Petoskey, MI 07/28 & 07/29/2021

Wednesday & Thursday 07/28 & 07/29//2021

Day Miles: 56

Total Miles:  6703

Travel Days:  130

Total Days:  274

Wednesday:

We entered our 4th Great Lake, Lake Michigan.  We had a beautiful day to run from St. Ignace to Petoskey with calm waters and low wind.  The wind and waves did pick up later in the day, but we were already down the Little Traverse Bay and close to the marina.  

Mackinac Bridge in the morning.

Rare, smooth day on Lake Michigan

The marina at Petoskey is very clean and well maintained.  After lunch we walked the town and most of the small shops.  

Clocktower at the marina with the lighthouse in the background

Walkway tunnel from the marina to the downtown section.

Later in the day I walked up to the office and was able to get "Jackpot" and "New Hope" a slip at the marina for Thursday.  We decided to eat dinner on the boat and take it easy as we knew we would be eating out on Thursday.  

Thursday:

We took some time in the morning to refine some trip planning and some other basic chores.  Cleaning and waxing sections on the boat will never end.  By the time we finished with showers and lunch, "Jackpot" and "New Hope were coming into the marina.  The wind was just starting to get bad and they were just able to beat the worst of it in.  Shortly after,  we all took a walk up to the small West Marine store where I was able to replace my spare Racor fuel filters.  Always good to have spare filters, and I used mine when we were in MacRay - Remember?  After walking the town again we went to the Tap 30 House for lunch and drinks.  Well, we drank, they ate.  Walking back Marcia found a Murdick fudge shop so she had to get the chocolate peanut butter fudge.  The guys separated and headed back to the boat for happy hour and a cigar while the women visited a few more shops.  We all walked up and enjoyed a great dinner at Park City Grill.  The Grill is one of Petoskey's oldest buildings and was originally constructed in 1875.  I was happy with the Gumbo and Jambalaya for dinner. 

Over 100 year old bar. This was supposedly a onetime Hemingway hang out.  

We had a short nightcap back at the boat and we prepared for a rough day on Friday as the wind and waves were predicted to be bad.  Not horrible, but not good either. 

I think that Lucy is starting to get a little too comfortable on the boat when we are not moving.

That is actually my leg that she has her leg on.

Waiting for Marcia in the bathroom.

St. Ignace - Mackinaw Island 07/26 & 07/27/2021

Monday & Tuesday 07/26 & 07/27//2021

Day Miles: 55

Total Miles:  6647

Travel Days:  129

Total Days:  272

WARNING:  This post may contain an obscene amount of pictures.  I warned you.

We left Rogers City and headed north towards St. Ignace.  We were unable to get into the marina on Mackinac Island due to a sailboat race.  St. Ignace is just North of Mackinac Island and Ferries run all day long.  It was a scenic cruise and arrived around lunch time.

Mackinac Bridge

The Lake Huron waters are very clear.

After the normal securing of the boat, lunch and showers, we called the Ferry line who sent a shuttle to the marina to pick us up and we caught the 2:30 ferry to Mackinac Island.  As we exited the ferry, we felt as though we were transported back in time.  There are no motorized cars allowed on the island.  All transportation is done by foot, bike or horse.  The main street is very busy with lots of bars, tee shirt shops, fudge shops and people.

Amazon will find a way

We went into a couple of shops and then stopped at Mary's for a drink.  Nice selection of drafts.

First bar that I have been to that had Tito's on tap.

Bar stools were comfortable.

We walked the strip and then stopped in the Pink Pony for their famous Island Rum Runner.

View from the Pink Pony Patio

After the Pony we hiked up a path to see the Gazebo that was used in the filming of "Somewhere in Time".  NO, I have not seen the movie.

The views from the top were amazing.

At the top was also a Fort, but we did not tour it.

There were a lot of nice houses, yards, and hotels to see also.  

The Governor's vacation home.

Small church - we missed service.

Thought of brother Don and Sparkie (sorry Ann) who just did the MS150

On the walk back to catch the Ferry back to St. Ignace we did have to stop and purchase some Fudge from JoAnn's fudge shop.  They are known for their fudge and it is very good, and am not a big sweet person.  Exhausted we just had dinner on the boat.  We are planning to go back tomorrow with "Jackpot" and "New Hope" as they are staying at the same marina on Tuesday.

We did meet and talked to a couple of Border Control Officers at the boat for a while.  No I did not get arrested.

Tuesday

"Jackpot" and "New Hope" arrived at St. Ignace at 10:30 and we were on the 12:00 Ferry heading back to Mackinac Island.  We saved the tour of the Grand Hotel until today to do it with them.  When we got to the Island we were all hungry so we had lunch, and a Bloody Mary at Mary's.  After that we walked to the Grand Hotel.  It is said to have the largest porch of any hotel.  It was very impressive and fun to see.

View of the Grand Hotel from the water.

Back of Brenda's head.

Sonny holding the door.  The Longest Porch. 

Garden

Ice cream shop

Porch

Us, Jack, Joann, Sonny, and Brenda

View from the hotel.

After the hotel tour we did have to stop at Sadies Ice Cream.  It is said to be the best ice cream ever.  I am not an ice cream connoisseur, but the deer tracks were good and Marcia had no problem finishing her mint chocolate chip.   We walked back to town and stopped to have a drink at the Great Turtle.  We walked back down Main Street to the Pink Pony so they could see it and visit the store.  

We were all tired so we took the Ferry back to St. Ignace.  We had cocktails and Joann prepared a charcuterie tray as no one was really that hungry for dinner.  We said goodnight and prepared for departure on Wednesday morning.