We left Detroit and headed north. We skipped the Pinconning Cheese Haus in northern Michigan and crossed over the Mackinac Straits via the spectacular Mackinac Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. (And it's pronounced Mackinaw.)
After reaching St. Ignace (pronounced Ig-nuss), our first stop was Castle Rock, a Blowing Rock-like outcropping affording spectacular views and statues of Paul Bunion and Babe.
photo credit: Macon
We finished our day on the shore at St. Ignace
with a dip in the outdoor-but-heated pool at our hotel.
The next morning, we struck out for Mackinac Island, which is car-free and stunningly beautiful, but full of bikes and horse poop.
At Fort Mackinac, Jed got to hold a 19th century rifle!
lunch
in the block houses at the fort
After lunch, we rode around the island. Literally. All the way around the island. Macon almost fell asleep on his trail-a-bike and Jed treated it like a forced labor march, but it was spectacular.
back in downtown Mackinac
After another night in St. Ignace, we headed north to Sault Ste Marie where the St. Mary's River connects Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
Sault Ste Marie is also home to the Soo Locks, which we toured.
entering the lock (to the left) while a freighter enters the lock to the right
filling
nearly full
After the locks, we spent a few very rainy hours on the road to Marquette, MI, via Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It was spectacular, and nearly as spectacular as the meltdown one of our children had at this point.
We arrived to a gloomy view from our hotel in Marquette . . .
but awoke to another beautiful day.
After Froot Loops, we continued west, crossing into Wisconsin before arriving at Marmie's!
Duluth is next . . .
