Mackinac

Stayed up in Northern Michigan.  Didn’t smoke funny things, didn’t drink whiskey from the bottle, didn’t stay there all summer long (a little Kid Rock) either.  We did however, stay at KOA (under re-development) in St. Ignace, MI.  We got to catch the cubbies playing on the outside tele!

Whilst I was studying architecture at the University of Illinois we had a design project for a boating exhibition here.  Interesting how life comes full cycle.

Enjoyed a jet boat ride over to Mackinac Island on the Star Line and brought our bikes along.  Automobiles are not allowed on the island.  Modes of transportation: walking, bicycles, horse drawn carriages.  Nice boat ride:

We had a very nice bike ride around the entire island ~ six miles.  Took it slow so that we could stop and take in the views and the sights:

Hang in there, baby!

We spent some time at the Grand Hotel having an appetizer and a drink.  It was the set for the movie “Somewhere in Time” in 1980 starring Christopher Reeves, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Plummer.  It was also the set for the 1947 movie “This Time for Keeps” starring Esther Williams (US Swimming Olympian) and the 500,000 gallon pool is named for her.  What a beautiful hotel:

Notice the horse drawn carriages.

This hotel boosts the longest porch in the world – 660 feet.  That’s where we relaxed:

I had a Big Porch Ale and Kat had the famous frozen Bloody Mary.  Interesting drink!

Caught the jet boat back home where we let Bear out.  So sad to say only Bear and not “the dogs”.  I think that Bear was a bit lonely being left in the Busse Bus by himself for so long.  We headed out for dinner at Clyde’s Drive-In for burgers – Bear really like being with us.

Then spent the next day in Mackinaw City which is across the bridge and in lower Michigan.

We took Bear along and looked around the town – mostly touristy stuff, but we found a Starbucks and got some caffeine.  Got this picture of the three Bears:

Walked around a bit more and settled for dinner at Scalawags for some fish & chips.

The place was packed.  We found a table outside where we could keep Bear with us.  The food was ok.

Back across the bridge to the KOA and off to bed.  It would be our last night in the United States for a month and a half.