ow--in a good way, I guess

[likethebeer]

We just got back from a whirlwind trip to Mackinaw City, which is in the Upper Peninsula of MI. To get to it you cross the Mackinac Bridge--"The 128th Wonder of the World!" (as i joked to mda). It's a 5 mile-long bridge. The engineering was pretty incredible. The bridge links the UP (connected to WI) down to MI.

We were visiting mda's sister, BIL (who now own a house there) and his mom. Took us 8 hours to drive there, and we left on Friday, so you can see it's a lot of driving. I think we were only conscious a little bit longer than the total driving time. It was cool, though. I totally relaxed all of Sat., so I think it did some good.

Sat. we went to Mackinac Island, which you can only get to by ferry. Cars were banned from the island in 1899 so you walk everywhere (or bike ride, or ride horses). There are all these trails that you can walk with things to see--the island was below water less than 10,000 years ago, so it has all these funky rock formations. It was "lilac festival" on the island on Sat. Gives you a sense of what their growing season is like--their lilacs are just blooming; ours bloomed about a month ago. Weather was perfect, in the 60s w/blue skies, warm in the sun, cold in the shade, no humidity or bugs, all that. I think we walked several miles. It must have been the terrain, b/c my shins are f*cking killing me. It's not like I don't exercise, but not my shins so much, I guess.

Good thing we got to the island in the morning b/c even now the touristoes are starting to crowd the place (I guess I'm one of them). It was freaky crowded though on the main street after we got back from our walk at 4 or so. I shudder to think what it's like in July. I picked up 5 postcards for my niece, though. I wrote one--I should write another and send it off tomorrow.

Well, there's more stuff, it's just more touristy stuff for the most part, i guess.

Off to listen to the end of old time radio drama and bed.

Comments

The Summer of Rum and Fudge

[gutbloom.livejournal.com]

I spent the summer after I graduated from high school as a dock porter for the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

Re: The Summer of Rum and Fudge

[likethebeer.livejournal.com]

Fudge? There was fudge available on Macinac Island? huh. I guess I must have missed the actual fudge due to the fudge shops every 15 feet.

omg fudge.

[binro33.livejournal.com]

We used to go to Mackinac every summer when I was a kid. It's always had a special place in my heart.

I grew up in the Soo, so it was only about an hour and a half to get to the bridge.

Thanks to "define: Google"....

[likethebeer.livejournal.com]

I know where you grew up. I wonder how that abbreviation comes around.

Mackinac Island is pretty. I can see why it would be such a draw. I would have a hard time living there, what with the feast-or-famine existence with people, but walking around was really cool.

Re: Thanks to "define: Google"....

[binro33.livejournal.com]

Sault is a french word meaning rapids/falls. So the name "Sault Ste. Marie" translates as "St. Mary's Rapids" and is pronounced "Soo Saint Marie".

[sirreal13.livejournal.com]

I haven't been to Mackinac Island since grade school... I think I'm due.

[likethebeer.livejournal.com]

Go soon, or wait 'til October or something. man, that place was overrun. And, no, I didn't get any fudge (ice cream, though). Fudge & Macinac Island seem stuck together like ice water on the Jersey shore.