Wednesday noon [Sept. 16th] my hubby and I took a little break and headed up to Mackinaw City, in the northern part of Michigan's lower peninsula. It is 182 miles from my house - about a five hour drive. It was a beautiful day for traveling.
[Taken at a rest stop]
Our motel recommended The Lighthouse restaurant on Huron Avenue for dinner. Summer vacations may be over, but Mackinaw City was bustling with tour buses.
The Lighthouse was a great recommendation. I ordered stuffed salmon. Yum!
After dinner Jerry and I walked Huron and Central Avenues - the main tourist shopping streets in Mackinaw City.
Mackinaw City has three ferry lines to transport tourists to Mackinac Island, but the Grand Hotel gives a Shepler's discount to their guests. Below is a photo of Shepler's dock where we were Thursday morning to board the 10:30 a.m. 'Mighty Mac' ferry.
The bakery in Mackinaw City has a tea shop attached. It closed at 5:00 p.m., but I returned on Thursday morning for a visit before boarding the ferry.
Both Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island are known for their fudge. Jerry and I stopped at Kilwins to purchase some creamy peanut butter fudge.
I couldn't resist taking a photo of the sign below in one of the store windows.
I got a cup of peach apricot tea [by Metropolitan Tea Co.] and a blueberry scone at the bakery on Thursday morning.
Then I wandered around the tea shop. Loved seeing two antique stoves.
And LOTS of tea - I only photographed Harney & Son's teas, Elmwood Inn teas, and Republic of Tea. There were many other tea selections from other companies.
We walked down to a park by the lake to get photos of the 'Mighty Mac' bridge. It was quite windy by the lake.
Construction on the Mackinaw Bridge connecting the upper and lower peninsulas, began in 1954 and was completed in 1957. It was the longest suspension bridge in the world for decades, but today it's #16. 4.5 million vehicles cross the 5 mile long bridge every year, and believe me, it's one nail-biting ride - for me anyway! ;-)
The 'Mighty Mac' departure means the ferry takes passengers under the Mackinaw Bridge before going to the Island. The name of our ferry was the Wyandot.
Jerry's patiently waiting for the ferry to depart.
The top deck of the ferry was filled with passengers from front to back.
Approaching the bridge and going under it. On one side of the bridge is Lake Michigan, and the other is Lake Huron.
[Round Island Lighthouse]
The island as the ferry approached the dock.
Beautiful scenery! This was our sixth time to visit Mackinac Island, and we never tire of it.
Tomorrow's post will be Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel.
