Two weeks ago my wife Chris and I went to Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw ) Island to run in the Great Turtle Half Marathon and 5.7 mile Race . We participated in the 5.7 mile race. It was a nice time and we did a little sight seeing (and of course bought some of the delicious fudge that the island is famous for).
This is Fort Mackinaw. It was built by the British in 1780 to protect the lucrative fur trade route of the straits. In front is a statue of Father Jacques Marquette, whose arrival predated the British presence on the island by over 100 years. Native Americans are believed to have settled the island around 900 AD. the Ojibwa tribe considered this place to be the home of the Great Spirit ( Gitche Manitou). 
Motor vehicles of any kind are not allowed so your only choices are foot, bicycle, or horse drawn carriage. 
This is St. Anne's Catholic Church.
This is Round Island, which forms the "tail" of the Great Turtle.
Post race celebration. 
This is Fort Mackinaw. It was built by the British in 1780 to protect the lucrative fur trade route of the straits. In front is a statue of Father Jacques Marquette, whose arrival predated the British presence on the island by over 100 years. Native Americans are believed to have settled the island around 900 AD. the Ojibwa tribe considered this place to be the home of the Great Spirit ( Gitche Manitou). Motor vehicles of any kind are not allowed so your only choices are foot, bicycle, or horse drawn carriage. This is St. Anne's Catholic Church.This is Round Island, which forms the "tail" of the Great Turtle.Post race celebration. On the way back, we passed the channel buoy, you can see the fort on the island. You can also see the Round Island Lighthouse.
I went topside for the ride back. It was wonderfully bracing. Cold air 30 mph winds, 8 foot seas and plenty of spray. It made me miss my Coast Guard days. Chris thought I was crazy.
The recently retired USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB 83). My home for much of 1981. Now a museum. Sadly, she was closed for the season two weeks earlier. To stand on her decks once more...
7 comments:
Nice photos! I lurve fudge. :)
Paula
Even in the rain, it's lovely!
Lucky you to get to see a rainbow! I've lived on the island for 17 years now and I've only seen a handfull of them.
Paula-It's the best there is. My personal fave has cherry chunks in it.
Nat- It's a cool place. If you ever see the film "Somewhere in time" With Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymore, it was filmed here.
Liz- Thank you for stopping by. I'll add you to my blogroll.
Never been up there, though I have family in Macomb, and lots and lots of family in northern Indiana, we never traveled north of Saginaw to go camping.
Someday, I think we should, but I'm over the camping thing. A nice b & b would be just fine.
Nat- I spent lots of time sailing the straits in the Coast Guard. Been all over the Great Lakes. I like the ocean, but love the Great Lakes. There are great bed and breakfast places all over Michigan. I'd recommend Mac Is., Petoskey, Frankfort, Charlevoix, and Traverse City. The economy might be kicking our butt right now, but this place where I am living my life is most fine indeed.
I remember family talking about it but I don't think I ever went. I think maybe some of the adults went and left us young ones behind.
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