Mackinac Island State Park - MI

Mackinac Bridge

On July 9th of this year we had the opportunity to revisit Mackinac Island.  Our friends, Bill and Janice, came from Texas via Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula to meet us at Mill Creek RV Park in Mackinaw City.  This was their first visit to the island and we were excited to act as their tour guides.

 Ready for the Star Line Ferry ride to the island

In Mackinaw City in the Star Line Ferry parking area, we purchased tickets to ride the Star Line Ferry, to transport our bikes, to ride a horse-drawn carriage on the island, and to dine at the magnificent Grand Hotel.  The ticket also included transporting us under the Mackinac Bridge (opening photo).

Mackinac Bridge seen from the Mill Creek Campground

The bridge, which was about 3.5 years in construction, opened in 1957, connects Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsula, and is breathtaking.

This is a view of the Grand Hotel from our ferry.  The National Historic Landmark has welcomed guests since 1887.

Once we arrived we quickly claimed our bikes/trikes and found parking in town.  The bike ride around the island would wait until the afternoon.

Our Carriage Ride through town

This photo was taken around 10 am and the streets are not too crowded.  Motor vehicles are not permitted on the island.  Carriage taxis are available, bike rentals are available (if you don't want to bring your own), or there is sightseeing by walking.

Our carriage next takes us past the Grand Hotel where we will enjoy lunch after our carriage tour.

The carriage tour is quite informative and allows various stops for photos and close inspection of our destinations.  We passed by an old cemetery.  The remains of an old fort are nearby but we did not visit it.  Our carriage driver did tell us a ghost story while winding our way through a wooded area.

This is Arch Rock and makes for a stunning photo.  

We rode past the green and red stables for the Grand Hotel.  All horses we observed throughout the day seemed  healthy and well cared for.
Our carriage driver dropped us off a few blocks from the Grand and we walked the short distance to enjoy an elegant lunch buffet.

Have you seen Somewhere in Time?  If not, I recommend seeing it before visiting the hotel.  The setting for the movie is Mackinac Island.  The movie takes us back in time and we get an idea of what life might have been like in the 19th century.

Grand Hotel Carriage

Inside the hotel

The Grand Hotel dining area

There are signs out front that alert visitors to dress up for evening dining.

World's longest porch

Enjoying the view with Bill and Janice

It was 2:00 pm when by the time we had lunch, looked around the hotel, and made our way to town to get our bikes for our 8 mile ride around the island.  The entire trail is paved and most is along the water.

The Straits of Mackinac surround the island and are crystal clear near the shore.

A popular stop on the trail is a stairway to view the Arch Rock.

Bill and Janice lead the way

 We made frequent stops to enjoy the beauty around us.

Kites in the afternoon breeze

It took just over an hour and a half for the bike ride as we made frequent stops for pictures.  By 3:30 we had pulled away from the dock and were headed back to Mackinaw City.

 In Mackinaw City there is a shuttle for the Star Line that will deliver us and our bikes to our campground.  The process is seamless.  A fun day was had by all.

Fred Meijer Berry Junction South Connector - Dalton, MI

The sassafras trees are beginning to show their colors all along this trail.  August 18th seems a little early.  Debbie and I once sampled tea that Michigander friends had made from dried and steeped sassafras roots.  It was okay.  The history is that sassafras roots were formerly used to flavor root beer.

We begin and end our ride from the Duck Creek RV Resort where we camp throughout the summer.  It is located directly across from Michigan's Adventure amusement park.  Screams from the roller-coaster can be heard all summer long.

The trail from our park heading south was just finished this year.  It connects the Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail to the Bear Lake Trail and the Muskegon Lake Trail.
We now have over 50 miles of dedicated trail available out our front door.

This portion of the trail is not truly a rail trail in that the tracks are still in use.  The trail is not quite so straight or level as a result.

Along the way we met several riders from the Fetch Cycling Club (Fetch is a Whitehall, MI brewery).  They were heading to a pub in Muskegon.  I asked, "Now let me get this straight, you're riding from one brewery to another and then back?"  Their answer, "Exactly!"

Here are a couple of scenic shots along the trail.

For us flatlanders, this small hill at Ruddiman Avenue is challenge enough.

We do cross a few streets, but the major crossings, such as this one at Whitehall road, have crosswalk controls to enhance safety.

Our midpoint destination was Bernie O's Pizza.

They're famous for the pizza on the right called 'The Twist'.  It was once voted one of the top 3 pizzas in the nation by Pizza Today Magazine.  My favorites are their Fusion or Hot Wings style.

Roundtrip ride is about 15 miles.  Our vote is thumbs-up.