see us departing the dock in Mackinaw City.  Family owned and operated for over 76 years Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry has been transporting guests to Mackinac Island since 1945. Below we're sailing past the Mackinac Bridge on our way to the island.  Below we are passing the Round Island Passage Light located in the Round Island Channel in the Straits of Mackinac.  Below is a view of Mackinac Island shortly before docking.  Below they are ready to dock the boat for our arrival on the island.  I would spend the next five plus hours exploring the island. As I'm sure you know, cars are not allowed on the island. So the traffic today was bicycles and horses. The picture below is looking down Main Street from Fort Street.  I got here early in order to beat the crowds here. The first place I visited was Fort Mackinac which you can see atop the hill in the picture below. That's the Marquette Statue in Marquette Park below the fort.  You can see the fort's main entrance below with the actual fort perched majestically above.  I had to climb that steep hill on my scooter. It seemed to be having a little trouble caring my weight, so I got off and walked beside it on the steepest part of the hill. I'm still paranoid that it will break down again. But I was using it nonstop for almost eight hours today and had no problems. At the top of that steep hill was the Governor's Summer Residence.  Below is the Bridge of Flags entrance to the fort. I had to come in through the back because there were steps to climb via the main entrance.  Fort Mackinac was founded during the American Revolution. Believing Fort Michilimackinac at what is now Mackinaw City was too vulnerable to American attack, the British moved the fort to Mackinac Island in 1780. Americans took control in 1796.  In July 1812, in the first land engagement of the War of 1812 in the United States, the British captured the fort. In a bloody battle in 1814 the Americans attempted but failed to retake the fort. It was returned to the United States after the war. The fort remained active until 1895.  The vista below was captured in front of the cannon you see in the picture above. You can see Sainte Anne's Catholic Church down below.  You get some really nice views of Mackinac Island from inside the fort. Below is looking down across Marquette Park.  I spent a couple hours at the fort. Went inside some of the buildings. There are 17 restored buildings at Fort Mackinac. Below are Officers' Hill Quarters. It was a very interesting visit.  But the views made the best pictures. Below I'm looking down on Lakeshore Drive and the many horse-drawn carriages.  The scooter had no trouble making it down the steep hill after I concluded my visit to the fort. I made a right onto Market Street at the bottom of the hill and soon passed the Mackinac Island Courthouse & Police.  Market Street was lined with historic homes and inns. I really like the one posted below. They had a sign up saying... "Gardener wanted, main requirement, you must look good bending over." As you can see in the picture below, the current gardener is doing an outstanding job.  I made my way over to the Grand Hotel. The hotel has the world's longest front porch. They were setting up for a fourth of July carnival on the front lawn.  From the hotel I turned around and made my way down the hill and over to Lakeshore Drive. From there I got a glimpse of the Round Island Lighthouse. It was built in 1895 with a 57' brick tower and a wooden frame building providing quarters for a Lighthouse Keeper, Assistant Keeper, and their families.  I continued east bound passing back through the heart of town on Main Street, all the while dodging the plethora of bicycles.  Below is Sainte Anne's Catholic Church again. It was shown previously from above.  Next I went out to see Arch Rock. The picture is awful looking strait into the sun, but I drove so far to see it that I had to get something for my effort.  On the way back from the arch I passed a little stand selling refreshments. So I asked for a bag of popcorn. The lady askes for $5.30. I thought that was a little high, but ok. After I pay she hands me this tiny bag with about fifty granules in it. I should have asked for my money back. I continued my stroll past the many beautiful homes on Lakeshore Drive. It didn't take long to finish the popcorn.  There are many boats docked in the Mackinac Island State Harbor.  It was now time to hop back on the boat for the return trip to Mackinaw City.  From the boat looking back on Mackinac Island. You can see the Grand Hotel on the left and Fort Mackinac on the right.   The ferry terminal is located at the end of Central Avenue, the main business district in Mackinaw City. So I decided to explore it a bit.  During my exploration I picked up some dinner at the establishment below. I tried the new crispy chicken sandwich and secret recipe fries. I thought they were both very good.  I was really missing my broken camera today. Some of my pictures of the island were just awful. I included the better ones here but there were some real duds that I quickly disposed of. After eating my early dinner from KFC I prepared most of today's email while listening to the Reds beat the Cubs on satellite radio. Below is the beach behind my hotel as seen from near my patio.  Then tonight after dark I watched northern Michigan's largest firework display, and I was able to do that on the beach right outside my hotel room. You can see the fireworks at the end of my Mackinaw City video. I hope you all had a nice fourth and I'll talk to you tomorrow. Tim |
No dash cam today, I didn't use the car. |
Click on the arrow above for tomorrow's adventures.
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