Mackinac Island.

Mackinac Island (pronounced Mackinaw) is arguably the premier resort destination on the Great Lakes.  It has many hotels, restaurants, shops and outdoor activities.   Located in the middle of the Straights of Mackinac, linking Lakes Huron and Michigan, it began as a trapping and fishing outpost centuries ago.  Native Americans fished here from 1000 B.C. to 1650 A.D.  In 1670 Father Claude Dablon established a Christian mission on the island.  Then came the French, English and finally Americans.  A fort was built by the French to protect the Straights from a naval invasion.  In 1761 the fort became British after their victory during the Seven Years War with the French.  After the American Revolution the fort became a US fort.  Up to 1812 the fort really never saw action, but there is a piece of spotty American history regarding the fort during the War of 1812 (not mentioned in the glowing history accounts of that war in Baltimore!).  Apparently after we declared war on the British, the scoundrels staged a sneak attack on Fort Mackinac, took it by surprise and captured it without firing a shot.  Two years later the Americans tried taking it back, failing miserably and losing many men.  Not to be outdone, the American navy left two ships to blockade the island and starve the British out.  The scoundrels staged another sneak attack, captured the two ships, looted the supplies and sank the ships.   Only when the war ended in a draw, did the US regain possession of the island by treaty.   That was not mentioned in my civics class…..

Anyway, tourism became the prime industry, and the island now is a summertime destination.  Automobiles are banned, and horse and buggy and bicycle are the primary modes of transportation around the island.  Fudge is its big export, and we sampled lots.  Everything ices over in the winter, so the place just about shuts down except for a few intrepid snowmobilers who trek across the frozen Straights of Mackinac.

Our next stop is Charlevoix, Michigan as we begin to head south on Lake Michigan. 

There are many freighters on the Great Lakes and we have to stay out of the way.  

The Pink Pony Pub. 

Michigan has a great system of marinas.  The DNR here maintains a web site that you can book space on the many marinas on Lake Michigan.  

Main Street.  No cars!

Straights of Mackinac.  

Fort Mackinac.  

Wait, he discovered the Mississippi River??  That is not what was taught in my civics class.  

Alexis is charmed by the flowers here.  

Grand Hotel.  

One of the many summer homes on the island.  

We took the horse and buggy tour.  

Note the cruise ship in the background.  

The marina from the fort.  

I think all the Canadian Geese are leaving Canada to escape hunting season!  Alexis and I ran into about 30 of them walking through De Tour around 10:00 PM.  They are walking out!  They were a bit hostile to us, and would not get off the sidewalk, so we had to go around them!  

Afternoon tea.