Mackinaw & Mackinac, the City and the Island

7/7/2019

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West side of Drummond Island as we cruise from the North Channel into Lake Huron.

Mackinac Island from the water

Passing a ferry on it's way to Mackinac Island Friday

The Mackinac Island Lighthouse from Bella as we traveled past Mac Island to Mac City

It took me a while to figure it out.... I know, I'm probably the last person to realize that even though it's spelled differently, Mackinaw and Mackinac are pronounced the same :) We arrived Friday, July 5th in Mackinaw City, MI. We had wanted to stay on Mackinac Island, but they were booked (go figure, it's the 4th weekend) and besides all the guidebooks and fellow Loopers recommended NOT staying on the island since the ferries run all day long and will rock you like no other with their wakes.
We found a slip at Straits State Harbor in Mackinaw City. We are right on the main tourist drag and within walking distance to ferries that take you the the Island. The marina is behind two break walls, but we and everyone in the marina still get the ferry surges when they pass. They throw some serious wakes. Even the two break walls can't stop them!
We checked out Mackinaw City Friday. It was crazy here on the 5th. Tons of tourists! This morning (Saturday), we ferried over to Mackinac Island and spent the day. We did the horsedrawn carriage tour, checked out the Fort and the Grand Hotel, had lunch at the Pink Pony and tried not to get run over by a bicycle!
Mackinac Island is a wonderful place. No cars or motorized vehicles. Everything is done by horse drawn wagons. It's truly a step back in time. The aroma of fudge shops is replaced by the aroma of horse droppings which is an interesting combination. Again, there is so much history to this little island. Definitely a loop highlight! Below are pics of both our time in Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island.

Straits State Harbor, Mackinaw City, MI 7/5-6/2019

View from our boat at Straits State Harbor, Mackinaw City, MI

The harbor is located right next to the Mackinaw City Pier Below: Breakwalls at Straits State, the incredibly clear water in the marina and the marina office