Captain’s Log:
Trip to
Mackinaw City
For the most
part, coast highway 23 proved to be smooth with easy driving through little
shore towns. We enjoyed the ride to Mackinaw Mill Creek Camp, stopping on the
banks of Grand Lake (not Huron) for lunch. Further up the highway we could see
the vast waters of Lake Huron when there were breaks in the trees that line the
road. The majority of beautiful houses on the shore look like residences rather
than lake cottages. I’ve got to say, this is my kind of lake and not at all
like the desert lakes we see in Arizona where there are no houses of any kind.
We packed up
our laundry as soon as we arrived at camp and loaded up Maxwell with Tide and
quarters for a trip downtown to find the Laundromat. It’s located not far from
Fort Mackinaw, so I walked on down there while the machines tossed our clothes
around. I was disappointed to find that the closest shady bench by the water
resided inside chain link fencing. I walked several blocks down to a visitor
center under the bridge before I found an open-to-the public bench under the
trees next to the water.
Access to
the fort and grounds next to Lake Huron costs $11, and that dang fence runs all
the way out into the water to keep people out who might walk along the beach to
get in. It’s obvious this used to be an open park that has been closed to
generate revenue. There are many gates that have now been padlocked. By the
time I found the public-access to the beach, I was hot, sweaty and not in a
very good mood. I felt as if I’d spent time imprisoned in a tourist trap.
Tomorrow we
should have photos of Mackinac Island.
Thanks for
traveling with us!
End Captain’s Log.
First Officer’s Entry:
For you
sharp eyed folks who have noticed the spelling of “Mackinac” and “Mackinaw”
please be advised both are correct. The
island is “Mackinac”, pronounced “Mackinaw”, and the city is “Mackinaw”
pronounced “Mackinaw.” I dunno why. There’s probably a reason. Something French I suppose.
As the
Captain said, Rt. 23 was a pleasure to drive.
Smooth as glass with beautiful views and great rest areas.
I went
downtown to find an ATM and a penny press and found both. I also found a shirt shop that actually had
golf style shirts and bought a black one with the Mackinac Island logo. That, with the laundry doing, made yesterday about
as exciting as it gets.
Sunday the
island! Life in the fast lane! Standby for words!
End First Officer’s entry
No comments:
Post a Comment