Mackinac Island, MI

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.

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...

Farewell, old girl

It was with great sadness that I went down to Hart Plaza on the banks of the Detroit River to say goodbye to an old friend, the US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw (WAGB 83).
I served aboard this fine lady in 1981, and consider it to be the happiest time that I spent in the service. She was already 38 years old when I reported to her for duty.

She is heading back up to Cheboygan, Michigan, where she is to be decommisioned in June after over 61 years of service.

She is now painted red, but this drawing reflects how she looked when I served on board.

What a great ship she was. She could break through ice up to 20 feet thick.

Some vitals:

Builder:American Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, Toledo, Ohio.

Displacement:5,252 tons
Length:290 feet
Beam:74.3 feet
Draft:19.5 feet
Speed:15 knots
Propulsion:6 Fairbanks-Morse 10cyl. Diesels 10,000 shaft horsepower
Anchors:2-6,000 pound Bower stockless with 2 inch diameter links
Crew:8 Officers, 67 enlisted
Fuel capacity:276,000 gallons

I understand she is to be turned into a museum. Rest well, old girl. You have earned it !