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Mackinac & Pictured Rocks
  • C-Traveler

Mackinac & Pictured Rocks

Launched at St. Ignace Boat launch and enjoyed Mackinaw and Mackinac Island. Then stopped and spent a few days at Pictured Rocks National Seashore. Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 21, 2024
    C-TravelerMackinac & Pictured RocksTraveler
    C-Traveler at the St. Ignace Boat Ramp
    C-Traveler at the St. Ignace Boat RampRosanne listening to live music at Buoys on the BayMe and Rosanne photo op at Buoys at the BayMe and Rosanne across from the marina. Look close and maybe you can spot C-Traveler

    Launched at St. Ignace

    August 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 61 °F

    Trailered C-Traveler up to St. Ignace today. Launched and then headed over to St. Ignace Marina. Quickly got set up there, and then walked across the street to Buoys on the Bay Pub and Grill for supper. After that we walked to Double Decker Ice Cream. I brought our bicycles along this trip to ride around Mackinaw and Mackinac Island. I fabricated an older bike rack to fit on C-Traveler's bow rails.Read more

  • C-TravelerMackinac & Pictured RocksTraveler
    Rosanne checking out one of the Ojibwa exhibits.
    Ojibwa Museum descriptive sign.Rosanne with Father Marquette statue.Miss Jill joined us at St. Ignace Marina for a few hours today.The Mighty Mac!At the Straits Marina dock in Mackinaw.Mike joined us for dinner at O'Reily's Irish Pub.Good photo op at Mackinaw Crossing strip mall.Another fun photo op at Mackinaw Crossings.

    Day 2

    August 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    After breakfast I checked in with the marina office, since we arrived last night after they had closed. We then rode our bikes back to the truck to pick up a small air compressor so I could pump up Rosanne's bike tire. (It blew out on the way up here yesterday, and while I had a small hand pump to fill it after replacing the tube, it couldn't handle the 80psi pressure in the tire.) We also stopped at the Ojibwa Museum and did a little shopping before returning to the boat to find our friend Mike with Ms. Jill waiting for us. Enjoyed visiting with him and had lunch. Then both C-Traveler and Ms Jill left St. Ignace for a slow cruise along the Mighty Mac bridge, over to Straits Marina in Mackinaw. Relaxed the rest of the day, until walking into town for supper at O'Reillys Irish Pub, and then enjoying some live music and the lazer show in Mackinaw Crossings. (Sadly the lazer show isn't as nice as it use to be...)Read more

  • C-TravelerMackinac & Pictured RocksTraveler
    Me next to an old capstan.
    Mighty Mac bridge1Rosanne and I with the Mighty Mac in the backgroundOld Mackinac Point LighthouseHad to take this photo for my boys. Me standing in front of the Mackinaw Crossings TransformerMusician Jim EwellMike and Rosanne with their bikes.Rosanne with granny. lolHelen DeBaker Vorce and her Rhinestone Band.Many paintings from the Mackinaw City Area Arts Council Art Walk

    Day 3

    August 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    Slept in. After breakfast, Rosanne relaxed reading, and I was on the computer reading and doing email. After lunch I got our bikes down and Mike borrowed one of the marina's loaners. We rode around town checking out a lot of interesting interpretive signs along the Mackinaw City Historical Pathway. Stopped at Mackinaw Crossings mall to do some window shopping and to listen to musician Jim Ewell at the laser show bandshell there. Back to the boat then for some more relaxation and then after supper walked over to the park near by to hear some more live music, Helen DeBaker Vorce and her Rhinestone Band.Read more

  • C-TravelerMackinac & Pictured RocksTraveler
    The parking lot was packed with Corvettes!
    This 1958 Corvette was probably my favorite.I do prefer the earlier model Corvettes.Round Island Light House at the Mackinac Island Inlet.Me and Rosanne with the Michigan Sugar Queen and her Court.Two of the three modes of transportation on the island. Horse and Biking. (The third is walking.)Many pretty flower gardens on the island.And some nice large homes.Sunset over Mackinac Island.

    Day 4

    August 24, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    This morning I enjoyed the Corvette Show in the Straits Marina parking lot, while Rosanne browsed the Craft fair in the park next door. Mike on Ms. Jill had left earlier to get over to Mackinac Island State Marina to see if he could grab a slip. Fortunate he did, as he got one right away. Later that morning the waiting list was long. We got over there at noon, and with reservations, our slip was vacant so we got right in. Walked around downtown Mackinac Island some, checking out the fudge, (it's their fudge festival this weekend), meeting the Michigan Sugar Queen and her court, and of course getting some ice cream! We had Mike over for supper on our boat, and called it a day.Read more

  • C-TravelerMackinac & Pictured RocksTraveler
    Bike trail/road around Mackinac Island
    Bike trail/road around Mackinac IslandMike taking a picture of a photogenic sea gull. lolThe trail around Mackinac Island

    Day 5

    August 25, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Another nice day on Mackinac Island. This morning I streamed my church service from Christ Lutheran Church Stoughton. I was able to catch the sermon and then joined Rosanne a few minutes late for the local Catholic Mass. After lunch, Mike joined us for a bike ride around the island. Total distance is 8 miles on a paved road with some nice scenery. I thought I shot a 20 second video, but looks like I just captured a couple still photos. Some ice cream when we got back, some more fudge tasting, then some reading and resting time on the boat. Mike joined us for supper at a local's hangout (Yankee Rebel Tavern) which was pretty good. Tomorrow Mike will leave us as he heads back to Mackinaw to put Ms. Jill back on it's trailer, and then heads towards the North Channel to join our other friend Bill. Rosanne and I have four more nights reserved here at Mackinac.Read more

  • C-TravelerMackinac & Pictured RocksTraveler
    Cruise Ship Pearl Mist.
    View of Mackinac City Harbor area from one of the higher roads.Post Cemetery.3 horse carriageGrand Hotel Carriage HouseGuess I'd be 15 1/2 hands high if I were a horse. lolThe Grand Hotel carriage horses.Some of the museum carriages inside the Grand Hotel Carriage House.Rosanne at one of the Grand Hotel gardens.The Grand Hotel

    Day 6

    August 26, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    This morning after getting up, we noticed that the Great Lakes Cruise Ship, Pearl Mist, had arrived at the main dock. We went over to say goodbye to Mike, and then came back to make breakfast. After that we rode our bikes around the inner part of the Island, visiting the Carriage Museum and then swung by the airport. Came back to the boat. Had lunch. Rested a while, and then walked over to check out another ice cream place. Oh, and stopped at a couple fudge shops to sample some fudge. There is a lot of fudge and ice cream here! 🙂 Rest of the day just relaxed on the boat. Up to 78 here today, while we hear it was in the upper 90's at home with a heat advisory. Glad we are here. This evening the Pearl Mist departed. Rosanne asked one of the older ladies we saw earlier today wearing a name tag from the ship and she said they had boarded just across from Toronto and are headed to Milwaukee.Read more

  • C-TravelerMackinac & Pictured RocksTraveler
    Me and Rosanne with Arch Rock above us.
    1Me and Rosanne across from Arch Rock, with Lake Huron behind us.Gitchie Manitou rock outcroppingPouring fudgeWorking the fudge as it cools.

    Day 7

    August 27, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    Woke up this morning looking at some rain drops on our v-berth hatch, but none of the forecasted storms for today materialized around here. Rosanne attended Mass and then we went for a bike ride around the island. Came back to the boat and went out to Horn's pub to see how the Nachos are here. (Actually, pretty good!) Spent the rest of the day just relaxing on the boat.Read more

  • C-TravelerMackinac & Pictured RocksTraveler
    One of many pretty butterflies
    One of many pretty butterfliesOne of many pretty butterfliesThis butterfly landed on a little girl.One of many pretty butterfliesRosanne taking a photo of a butterfly.Beehive displayNeptune Beetle.Bearded DragonHedgeHog.Rough night/day in the marina,

    Day 8

    August 28, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 61 °F

    Early afternoon, but probably not much more to report later. Woke up this morning to a rockin' rollin' boat. Winds shifted to out of the east last night and were blowing pretty good. This marina is open to the east, and many reviews talk about not only the day time ferry boats making wakes, but the rolling water with winds out of the east to SE. Weather quite a change from the nice days earlier. Today is misty and chilly. We went to the Butterfly House and Insect Museum this morning, seeing many beautiful butterflies and some interesting insects and other critters. After that, Rosanne went to Mass at the local Catholic Church. Back at the boat for lunch and then walked into town to get some ice cream. Did I mention this place is known for ice cream and fudge? lol! Rosanne is spending some time at the library (on solid ground) while I finish uploading pictures.Read more

  • C-TravelerMackinac & Pictured RocksTraveler
    Back on the trailer at St. Ignace
    Lower Tahquamenon FallsLower Tahquamenon FallsMe and Rosanne at Lower Tahquamenon Falls1Upper Tahquamenon FallsUpper Tahquamenon Falls94 Stairs to climb down to this view point next to the Falls.Back in the water at Munising Bayshore Marina.

    Day 9

    August 29, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    So yesterday afternoon I did get one more bike ride in around the island while Rosanne spent time in the library. The east winds blew up a lot more chop on the water than what we had seen last time we rode around the island. The winds did die down and we went to bed with fairly calm water in the marina. However they picked up out of the east again sometime after midnight and made for another rather rocky rest of the night on the boat. Got up this morning and after breakfast I prepped the boat to leave Mackinac Island for the short ride back over to St. Ignace and the truck and trailer, while Rosanne went to buy some Fudge. At St. Ignace we loaded C-Traveler back on her trailer and after a short stop to gas the truck and buy some groceries, headed north to Tahquamenon Falls. They were suggested by our neighbor. We visited both the Lower and Upper Falls. Very scenic, and quite a few were actually swimming and enjoying the water around the falls. I also did a couple Earthcaches (Geocache) while on the trails to the Falls. Onward to Munising where we launched C-Traveler again, and this evening we are in the marina. Sometime in the next few days we plan to cruise Pictured Rocks National Seashore. We have weather forecasted for thunderstorms and winds, so hope to get out between storms and without the wind!Read more

  • C-TravelerMackinac & Pictured RocksTraveler
    Grand Island East Channel Light House. This is an abandoned light house.
    Minors Castle. Remember what this rock outcropping looks like.This is the same rock, Minors Castle, but seen from several miles away. Doesn't it look like a ship?1I really wanted to drive the boat through this cave, but the water was a little too rough.There are some private homes on Grand IslandNot the best photo, but exciting to make out what we could of the Bermuda ShipWreckWe cruised from Munising to Grand Portage Point, then crossed over and down the east side of Grand I

    Day 10

    August 30, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    Got up this morning and checked in with the marina harbor master, since he was not here when we got in last evening. Had a great night's sleep, as this marina is much more protected than Mackinac Island marina! 🙂 After breakfast we decided to go see if the water was calm enough to cruise along the Pictured Rocks National Seashore. Winds were westerly around 10 kts, and it wasn't too bad with seas running 1 to 2 feet. We went approximately 15 miles and turned around at Grand Portal Point. It was a little rougher than we liked, so didn't attempt to go all the way to Grand Marais. We turned just a bit too early and missed seeing Spray Falls, but did get to see the prettiest part of Pictured Rocks. Tomorrow, if the winds die down a bit more and the chop stays under a foot, we'll look at cruising up to Grand Marais and seeing some more of the shoreline there. I probably took a couple hundred photos today, but you'll be happy to see I'm only uploading 9 of them. I guess if you've seen one pictured rock, you've seen them all. lol. We also spent some time going around the east and south side of Grand Island, and into Murray Bay. Some nice cliff faces on Grand Island as well. And while we didn't get the same view as the tourists on the Glass Bottom boats get, we did see the Bermuda shipwreck. There are also some nice sandy beaches along Pictured Rocks National Seashore (where we saw several groups of kayakers), and Grand Island. Back at the marina, Rosanne made us supper, and then we walked over to Falling Rock Cafe for some ice cream. Very good ice cream, and less than half the price that we were paying at Mackinac Island!Read more

  • C-TravelerMackinac & Pictured RocksTraveler
    Tip of Grand Portal Point
    Spray FallsKayaking boat. They transport customers and kayaks out and back to the Pictured RocksSmall village on Grand IslandGrand Island FerrySeagull poop is so disgusting.Grand Island West Channel Range Lights.Grand Island West Channel Range lights aligned to show on course.Old fishing boat in MunisingSunset over Munising

    Day 11

    August 31, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    Another calm night in the Munising Bayshore Marina. After breakfast this morning, it looked like the winds were barely moving so we figured we might get on up to Grand Marias. And to start out, it was pretty comfortable with just some very light chop. However, as we got back up to Grand Portal Point, we were back in 1 to 2' chop with some 3'. The winds ended up being a few more knots that the forecast... We did continue around to Spray Falls, but decided with 25 miles left to Grand Marias and 20 miles back to Munising, and really only wanting to see the light house up at Grand Marias, we decided to turn around and just go finish exploring Grand Island. We went around the south and west side of Grand Island, out to Williams Island. Looked like a small private island with a residence on it. Rocky shoals around Williams Island, and back in the NW wind caused chop, we turned around there to head back to the marina. Saw a couple of old Range lights. These lights are basically two lights in a row, the back one higher than the front one. Ships line up on those to come safely into the Munising Harbor. I don't think they are really used anymore, but the lights in one of them was still lit. The back tower on both of them were almost obscured by trees. Hoping for a calm night here in the protected marina, with gale warnings from 8p to 11a tomorrow. Winds out of the NW, but we are fairly protected not only here in the marina, but the harbor by the mainland and Grand Island. Plans are to put C-Traveler back on the trailer fairly early tomorrow morning (early for me. lol), and head for home. This has been a great trip all in all.Read more

  • C-TravelerMackinac & Pictured RocksTraveler

    Day 12

    September 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Safely back home. Had a great time at Mackinac Island, then Munising seeing the Pictured Rocks National Seashore. Gale warnings late last night for the Pictured Rocks area and the winds did blow. Blowing pretty good this morning as we were leaving. Thank goodness the boat ramp was close to the marina and the harbor didn’t have any large waves. But it was a slightly rolling night on the boat. Next two days will be busy cleaning C-Traveler up for her next trip.Read more

    Trip end
    September 1, 2024
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