DRUMMOND ISLAND to ST. IGNACE, Michigan / Tuesday, August 2 to Friday, August 5 (Day 195-198)

Admiral's Log:     8:00 am, Tues. 8/2/16
                         Air Temp:   70     Water Temp:   71
                        Winds:   3 mph
                        Speed:   9 knots

We saw the Mackinac (Mighty Mac ) Bridge in the distance, as we arrived at St. Ignace a little after 1. We walked to the Gangplank Diner for lunch. 

The Mackinac Bridge

DeTour Reef Light

Martin Reef Light

After lunch, Mike and Joe washed the boat; the spiders and bugs were terrible. Barbara and I cleaned the inside. Then grilled brats for dinner.

Wednesday, Mike and Joe had rented a car the day before, so they could drive back to Little Current and get Joe's car. So Barb and I had a girl's day. I was hoping to get my haircut, no such luck but we did get pedi's.

We met new Loopers from Alaska, Abaco Lady. They joined us for docktails, then the four of us had leftovers for dinner.

Rowe Boat at St. Ignace Marina

Beautiful Sunset from Michigan

Thursday, we took the ferry over to Mackinac Island. Our ferry driver took us under the Mackinac Bridge or the Mighty Mac as locals refer to it. The bridge is 5 miles long and the 3rd largest suspension bridge in the world. It separates Lake Michigan on the west from Lake Huron on the east. The water is 300 feet deep under the center span and the tallest supports art 550 feet tall.

Mackinac Light

Waiting to get on the ferry. Flowers everywhere!

The Might Mackinac Bridge

There are no cars allowed on Mackinac Island; so you either walk, ride bikes, horses or horse and carriage. It was pretty hot, 85 degrees, so we opted for the carriage ride hoping to get a bit of a breeze. 

The Grand from the Ferry

Horse and carriage topiary

But first we ate at the buffet lunch at the famous Grand Hotel. The hotel was grand, the buffet... no so much. The front porch is 660 feet and the dining room was 330 feet! 

The Dining Room

Lots of beautiful homes and flowers. We bought a water color of the Mackinac Lighthouse for my collection, a couple of T-shirts and a turtle Christmas ornament. Mackinac means "turtle" in the Native American language of the area.

Arch Rock

Friday, now that we had the Huber's car, we drove over the bridge to Petosky and Harbor Springs. Fellow Looper, Zephyr is from Petosky and they kept telling us we needed to go. It really was a cute town. 

More adorable houses and gorgeous flowers. Love the porches! I bought Petosky stone earrings, which is fossilized coral found in this region. 

Petosky Stone

We drove through the Tunnel of Trees; huge trees hanging over the road making a lovely shaded canopy. We had a late lunch at the Stafford Pier, which was very good.

Tunnel of Trees