Day 14 and 15 - Mackinaw City, MI. and Trip to Frankenmuth, MI.

Day 14 - 21 Jul

Our trip to Mackinaw City started at this park and this historic site. The rest of our tour of the city was cut short due to heavy rain and thunder storms.

Candy, Gary and Judy in front of the Light house

Walking through the Park Candy took some pictures of this black squirl

When we returned to St. Ignace after the rain shower we stoped and had lunch at one of the local favorite Pizza places.  The lunch was very good and they even had Smore desert Pizza.
After lunch we walked outside and discovered this ship moored alongside the dock.  We took pictures and started wondering if it was a special ship.
So Judy did some research and this is what she found.

"The ship is the SSV Niagara, from Erie, PA and It has quite a history.  The original ship was significant in the War of 1812.  It is now the state ship of Pennsylvania and used for Coast Guard training. There is some question as to whether it is considered a replica or a restored ship.  It has had so many restorations there is not much left of the original ship." 

We all noticesd how many ropes were required for this ship and thought it would really be a challange to learn which rope to use when you needed to move something.

Day 15 - 22 Jul

Drove from St. Ignace, MI. to our next stopping point at Frankenmuth Jellystone RV Park

Yogi was there to greet us

                    

There was a shuttle buse we rode from the campground into town.
This is where we had dinner.  The famous chicken was really good.

All the food was brought family style and it was "All You Can Eat"

After dinner we walked around town and did a little shopping

Candy and Gary crossing the street - I hung back to take this picture

Across the street from where we ate dinner we found this sign

Found this covered bridge

A walking bridge to cross the river

The outdoor cage on the right is where I found the Peacocks

The Peacocks were a pair and had several eggs they were guarding

Day 13 - Boat Trip to Mackinac Island

Our boat ride to Mackinac Island in Lake Huron

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First part of our boat trip was to go out and see the Mackinaw bridge. A 5 mile long bridge going from St. Ignace to Mackinaw City in Michigan and marks the deviding line between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron 

Under the bridge (refered to as "The Big Mac")

The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Ialand. (Pronounced as Mackinaw but spelled different than Mackinaw City because the residents on the island wouldn't Change it.) Many celebraties have stayed in this hotel

Other Houses on the Island (population of 492)

Our first view of the town.  No cars! You get around by foot, Horse or Bicycle.  The only motor vehicles allowed on the island are Police cars, Fire engines, and snow removal equip.  PS. You can use roller blades too.

The first thing to do was to get a tour of the Island and of course, we had to toke a carriage ride.

These were the only Clydesdale Horses on the Island

Candy and Judy while waiting for our Carriage ride around the island.

The start of the Carriage Ride

3 Belgian Horses used to pull the carriages up the steep hills

other horses used were Percheron and Friesian breeds mainly because of their pulling capabilities.

Fort Mackinac (pronounced MACK-in-awe) is a former British and American military outpost garrisoned from the 18th century to the late 19th century.  It was the scene of two strategic battles for control of the Great Lakes during the war of 1812.  It is now a museum.

Our view from the fort during lunch

We had lunch at the Fort overlooning the bay

This was our walk down from the fort.  We could have taken the carriage down but this was more fun.

The high prancing Hackney horses used for the carriages of the Grand Hotel.

Flags flying over the port on the island

We finished off the day by viewing the Mac Bridge all lit up at night.

Day 10, 11, 12

Day 10 - 17 Jul 

The red soil at Lake Superior Made the water look redish brown.

Flowers on the cliff  above Lake Superior when we stopped at a rest stop on the way to Patricia Lake near Minocqua, WI. 

Map of Lake Superior on Wall in Visitor Center in Bayview Mi.

After the Visitor center in Bayview, We parked here and walked a block to this pink house below for Lunch

This is the place recommended by the rangers at the visitor center.
Everyone really liked the lunch

Candy and Judy get their feet wet in Lake Superior

Strolling in a nearby garden Candy finds a statue of a girl sitting on a rock next to a pond reading a book.

Lilly pads in the pond in the garden

Our Camp site at Patricia Lake Campground, WI.
Backing into this spot was really fun!!!
I had lots of help.... but I am getting better at it.
The trees are nice after you are in, but always in the way during
 the backing process.

View of the Lake at Patricia Lake Campground

Day 11 18 Jul

Pictures from the Truck as we drove past lakes on the way to Nahma Golf Resort Park

Pictures Candy took of  pretty things in little towns we passed through.

Passing through Escanaba on the way to Nahma Golf Resort RV park

Made it to the RV Park in Nahma Mi. By about 4 pm this day.
We had planned to get here earlier so Gary and Ken could play a round of Golf.  But as it turns out most of the golf course was still under water from the last rain storm.

We had plenty of places to choose from at this RV Park.

This area used to be a logging mill area and this tower was one of the burners.  The water was one of the many holding ponds for the logs.

Day 12 - 19 Jul

Really great rest area facilities in Michigan

Sign at the rest stop.

We all took our shoes off to walk in Lake Michigan

The water wasn't all that cold in Lake Michigan. Swimming wasn't an option!
 For that, it was too cold.

Made it to Lakeshore RV Park at St. Ignace, MI.

Gary and Judy relaxing by the lake as we prepare to have lunch.

Rich and Candy enjoying the Lake after lunch.