Mackinaw City

Enjoying Mullet Lake

With the help of one of his brothers, Bill planned our 11 day trip from Detroit back to St. Augustine.  First stop is Mackinaw City where we are spending 2 nights.  We stopped at the Breakers Bar on Mullet Lake in Topinabee (pronounced Tap-n-a-BEE) for a beer and an early dinner around 5pm.  We would never have known about it, had his brother not recommended it.  Sitting on the patio enjoying the lake view was fine until the sun went behind the building.  At that point we quickly headed inside where it was warm!  Needless to say, the locals were wearing shorts and T-shirts … after all, it was 64 degrees!
  

On our way up here we passed a sign close to the city of Gaylord that read “45th Parallel. Half way between the Equator and the North Pole”.  Unfortunately, we were past it before we realized what it said and were not able to take a photo of it!

Big Mac

Mackinaw City is connected to the Upper Peninsular by the Mackinac Bridge, one of the longest suspension spans in the world.  It was built in 1957 and stretches for 5 miles.  Ferries run from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island and we will be taking that trip tomorrow.  It is very confusing but, despite the slightly different spelling, both the city and the island are pronounced Mackinaw!


Mackinaw City was once a trading post established by the French in the early 1700’s.  The post became Fort Michilimackinac in 1715 and over the years was held by the French, the British and the American Indians (the Ojibwa is the main tribe in this area, also known as the Chippewa).  This has resulted in a wonderful mixture of these languages in the names of places and people.
   

Our hotel, Comfort Inn and Suites, is beautifully located, just a short walk to Arnold Line Catamarans, the ferry that we will take to Mackinac Island tomorrow.  At $55.00 a night, we have the choice of a King or Queen to sleep in, a sitting room and a small kitchen.  Most important, we have wife which, at this point allows me to receive emails but not send.  Bill, I am sure, will take care of this for me before we leave 