Day 312- 313 Mackinac City & Petoskey

A small local car show, Wed. evening - A Chevy Pick Up Truck







Another truck, International Pick Up









Keyhole Restaurant in Mackinac City




One of the few times Tom is taking time to relax on the boat.








Part of the 4 mile Mackinac Bridge






One of the freighters we saw on Lake Michigan in the Mackinaw Straits






A navigational aid for fog that you hear every few minutes.







Linda Tuls “Perfect Timing” was so gracious to rise early to help with lines and see us off the dock at Drummond Island. We had a great time with looper friends Dave and. Linda.

We had calm water for our travel to Mackinaw City. Since we visited Mackinac Island a couple of years ago we decided not to stop there by boat. You have to take a ferry to get to the island where bicycles and horses are the only mode of transportation. When we cruised by Mackinac Island the large ferry boats were running in and out of the harbor creating waves that make a very uncomfortable mooring experience at the docks. Additionally, this week is packed with sailboats participating in the Chicago to Mackinac sailboat race.

We chose to venture about 10 miles further west over to the Municipal Marina located In Mackinaw City on the mainland. We purchased diesel fuel next door at Sheplers’ Marine Service before securing a slip. We rode bikes around town and wouldn’t you know, Tom spied a car that looked like it was going to a car show so we had to follow it. Once we got back on the bikes, we rode by many fudge, ice cream and
t-shirt shops. Of course we had to sample ice cream. We had dinner at the Keyhole Bar & Grill that was recommended by our friends Dave & Linda. It is a very fun and popular place.

We departed Mackinaw City early on Thursday for our 55-mile cruise on Lake Huron/ Michigan and we were pleased that the water was very calm. Around 7:00 am we passed under the 4 mile, 135’ high Mackinac Suspension Bridge which separates Lake Huron with Lake Michigan.

Currently we are at the Petoskey City Marina for 2 or 3 nights. This good size community is more metropolitan than I’ve seen for awhile. Although it was cloudy and threatened rain, Tom rode to a Walgreens to fill a prescription and I ventured on to the shopping area and now I have to find room on the boat for a couple more articles of clothing. After we both returned to the boat, it started to drizzle as predicted so we chose to dine on board and stay dry. We are hoping for a dry day Friday to visit the large Farmers Market plus ride and explore this town. This area, Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Charlevoix are quite crowded with transient boaters this week and week-end. Local marinas are full to capacity.