When you go to bed as early as we do, you miss the local Friday night fireworks display. The forecast called for thunder showers but not until 4AM. But at 10:00 you could hear the roar and boom off in the distance. Ten minutes later it was quiet.
Then Gods fireworks display started. Earlier than forecasted. The first bright flash lit up the tent…1001, 1002,1003,-1018, rumble boom. 18 miles away. Then another flash. 1001,1002,1003-1011, boom. Then another; 1001,1002,1003-1006, boom.
1001,1002,1003-boom. One thou..boom. Then the rain came and came hard. Our little Big Agnes held its ground and kept us dry. At least what was inside. The park attendant warned our site wasn’t flat and the tent would be on a slant. No problem we thought. And in fact, the slope kept the puddles from building more than other sites experienced. The rain let up by Oh-Six hundred. I got up for a nature break and to build a cup of coffee. As I walked towards the bath house I reconnoitered the carnage. At least two camps just packed up and left. Two others had collapsed tents. One camper was sporting a new blue tarp for a roof. The road was filled with mud, sticks and puddles. We suffered some dampness but very survivable. We just prayed Dan and Tom, who use hammocks, survived to ride another day( we actually got a text that they stayed as dry as we did).
We packed up quickly, packing the wet tent last, and headed for Shepplers Ferry dock. We were ushered to the front of the line with our bikes and got the pick of seats. So of course we sat in the open upper deck. The rain wasn’t to start again for at least 30 minutes. 15 minutes later we docked at Mackinac Island and heard the “all a shore” order to disembark.
Mackinac Island does not allow motorized vehicles. You can bring a bike, rent a bike, walk, or hire one of many, many horse drawn carriages. They actually hire street sweepers, but it’s hard to keep up. So much so, when the rain returned, you wanted to be the lead bike as to miss the majority of splash being kicked up by rear tire in front of you.
We found breakfast shortly at the busy Seabiscuit Cafe. The menu was short, probably to speed up service. I reckon most of the items were prepared earlier and reheated when ordered. Still, not bad vittles. But the price suggested we would next eat in lower Michigan. Hey, it’s an island.
Afterwards we went exploring. Up the hill past the Grand Hotel. Gorgeous. Then past the main Fort. Great long history that goes back to the Revolution and then the War of 1812. Fascinating. Then a pleasant bike path and hike to Arch Rock. We also hiked up some stairs the highest point on the island that contained Fort Holmes. The high ground in support of the larger Fort Mackinac. Both forts exchanged hands and names during battle in 1813-14. The British had made a landing on the island and fought their way to the high ground. From there they dominated and garnered the surrender of Fort Mackinac without a fight. However, as they say, they won the battle but lost the war. History, I love it. There is much more history to be had. Mackinac island is considered the center of the universe by the Anishnaabek.
The French and the fur trade was booming before the Brits and Americans played tug-a-war. Although a touristy destination, I’d actually like to return, but after the weather clears.
We intended to circumnavigate the island but road construction prevented it. We went from one road closed sign to the other and some in between. The rain soaked us so we actually found a quiet cafe for some coffee, cocoa and a danish. Very pleasant. Then we headed back to the terminal and were immediately walked on board and within 5 minutes we were headed to Mackinaw City. This time we sat in the covered lower deck.
We found the hotel who got us in early. We got all our stuff out drying and then we showered and found some laundry service.
Refreshed, now it’s time for that second meal of the day.
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