Day 9, Sept 11, 2014

Northern Michigan!! Left Birch Run, MI this am. Note TEMPERATURE as we moved North. Arrived at City of Mackinaw-Gateway to Mackinac Island. Pictures within town include a stop for Upper Penninsular microbrew called WIDOW MAKER-sold only in cans. Goof stuff so will try to locate some for home. Also included are first pictures of Mackinaw bridge. 

Then we  took 19 minute big boat ride(100+ people)from Mackinaw City to Island of Mackinac. ( They do 20 runs per day. Do math. $25/person!!!! Pic shows island and the Grand Hotel high on hill to left. There are numerous horse drawn vehicles here, so the smell of excretory products was prominent. Walked up hill to THE GRAND HOTEL built in 1887. Larger version of  THE GREENBRIER. Sat on 4 th floor balcony-view included-for beautiful views of Lake Huron and small toddy. Very nice island but the massive tourism industry has taken away all the majesty and magic of an exclusive island. Now mostly an enormous tourism trap. 

Arrived in St. Ignace after crossing the bridge. Not much here to scream about. Great dinner and now feet up watching CNN with home Knob Creek. Will hold up here for tonite and head for the LOCKS at Sault St. Marie on Michigan side tomorrow.